Masuk Free Press

Taylor Swift has dominated pop, and with her new album released a week ago, fans can’t stop talking about it–for better or for worse. The Life of a Showgirl is Swift’s 12th studio album , breaking records and selling nearly 3 million copies in its first 24 hours. The album draws inspiration from old-school Hollywood Glamour, while also delving into her personal life. The “showgirl” reference of the album highlights the intense spotlight on life and relationships, delving into the pressures of fame and performing. 

Swift has been known for reinventing herself–from country albums to pop–and The Life of a Showgirl continues this trend. Each of her “eras” has brought something new, from country ballads to breakup songs to an edgier tone in her Reputation album. The Life of a Showgirl explores different trends, with a more jazzy tune and a vibe of glitz and glamour.

Senior Klaudia Jaworska said, “The lyrics and storylines are kind of similar, but I feel like the tone and vibes of them are really different”.

The album takes on a more cinematic style, especially in her new music video for “The Fate of Ophelia”, the first track of the album. These songs include smooth vocals and a more brassy sound, which is not present in her previous albums, such as Lover.  Although some fans argue that Swift’s albums are beginning to sound the same, each album has a distinct vibe, which is evident in the album covers. 

Major Swiftie DJ Lynch, a Senior at Masuk, says “I actually really liked it”, and that the songs have gotten “slower and more lyric heavy, having this kind of escape. Like an upbeat pop record kind of.. It changes the game and gives something new that we haven’t seen in a couple of years”. 

His favorite song on the album is “Ruin The Friendship”, which highlights the album’s larger themes of love and fame. He has been a Swiftie for 6 years and has loved her music since first hearing her Lover album.

Many fans of Swift have begun comparing The Life of a Showgirl with Taylor’s other albums, saying it “doesn’t hit” like her other albums do. 

Senior Adriana Sforza said, “It kind of sounds too modernized, kind of like AI wrote it. It doesn’t even compare to some of her other albums, like Folklore, because of its vibe and raw lyrics”.

However, as Lynch says, “It’s hard to compare now just because it came out so recently”, and that it’s “so much different from everything. It’s so different lyrically, because she’s putting herself into a different role”.

While Lynch generally enjoys the new album, he says, “I feel like there are cringy parts”. This has become a major trend on social media platforms. Reactions have overall been mixed, with many listeners.

Senior Peyton Santos said, “I only listened to it because my friend told me to, and I almost immediately turned it off. It was so bad”. 

Santos is not a fan of Taylor Swift; however, she says, “Some of her music is pretty good… This one definitely is not”. 

Other fans took their frustration with the album to TikTok and Instagram. 

Senior Karolina Jarowska says, “From what I’ve heard from social media, it’s not that good”. Though many praise its catchy tunes and signature storytelling, some say it’s repetitive and less innovative than Swift’s previous albums.

Freshman Remi Lane says, “I think it’s pretty good, but I feel like it’s influenced by Sabrina Carpenter a little bit”, with Peyton Santos adding, “None of it sounds original. There’s really nothing special about it; it just sounds like all of her other albums”.

Not only have many fans shared their opinions, but critics have also analyzed the album, which has highlighted the reactions of fans. While some critics say the album hits all the marks, some contradict, saying it lacks her usual sparkle. Critics like The Alternative and The Guardian say that it is “dull”, and the electric energy from her past album is absent. While some critics share those opinions, others like Variety and Rolling Stone praise the album, saying it’s a reinvention of pop.

Whether loved or loathed, The Life of a Showgirl is the top album across the globe as of now. Taylor Swift continues to dominate the industry. Like it or not, the album continues to break records and climb charts worldwide, with multiple tracks hitting number 1 in both the U.S. and the U.K. More than anything, Swift’s ability to evolve and take risks is inevitable, and with this new era comes a new debate.