music review
A Showgirl’s Life: Encore
He gave us an encore. But did we really need it? This again?
Taylor Swift has a chance to capitalize on “The Life of a Showgirl,” arguably one of the weaker albums in her prolific discography, with the four-track “Encore” edition released Friday.
Instead, it is argued, the songs give the album even more of an identity crisis.
Of course, not every “Showgirl” song can be a bop like “Opalite” or “The Fate of Ophelia.” But the songs should at least feel like they’re in the right scene.
“Patient Zero” sounds like it belongs in the “Tortured Poets Department,” while “Babylon” and “Pink Clouding” could feel more at home in “Folklore” and “Midnights,” respectively.
At least “Cleveland!” It gives off a bit of a “Showgirl” vibe, but that’s not exactly a compliment. Swift’s obvious Travis Kelce love song is too obvious and filled with too many embarrassing lyrics to count.
“She already took me to Cleveland / And she showed me The Heights / so hate it all you want (Uh-huh) / This is the love of my life,” she sings.
Then there’s this dirty line: “My taste is acquired, but this is his favorite food.”
And “Me!” seven years ago.
We have to give Swift some I deserve credit though, because the rest of the “Encore” songs aren’t that good bad. “Babylon” is probably the best of the bunch — though it takes a lot of brainpower to fully understand What he says.
“Patient Zero,” a confirmed girl-girl anthem, and “Pink Clouding,” an apparent apology to ex Tom Hiddleston, are solid entries in her music catalogue. So, five years from now, will we be dancing or crying with them? I doubt it.
The internet, where “Swifties” are ubiquitous, isn’t giving his “Encore” edition a standing ovation, either.
One disappointed fan wrote to X: “Showgirl is truly his weakest work, not even the encore can save this one.”
Another fan threw shade at Swift, “Does she know it’s okay to keep songs in the vault?”
In a different brutal comment, “Sometimes you listen to a song and thank God you have free will and you never have to hear it again”.
Now let’s get one thing straight: Swift is still a musical genius. Some of the greatest artists in the world have their ups and downs. And that, unfortunately, is its low point.
She’s also not the same girl she was when she wrote “Tears on My Guitar” and “It’s All So Fine.” He’s happier now. And maybe that’s what happens when you’re in true love (to her now-husband, NFL star Travis Kelce).
Swift has never stopped performing for us since she was 16 years old. So, bad album or not, he will never fall off the stage.
But he shouldn’t have participated in this demonstration.