Taylor Swift is making waves with her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl. During a recent chat on the New Heights podcast with Travis Kelce, she announced that the album will have just 12 songs—no deluxe version, no bonus tracks, and no endless vinyl specials. Fans are noticing this shift, especially after Swift faced backlash for her previous album, The Tortured Poets Department, which featured numerous editions and variants that many saw as excessive.
On social media platforms like Reddit, fans quickly linked this to complaints about the overwhelming number of song variations with her last release. One fan pointed out that The Tortured Poets Department felt overly long and complicated, while others echoed sentiments that fewer tracks might make for a stronger album.
This change comes as part of a broader industry trend. In 2025, Billboard responded to artist practices by limiting the number of editions that could count toward charts, capping it at four. Some fans appreciated this move, hoping it meant fewer variants moving forward, notably for the sake of the environment.
This isn’t the first time Swift’s release strategy has sparked larger discussions. In May 2024, she released new editions of TTPD just before Billie Eilish dropped her album, drawing speculation about a potential reaction to Eilish’s critique of wasteful vinyl practices. Many have seen Swift as an artist who isn’t shy about profiting from her releases, which raised eyebrows among eco-conscious fans.
Now, with Showgirl, there’s a sense of intentional simplicity. Fans are curious whether Swift might revert to the strategy of regular release entries. One Reddit user captured the feelings of many by stating, “It felt very greedy.” Another fan mentioned their struggle to keep up with releases, saying, “The oversaturation just makes me feel like I’m missing out.”
Interestingly, the number 12 holds special significance for Swift. It marks her 12th studio album, and fans have noted her penchant for numerology in her music. Many feel this album represents a response to past criticisms, suggesting Swift is listening to her audience.
Ultimately, whether The Life of a Showgirl stays at 12 tracks is yet to be seen. For now, its straightforward approach hints at a new direction for Swift, possibly addressing earlier critiques. As the release date of October 3 draws nearer, fans are left to ponder the deeper meaning behind her choices—even marking the date made famous by Mean Girls.
As always, Swift keeps her fans guessing while reflecting on her artistic journey.
Source link
Taylor Swift, Showgirl, The Tortured Poets Department, Travis Kelce