The Disappointment Behind Life of a Showgirl
Taylor Swift has been a notoriously controversial figure, mostly within the last five years of her media presence. People are generally very divided: you’re either a devoted “Swiftie” or you can’t stand her. However, I know many people who fall in an awkward middle ground. Personally, I adore some of her older works, but most of her music within the last decade and a half has felt unoriginal and generic for me. Despite myself and many others sharing this sentiment, Swift has consistently held her spot within the spotlight. It’s relentless, never seeming to loosen her grip or upset her loyal fanbase. That is, until The Life of a Showgirl, which was released on Friday, October 3rd.
This is the first time, at least within my lifetime, that I’ve seen devoted Swifties genuinely critique the lyricism and musical talent of Taylor Swift. Since its release, my social media feed has been flooded with people making fun of tracks such as “Eldest Daughter,” “Wood,” and of course, “CANCELLED.” The lyrics are unoriginal at best and incredibly cringey at worst. The instrumentals are generic and sounds that fans are incredibly tired of hearing from Swift. Based on the aesthetic and teasers for this album, audiences were expecting fantastical jazz elements and a dramatic flare. However, it’s just another Taylor Swift album. It sounds the same as everything else—and fans are finally tired of it.
I can’t be satisfied with this article without mentioning the basically nonexistent CharlieXCX diss track, which was supposed to be a “clap back” against CharlieXCX for references of Matty Healey. However, it feels dull and incredibly unoriginal, as “Boring Barbie” doesn’t seem to truly be the tough girl she presents herself to be. Most fans have viewed this beef as a joke as it seemed to have originated from Taylor’s own mind rather than Charlie herself.
You can’t outdo Brat, you really can’t. Taylor, don’t try to.
