Never thought I’d say this at 46, but I’m officially a Swiftie. Sort of.
According to Google AI, a Swiftie is a self-identified, enthusiastic, and loyal fan of the singer Taylor Swift. The term, a portmanteau of Taylor Swift’s last name, implies a deeper level of fandom beyond casual listening.
While the “deeper level of fandom beyond casual listening” does not apply to me yet, I must say I have really come to appreciate the artist and creator that Swift is, after having seen The Official Release Party of a Showgirl yesterday evening. This is not a documentary I would have chosen on my own initiative, simply because I never really followed her, and I’m definitely not part of the Millennial demographic that makes up a large part of Swift’s fanbase (though of course, it’s not only millennials who like Taylor Swift!). It was actually my 13-year-old daughter who asked me to join her, and like any good father, I had to comply!
Having said that, I do appreciate watching the behind-the-scenes and creative process involved in making a new music album and video. That’s exactly what The Official Release Party of a Showgirl offers. It’s a, YouTube/vlog-style documentary, narrated and produced by Swift herself, where she takes the viewer onto the recording set of the first single from her new album, “The Fate of Ophelia”. You get a glimpse of the work involved in recording a music video, and in between, Swift talks about how each song on the album came to be and what inspired her to write it. I find this last part especially interesting. More artists should do this!
As for Taylor Swift as a person, she comes across to me as down-to-earth, dedicated, well-articulated, and with a very strong artistic vision. She appears to know exactly the creative direction she wants to take, and often while watching the documentary, I had the impression that she would have been just as good as an art director, had she not been a famous singer and performer. I think her personal involvement in every step of the process of producing the album and video makes a real difference; It all feels very personal, and I like that.
Regarding the music, my favorites were quite diverse. I was drawn to the classic upbeat pop of ‘The Fate of Ophelia,’ with its strong bassline, as well as the slower, more intimate, ‘Eldest Daughter.’ For a dose of nostalgic melancholy, I loved ‘Ruin The Friendship,’ whose chorus and 70s-style bassline are really good. Finally, ‘Opalite’ stands out as a potential banger, largely thanks to its chorus.
In conclusion, I think that Taylor Swift has delivered some very high-quality work with The Life of A Showgirl. It’s an album that is musically strong and cohesive, and lyrically pure. I highly recommend you listen to it and see the documentary for yourself if you get the chance.