“You don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe.”

That lyric sets the stage for Taylor Swifts’ latest album, “The Life of a Show Girl,” released Oct. 3, 2025. The 12-track project marks her 15th No. 1 album on Billboard’s Top 200 and continues her legacy as one of pop music’s most enduring artists.

 Produced by longtime collaborators Max Martin and Shellback alongside Swift herself, the album leans into glossy, upbeat pop instrumentals. This sound resonated with longtime fans, including junior music education major Mallory Burris.

“It has a nostalgic vibe,” Burris said. “It sounds a lot like her stuff from the early 2010s.”

Several tracks echoed familiar melodies from other artists’ work. One standout example is “Wood,” which many listeners compared to “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5.

Listeners also criticized the lyrics. Criminal justice graduate Allynn Terry believes that the hate is unjustified.

“I think people are a little hypocritical when criticizing her for the inappropriate jokes in it, because if Sabrina Carpenter had written a song like that, people would eat it up,” Terry said. “But, because she’s Taylor Swift, she is not allowed to.”

“Eldest Daughter,” a somber ballad at the midpoint of the album, lands less gracefully. Its personal lyrics occasionally veer into awkward territory, especially the line, “Every joke’s just trolling and memes.” The album often echoes the dreamy synth-pop sounds of “Midnights,” though it feels more self-referential than forward-looking.

Standouts such as “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Elizabeth Taylor” capture Swift’s lyrical sharpness and cinematic storytelling—reminders of her enduring strength as a narrator. Despite the album’s strengths, “The Life of a Show Girl” struggles with cohesion.

With 28 alternate versions released, some fans view the rollout as excessive. Yet, when the music lands, it recaptures the feeling of hearing an old favorite—the same warmth fans felt when hearing her early hits.