Pop artist Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album titled The Life of A Showgirl on Oct. 3. Produced by Max Martin and Shellback, the album received over 1.5 billion streams  in its first week. Despite her previous studio album “The Tortured Poets Department” stylistically leaning towards melancholic indie pop, Swift’s new album includes more upbeat tracks, reflecting her current life as a modern “showgirl” and her relationship with Travis Kelce.

Although  “The Life of A Showgirl” has more surface-level lyricism, we enjoyed the upbeat feel that makes Swift’s songs so memorable. It is clear that Swift’s intention with this record was to appeal to a larger audience beyond her own fanbase with catchy pop melodies and easy-to-remember lyrics. We enjoyed that the album incorporated fun chord progressions as well as catchy tunes.

Being listeners who lean toward Swift’s older albums and genres such as “Folklore” and “Evermore,” we thought that these new songs were less emotionally resonant than her previous works. Additionally, Swift’s introspective direction of the album differs from her previous works, which often followed fictional narratives. The image of being a “showgirl” was less relatable for the both of us, as being a popstar isn’t something the average person can resonate with.

Public reception of the album on social media has been incredibly divisive. Some people claim that Swift has written racially insensitive and microaggressive lyrics in her songs “Opalite” and “Wi$h Li$t.” Additionally, Swift has received accusations of interpolation, or re-recording melodies from the work of another artist. Listeners have noted similarities between Swift’s “Wood” and the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” as well as between her song “Actually Romantic” and the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?”

Despite this criticism, many fans believe that the album still explores important themes, especially the dark side of fame. Swift has also been very public about her relationship with  Kelce, announcing her engagement to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end just weeks ago. Evidently, she includes aspects of her romantic life in the album, reflecting the nuance of living in the spotlight.

“The Life of a Showgirl” marks a vibrant chapter in Swift’s career. While the album trades lyrical depth for mainstream pop energy, it captures her evolution as both an artist and a public figure navigating love and fame under constant scrutiny.