By Ella Lowry
It’s been a few weeks since Taylor Swift dropped her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl (TLOAS), and let me just say: it’s giving riding in the car with the windows down, music blasting, and the sun shining. This album is undeniably pop, but it is so catchy and vibey, you can’t help but feel good while listening. And yet, for all its infectious beats and danceable rhythms, the album has gotten some serious hate from critics—and honestly? I don’t get it.
I mean, Swift has built her reputation as one of the most skilled songwriters of our generation, with albums like Folklore and Evermore showcasing her lyrical depth and storytelling abilities. I just think people automatically hear the name “Taylor Swift” and immediately join the hate train.
But TLOAS is a pop album, and it fits that category perfectly. Yes, it’s very much a product of Swift’s millennial roots (ahem, Oldest Daughter), but that doesn’t mean it’s any less enjoyable. This album is pure fun—pure feel-good pop—and there’s no shame in that.
Let’s dive into the tracks, shall we?
“The Fate of Ophelia” – The Perfect Pop Opener
Oh. My. God. The Fate of Ophelia is the absolute vibe. It kicks things off with an upbeat, bouncy rhythm that just makes you wanna roll down your windows and belt it out. It is so so so catchy seriously!! The infectious energy is all over this track—Swift really did her thing here. I can already tell I’m going to be jamming out to this one for the next few months.
“Elizabeth Taylor” – A Lyricist’s Dream
Okay, so this one is a masterpiece. “All my white diamonds and lovers are forever”? Like, excuse me? That’s pure lyric genius, and Swift delivers it with the kind of effortless cool that only she can. The way she layers this song—mixing elegance with a hint of pop-glam—is sheer magic.
“Opalite” – Pure Vibey Bliss
Can we just take a moment to talk about the beat of this track? If I had to describe Opalite in one word, it’d be: relaxing. It’s got this dreamy, skipping-down-the-street kind of feel, and every time I hear it, I just wanna dance. Plus, the fact that Travis’s birthstone is Opal? How does she think of everything?! That level of detail just proves how deep Taylor goes into crafting these songs.
“Father Figure” – A Fun, Unexpected Twist
Talk about a vibe change. Father Figure takes a turn and gives us something a little more unexpected—yet still so very Taylor. I mean, that lyric, “I can make deals with the devil because my dick’s bigger”?! Audibly gasped. The bridge? Chef’s kiss. It shifts gears and turns into this upbeat, pop-rock anthem, and I’m HERE for it. This song is playful, cheeky, and just full of attitude. Every new time I listen to it the song hits even harder than before.
“Oldest Daughter” – A Heartfelt Perspective
Now, this one is a little more on the somber side. Oldest Daughter feels like Taylor’s heartfelt reflection on her role in her family—both the joys and the struggles. It’s emotionally charged and just beautiful in its simplicity. Definitely see her millennium side come out with this one with the lyrics “I’m not a bad bitch and this isn’t savage” lol. The bridge is everything here. Seriously, the lyrics on this one? Get me right in the feels.
“Ruin the Friendship” – Car Rides and Freedom
If there was ever a song that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of driving with your friends, windows down, and the world ahead of you, it’s Ruin the Friendship. This track is just pure fun, and the shout-out to Abigail in the lyrics is the cherry on top. The song starts off wild and free, but the ending takes a more bittersweet turn. Honestly, I was low-key emotional at the end, but it’s so well done. It’s songs like these that are catchy but tell a deeper story that some people miss.
“Actually Romantic” – Diss Track, But Make It Fun
Okay, this track is like a little diss anthem, and it’s so good. Taylor’s not holding back on this one—she’s telling someone exactly where to go, but doing it with style. It’s definitely a vibe, though I’ll admit it’s not my personal favorite. Still, it’s catchy, and Taylor’s attitude here is everything.
“Wi$h Li$t” – Tay & Travis, OTP
This is probably the most adorable song on the album, hands down. You can feel the love and warmth radiating from this track. The lyrics are sweet and simple—essentially, it’s all about Taylor and Travis having their own little world, where nothing else matters. I think is also a great testament for Taylor that she has finally found her perfect person and is truly ready to go all in with him for life. Like the lyrics “Have a couple kids, got the whole block looking like you We tell the world to leave us thе fuck alone, and they do, wow Got me drеaming ’bout a driveway with a basketball hoop,” STOP IT RN! It’s an anthem for anyone who’s found that special someone. I’m obsessed.
“Wood” – The Unexpected Gem
Wood is, hands down, one of my favorite track on the album right now. The beat? Incredible. The vibe? Different from everything else on the album, but in the best way possible. There’s a theme in here (yes, it might involve Kelce and his “redwood tree” lol), but the way this song evolves and builds? No words. Taylor really shows her versatility here.
“Cancelled” – Catchy and Sassy
This one is straight-up catchy, with an almost carefree attitude that’s just so much fun. You can tell Taylor’s enjoying herself in this song—Cancelled is pure pop perfection.
“Honey” – Sweet and Dreamy
If you’re looking for something soft and sweet, Honey is here to deliver. This song is just so cutie and shows how the title of “honey” has changed throughout Swift’s life. The lyrics are pure tenderness, and the production is smooth and sugary. It’s definitely one of those songs that makes you smile.
“The Life of a Showgirl” – The Perfect Closer
The title track closes out the album, and it does so in grand style. “You don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe, and you’re never gonna wanna.” There’s something just so magnetic about the way Taylor spins this narrative. She’s closing the album with a sense of finality, but also with this air of mystery that leaves you wanting more.
Final Thoughts
Look, I get it. TLOAS is a departure from the indie-folk vibes of Folklore and Evermore, and people are understandably caught off guard by the pop leanings. But here’s the thing: IT’S A POP ALBULM. It’s not meant to be a lyrical masterpiece in the way those albums were—it’s meant to make you feel good, to dance, and to let loose. And it does just that.
So, for anyone hating on this album: It’s okay to let Taylor be a pop star. She just so happens to be a millennial in love and this album reflects that let the woman be happy! Her ability to adapt and evolve her sound while keeping the essence of what makes her so beloved—her wit, her charm, and her emotional depth—is what keeps us all coming back for more.
If you’re looking for a feel-good, catchy album to blast on repeat, The Life of a Showgirl is your new best friend. Trust me, you’ll be jamming out to this one for a long time.
ALSO some other recent huge Taylor Swift news!! Taylor just announced her Eras Tour documentary!! It seriously has been a long time coming. As someone who actually went to the Eras Tour I am so excited to get a behind the scenes look into how life was for Swift on the tour and all the different aspects that made the Eras Tour.
Variety says, “As announced on “Good Morning America,” the documentary series is described as “an intimate look at Taylor’s life as her tour made headlines and thrilled fans around the world,” spotlighting “performers, family members, and friends” including tour opening acts Gracie Abrams and Sabrina Carpenter and guests Ed Sheeran and Florence Welch. The first two of the six episodes will go up for streaming on Dec. 12, with two more episodes at a time each of the two weeks after that.”
This is definitely something to look forward to so I cannot wait to watch what a nice surprise!!