If there is one thing about Taylor Swift, it’s that she has perfect timing. Have I been feeling down in the dumps? Of course. Who hasn’t? Between this summer having no theme (Brat was last summer, what the heck was this summer?) and there being no real summer song, there has been a lack of media. And yes, I did watch “Love Island” back in June, but having to watch that everyday was frankly exhausting. Plus, the only real cure for these post-grad blues is a new Taylor Swift album (or, maybe getting a job, but a new album wouldn’t hurt).
Last week, when Swift announced that she had a new album coming out on Aug. 12 at 12:12 a.m., I was sitting in bed freaking out. The green and orange color combo? The orange hints that were seen during the Eras Tour? I felt like my 17-year-old self, sitting in my bedroom when “folklore” came out in the height of the pandemic.
Now, I have some predictions that no one asked for, but I will present to you anyway. I’m predicting an upbeat album, just like everyone else. As Swift discussed the album, and announced it’s title “The Life of a Showgirl,” on Travis and Jason Kelce’s podcast “New Heights,” she explained how she meticulously picked these 12 songs that she has worked to perfection with the help of Max Martin and Shellback.
These two record producers worked with Swift on songs such as “I knew you were trouble,” “Shake It Off,” “…Ready For It?” and other upbeat pop songs by her. Therefore, we can expect the pop-y side of Swift from “Red,” “1989,” and “reputation” to be at the forefront of this album.
It looks like the old Taylor actually can come to the phone right now.
This album will look different from her last four albums (not including the re-recordings) as they centered around late night anxieties, insecurities, failed relationships and sometimes murder. But, I do think the glitz and glamour of “Midnights” will tie into “The Life of a Showgirl.” I believe there will be this theme of Swift being a performer, specifically referring to the Eras Tour, which reminds me of the “Bejeweled” music video.
All of Swift’s albums typically have two or more emotional layers to them. You can’t have “Red” without “We Are Never Getting Back Together” and “All Too Well.” So, while I think the majority of this new album will be upbeat, I do think we may get a song or two that are a little slower and sadder. I hope that there is a more raw song about the hardships of the Eras Tour –– and maybe how she changed throughout the almost two years she was on tour. Or, perhaps the raw song will be her track 5 song (a notorious heartbreaker) which is titled “Eldest Daughter.”
Another possibility is that this album will express Swift’s feelings about buying back her masters from Shamrock Capital this year. While on “New Heights,” she talked about it emotionally, explaining that she had lost hope in ever having the rights to her first six albums. The feelings she had about getting her music back may be another theme of this album.
These are all possibilities, but we won’t really know what “The Life of a Showgirl” sounds like until Oct. 3 –– and thank god it comes out before my 10 miler because that’s all I will be listening to during it. Again, Swift really does have the best timing.
What are your predictions for “The Life of a Showgirl”? Let me know by emailing me: gingerlyons23@gmail.com:)
Educated Guesses 