Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released “The Life of the Showgirl: The Encore,” a deluxe edition of her most recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” on Sept. 25. The deluxe edition featured four new songs: “Patient Zero,” “Pink Clouding,” “Cleveland!” and “Babylon.”
Although Swift’s new songs quickly found success on the charts, they were also met with high criticism, especially online.
The first new song released, “Patient Zero,” gained instant traction despite it lacking some of the typical elements of Swift’s music: background music that supports her voice and melodic vocals. The song’s background instrumentals consistently overpowered Swift’s vocals.
However, the song did feature authentic lyrics, promoting its powerful influence. It dove into the harsh aftermath of a toxic relationship, and the process of rebuilding one’s life, making it both an impactful and relatable addition to the album.
On Sept. 25, Swift also displayed the music video for “Patient Zero” at the VMAs, unveiling it to other talented song-writers and musicians. The video was released on YouTube for the public on Sept. 29, adding to the song’s cynical and eventually hopeful tone.
The third newly released track was “Pink Clouding,” an upbeat pop melody with strong vocals and background music. “Pink Cloudling” expresses a similar vibe as Swift’s “1989” era, delivering upbeat instrumental features and cheerful lyrics that instantly put listeners in a good mood.
The most scrutinized of the tracks was “Cleveland!”. “Cleveland!” is an upbeat, sarcastic song focusing on others’ negative perceptions of Swift. Although Swift’s vocals were strong, the track was missing her trademark poetic lyrics and strong background music.
The release’s final track was arguably its strongest; “Babylon” stole the show with its vocals and story-telling. The song was similar to tracks from Swift’s previous albums “Folklore” and “Evermore”, portraying a relatable story with vivid imagery. Swift’s songs that incorporate stories are especially successful, providing both relatable lyrics and prominent messages, and “Babylon” is no exception.
Overall, the songs were a powerful addition to “The Life of a Showgirl,” adding a unique perspective to the album, as well as additional life and relatability. “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” will be especially enjoyable for fans of Swift’s story-telling abilities and strong vocals, making it a great addition to her discography.
