Want a new listen? Taylor Swift released her newest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” Oct. 3. It’s a dazzling experience for many of her fans, and it seems to be designed as a reflection of her current life. Taylor Swift is a world renowned pop star, and has been in the spotlight since 2006. The music in “The Life of a Showgirl” is strongly inspired by her fiance, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and her experiences off-stage. It is her twelfth studio album, which consists of twelve songs, although most critics favor only these few: “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Actually Romantic” and “Opalite.” Many of her fans have said that the album is a whimsical masterpiece, while others criticize Swift and describe it as “cringe and uneven.”
So, is “The Life of a Showgirl” as shiny as it seems? Well, I personally think that her previous productions are better, such as the album, “1989.” The “1989” album is frequently mentioned and some consider it one of the most awarded pop albums of all time. Comparing “The Life of a Showgirl” to “1989,” or any of her numerous albums, makes it seem unprofessional, clumsy and almost unfinished. There is no doubt that Taylor Swift has talent — it’s undeniable — but this was not her best work. Even though “The Life of a Showgirl” album was not my favorite, I do think she still deserves the credit and high praise for it.
Something I think Swift does better than any other music artist is create deep connections with her fanbase. In her new album, she radiates precise emotional details from her life that her listeners will experience through the music. Specifically in “Ruin the Friendship,” it is understood that Taylor has regrets and missed opportunities from her past. Not only was this one of the better songs in the album, but I think this was an intelligent way to find success in the music industry because it forms an emotional connection between her and her fans through the music.
Another emotional song is “Eldest Daughter,” but this one wasn’t as much of a tear jerker as I would have hoped. One of the lyrics consisted of “I’m not a bad [expletive],” and “this isn’t savage,” which does not match the melancholic tone of the music. In comparison to her older songs, these lyrics are disappointingly lazy and lack the common cleverness she used to radiate so expressively. Even though it’s catchy, this song is all over the place, and it’s hard to dictate the main point of it. As music is a subjective art form, it’s understandable for abstract or pointless pieces, but I believe this song takes away from “The Life of a Showgirl” overall.
On the contrary, I personally favor “Cancelled” and “Opalite.” Though the song has some mediocre lyrics, “Cancelled,” is very catchy. “Opalite” is arguably the best song in the entire album due to the poetic lyrics and contagious tune. I did enjoy a few of the other songs, but unfortunately these were the only songs that I actually loved.
Another fan favorite is “The Fate of Ophelia,” which is a good song, but it’s different from the original story of Ophelia. The story of Ophelia originated as a Shakespearian classic, where Fair Use Ophelia symbolically passes from grief and devastation as the love of her life killed her father. In the song, it is perceived that Taylor embodies Ophelia, but Travis Kelce saves her instead. I believe this song is an interesting take on the story and could be seen as either romantic and sweet, or uneducated and naive.
Overall, I do believe Taylor Swift did have some wins in this album, but it feels like she is slightly out of touch from her normal artistic flow. It could be influenced by her new romance with Travis Kelce or just life in general getting in the way, so it doesn’t mean she isn’t talented.
I have no doubt that Taylor Swift is an accomplished singer, songwriter and icon. She has proven to the world that she deserves the fame, but in my opinion, “The Life of a Showgirl” feels more personal than professional. Music is all around subjective, and it can be perceived in many different ways, so maybe you’ll love the songs that I criticize. If you are looking for something new, definitely give “The Life of a Showgirl” a try. It could be a whimsical experience for you, or you’ll view it just the same as critics.
