4.8/10 - Doja Cat Album Review: Scarlet

In a landscape teeming with pop princesses and rap moguls, Doja Cat's fourth studio album, "Scarlet," emerges as a perplexing paradox—a chiaroscuro of brilliance and banality. This enigmatic artistry oscillates between the audacious and the introspective, serving as both a tantalizing glimpse into untapped potential and a cautionary tale of artistic incongruity. The album is a testament to its polarizing nature, a project that tantalizes with glimpses of unfulfilled brilliance.

Despite its polarizing reception, it's worth noting that the album has achieved significant commercial success. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and has spawned multiple chart-topping singles, a testament to Doja Cat's undeniable mass appeal. The lyrical terrain of "Scarlet" is a veritable minefield of hits and misses. Tracks such as "Paint the Town Red," "Agoura Hills," and "Attention" serve as oases of lyrical profundity, exploring complex themes of identity, vulnerability, and artistic integrity with a deftness that is both refreshing and compelling. However, tracks like "We Vagina" and "Fuck the Girls" veer into the realm of the gratuitous, offering shock value that feels more like a distraction than a meaningful addition to the album's narrative.

Musically, "Scarlet" is a departure from her previous works. It leans heavily into hip-hop, allowing Doja Cat to showcase her rap skills, which she feels have been overshadowed by her success as a pop artist. Songs like "Skull and Bones" and "Ouchies" are a return to her roots, biting back at critics who accuse her of selling out. Yet, the album is not without its controversies. Her relationship with comedian and streamer J. Cyrus, who has been accused of manipulation and emotional abuse, is defended in the song "Agora Hills," a move that could alienate some fans.

The album's marketing has been as audacious as it is controversial. Whether it's her public appearances or her social media posts, Doja Cat has been pushing the boundaries of what's considered acceptable in the quest to promote "Scarlet." This audacious approach to promotion adds another layer of tension to the album's narrative, forcing us to question what we expect from our idols.

Yet, for all its audacity, "Scarlet" is not without its flaws. The album's thematic focus, while ambitious, often feels scattered, as if Doja Cat is trying to tackle too many issues at once. This lack of focus, noted by several critics, dilutes the album's impact, leaving us with a final product that is as confounding as it is captivating. It's an album that tries to sever parasocial ties with her audience, yet it can't help but engage with the very criticisms it seeks to dismiss.

It's at this juncture that one must acknowledge Doja Cat's vocal versatility as a lighthouse in the fog of thematic inconsistency. Her chameleonic vocal range imbues the album with a modicum of complexity that serves as a counterpoint to its thematic disarray. Even in moments where the album's narrative falters, her voice remains a constant, guiding us through the labyrinthine corridors of her artistic vision.

In the end, "Scarlet" is a fascinating study of an artist at a crossroads. Doja Cat is both the arsonist and the firefighter, setting fires only to put them out. She's challenging the norms of pop stardom, breaking down the barriers between artist and audience, and forcing us all to question what we expect from our idols. But one thing is clear: Doja Cat is not interested in meeting anyone's expectations but her own.

Given the album's audacious thematic scope, its musical versatility, its complex relationship with its audience, and its undeniable commercial success, a rating of 4.8/10 seems fitting. It's not a condemnation but rather a reflection of its own internal contradictions and the challenges it poses to both the artist and the listener.