I n the world of music, there is no bigger name than Taylor Swift. With her 12th studio album, she’s climbing the charts with these 12 new tracks and some wonder if she’ll ever run out of material with her vast discography. Despite critical reviews of negativity, this album does something that her others don’t: paints a true picture of happiness and contentment.
The album opens with the single “The Fate of Ophelia,” a track sure to dominate the radio. It’s an obvious reference to William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and the tragic fate of Ophelia in his play. Swift compares herself to Ophelia saying that she’s been saved from sinking into madness. Yes, it’s not a completely accurate representation of Shakespeare’s character. Swift isn’t trying to tell Ophelia’s story, she’s comparing it to her own. She sings, “You dug me out of my grave and/Saved my heart from the fate of/Ophelia/Keep it one hundred/On the land, the sea, the sky/Pledge allegiance to your hands/Your team, your vibe.” There will be no drowning or mental breakdowns where Swift is concerned.
The next track, “Elizabeth Taylor” opens predictably with the name itself. Max Martin and Shellback producing this track makes so much sense. It’s got their signature touch of blending different genre styles for a catchy hit. This combined with Swift’s lyrics of the complications of fame have landed this track among fan favorites. Especially with lyrics like, “You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby.”
Two of my top songs on this album are , “Opalite” and “Father Figure.” “Opalite” sounds as if it’s glitter, sparkles, and happiness personified. It’s boppy and light matching the shining showgirl aesthetic. Swift’s known for her love songs and with her upcoming marriage this song is extra sweet.
In contrast, “Father Figure” is a little darker in its material, but just as clever. While fans debate who it’s about–Scotter Braun, Blake Lively, or Olivia Rodrigo; this track is a masterpiece. To give credit where it’s due, Swift sampled George Michael’s 1987 song “Father Figure,” creating an example of how sampling can be done to pay homage to an artist while making it her own. Swift becomes a mafia boss within the lyrics, “I protect the family/Leave it with me/…All I ask for is your loyalty/My dear protégé.” Step into Swift’s office and know what it is to have the music industry on your side. Cross her and well, you might just find your “card cancelled.”
“Eldest Daughter” and “Ruin The Friendship” are two of the slower and more emotional songs on the album. For those who love “folklore” and “evermore,” “Eldest Daughter” will soothe your “this is me trying” heart, with a little more sparkle than you think. “Ruin The Friendship” takes on a different meaning and while this jazzy beat will have you jamming out, the story is quite sad. We dive back into Swift’s high school days, she reminisces about an old friend she lost touch of and isn’t able to rekindle with. While I love what both of these tracks do, they do feel a little repetitive to themes we’ve already heard.
This next track has caused so much controversy and driven the gossipers into a frenzy. “Actually Romantic” is speculated to be a diss track about “BRAT” singer Charli XCX. Swift is killing her haters with kindness, singing about living rent free in their heads. It’s also fair to say that Swift is the topic of many conversations among artists for her success. She sings,“But it’s actually sweet/All the time you’ve spent on me/It’s honestly wild/All the effort you’ve put in/It’s actually romantic/I really gotta hand it to you/No man has ever loved me like you do.” Critics may call it petty, but it’s a classier version of what Kendrick Lamar did to Drake.
Tracks eight and nine are “Wi$h Li$t” and “Wood,” which are the cutest, sweetest, and even have some double meanings. Each one is a little love note tied up in a sparkly orange bow. As Swift said in her interview with Hits Radio, “The coolest part is that it [this album] is absolutely the place I still am in my life. You know, the music matches the moment I’m in.” These two songs are the perfect representation for the joy and future Swift will continue to live out. Whether or not she keeps feeding fans new lyrics, her influence is undeniable. And maybe we should heed her plea to “leave her the fuck alone” so she can have her happy ending.
These final tracks “CANCELLED!” and “Honey” are perfectly placed. “CANCELLED!” almost belongs on “Reputation” with its darker bad bitch energy.“Honey” is skippable–cute, but overshadowed by stronger tracks.
“The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)” is so bittersweet to end with on this album. It’s almost like you can hear their encore and smile at their final bow. They sing about getting bouquets, stage doors, and the challenge of performing your intimate life.
Our favorite artists are on full display literally and figuratively, for our enjoyment. This album represents that throughout all of the dreams, glitter, and lights there are real people behind the album covers. There’s so many female artists who struggled with the trials of fame from Judy Garland to Whitney Houston and even Britney Spears. As Swift sings, “You don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe/And you’re never gonna wanna.”
