“The Life of a Showgirl” review 
Taylor Swift “The Life of a Showgirl” album review
Words by Nicole Dragos
Taylor Swift returns to the spotlight after a short break following the conclusion of the Eras Tour, with her new album titled “The Life of a Showgirl”. Taylor announced her 12th album on August 12th at 12:12 pm through a special episode of the “New Heights” podcast with her now fiancé, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce. This collab was a long time coming between the Kelce’s and Swift, and fans absolutely loved it! And now, 52 days later, “The Life of a Showgirl” is finally out in the world! The album is overflowing with metaphorical references and innuendos to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, as well as to the iconic Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, and many more! So, without further ado, let’s begin the review.
Starting off strong with some iconic lyrics from Miss-soon-to-be-Mrs Swift;
“I heard you call me “Boring Barbie” when the coke’s got you brave. High-fived my ex and then you said you’re “glad he ghosted me.” Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face” – Actually Romantic, Track 7.
A very sassy flow of lyrics here, as Taylor describes a very particular situation (we have not yet decoded this one). Some fans speculate this may be a reference to Charli XCX, a potential diss track; however, this has not yet been confirmed and probably never will be. Then from CANCELLED! , with the lyric;
“Good thing I like my friends cancelled. I like ‘em cloaked in Gucci and scandal” – CANCELLED!, Track 10
Could this be a hint to her and Blake Lively’s complicated friendship? Perhaps. The entire song is packed with comments and themes referring to a complex friendship, about someone ruthlessly exercising their power in all the wrong ways and eventually leading to them getting cancelled by the media. Taylor discusses the idea of trusting someone “with matching scars,” who one day made a mistake (if you know you know), which cost them their entire career.
In 12 tracks, “The Life of a Showgirl” explores themes of glitz and glamour, with humour and jaw-dropping lyrics. The album explores the emotional impact of fame and personal fulfilment, particularly as Taylor mentions in an interview for BBC Radio 1, that she fears that her love and happiness in her personal life may “dry up” her creativity – which, when listening to the album, it is clear it hasn’t.
Photos by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Taylor features a blend of acoustic guitars, atmospheric sympathisers, subtle orchestration, and breathy backing vocals in songs such as “Honey,” and “The Fate of Ophelia”. She of course incorporates elements of pop and soft rock, with a handful of references and musical similarities to her album “Reputation”. Could this be the potential sister album to the album? Maybe somewhere down the line of listening and relistening, we could come back with an answer. The influence of Max Martin and Shellback, both who worked with Taylor on “Red”, “1989” and “Reputation”, are extremely prominent in “The Life of a Showgirl”. As opposed to the collaboration and influence of Antonoff and Dessner, who were key to writing “Folklore”, “Evermore”, “Midnights”, and “The Tortured Poets Department” – there is an obvious difference in tone and atmosphere between the different producers and their albums.
Personally, this album adequately displays Taylor Swift’s talent and creative songwriting, as she yet again tells us to dig beneath the surface to find the hidden meanings in her lyricism. If I had to pick a second sister album of “The Life of a Showgirl”, besides “Reputation”, of course, it would have to be “Midnights”. Taylor directly responds to some of her lyrics from “Midnights” in “The Life of a Showgirl”, and uses familiar melodies and lyrical compositions.
Congratulations on the new album, Taylor. We are beyond excited for this new era, and cannot wait to become engulfed in the album, and delve into more fan theories and find more easter eggs as we continue listening!
Photos by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott