On Friday, October 3rd, Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated album The Life of a Showgirl, was released. With over 5.5 million pre-saves on Spotify, fans were eager to hear this new album that was described to have many “bangers” on Jason and Travis Kelce’s podcast New Heights. With the album now out, reviews are quickly rolling in, and it seems that the excitement Swift created for the album isn’t holding up for fans.

From fans online, the criticism came as soon as the album was released. In a video posted by TikTok creator (@kileyhasacutedog), the creator noted “I think this is the worst sound to ever grace my ears.” Other users took to the comments to voice their opinions. One saying, “I love Taylor but I literally am in shock how bad this album is. Like how is this the same artist that wrote loml, dear john, exile.. like I’m so upset.” (@jcrdynm). Another user also commented, saying, “it sounds like the parody hate videos people make of her ‘this is what every taylor swift song sounds like to me’ and is giving ai (i doubt it is but still)” (@tessaverse).

Fellow Swifties of Saint Dominic, teachers Ms. Eilerman and Ms. Outman had some thoughts to add to all the criticism that Swift is receiving on the album. Together, the two have been fans of Swift for well over 15 years.

“Obviously, like, Tortured Poets and folklore and evermore are much more lyrical. And also, like, this is a version of Taylor Swift that we haven’t seen in so long, and it’s kind of fun to just, like, hear her pop-y, fun music. Like, not everything has to be serious,” Ms. Eilerman said.

“I think that the album as a whole is making a point about our society’s obsession with how we appear to other people,” Ms. Outman said. “I think now she’s getting back to that happy side of herself that is a bit performative, and is trying to impress people. And I think that, like, in trying to impress people, a showgirl’s side is what is being portrayed in this album,” Ms. Outman said.

Despite recent criticism, the day the album was released, it quickly became the most streamed on Spotify in a single day in 2025. The album also had the most streamed song in one day. Although fans have found that it might not be her best album lyrically, it for sure has a lot of fun songs for people all around to dance out to.