Vibrant, dramatic, revealing and playful. Taylor has smashed it out of the park once again
with her new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’. This is a shorter but not lesser quality record
with 41 minutes of bangers than what Taylor is used to creating with her previous release
(TTPD) spanning just over 2 hours. What is even more impressive about this album however is that she curated it, produced it and recorded it during the unbelievable feat that was the legendary Eras Tour.
The stand out song for me (which I had to whittle down as I personally don’t see any ‘skips’ in this masterpiece) has to be ‘Opalite’ which has upbeat and bouncy beats while having an empowering message about ‘dancing through lightning strikes’ and ‘making your own sunshine’. Despite Swift’s reputation of singing about heartbreaks in relationships and life, she has found happiness professionally and personally which is well-deserved and refreshing to hear reflected in this album.
Personally I really enjoyed the variety of songs on this album from pop vibes (such as ‘Fate
of Ophelia’) to more slow and melodic pieces (such as ‘Eldest Daughter’). I find this to be her most revealing album yet into her mindset around fame and the ‘glitz and glamour’ of being a Showgirl. She does this in a way that doesn’t come across as moaning but also doesn’t shy away from sharing the realities and pressures. Reputation (an album famously adored by fans and was released in 2017) also explored similar themes of love and media scrutiny but this is an almost matured version that is lyrically perfect and visually satisfying with the amazing multiple album covers.
Along with this album comes a film/documentary due to be released tonight (3rd of October) which I am rushing to the cinema to go and see on the first showing possible. Not only is this an eye pleasing to the ears, the artwork and visual depictions are also reaching cinema screens (and rumours are swirling about a potential musical- watch this space).
As a self-confessed Swiftie I am known to love everything Taylor does or doesn’t do but this
is objectively a masterpiece from many people I have spoken to. The relatability, universal
inside thoughts and feelings and need for love and connection really connects people and
she does this so well time and time again.
13/10 (IYKYK)
