Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl: A Swiftie’s First Impression
As a lifelong Swiftie, I was beyond excited to press play on The Life of a Showgirl. After the emotional depth and poetic weight of The Tortured Poets Department, I was curious to see which direction Taylor would go next. What I found was an album that feels lighter, more playful, and yet surprisingly different from what I expected.
A Return to Pop — But Not the Red / 1989 You Remember
Fans who were hoping for a full return to the sparkling, maximalist pop of Red or 1989 might be surprised. The Life of a Showgirl leans more into an ’80s-inspired soft rock sound, with shimmering synths and mellow beats rather than bold pop anthems. Personally, it feels a little too soft rock for my taste — I expected something more energetic given that Max Martin and Shellback, the masterminds behind Shake It Off, Blank Space, Don’t Blame Me, and Bad Blood, were involved. The production is beautiful, but the cohesion and energy just don’t quite reach the heights of her earlier pop eras. Yet, Taylor Swift has never claimed this album would have the same vibes as 1989 or Red albums so these were just my own expectations.
Lyricism Far from Her Folklore, Evermore, and TTPD Prose
If you fell in love with Taylor’s intricate lyricism and storytelling in Folklore, Evermore, or The Tortured Poets Department, you might find Showgirl’s lyrics to be a step in a different direction. The songwriting here is simpler and more direct, sometimes even playful to the point of being a little cringey. Wood definitely made me raise an eyebrow, and the lyrics in Eldest Daughter and Wi$li$t had me cringing a bit. I also genuinely never thought I’d hear the line ‘Did you girlboss too close to the sun?’ from the same artist who wrote Folklore and Evermore. Gone are the long metaphors and emotional unravelings — instead, we get a fun, flirty version of Taylor who seems more focused on catchy hooks than literary prose. It’s lighthearted and refreshing, but definitely not her most poetic era
The Life Of A Showgirl : Short & Sweet
With only 12 tracks, The Life of a Showgirl is Taylor’s shortest album since her 2006 debut and honestly, that feels like a relief. After the massive 31-song journey of The Tortured Poets Department, this concise tracklist feels like a deep breath of fresh air. It’s easy, breezy, and incredibly fun to listen to from start to finish. The songs are upbeat, vibrant, and carry a carefree charm that makes it one of her easiest albums to just vibe to. I had the best time laying in bed, letting it play all the way through without feeling emotionally drained. This is such a good album to throw on during a morning run or when you’re cruising with the volume all the way up—it just puts you in a good mood.
My Favorites (So Far) From The Life Of A Showgirl
This is definitely one of those albums that will grow on me with time, but after my first few listens, a few tracks already stand out. The Fate of Ophelia, Elizabeth Taylor, Opalite, Cancelled! and Honey are easily my current favorites. “Cancelled!” in particular feels like a Reputation-era wink — the lyric “Good thing I like my friends cancelled! / I like ’em cloaked in Gucci and in scandal!” is peak Taylor sass. It’s cheeky, confident, and everything I love about her when she’s having fun with her fame.
When the Marketing Doesn’t Match the Music
If I’m honest, the Life of a Showgirl visuals and marketing had me expecting something very different. The glam aesthetic, the feathers, the sparkle — I thought we were in for a big, theatrical pop moment. But the album itself sounds far more subdued and mellow than its visuals suggest. The visuals and marketing promise fireworks; the music often gives us subtle candlelight. It’s not all sequins and high energy; it’s soft, dreamy, and introspective in its own way. Isn’t it what The Life Of A Showgirl really is?
I think that disconnect between image and sound is what threw many fans off. Still, once I let go of my expectations, I found myself enjoying it for what it is : a fun, easygoing record from a 35-year-old woman who’s finally at peace, in love, and unafraid to simply enjoy life.
