Taylor Swift-The Life Of A Showgirl (Album Review)

Hi everyone. This is Anthony Stirford from Anthony XO.Music, and today I’m launching my website with a review of the latest Taylor Swift album, The Life Of A Showgirl.

Last October, the world’s biggest pop star, Taylor Swift, released her 12th full-length studio album, The Life Of A Showgirl. Upon release, the album broke numerous records across charts, streaming platforms, and sales, continuing Swift’s long-standing commercial dominance.

Taylor Swift’s previous two albums, The Tortured Poets Department and Midnights, largely focused on her inner struggles, including themes of restlessness and insomnia. In contrast, The Life Of A Showgirl feels like a celebratory record—one that reflects healing and emotional closure. Swift recorded this project during the European leg of her Eras Tour, and she has stated that the album was inspired by her inner experiences while living on the road.

On The Life Of A Showgirl, Swift reunites with longtime collaborators Max Martin and Shellback, while frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff is notably absent. Whereas her last two albums were emotional, confessional, and introspective, this record leans fully into upbeat pop territory, with little emphasis on overt emotional balladry.

While The Tortured Poets Department and Midnights explored dream pop, bedroom pop, folk pop, and chamber pop, The Life Of A Showgirl operates within soft pop, soft rock, synth pop, and electro-pop. As a result, this album feels transformative compared to her most recent releases, even though certain tracks echo the spirit of her Lover and Fearless eras. Overall, this album feels spontaneous and stylistically refreshed.

The album opens with “The Fate Of Ophelia,” a highly melodic and instantly catchy track. Here, Swift draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Ophelia, similar to how she once referenced classic storytelling in “Love Story.” On this track, Swift suggests that Travis saved her from Ophelia’s tragic fate. The production by Max Martin and Shellback is sharp and polished, featuring groovy synths, omnichords, and piano that make the song immediately engaging. The songwriting is incisive, which is no surprise coming from Swift and her team. “The Fate Of Ophelia” is catchy, fiery, and compelling, earning a strong 5 out of 5.

Following the punchy opener, “Elizabeth Taylor” arrives as the album’s second track. The songwriting here is equally polished. On this song, Swift reflects on vulnerability, personal struggle, and Hollywood glamour. Lyrics such as “Be my NY when Hollywood hates me” and “That view of Portofino was on my mind when you called me at the Plaza Athénée” showcase her storytelling ability. The production features old-school orchestral elements, deep piano chords, balladic synths, and crisp drum snares. The track begins with a restrained verse before exploding into a fiery chorus reminiscent of the Reputation era. Despite the familiar sonic palette, the song excels across vocals, lyrics, and production, earning a strong 4.5 to 5 out of 5.

Next is “Opalite,” an uplifting anthem that quickly went viral across social media. While the instrumental carries a grand and anthemic quality, the songwriting feels slightly underdeveloped. Still, the song’s motivational tone and sense of triumph are effective, resulting in a solid 4.5 out of 5.

“Father Figure” follows, a track surrounded by speculation and rumored feuds. Certain lines appear to reference Swift’s masters dispute and other industry tensions. The lyricism here is sharp, supported by punchy electric guitar riffs, cello, clarinet, and synths that create an old-school pop and R&B atmosphere. The influence of George Michael’s “Father Figure” is clearly felt. While the lyrics and Swift’s downtempo vocals are engaging, the track doesn’t stand out as strongly as the album’s opening run, earning a 4 out of 5.

The fifth track, “Eldest Daughter,” slows things down with atmospheric production featuring piano and acoustic guitar. The sound recalls Swift’s Lover, Folklore, and Fearless eras. While the rhyming in the first verse feels weaker, the track remains enjoyable overall, receiving a 3.5 out of 5.

“Ruin The Friendship” continues the nostalgic tone, echoing Swift’s early songwriting style. The track highlights her storytelling roots and emotional sincerity, though it ultimately feels somewhat forgettable. This results in another 3.5 out of 5.

After that comes “Actually Romantic,” a track rumored to be a diss aimed at Charli XCX, though nothing has been confirmed. Musically, the song lacks a clear climax, and the vocals feel slow and uninspired. As a result, it fails to leave a lasting impression and earns a 3 out of 5.

“Wi$h Li$t” follows and stands out lyrically. The song reads as Swift’s dreamy wish list addressed to Travis, with clear and direct lyricism. While the production itself isn’t flawless, the emotional clarity carries the track, earning a solid 4 out of 5.

The ninth track, “Wood,” draws inspiration from 70s and 80s disco-funk. Its downtempo disco beat is enjoyable, even if the lyrics venture into more adult territory that some critics found controversial. Despite not being a standout, the groove makes it a serviceable listen, earning a 3 out of 5.

“CANCELLED!” brings back strong Reputation-era energy. The electronic opening suggests a dramatic payoff similar to “Look What You Made Me Do,” though the concept isn’t fully realized. Still, the piercing lyrics and aggressive tone make it enjoyable, resulting in a strong 3.5 out of 5.

The eleventh track, “Honey,” is another romantic entry. The sultry production and smooth synths complement lyrics that are direct and intimate, though some lines feel slightly unrestrained. Overall, the track lands at 3.5 out of 5.

Closing the album is the title track, “The Life Of A Showgirl,” featuring Sabrina Carpenter. This song serves as a fitting conclusion. Swift’s shimmering vocals, the theme of independence, and Carpenter’s well-placed verse all contribute to a satisfying finale. The outro feels like the curtain falling at the end of a performance, making it a strong closer that earns 4.5 out of 5.

Overall, The Life Of A Showgirl is an elegant pop album with clear highlights, though it doesn’t break significant new ground. Much of the album reflects Swift’s earlier eras rather than introducing entirely new ideas. The opening three tracks form the album’s strongest stretch, while the midsection feels less engaging. Swift addresses personal growth, criticism, and her romantic life throughout the record, making it an essential listen for longtime fans. While the production is generally polished and clever, a few tracks feel underdeveloped.

Final Verdict:
The Life Of A Showgirl is an essential listen for Swifties, featuring standout tracks like “The Fate Of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Wi$h Li$t,” and the title track. However, it does not rank among Taylor Swift’s very best albums.

My Tier List for The Life Of A Showgirl:

• Great: The Fate Of Ophelia, Elizabeth Taylor
  
• Perfect: Opalite, Father Figure, Wi$h Li$t, The Life Of A Showgirl
  
• Good: Eldest Daughter, Ruin The Friendship, Wood, CANCELLED!, Honey
  
• Average: Actually Romantic