And that’s show business, baby! Taylor Swift is back in the spotlight as her newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, dropped on Friday, Oct. 3. Swifties around the world had been anticipating this drop since she announced the album on Jason and Travis Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, in early August. And it was only fitting for it to be announced on Aug. 12, as this is her twelfth studio album.
The album included 12 tracks, for a total run time of about 41 minutes. And for many fans, this album felt like a complete 180 from Swift’s previous album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), which had 31 total tracks and was a lyrical masterpiece with lots of her signature breakup ballads. Her newest album feels more like a big love letter to her fiancé, Travis Kelce, with lots of upbeat pop songs.
“When TTPD came out, I was astonished by how amazing it was, but when The Life of a Showgirl came out, it instantly became one of my favorite albums!” said junior HannahLee Cooper.
The album also included themes of backlash from the media and how to handle criticism from the eyes of someone who is so idolized, like Swift.
In the general public, the album had mixed reviews. Some said the lyricism was poor and the album felt hollow. But the true fans seem to be overjoyed with the album, especially the album opener, “The Fate of Ophelia.”
“The Fate of Ophelia’ stuck out to me on my first listen. I think it was her best album opener,” said math teacher Jennifer Paolini. Paolini is a long-time Swiftie.
The title track on the album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” also features fellow musician and pop star Sabrina Carpenter, a much-anticipated collaboration.
“My favorite tracks on the album have to be ‘Ruin the Friendship’, ‘Wi$h Li$t’ and ‘Life of a Showgirl,’” said Cooper. “The first song that I listened to when I played the album was ‘Wi$h Li$t,’ and I instantly fell in love!”
Along with the album release was a film that showed in the theaters. Theaters around the globe showed The Official Release Party of a Showgirl only for the weekend of Oct. 3-5.
The film included the world debut of the “Fate of Ophelia” music video, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album and lyric videos for the rest of the songs on the album.
A lot of fans are still left with the question of what’s next for Swift. This is her second album in back-to-back years, and there is no hint of her stopping anytime soon.
“I think that she needs some quiet years. But I also think she will keep writing music because she can’t stop,” said Paolini.
And of course, Swift is known for her “Easter eggs,” which are clues that Swift leaves for fans to help predict what the next announcement will be.
“I’ve seen some people online talking about how Taylor has hinted at this not being her last album, so hopefully their hunches are correct!” said Cooper.
Some Swifties that didn’t make it to the historical eras tour are holding out hope for Swift to do more performances and concerts in the future.
“I really hope Taylor goes on tour again,” Cooper said. “If she does, I will try my best to go to one of her concerts.”
