The Fall of a Showgirl: Why Taylor Swift’s Latest Era Missed the Mark

By Sophie LeBlanc, Staff Writer Edited by Tessa Reiner

It’s an undeniable fact that the singers who defined our adolescence will eventually outgrow the magic that made them timeless. For baby boomers, it was Elvis Presley, whose fame inevitably died with him. For Gen X, it was Madonna, who thrived in the 80s by perfectly capturing the era’s fashion, but struggled to stay relevant beyond it. For Gen Z, this role is now filled by Taylor Swift, whose latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, marks a shocking stumble for one of the most consistently dominant artists in mainstream music history. Taylor Swift has defined the pop music scene for well over a decade, influencing and impacting a wide range of listeners. However, with this album, fans feel she is prioritizing marketability over artistry. Many are wondering: has the era come to an end?

One of the biggest critiques heard from many dedicated fans is that The Life of a Showgirl feels strangely muted compared to her other pop albums. Fans loved 1989 for its iconic intros and synth-pop brilliance, and Reputation for its distinctive brand and intensity. Even Lover, which faced criticism for its lack of lyrical depth and “cringe,” still had appeal because of its embrace of optimism and romance. However, Swift’s recent album lacks all of these qualities, making it feel subpar and unmemorable. 

Swift’s genius has always been her lyricism, with fans referring to her as the poet laureate of pop, even invoking the album title The Tortured Poets Department. Her folk-indie albums Folklore and Evermore gained popularity through their heartbreaking one-liners and cathartic bridges. Here, it seems that this sense of artistry has fallen flat, leaving many to wonder whether she’s lost the emotional sharpness and hunger for excellence that once defined her writing. Johnny Oleksinski, an entertainment critic at the New York Post, voiced how Swift’s recent songs are “a frankly laughable blend of clunky cliches, awkward sex jokes and a real Salisbury Steak of celeb beefs that make you shake your head, not shake it off.” 

Fans of the recent album have responded to critiques of its poetic quality with the argument that a pop album can just be fun, and it doesn’t need to have a deep, emotional undercurrent in the way that Folklore did. However, this is not the first time she has put out “glitter gel pen” songs, a term Swift and her fans use to describe her fun pop songs that aren’t immensely profound. In 2015, Shake It Off became one of the most popular pop anthems of the 21st century, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining on the chart for fifty consecutive weeks. Lover was full of sparkly songs that were light-hearted, and even criticized for being so, like “ME!” and “You Need to Calm Down.” The difference is that these songs, regardless of being fun, still had a story to tell. “Shake It Off” tells the story of ignoring criticism, “Paper Rings” describes love’s humility, but her recent record doesn't say much of anything.

Sabrina Carpenter’s recent album Short n' Sweet explores themes of sexuality with a direct, playful approach, and “Wood” feels like Swift’s attempt at mirroring that. However, this overly sexual approach to songwriting is not where Swift gains her appeal; fans have long connected with her songs about girlhood and pure romance. Carpenter’s successes may have been influential, though it’s unclear why Swift would need to follow anyone else given her current dominance in the music industry. This suggests she is abandoning her authentic style to chase market trends. 

Ultimately, The Life of a Showgirl feels devoid of hunger, novelty, or excitement. This album illustrates the possibility that Swift may have grown too large and influential for her music to have any need to push boundaries or take creative risks. She relies on her fanbase’s loyalty, confident that they will show up regardless of quality. However, the only reason her fans are her fans is that sense of emotional intimacy that put her on the map in the first place. While her music will always carry a childhood connection for many, if artistry continues to dwindle in her work, so will her fans, and eventually, her cultural dominance.

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