“The Life of a Showgirl,” Taylor Swift’s new album, was released on Oct. 3, 2025, and has since received mixed reviews.
The 12-track album includes the following songs: “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Opalite,” “Father Figure,” “Eldest Daughter,” “Ruin the Friendship,” “Actually Romantic,” “Wi$h Li$t,” “Wood,” “CANCELLED!,” “Honey” and “The Life of a Showgirl.”
“My favorite [song] is ‘Wood,’ and I also like ‘Fate of Ophelia,’ but I disliked ‘Opalite’ and ‘Father Figure,’” sophomore Shoshana Witner said.
Many fans applaud Swift’s newfound happiness and success in romance, and how her new attitude towards love has led to a more positive album. On the other hand, many critics complain about cringe and sexual lyrics.
The track “Wood”—an overtly sexual track—includes the line “his love was the key that opened my thighs,” which clashes with Swift’s typically family-friendly lyrics. Critics argue that Swift’s lyrics such as “did you girlboss too close to the sun” and “looked fire” feel forced and overused, clashing with her more poetic and serious lyrics.
Swift herself has accepted and embraced the backlash, saying “I welcome the chaos.” Swift has commented on how criticism is a part of art, and that art is subjective.
“I saw some of the lyrics in the album, and didn’t even bother to listen to the songs,” sophomore Brooke Bullaro said. “The whole thing feels like an attention grab.”
Bullaro’s sentiment is shared by many, but others disagree. Many fans–and Swift herself–argue that “what you’re going through in your life is going to affect whether you relate to the music that I’m putting out at any given moment.” This statement suggests that, as Swift has grown to be, listeners are simply not in the right stage of their life to emotionally connect with the songs.
Swift leaves the interpretation of the songs up to the listeners, and deflects criticism by claiming that if the songs do not resonate with you, they were not meant for you. Swift says “I’m not the art police. It’s like everybody is allowed to feel exactly how they want.”
Others complain about the lack of substance within the lyrics, upset that Swift failed to reach her typical level of lyricism.
“I’ve seen a lot of people online talking about the shallow lyrics, and I feel that these songs don’t reflect her usual abilities as a songwriter,” sophomore Maya Shamash said. “I think that this new album is more about the feeling and vibe of the songs rather than Swift’s usual poetry.”
Swift, despite the critics, publicly enjoys her success in romance and appreciates her change from a majority of break-up songs to including many positive songs.
“The new album is a refreshing change from her usual sad songs, yet this album has a lot of questionable lyrics,” junior Erica Grande said.
Similar to Grande, many fans are not upset by the upbeat and positive tone of the songs, but rather the lazy lyrics and poor craftsmanship. Fans and critics alike complain about surface-level readings and reflections on fame, wealth and power.
Regarding the theme of the album, sophomore Elenor Li said, “I was expecting a more burlesque theatrical performance, and was disappointed to receive a ‘basic’ album.”
Swift saw the album as a behind-the-scenes of her experience throughout the Eras Tour, but many fans are disappointed by the lack of vaudeville aesthetic portrayed in the album covers.
Despite the criticism, Swift has made it abundantly clear that this album is unapologetically her, and that if fans are upset with the quality of the album, then the album is not for them.
