Born Again ft. Doja Cat & Raye Review: Why This LISA Collab Hits Different

"Born Again" has stormed the music scene, claiming an impressive 86% of votes in a recent Billboard poll and establishing itself as a standout collaboration between LISA, Doja Cat, and RAYE.

This nearly four-minute track brings together three distinct musical powerhouses, reminiscent of iconic female collaborations like "Bang Bang." Notably, the song's disco-tinged production and funky bassline transport listeners to the golden era of 70s dance music.

The glamorous black-and-white mansion setting of the music video certainly adds to the song's luxurious appeal, while showcasing the unique chemistry between these three artists. Furthermore, this collaboration serves as an exciting preview of LISA's upcoming debut solo album "Alter Ego," scheduled for release on February 28, 2025.

Following the success of her previous singles "Rockstar" and "New Woman," LISA's latest venture into global pop demonstrates her versatility as an artist. With its full-bodied structure and strong production earning an 8.75 rating, "Born Again" stands as a testament to what happens when three distinctive musical styles converge.

Breaking Down Born Again's Sound

The synth-funk beat of "Born Again" masterfully blends disco-era influences with modern pop sensibilities. The track's production, helmed by Andrew Wells and RAYE, creates a dynamic sonic landscape that spans nearly four minutes.

Disco-Funk Production Elements

The song's foundation rests on a lithe synth-funk arrangement reminiscent of The Weeknd's signature style. This retro-inspired production draws from 70s disco elements, incorporating an infectious bassline that propels the track forward. Moreover, the song's structure takes an old-fashioned approach, featuring often-neglected elements like a proper intro, outro, and bridge.

Vocal Arrangements and Flow

The vocal arrangement showcases each artist's distinct strengths while maintaining seamless transitions throughout the track. LISA takes an unexpected turn by focusing solely on singing, departing from her signature rap style. Instead, she demonstrates remarkable versatility by slipping between vocal techniques that echo her work with BLACKPINK.

Doja Cat's entrance marks a clever shift in the song's dynamics. She begins with melodic singing before transitioning into her rap verse, creating a natural progression that enhances the track's flow. Her performance includes unexpected melodic runs that showcase her expanding vocal range.

RAYE's soulful contributions add emotional depth to the mix, particularly evident in the bridge section where the vocal arrangements reach new heights. The song's structure builds progressively, with each segment adding layers of complexity. As the track approaches its conclusion, the changing deliveries and varying melodies maintain listener engagement despite its extended length.

The collaborative moments shine particularly bright, with all three artists creating what has been described as a "powerhouse of talent". Each performer carves out their authentic space while contributing to the track's cohesive sound. The production percolates and surges strategically, with vocal arrangements adding precise moments of intensity that elevate the overall composition.

LISA's Evolution as a Solo Artist

Since launching her solo career in September 2021, LISA has undergone a remarkable transformation in her musical journey. Her debut single album 'Lalisa' shattered records, becoming the first female artist to sell 736,000 copies in its first week in South Korea. Subsequently, her music video garnered 73.6 million views within 24 hours, setting a new record for solo artists.

From Rapper to Vocalist

Although primarily known as BLACKPINK's lead rapper and sub-vocalist, LISA's artistic evolution in "Born Again" showcases her exclusive focus on singing, demonstrating her versatility beyond rap performances. This shift marks a significant departure from her established role, as she hands over the rap verses to her collaborators.

New Musical Direction

In February 2024, LISA established her own management company, Lloud, signaling a bold step toward creative independence. Her partnership with RCA Records in April 2024 further solidified her position in the global music scene. The release of "Rockstar" under these new ventures garnered immediate success, achieving over 1 million views in under thirty minutes.

Comparison with Previous Singles

LISA's musical journey shows consistent growth across her releases. Her previous hits "Lalisa" and "Money" achieved significant milestones, with "Money" setting records as the longest-charting song by a female K-pop soloist on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. Her recent single "Rockstar" elevated her success further, reaching #70 on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing her previous peak of #84 with "Lalisa".

The evolution extends beyond chart performance. Under her new label, LISA has secured full ownership of her recordings, allowing her to explore diverse musical directions. Her latest work demonstrates an exciting sense of scope and intention, marking a departure from traditional K-pop frameworks. Additionally, she emphasizes her Thai heritage in her recent releases, collaborating with local production teams and showcasing Bangkok's cultural landscape in her music videos.

Three Artists, Three Styles

The dynamic collaboration in "Born Again" showcases three distinct musical styles, each artist bringing their unique strengths to create a harmonious blend. The song's structure allows each performer to shine individually while contributing to a cohesive narrative about transformation and self-discovery.

LISA's Vocal Transformation

LISA's performance in "Born Again" marks a significant shift from her typical rap-focused style. Her vocals demonstrate remarkable versatility as she effortlessly transitions between rapid-fire verses and soaring sustained notes. In the opening verse, she sets the tone with confident assertions about moving forward: "In the car, top-down, black shades on uh-huh". Her delivery remains assertive yet emotionally nuanced, perfectly embodying the song's themes of self-discovery and resilience.

Doja Cat's Rap Dominance

Doja Cat's verse introduces a clever mix of biblical metaphors and pointed commentary. Her signature style blends playful delivery with sharp wordplay, particularly evident in lines like "Non-believer / You've bitten from the fruit but can't give back". Her half-sung, half-rapped approach adds an edgy dimension to the track. The religious imagery in her verse questions self-righteousness while maintaining the song's empowerment theme.

RAYE's Soulful Touch

RAYE's contribution elevates the track with her distinctive soulful richness. Her bridge section, "Seasoned like the cinnamon / The way I'm getting rid of him," showcases her poetic approach to storytelling. Her vocals blend seamlessly with LISA's, creating powerful harmonies throughout the chorus. RAYE's presence adds emotional depth, especially during the bridge where she explores themes of spiritual growth and personal liberation.

The behind-the-scenes footage reveals the genuine chemistry between these artists, showing them sharing laughs and smiles during the video shoot. Their collaborative energy translates into the final product, where each artist maximizes their strengths without overshadowing the others. This balanced approach results in a track where three distinct voices come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Visual Storytelling in Born Again

Directed by Bardia Zeinali, the "Born Again" music video weaves an intricate tapestry of symbolism and visual storytelling that elevates the song's message of transformation.

Music Video Analysis

The video unfolds through five distinct parts, each representing a stage in the journey of rebirth. Opening with a powerful definition of "Born Again" in multiple languages including Korean, Thai, English, and Spanish, the narrative progresses from darkness to light. The initial scenes portray the artists in black attire, symbolizing a farewell to their past selves. As the story advances, the visuals transition through various symbolic settings, ultimately culminating in a scene where all three artists emerge in white attire, representing their complete transformation.

Fashion and Aesthetics

The wardrobe choices tell their own story of evolution. The artists begin in sleek black ensembles that echo a gothic-inspired aesthetic. Doja Cat appears surrounded by flames, while RAYE's scene features her adorned with white flowers, specifically white camellias that symbolize purity and love. The makeup artistry throughout the video pushes boundaries, with each artist bringing their signature style - Lisa's chic simplicity with a subversive twist, Doja Cat's experimental textures, and RAYE's modern take on classic '40s-inspired glamour.

Symbolic Elements

The video incorporates rich symbolism through recurring motifs. The imagery includes a tree, fire, and rock, each carrying specific significance in the transformation narrative. The video also draws from neopagan traditions, presenting the artists as representations of the Triple Goddess archetype - the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Lisa's scenes include her holding an apple, evoking biblical references and themes of forbidden knowledge. The expansive field of white orchids serves as a powerful visual metaphor for new beginnings, connecting to Lisa's evolution as an independent artist and founder of LLOUD.

Chart Performance and Reception

Commanding an impressive 86% of votes in Billboard's new music poll, "Born Again" has quickly established itself as a chart phenomenon. The collaboration between LISA, Doja Cat, and RAYE has achieved remarkable success across multiple platforms, marking significant milestones in their respective careers.

Global Chart Rankings

The track made a strong debut on seven Billboard charts simultaneously. On the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart, it secured the No. 2 position, becoming the first entry for all three artists on this newly introduced ranking. The song also claimed the runner-up spot on the Dance Streaming Songs chart. On Spotify's global platform, "Born Again" garnered 6.26 million streams on its release day, debuting at No. 6.

Critical Response

Music critics have praised the song's innovative approach, highlighting its disco-tinged production and funky bassline. The track's four-minute duration stands out in an era of shorter pop songs, offering a fully developed musical experience. Critics have acknowledged how the trio meshes together seamlessly, each presenting their distinctive sound without overshadowing the others.

Fan Reception

The song's reception among fans has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its structural complexity and production quality. Listeners have particularly appreciated the inclusion of traditional song elements often missing in contemporary pop music, such as a proper bridge and outro. The track's success extends to radio, where it earned 231 spins from Mediabase-monitored pop stations on its first day.

On the Billboard Hot 100, "Born Again" debuted at No. 68, surpassing LISA's previous peak of No. 70 with "Rockstar". The song marks her fifth solo entry on the chart, demonstrating her growing influence in the American market. Additionally, its performance on the Pop Airplay chart, starting at No. 37, confirms its strong radio presence.

FAQS

Frequently asked questions about "Born Again" reveal fascinating insights into this groundbreaking collaboration. Here are the most common queries answered:

Q: What makes "Born Again" different from typical pop collaborations? The song stands out through its unique blend of disco-funk elements alongside modern pop sensibilities. Rather than following current trends of shorter songs, it maintains a full four-minute duration with traditional song elements like proper intros and outros.

Q: How did the collaboration between LISA, Doja Cat, and RAYE come about? The partnership emerged after LISA established her independent label LLOUD. The artists connected through RCA Records, where both Doja Cat and RAYE have existing relationships.

Q: What inspired the religious themes in the lyrics? The song explores themes of transformation and renewal, drawing parallels with spiritual rebirth. These metaphors serve as powerful symbols for personal growth and artistic evolution.

Q: Why did LISA choose to focus on singing rather than rapping? This decision marks a deliberate artistic evolution, showcasing LISA's versatility as a performer. The choice aligns with her broader strategy of expanding her musical repertoire beyond her established role as a rapper.

Q: What significance does the black and white aesthetic hold? The monochromatic visual approach symbolizes the duality between past and present selves, reflecting the song's themes of transformation. The gradual shift from dark to light tones throughout the video represents personal growth.

Q: How does the production style complement each artist's strengths? The track's arrangement creates distinct spaces for each artist while maintaining cohesion. The disco-funk foundation provides a versatile backdrop that accommodates LISA's vocal exploration, Doja Cat's rap prowess, and RAYE's soulful delivery.

Q: What role does symbolism play in the music video? The video incorporates various symbolic elements, from the apple representing knowledge to white orchids signifying new beginnings. Each visual choice reinforces the song's central theme of rebirth and transformation.

These insights offer a deeper understanding of how "Born Again" pushes boundaries in contemporary pop music while honoring traditional musical elements.