Dorothy Clark, better known as the English musician Dodie, has seen lots of success throughout her career. She first began her music career on YouTube in 2011, starting off with ukulele and piano covers. Since then she has moved on to primarily making her own original music. She performs her songs on her YouTube channel, which has nearly 2 million subscribers. She is well known for her energetic disposition and vibrant antics.

Dodie has released three EPs so far, which include Intertwined (2016), You (2017), and Human (2019). Intertwined reached number 35 on the official UK album charts the week of its release. You and Human debuted on the UK album charts at number 6 and number 5, respectively. Her debut studio album, Build a Problem, was released on May 7, 2021.

During the weeks leading up to the album’s announcement, Dodie ended each video that she posted on her vlog channel with a short clip of her knitting a letter. The letters were arranged to spell the album’s title in a video titled “ANNOUNCEMENT OOH” that was posted in October 2020.

Build a Problem is a 14-track album, including six singles that were released previously: “Guiltless,” “Boys Like You,” “Cool Girl,” “Rainbow,” “Hate Myself,” and “I Kissed Someone (It Wasn’t You).” The album has a total runtime of 37 minutes and 51 seconds. The deluxe edition, which will be available along with the standard version on all music streaming platforms, includes 8 more tracks from the ALOSIA (A Lot of Songs In April/August) sessions. These tracks are all demos that have been partially released on her YouTube channel in 2020. With these additional song versions, the album runs for 59 minutes and 57 seconds.

Dodie has described the album as reflective. She has talked at length about how much the album means to her and how much of herself she has poured into making it.

“I think I was going through a crisis actually,” Dodie said. “I was very unsure of who I was and I was trying to figure it out in music. I think it’s quite unstable of an album – but it’s definitely honest,”

Overall, the album has heavy indie folk and pop influences. The wonderfully mixed and layered vocals melt with an airy, string based-background composed by Dodie herself. If you are looking for something new to listen to, Build A Problem is your album.