Rating: 9/10

Track amount: 12

Running time: 41 minutes and 45 seconds

Genre: Pop

Band personnel: Taylor Swift

Producer: Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift

Record label: Republic

Recorded at: Various locations on tour

Art direction: Mert and Marcus

Best tracks: The Fate Of Ophelia, The Life Of A Showgirl.

Swifties, rejoice! For those of you who haven’t been observing Pop Music culture trends, Taylor Swift is one of the most popular (if not the most popular) singers of the 21st century. Some may say that this is a passing trend in the history of music. However, having said that, she clocks nearly 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has had a remarkable music career that has turned heads with her songs and popularity, which has rivalled The Beatles. That in itself requires genuine talent. Her voice and presence in the music industry have become iconic, and she has shown true power to young women in her own way. Although this album broke records in the USA upon release for selling 2.7 million units in a single day, critics have seen this release as a mixed effort. Having said that, earlier works by Taylor Swift were quite impressive overall in their own way. Should this 2025 release still have that magic? Let’s find out.

1. The Fate Of Ophelia begins with some choppy drums, piano chugging away and sounds very Coldplay-ish. Taylor Swift sings in a very raunchy and erotic way. This is a good listen, even if you are not into the Pop Music of 2025. Nonetheless, although this sounds rather melancholy and quite depressing, Taylor Swift has a gorgeous voice and is the true star of the 21st century. A good tune with a neat background reference to Shakesphere, Taylor Swift makes some great music that makes sense to hear. In any case, this song is a pleasant and introspective listen. It does sound good and pretty throughout. A good listen, and something that will no doubt get a lot of radio play. Pleasant yet moody listening.

2. Elizabeth Taylor begins with more dramatic piano, moody minor key melodies and pleasantly raw singing from Taylor Swift. Again, this is surprisingly good music, despite the introspective and down feel to it all. This is seriously good regardless. Taylor Swift sings pleasantly, and her voice is not autotuned to death like other Pop singers today (Justin Bieber and a lot of Rappers, for example). Taylor Swift also has her own unique music personality that she puts into her music. A great song that rivals a lot of other popular artists out there. This R&B tune does give K-Pop some decent competition in terms of overall quality. Yes, this is about the famous American actress, but it is powerful and moving. Not bad. The outro is neat.

3. Opalite begins with some treated guitars, in a very Coldplay way, once again. Soon enough, Taylor Swift gets singing and she sings about one’s worst fears and dealing with them all. This is good music for those born in the Gen Z generation. The chorus in this song is memorably fantastic, and makes this listening experience very, very good. Although Taylor Swift has been around in the world of music for some time, this is still consistently impressive music to listen to. A gorgeously pretty and nicely arranged song. Even if this album is seen by mainstream music critics as lesser, the songs overall are very pretty and fantastic to listen to. The only real flaw with this music is that the production on it sounds like a constraint and something that has been done musically a thousand times at this stage in human history. Regardless, there is no doubt that this music ticks all the right boxes. A nice four-minute-long listen overall.

4. Father Figure begins with processed drum beats, and launches into a moody and impressionistic song that is very deep, dark and reflective. Taylor Swift sings beautifully on this song, and without a doubt, this music is a winner. Some people out there, particularly grumpy old males, will not appreciate this. However, this music is stunning, and you can easily ignore such criticisms. This is a deep and loving song about having a romantic connection throughout. Perhaps with Taylor Swift’s recent engagement with Travis Kelce, was on her mind on this tune, and album? Regardless, this music is a dreamy soundscape that takes you places. This music is highly enjoyable and has a key change towards the end, a rarity in today’s music. A genuinely sweet and enjoyable Pop Music piece. Ariana Grande has some serious competition here.

5. Eldest Daughter begins with melodic piano playing, which sounds sad. Taylor Swift talks about the dystopian nature of this part of the 21st century, with AI ready to take over and World War III rapidly approaching. Taylor Swift sings about the difficulties of being herself. Yes, although this is an arguably selfish statement, this does incredibly well as a song. Looking back into the past, Taylor Swift sings sweetly and emotionally about her past and growing up in a difficult situation. Still, her singing and ear for melody make this a reassuring listen. Most of us suffer from trauma at some stage in our lives, and Taylor Swift articulates her singing much better than most at this time on that matter. A pretty, pristine and awesome listen. This one is a bit of a tearjerker, so keep your tissues handy. A solidly nice song.

6. Ruin The Friendship begins with electronic drumming, acoustic guitar playing, and bass guitar and launches into a pretty and upbeat song with some interesting lyrics about a man she fancies. This song is a pleasant and enjoyable piece about having an affair. No doubt Ed Sheeran will listen to this album at some stage and feel like he is losing out to the competition if he does so. Regardless, this music is from a good place. A 24-carat piece of gold, Taylor Swift proves that, if you have time, there is still great music to discover in today’s world. Taylor Swift proves that there is still some good Popular Music out there at this moment. Thumbs up, this is a fairly relatable song for many, especially if you fancy someone who is already taken. Great to listen to from beginning to end.

7. Actually Romantic begins with some muted electric guitar that sounds very 1990s Punk. Taylor Swift sings about the difficulties that one can have (from a lady’s perspective) in a loving relationship. Ladies and gentlemen, Taylor Swift puts out emotions that many are too afraid to confront. This is a sub-three-minute-long song that has a catchy nature to it all, and points out that efforts in love are ultimately valued. It also has some vicious lyrics about remaining loyal to one’s lover. Nonetheless, this is a good song for young people in particular to enjoy if in the mood for French kissing. Wonderful.

8. Wi$h Li$t begins with some digital sounds, and Taylor Swift launches into a cynical and aggressive song about wanting specific things in life and craving more. Taylor Swift sings with some profanities about just wanting to spend time with her man and family. A bit ironic given how wealthy she is. Even so, this is a pure statement of romantic intention and true love throughout. A good listen, even if the critics will inevitably dismiss this as not up to scratch. Having said that, do the major media outlets really care about good music like this? The answer is no. The music and sounds throughout are really fantastic. Taylor Swift shines bright here. A very lovely listen. Pleasant.

9. Wood is surely a sexual reference in a song? It begins with a more Rock Music sort of sonic setup and has Taylor Swift singing sweetly about the situation with a specific lover, likely an ex-boyfriend. A good listen overall, with some profane words sung in the sweetest and lovely way. A really exotic-sounding tune. If this album has a flaw at all (and a minor one at that), some of the lyrics are fairly trashy. However, this is the best album to listen to if, like Taylor Swift yourself, you are about to tie the knot. Another solidly good song with a unique take on love and lust. The ending is quirky.

10. CANCELLED! begins with a muted electric guitar and has Taylor Swift singing nicely away. This is a song about one’s reputation in life and dealing with the unpleasantness that life brings. Even so, this song is realistic in a human sense. This is incredibly dark, malicious and vicious and is aimed at Taylor Swift’s former friends, and now enemies. Being a major celebrity, it is very difficult to accept many clingers who are just there to take advantage of oneself. This is relatable. All the same, the music throughout is good, although this is a weaker track overall. Still, it is very listenable throughout. Nonetheless, the references to murder are very dark and disturbing. Good, but a weaker track on this album.

11. Honey begins with major key piano playing, Taylor Swift singing nicely and this launches into action about the intention to preserve a relationship with a man of one’s fancy. This music does suffer from a slight flaw on this album, and that it is self-centred lyrically. Having said that, the lyrics are understandably realistic. Taylor Swift walks a fine line between reality and internal emotions very, very well. No doubt that she is madly in love with her fiancé as well. Hopefully, her marriage goes well and lasts, unlike most celebrity marriages. A gorgeously touching and enjoyable song to listen to.

12. The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) is the final track, and also the title track. It begins with murky electronics and handclaps. Taylor Swift sings beautifully on this song, and she sounds melodically crisp and passionate throughout. A good listen throughout, and Sabrina Carpenter is a good guest to feature on this album. Another sweet and beautifully melodic tune. Both ladies sing incredibly well on this song, and even if autotune is involved, it is barely noticeable on this track. Swifties should enjoy this album in particular. Don’t believe the mainstream music critics, this is miles better than Justin Bieber right now and whatever the heck he is up to. There is a dramatic musical restructure in the second half, with some interesting musical changes throughout. A good song to conclude this genuinely consistent album. By the end of this, you will be satisfied and smiling. A nice tune to finish off an underrated album. It concludes with some sampled crowd talk from Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter as the song fades out.

There is no denying that this is great music. Taylor Swift not only has a great voice and decent music to back it up, but she is clearly in top form still. Ignore the big guns of the music media; there is nothing at all wrong with this album. Seriously, it is an enjoyable ride for 2025. Let’s hope that Taylor Swift continues to put out great music for Swifties and casual fans alike. Should you listen to this album? If you love 2025 and you love Pop Music, do give this a chance. However, if you don’t like female acts who are Pop based, you may want to stay away.

A genuinely great album, despite the backlash.