Doja cat
October is now in full swing, and we wanted to take a moment to recognize three albums from September that have captivated audiences, challenged the mainstream, and introduced artists to new listeners. We will be reviewing and commenting on “Vie” from Doja Cat, “Breach” from Twenty One Pilots, and “The Art of Loving” by Olivia Dean. These albums, all released in September 2025, have drawn in listeners internationally. All three of these albums are already critically acclaimed and have been reaching audiences because of their lyricism, melodies, instrumentals, and vocals.
“Vie” by Doja Cat
“Vie” is Doja Cat’s fifth studio album and follows “Scarlet”, which saw Doja be bitter, rap heavy, loud, and harsh. She dealt with a lot of criticism for “Scarlet” because of the imagery of the album. She said she wanted the album to reflect “a lot of pent-up feelings and anger”, and the album in turn was experimental and at times, dark. Her persona and appearance also changed at this time. Doja shaved her head and eyebrows, got a lot of tattoos, and wore red contacts to accompany the vibe of her new album.
All of this to say that “Vie” sees the rapper take on a new and refreshing sound. Drawing inspiration heavily from the 80’s, this album reflects on Doja’s feelings towards love and loss. When announcing the album, she said that it would be more “pop-driven” than her latest album, Scarlet. It certainly is a huge contrast to “Scarlet”, down to the little details. Doja has traded the red contacts and shaved head for high fashion, corsets, and big blowout wigs.
“Vie”, produced by Jack Antonoff (Known best for working with Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Sabrina Carpenter), features heavy pop-synth sounds and a funky, 80’s style aesthetic. “Jealous Type”, the first single from the album, draws back to Doja Cat’s “Hot Pink” album with its disco-pop influences. “Take Me Dancing” features SZA and serves as a catchy follow up to “Kiss Me More” from Doja’s “Hot Pink” album. “AAAHH MEN” uses a Knight Rider sample, and is more tense than some of the other pop-punk songs on the album, similar to the works on “Scarlet”.
“Gorgeous” sees Doja reflect on her own beauty and the beauty of women around her, and shows that she is leaning into her current appearance and aesthetics related to the album. It calls back to her “Planet Her” album with themes of feminine confidence and self-worship, similar to “Woman” or “Need to Know”.
Doja Cat is known for making albums that question rules, infiltrate the mainstream, and keep people hooked. With an undercut album release and very few singles, “Vie” has proven itself on its own as a Doja classic and relays the fact that Doja Cat is still one to watch and one of the biggest female rappers of this time.
“Breach” by Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots, consisting of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, are known for their storytelling throughout albums and consistent buildup of themes and arcs. They explore themes of mental health, identity, relapse, healing, and repetitive cycles. “Breach” serves as the conclusion of their current arc, and follows “Clancy”. Along with each of their albums since 2015, “Breach” tells the story of Clancy and Dema, Clancy being the protagonist, and Dema serving as a metaphor for dark thoughts, depression, and mental health issues.
“Breach”, defined plainly, means “an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.” This represents Clancy breaking free from the darkness of his past and moving on, “breaching” the walls that have defined him for the past few years.
“City Walls”, the opening track of the album, is pretty much explicitly about breaching the walls of Dema. It references “heavydirtysoul” from “Blurryface” at the end, and suggests a shift-in-power or changing of roles.
“Drum Show” is loud, hectic, and raw. It is also the first song in Twenty One Pilots’ discography to feature drummer Josh Dun on vocals, and serves as a tension breaker in the midst of a revolutionary breach.
“Downstairs” sees a different instrumental background, and is emotional and piano-heavy. It shows Clancy reflecting on how he feels, what’s underneath, even during the breach. The stripped instrumentals reflect this rawness, and it is perfectly placed at the center of the album.
“One Way” brings in an infectious bass line, and brings the tempo back up. It acts as a lift after a few more emotionally raw songs, and represents Clancy getting back on track to facing his fears and breaching the walls ahead.
“Intentions”, the closer on the album, serves as a reflection of all that has happened in the Clancy / Dema era. It represents acceptance, retrospect, and healing.
“Breach” is woven into an era of uncertainty, but acts as the epilogue to the events in the previous albums. Musically it is heavy and intense, but quiet when it needs to be. It carries emotional baggage and relays it musically through heavy guitar and drums.
The Art of Loving By:Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving marks a significant turning point. It’s a bold yet emotional leap forward for the British soul-pop artist. She released The Art of Loving on September 26, 2025. The album builds on the warmth and honesty that made Messy, her 2023 album, so loved.
This time, Olivia Dean gets to take control over the album, and as a result, her confidence shines through every note. She steps away from uncertainty and turns into the feeling of confidence, showing what it really means to be a young woman exploring love in all its forms — romance, friendship, forgiveness, and self-acceptance.
Unsurprisingly, many people across TikTok are ranking The Art of Loving among the best three albums of September 2025. The project captures Olivia Dean’s emotional depth and artistic growth throughout the years, doing this better than almost anything else released this year.
From the opening track, Olivia Dean makes her purpose clear. Honestly, it’s right in the title — The Art of Loving reflects more than it confesses. That’s what makes it so compelling. Dean drew inspiration from bell hooks’s All About Love, a book that views love as something we practice, not something that happens. Because of that influence, her songs carry intention and weight.
That mindset shapes every song and gives the album a strong sense of purpose. Instead of chasing drama, Dean focuses on quiet, honest moments: a laugh, a pause, a breath. Meanwhile, her lyrics dive into emotions that feel raw and real. Whether she writes about new love, distance, or self-forgiveness, her words sound genuine and unguarded.
As a result, the album feels lived-in and full of life experience. It’s warm, wise, and a little nostalgic. Listening to it feels like a late-night talk with someone who truly understands you, comforting, open, and deeply personal.
Musically, Dean continues to grow with this record. The album blends classic soul textures with modern pop production, creating a timeless and new sound. Every layer adds emotion and color. The horns hum softly, and the strings sway gently, wrapping around her smooth, confident vocals.
In addition, the album’s production gives it even more warmth. Dean recorded most of it in a cozy East London home studio, surrounded by friends and collaborators. That closeness shaped the creative process and flows beautifully through the music.
Critics have compared the sound to a modern Motown revival, and it’s easy to hear why. It’s soulful but sleek, nostalgic but fresh. The combination of old-school soul and contemporary polish gives the album a charm that feels effortless.
Overall, The Art of Loving cements Olivia Dean’s place as one of the UK’s most promising young voices. Her songwriting has never felt more intentional, her sound has never been more refined, and her presence is more authentic through this bumall. This album isn’t just a collection of random songs; it results from years of growth, reflection, and learning to love out loud.
The rollout of singles truly showed her range. First came “Nice to Each Other” in May. It was breezy, upbeat, and full of optimism. Then came “Lady Lady” in July, bringing slower, deeper tones that celebrated womanhood and trust. Finally, “Man I Need” landed in August. It was bold, sultry, and full of power. As a result, it became her breakout hit, charting worldwide and earning her first Billboard Hot 100 entry. Together, these singles reveal how easily Dean balances softness and strength. Each song carries both heart and backbone, proving her ability to shift effortlessly between vulnerability and confidence.
Across its twelve tracks, The Art of Loving feels like a flowing conversation. It begins with reflection and ends with “I’ve Seen It,” a song about love that endures distance. Between those moments, the album explores every shade of connection — fleeting, fragile, and fierce. Meanwhile, critics from Pitchfork, Financial Times, and AP News have praised its emotional honesty and soulful polish. Commercially, the album continues to thrive. It debuted high on global charts and earned millions of streams in its first week. As her audience grows, Dean prepares for a U.S. run with Sabrina Carpenter and a one-night Sydney performance. Overall, The Art of Loving isn’t just one of the best albums of September 2025. It’s proof that Olivia Dean knows exactly how to turn love into sound — and sound into something timeless.
