5 Takeaways From Taylor Swift's New Album The Life of a Showgirl

"For a minute, it felt as if Taylor Swift was about to embark on her own Never Ending Tour. It's more fair to say Swift is on something closer to a perpetual victory lap. Beyond the Eras Tour grossing over $2 billion in sales, she scored a record-breaking fourth Grammy for Album of the Year, dropped an exposé of a double album, and reacquired the masters to her first six albums."

"So give a warm welcome to The Life of a Showgirl, Swift's 12th studio album, which foils The Tortured Poets Department in a few major ways. For one, it's a tight 12-track run compared to the colossal 31-track of TTPD. Max Martin and Shellback-reuniting with Swift for their first new body of work together since 2017's Reputation-produced and wrote the entire record with her."

Taylor Swift achieved massive commercial and critical milestones, including an Eras Tour that grossed over $2 billion, a record fourth Album of the Year Grammy, and reclaimed masters for her first six albums. The Life of a Showgirl marks Swift's 12th studio album and contrasts with the sprawling 31-track Tortured Poets Department by offering a tight 12-track sequence. Max Martin and Shellback reunited with Swift for their first full collaboration since Reputation and helped produce and write the entire record. The album centers on swooning romantic themes, present success, and a reimagined take on Ophelia with increased agency.

Read at Pitchfork