When Taylor Swift released her new album “The Life of a Showgirl” on Oct. 3, I expected glitter, sparkles, and big pop anthems like her other eras. Instead, we received an album that feels more personal, but not quite as strong lyrically as her past work. While the concept of the album is strong — revealing the reality behind fame and the pressure of the spotlight — some songs do not land with the same lyrical depth or detail Swift is known for. Still, the album stands out for its honesty and vulnerability, giving fans a glimpse behind the curtain.
As someone who has followed Swift’s music career, the album left me wanting more. I had higher expectations for the lyrics and overall production, but I do feel the album presents a compelling perspective on life in the entertainment industry. In the title track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” Swift features Sabrina Carpenter to end the album by capturing the sacrifice and struggles of being a pop star — the side hidden behind the sequins and glitter. The song explores themes of publicity, endurance, and the duality of a performer’s public persona and private life.
Although the album stands out for its concept, it does not stand out to me lyrically. In the song “Eldest Daughter,” Swift writes, “Every joke’s just trolling memes,” and also, “So we all dressed up as wolves and we looked fire.” Swift is known for being a lyricist, and I feel that this album is less complex compared to her previous eras. When she released “The Tortured Poets Department,” the lyrics felt raw, poetic, and sophisticated, whereas the lyrics from “The Life of a Showgirl” feel simplistic.
Talking around campus, freshman Claire Lee shared, “Compared to Taylor’s other eras, this album definitely did not stand out to me. I think this because the lyrics in all of the songs did not feel very meaningful compared to her other albums, and Taylor is known for that.” Expanding on Lee’s opinion, since none of the songs resonated deeply with some listeners, I think this album may appeal more to longtime fans who already appreciate Swift’s evolution as an artist.
If I were to pick a favorite song from the album, it would be “Father Figure” or “Ruin the Friendship.” Both of these tracks delivered the upbeat production and storytelling I had hoped for. When I first listened to the album, these songs stood out and gave me more reason to emotionally connect with them. “Father Figure” explores themes of power and success, while “Ruin the Friendship” reflects on hidden feelings and emotional tension. After a few relistens, the album has grown on me slightly.
“The Life of a Showgirl” is a good album, but I would likely continue listening to a few select songs rather than the entire tracklist. From my perspective, Swift’s past works — such as “The Tortured Poets Department,” “Red,” and “1989” — are albums I am more likely to return to.
I would give Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” a rating of 7 out of 10 for its strong concept and emotional vulnerability, but with a noticeable lack in lyrical depth. The production and writing are decent, but I had higher expectations, and I believe the album did not fully reach them — for me and perhaps for other Swifties as well.
