It’s nothing new that Taylor Swift has always been a girl for the headlines, and that’s appropriate even in a literal sense. When there is a new album release, the world listens–but, as a fan of Swift, “The Life of a Showgirl” has proven to be a sad attempt at clinging to the spotlight.

Swift’s very first album, “Taylor Swift”, debuted in 2008, when the singer-songwriter was just fifteen years old, and the artist’s career successfully began in the realm of country music. 

Since then, Taylor Swift has transitioned into a highly renowned mainstream artist and has become a global sensation, with a career that has expanded itself over the worlds of pop, alternative rock, and indie folk.

In recent years, Swift has gained notoriety among fans for her power in her complex and moving lyricism. Albums, such as sister-albums “Folklore” and “Evermore,” as well as last year’s release “The Tortured Poets Department,” pronounced fame to Swift for the intricateness of her writing, with the ability to empathize with many of her listeners. 

Taylor’s music conveyed stories, holding a deep meaning, and showed profound and raw emotion that made for a large amount of the artist’s appeal. The sophisticateness of such releases, as well, were a factor that bestowed a characteristic of multi-facetedism to Swift, something that highly contrasts to the flatness of “The Life of a Showgirl.”

In comparison to other works, “The Life of a Showgirl” felt like a rush and scramble of an album. The album is sloppy and lacks any sort of artistic soul or creativity from the singer, a standard that Swift herself had set in place for her fans in previous projects. I mean, shouting-out Real Madrid? Seriously?

Largely, the album feels like nothing short of a marketing strategy in light of the singer’s recent engagement to NFL player Travis Kelce and a desperate grab for money. The high anticipation for “The Life of a Showgirl” was centered around it being advertised as a true pop album, yet the poor and disappointing lyricism of the songs shadows over any catchy beat.

Categories: Arts & Entertainment