A new Taylor Swift era began with Taylor Swift’s twelfth album, “The Life Of A Showgirl,”released on October 3rd of this year. The album is refreshingly upbeat in contrast with her last album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which was rife with angst. Swift gets back to more of a pop tone in her music, which is more expected from the pop star billionaire. Having ended her Eras Tour concert series on December 8th, 2024, her music for this album carries undertones from her previous eras.
The opening song for the album and the first music video released for the album is “The Fate of Ophelia.” The song plays on the motif of the character Ophelia in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. (Who ultimately drowned herself from a broken heart.) “The Fate of Ophelia” music video is smart, beautiful, and with just a touch of suicidal undertones. The music video follows themes of “showgirls” from history while Swift sings about her experience with heartbreak and how she could have turned out the same as Ophelia if she hadn’t found love.
The songs “Elizabeth Taylor” and “Father Figure” have a more dramatic tone about the impact of fame on her life. Catchy track three and a hit already playing on radio stations and in stores is “Opalite”. “Ruin the Friendship” is a song about a younger Taylor Swift on her prom night, wishing she had a romantic encounter with a friend. “Eldest Daughter” is a raw emotional song compared to the rest of the album. Her most tongue-in-cheek song is “Actually Romantic,” a song comparing bullying to romance. Her actually romantic songs of the album are “Wi$h Li$t” and “Honey.” Sweet melodies dance with lyrics about Swift’s hope for the future. The outlier is the song “Wood,” a “testimony” to Travis Kelce. The last track of the album culminates in “The Life of a Showgirl (Feat. Sabrina Carpenter)” once again focusing on Swift’s life as a ‘showgirl.’
Taylor Swift’s newest album, “Life of a Showgirl”, continues the tone of past eras to the new era of a showgirl. Swift still conquers the pop scene with her anthems of love and celebrity. The next question on Swifties’ minds is what will her thirteenth album be like? (Especially considering thirteen is Taylor Swift’s favorite number.)
Leave your prediction in the comments.
