On Oct. 3, pop star Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Since its release, the album has been met with both praise and criticism from reviewers: avid Swifties, professional critics and haters alike. Whether they love it or hate it, however, “The Life of a Showgirl” has made its way into the conversation of pop music listeners all over. The record-breaking album has surpassed a record sales milestone previously set in 2015 by Adele’s “25,” selling 4,002,000 copies in its debut week. Clearly, the album has been a historic one, but whether the songs on it are good or not remains a decision to be made by its listeners.

As two fans, we have both chosen our top four tracks from the album to highlight.

When Taylor Swift announced on Travis and Jason Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast that she would soon be releasing her 12th album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” I was filled with anticipation. The rest of Swift’s discography contains tens of songs I have come to love, and I had expected her new album to fit in with the rest. When the album was released; however, I was initially let down. Now, having given the album more listens, there are some tracks I have come to love, but the overwhelming majority of the songs are ones I was let down by.

When perusing other reviews online from professional critics and casual fans alike, I have found that many people, including both Swifties and haters, share the same sentiments. Overall, it seems that many can agree that the album features some tracks worthy of praise, and others that garner more criticisms. One comment that stuck out to me said something to the effect of, “they tortured the poet out of her,” (a reference to her 11th album, “The Tortured Poets Department) and I couldn’t have said it better. The album is good to casually listen to, but actually paying attention to and digesting the lyrics makes the album feel very tacky. It feels like the songwriters were trying too hard to appeal to younger fans, and the ultimate result is lyricism that feels like a millennial trying to disguise herself as Gen Z.

1. “Opalite”
Rating: 8/10
Favorite Line: “You were dancing through the lightning strikes / Sleepless in the onyx night / But now the sky is opalite”
“Opalite” cemented itself as my favorite track on the album. Is it Swift’s best song ever? No, not even close. However, the imagery used in the song is my favorite of the whole album, and the song is a total earworm. The vivid imagery allows for a very bright, colorful mood, and the tone of the vocals and instrumentals come together seamlessly to create a bubbly, upbeat track. One of the smaller details I’ve come to love is a little chime used between lines “You had to make your own sunshine / But now the sky is opalite” that feels almost magical, conveying the sudden brightness expressed in the lyrics.

2. “The Fate of Ophelia”
Rating: 7.5/10
Favorite Line: “As legend has it you / Are quite the pyro / You light the match to watch it blow”
“The Fate of Ophelia” serves as the opening track to “The Life of a Showgirl,” and made me fairly optimistic for the album upon first listen. The use of the metaphor of fire and fireworks used throughout the song is not a new one, but her take on it in the form of pyrotechnics rather than just talking about them offered a fresh take on the comparison that I enjoyed. The upbeat pop track perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album, and it easily became one of my favorites of the album.

3. “Elizabeth Taylor”
Rating: 7/10
Favorite Line: “And if your letters ever said, ‘goodbye’ / I’d cry my eyes violet”
“Elizabeth Taylor” is so enjoyable to me because its spot on the album immediately follows “The Fate of Ophelia,” a more bubbly, upbeat track, and “Elizabeth Taylor” is a less glittery track, while still fitting in with the upbeat nature of the album. This song prompted me to take an internet deep dive on the late Hollywood actress who the song shares a name with, which allowed me a better understanding of its meaning. I’ve come to really appreciate the metaphors used in the song, and with all of these hidden metaphors in mind, this song is likely the album’s best, lyrically.

4. “Ruin the Friendship”
Rating: 6/10
Favorite Line: “Staying friends is safe, doesn’t mean you should”
“Ruin the Friendship” is a track I haven’t seen mentioned much while looking over opinions of the album online, but it is one of the album’s best. The song is full of vivid imagery set to an upbeat, pop-y track that I’ve come to love. It’s one of the only songs on the album that employs Swift’s ability to tell a story through her lyricism, and it definitely sticks out for this. The song explores themes of missed opportunities and the “what if?” of many unseen relationships. The song’s biggest flaw, as pointed out by many critics, is that it is a largely high school-set song, while Swift has been out of high school for quite some time. This song could be better, and seem less like she is dwelling on a distant past, if she made it set more current; as the story of wondering if love is reciprocated can be felt by people of all ages, not just adolescents.

Like any hardcore Swiftie, I was ecstatic when the announcement of Taylor Swift’s new album hit the news. Almost immediately, TikTok was filled with predictions about lyrics, aesthetic mood boards and outfit inspiration based on the album’s vibe. By 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 2, the anticipation leading up to the drop was high.

On my first listen of the album, I was honestly disappointed. Maybe it was the shift in sound from Swift, something I couldn’t fully appreciate the first time around, or maybe it was just because it was midnight. No one will ever know. But after listening again the next day, I started to find the beauty in it. Even though it doesn’t have Swift’s usual poetic lyrics that require a dictionary, it felt simple, honest and purely happy. I wouldn’t say it’s one of her best albums. In fact, it’s probably one of my lesser favorites. However, I do think the media is making it seem a lot worse than it really is. I understand it’s an adjustment, since it doesn’t sound much like any of her previous albums, but there are definitely good things about it. Overall, it’s a basic pop album, and a few of these songs will end up on my Spotify Wrapped.

1. “The Fate of Ophelia”
Rating: 9.5/10
Favorite Line: “And if you’d never come for me / I might’ve lingered in the purgatory”
“The Fate of Ophelia” has quickly become one of my favorite songs in Swift’s discography. The chorus captivates me every time I listen. Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Swift reimagines Ophelia’s tragic end, intertwining it with her own narrative. As a literature enthusiast, I appreciate this literary allusion. Additionally, the music video is a visual masterpiece, showcasing Swift’s artistic vision.

2. “Father Figure”
Rating: 9/10
Favorite Line: “Your thoughtless ambition sparked the ignition on foolish decisions which led to misguided visions”
“Father Figure” immediately grabs you with its bold, brash and sassy lyrics. Swift masterfully spins the mentor‑and‑protégé story, examining trust, betrayal and the hard work of reclaiming power. The track feels both cinematic and confrontational, especially when she flips perspective late in the song, asserting control with lines like “You pulled the wrong trigger” and “This empire belongs to me.” It’s a powerful and resonant song that most listeners will both admire and feel connected to. Plus, the TikTok edits I’ve seen to this are always life changing.

3. “Ruin The Friendship”
Rating: 7.5/10
Favorite Line: “And my advice is always answer the question / Better that than to ask it”
This song is reminiscent of Swift’s earlier work, with themes of teenage romance, heartbreak and regret. The main message is to never leave love unconfessed and to always “ruin the friendship.” I’m especially drawn to descriptive, story-driven writing. Lyrics like “Glistening grass from September rain” and “Gray overpass full of neon names” bring the narrative vividly to life.

4. “Opalite”
Rating: 7/10
Favorite Line: “This is just a temporary speed bump / But failure brings you freedom”
“Opalite,” in the best way possible, sounds like Christmas morning. It evokes joy, hope and nostalgia. Sonically and vocally, it’s the most impressive track on the album. The song also highlights what Swift does best: writing incredible bridges. The loving lyrics combined with the unique sound makes it truly a spectacular piece of art.