“It’s Frightening, It’s Rapturous, It’s Beautiful”, It’s Taylor Swift’s new album.
The record-breaking popstar, Taylor Swift, has made her dazzling return with her 12th studio album titled “The Life of a Showgirl”. Announced back in the summer, fans were surprised at the quickness of Swift’s next album release, as her 11th album, “The Tortured Poets Department”, had only come out the year prior. Although, The Life of a Showgirl is a drastic shift from the melancholy lyrics and instrumentals of her recent albums. Produced by Max Martin and Shellback, The Life of a Showgirl is an upbeat pop album with lyrics written in glitter gel pen. The album presents the behind-the-scenes of Swift’s life during her phenomenal Eras Tour. Here’s a brief description of some of the most notable songs.
The Fate of Ophelia:
The first track on the album, The Fate of Ophelia makes for an excellent opener. Its synth-pop melodies and catchy composition make listeners want to replay this song over and over. Within the first week of release, the song globally received a record-breaking 128 million streams. The music video for this track included a dance which quickly started to trend all over social media, furthering its popularity. With fun lyrics of love and passion, The Life of a Showgirl would not be the album it is without The Fate of Ophelia.
Opalite:
A fan favorite, Opalite is an upbeat pop track frequently compared to Swift’s 5th studio album “1989”. Its shimmery instrumentals entrance listeners along with its metaphoric lyrics. Swift uses opalite to symbolize the overcoming of hard times, telling her audience that she “had to make [her] own sunshine” and expressing that her sky was now opalite. This song radiates optimism and makes a good edition to an uplifting playlist.
Father Figure:
Sampling George Micheal’s “Father Figure”, Taylor Swift’s song of the same name follows a very different theme. Swift takes the role of an executive in the music industry, leading someone young and naïve. This song covers themes of power dynamics, and many believe it is based on Swift’s own personal experiences. A more laid-back instrumental, with some chilling, delicate vocals – this song stands out from the rest on the album.
The Life of a Showgirl (Featuring Sabrina Carpenter):
The closing track, along with the title track, The Life of a Showgirl perfectly encapsulates the album as a whole. Featuring fellow pop-girly, Sabrina Carpenter, the twos vocals blend together to create a catchy melody. This track discusses the harsh reality that comes along with being an entertainer. With more of a theatre-esc instrumental, this song completely fits the showgirl aesthetic of the album.
Grade: C+