Album Review: “Scarlet 2 CLAUDE” by Doja Cat

Doja Cat’s latest album ‘Scarlet 2 CLAUDE’ first commands your attention with her single ACKNOWLEDGE ME (in all caps). The stunning clash of the symbols along with the yearning vocals creates an image of rebirth as the singer is reborn into celebration. A truly satisfying sound as if champagne bubbles are dripping out of the speakers and down your ear canal. The gospel vocals of the hook “I get crazy, angsty, when you get under, my skin” i feel evokes a power of acceptance and repentance as she acknowledges past irrational behaviour in a previous relationship; and we’ve all been there, let our emotions get the best of us under someone else’s guise which makes us appreciate the naked truth of Doja’s lyrics and the salute to the timeless saying ‘Love makes people do crazy things’. The singer is also vulnerable as she outwardly tells this person she craves a deeper, more personable connection with them with the line “Don’t you dare call me Doja Cat” - the narrative of ‘ACKNOWLEDGE ME’ showing the explicit complexity of emotions once a relationship had ended.

With the singer sporting a shaven head and shaven eyebrows we see how the album coincides with change or better yet rebellion. Lyrics in the single ‘Attention’ depicts a narrative of the singer claiming back her power by going against the laws of societal beauty standards in a fearless act of liberation. Doja Cat had chosen to drop her high spirited pop vocals behind and rap the lyrics as a brash rebuttal to all the hate comments the singer received deeming her ‘unfuckable’ or ‘having a mental issues’ after revealing her new aesthetic.

Disc 2 features ‘Can’t wait’ and ‘Agora Hills’ are both singles I have a soft spot for as they came at a time I had someone to romanticise and could relate to the heartfelt lyrics. Doja’s effortlessly stunning vocals paired with yearning to ‘show them off’ is a truly ethereal experience.

So whether you want to rage, rebel or romanticise a loved one (or better yet yourself) the Scarlet 2 CLAUDE album leaves no room for dissatisfaction.


Favourite song: Can’t Wait