You simply don’t know how you can have enjoyable – Calvin College Chimes

When I used to be six years previous, my older cousin, who I assumed (and nonetheless do to this present day) was the best particular person ever, sat down with me on her bed room ground and instructed me about her favourite singer’s new album. We then listened to everything of Speak Now by Taylor Swift and, lengthy story brief, the remainder is historical past. I’ve been a Swiftie just about my complete life.  

When Taylor introduced her twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl (TLOAS), on her now-fiancé’s podcast, I used to be ecstatic. It was already making historical past earlier than its launch with a record-breaking variety of pre-saves, and when its launch at midnight on October third got here round, I used to be one of many thousands and thousands instantly streaming. I spent the following hour sending my mates and cousin my reactions — I beloved it instantly. I used to be floored by the lead single, “The Fate of Ophelia,” and it rapidly grew to become one in every of my favourite songs of hers but. The remainder of the album saved me entranced as properly, with beautiful vocals, enjoyable beats and a various set of lyrics between songs. I discovered it, merely put, a enjoyable album. I finally fell asleep that night time (after three consecutive listens), nonetheless buzzing the brand new tunes.  

I awakened the following morning to the web having dominated it as “her worst album.”

This is nothing new. Over my years as a Swiftie, I’ve observed a sample. Every new album brings haters crawling out of the woodwork to name it terrible. And I imply each album. The web will discover one thing improper with it, it doesn’t matter what she does. Fearless was criticized for having too many co-writers, so she wrote Speak Now alone, solely to have it dubbed “too poppy for a country artist,” so she made the shift to pop with Red and 1989, solely to be known as a “wannabe pop star.” The record goes on for every album. Most just lately, her eleventh album, The Tortured Poets Department, was extremely criticized as being “too wordy and hard to follow,” and now that she writes an album with “simpler” lyrics, they’re known as “cheap and shallow.”  

To that particular critique, I say… have you ever listened to the lyrics? Calling them low cost and shallow is way from the reality. Sure, a number of the songs are satirical (“Wood”) and the deeper meanings are masked by a pop beat, however a big portion of TLOAS options private lyrics about her life (“Ruin the Friendship”) and her experiences and insecurities within the business (“Elizabeth Taylor”). Other critics name it “millennial cringe.” And I admit, a few of it undoubtedly is. But to Swifties, that is part of her appeal; she’s at all times been unapologetically herself. Laugh at it and transfer on. 

I’ve observed one other sample in my years as a Swiftie. After the preliminary hate for an album, the web switches up. The Tortured Poets Department ended up breaking so many information that I misplaced monitor. After being launched for a couple of month, I can see the switch-up on TLOAS. Songs are trending, even one in every of my very own mates who initially didn’t get pleasure from it got here as much as me and stated, “Yeah, I was wrong. There are some bangers on the tracklist.”  

This all exhibits this odd phenomenon of it being “cool” and “trendy” to hate Taylor Swift. Newsflash: it’s not. Nobody cares should you’re a hater. You’re simply being trapped by society’s opposition to a profitable and impartial lady.  

If you discovered your self saying The Life of a Showgirl is dangerous, possibly you simply don’t know how you can have enjoyable. Because on the finish of the day, that’s what the album is: a enjoyable love letter to her expertise as a determine within the music business.  

I’m joking with that earlier assertion, however in all seriousness, no person is forcing you to hearken to Taylor Swift. If you don’t prefer it, don’t pay attention. One of my favourite issues about Taylor is her numerous catalog of music. Try a special album; I can assure you’ll discover not less than one tune you’ll like.