The Doll People

Sofia Isella's song 'The Doll People' is a powerful and haunting critique of the objectification and commodification of women. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of women being reduced to mere objects, likened to dolls made of 'ass and glass,' with 'skin of clay and painted blue.' This metaphor highlights the fragility and artificiality imposed on women by societal standards. The detachment of the head symbolizes the loss of identity and autonomy, as women are turned into 'statues with a pulse'—living beings treated as lifeless art pieces meant for consumption.

The recurring line 'We are art you can fuck' starkly underscores the dehumanization and sexual exploitation of women. The song delves into the roles women are forced to play—'wife, whore, mistress, maid, mother'—emphasizing the multifaceted yet reductive expectations placed upon them. The disturbing imagery of 'legs spread like butter' and the notion that 'a woman who doesn't want it is much hotter than one that does' further critiques the toxic male fantasy that values women's resistance as a form of eroticism, thereby perpetuating rape culture.

As the song progresses, it reveals the inner turmoil and rebellion of the 'doll people.' The line 'To be admired takes precedence over admiring' speaks to the societal pressure on women to be objects of desire rather than individuals with their own desires. The climax of the song, where the dolls are found to be filled with maggots, symbolizes the decay and corruption of a system that devalues women. The final image of the dolls 'laughing and running together, swimming in the milk of the Moon' suggests a liberation from their oppressive roles, finding freedom and solidarity away from the male gaze.