On October 3rd, Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl—a breathtaking, introspective collection of twelve tracks. Back in August, Swift announced the album on her now-fiancé and soon-to-be brother-in-law’s podcast New Heights, leaving fans eagerly waiting to hear her latest era. In September, tickets dropped for an album release party in movie theaters worldwide from October 3–5, featuring the premiere of “The Fate of Ophelia,” music video, lyric videos for each track, short commentary on each song, and behind-the-scenes clips from filming.
“The Fate of Ophelia” (8/10)
Initially worried, I found my love for this song after my second listen. The allusion to Hamlet and the bridge absolutely killed me. I went to the premiere on Sunday, the 5th, and almost cried seeing the Eras Tour dancers and band in the music video. The vibe fits the story perfectly, and of course, the “keep it 100” Easter egg from New Heights.
“Elizabeth Taylor” (6/10)
A surprising number of people didn’t know who Elizabeth Taylor was, which, fanlky seems like something to Google after seeing the tracklist, but to each their own. Swift draws parallels between her life and Taylor’s. My favorite line, “cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor,” simply sounds gorgeous.
“Opalite” (10/10)
Glittering and joyful, Opalite has been on repeat since October 3rd. The calm verses contrast with the euphoric and infectious chorus. Pop perfection, it’s bright and upbeat; you can’t help but sing and dance along. This is the epitome of a glitter-gel-pen song.
“Father Figure” (7/10)
I didn’t expect the song to go in this direction, and yet it works so well. Moody and introspective, it surprised me with its lyricism. When I saw a post about the final chorus being like a conversation between Swift and her managers, it totally changed the way I heard the track—and made me like it a lot more. I will always stand for a little—or a lot—of Scott Borchetta hate.
“Eldest Daughter” (9/10)
The song wrecks me every single time I listen—and makes me mad because I can’t stop listening. I didn’t think any sad song could top “The Manuscript,” but this one comes close (and I say that as a youngest child). The line about “cautious discretion” destroys me. It’s devastatingly beautiful. I just can’t give it a 10 because I can only listen to it alone.
“Ruin The Friendship” (8/10)
Taylor Alison Swift pulled my heartstrings once again. This track, inspired in part by her high school friend Jeff Lang, who tragically passed away in 2010, highlights empathy and longing: she’ll never know how he’s doing or get a second chance. It’s honestly haunting in its honesty, yet beautiful in how she still remembers him.
“Actually Romantic” (7/10)
Fun and cheeky, this song responds to Charli xcx—yet it’s also easy to imagine it aimed at our one and only, president of the United States. Critics call it immature, but Swift simply asserts that what others say others say about her doesn’t matter; haters invest as much energy as fans.
“Wi$h Li$t” (6/10)
Cute, but not quite for me—maybe because I’m single. Still, I really like lines like “Have a couple kids / got the whole block looking like you.” The Kelce genes are quite strong, given that all of Travis Kelce’s nieces look like his brother, Jason. It has very Midnights–era vibes, but with a happy spin.
“Wood” (7/10)
“This song is about superstition” is arguably the biggest lie Swift has ever told. Though it references superstitions, that is far from the subject. The instrumentals shine, yet as a lesbian, I don’t love the subject of the song. The way she sings “knock on wood” scratches my brain just right. “Wood” might become The Life of a Showgirl’s version of “I Think He Knows” as a very heterosexual song that is adored by lesbians. For now, there are a few too many phallic motifs for my liking.
“CANCELLED!” (8/10)
So Reputation—coded, and I love it. The tiny violin line goes so hard. I don’t even care who the target is. The British spelling of “cancelled” probably matters in a deep context, but to me, it just looks good. The lyric “much too much to handle” is perfection.
“Honey” (6/10)
Nice, upbeat, cute, though not my favorite. Many women have learned to hate words like “honey” or “sweetheart” because they were used in a passive-aggressive way. Here, I love imagining someone who makes them feel safe. The contrast between The Tortured Poets Department versus The Life of a Showgirl—she’s still reflective, just lighter this time.
“The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)” (9/10)
Brilliantly executed, with Sabrina Carpenter fitting seamlessly. Their friendship radiates through the track. Being a performer is often tough, yet passion pushes people forward—the song conveys that perfectly. The lyrics and production were done really well, I’m hoping for a music video, but given the looks in “The Fate of Ophelia” music video, it probably won’t happen.,
Personally, I loved The Life of a Showgirl. People complain when Swift changes her sound—but if every album were identical, people would call it repetitive. Swift’s music isn’t for everyone, and that’s fine. This era blends bright, fun pop with undercuts of melancholy, creating a perfect balance of glitter and grit.