By Britne Goldstein

Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl — album review

Swifties, huddle up. On October 3, 2025, Taylor delivered her 12th original studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, and she came to slay. Reunited with longtime hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback, this one is a glossy pop moment. Swift says this album captures what was happening “behind the scenes” of her life on The Eras Tour: electric, dramatic, and unapologetically showy.

Let’s dig into each track (yes, I have thoughts):

1. The Fate of Ophelia
A bold opener, referencing Shakespeare’s tragic Ophelia (yes, the one who drowns). Swift kicks things off with dramatic flair. It’s catchy and sets the tone: emotional but showy. The pop production hits just right. Taylor says: “It’s also just kind of one of my favorite catchy melodies I’ve ever gotten to write.”

2. Elizabeth Taylor
Swift leans into glamour and tragedy here, referring to the iconic actress. Fans suspect she’s drawing parallels between Elizabeth’s public life and her own (especially now, owning her masters, navigating fame, relationships). It lands more as a poetic mood piece, but it’s classy and theatrical. Taylor says: “Role models are pretty hard to come by, but I would absolutely say that she’s one of mine.”

3. Opalite
Okay, this one is sultry and a bit mystical. “Opalite” nods to the man-made gemstone, which is also Travis Kelce’s birthstone. This might be one of the tracks that latches onto your brain. Taylor says: “It’s just so infectiously contagiously happy and really an expression of how the song is itself about choosing happiness and getting through rough times, you know, adversity, and really choosing your own joy, and sort of path to joy, and it didn’t just happen accidentally for you.”

4. Father Figure
This is one of the deeper cuts. With the interpolation of George Michael’s “Father Figure”, Swift leans into darker vibes, playing with loyalty, power, identity, and public image. Taylor says: “It’s the stuff that I’ve always wanted to say. It was a blast to write, I love stepping into a character like that.”

5. Eldest Daughter
Track 5 is always a special slot in Taylor’s albums. Here, she plays with the weight of expectations, family dynamics, and identity. It’s heartfelt without being over-the-top, and as an

eldest daughter myself, I felt deeply seen. Taylor says: “This song really kind of gets to the heart of when someone gets close enough to you to earn your trust, that’s when you can admit to them that you actually really do care about some things.”

6. Ruin the Friendship
This one is sad, nostalgic, and emotionally raw, but with that upbeat pop glamour. The twist at the end really hits. Taylor says: “It’s really kind of a beautiful story of taking chances when they present themselves and not letting them pass you by, not having to spend your lifе wondering what would have happenеd if you would have done it.”

7. Actually Romantic
Drama alert: some critics see this as a diss toward Charli XCX (who dropped Sympathy Is a Knife not long ago). The lyrics get petty and the tone is sharper than usual. It’s the sweetest diss track I’ve ever heard. Taylor says: “A song about realizing that someone else has kind of had a one-sided adversarial relationship with you that you didn’t know about.”

8. Wi$h Li$t
Stylized with dollar signs, this is classic Taylor pop: whimsical, mildly sharp, playing with wants and expectations. Taylor says: “It’s kind of about exploring all those different lives that people want and all those different aspirations that people have, but knowing that you havе your own set of wishes.”

9. Wood
Oh yes, she went there. Wood is cheeky, bold, full of double entendres, and polarizing to listeners. Some critics call it goofy; others say it’s one of the more daring tracks. Taylor says: (Sarcastically) “It’s a love story about kind of using, as a plot device, superstitions. All these different ways that we have decided things are good luck or bad luck, like knocking on wood and seeing a black cat. And that is kind of the way that I’ve decided to explore this very, very sentimental love song.”

10. Cancelled!
Taylor leans into cancel culture and misogyny with sarcasm and grit. It’s bold and fierce, not subtle, but that’s the point. Taylor says: “I make my own decisions about people based on how they treat me within my life and their actions.”

11. Honey
A softer moment before the finale, “Honey” gives us some sweetness, some reflection, and possibly a moment of calm in the storm. It balances out the album’s theatrical highs and lows. Taylor says: “It’s kind of about the idea of healing these old wounds that were caused by certain words that now feel totally lovely and sweet.”

12. The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)
She saved the showstopper for last. This duet is glam, dramatic, and layered. Thematically, it unifies the album’s motifs of performance, identity, and ambition. Taylor says: “The story of a

fictional showgirl, and how my character in the song goes to see her perform, and is completely inspired by her, but rather than responding with fakeness, she tells it like it is and she kind of warns me off this lifestyle because it’s much more than the glitter and the glamour.”

Final Thoughts

The Life of a Showgirl isn’t perfect. Some parts feel like she’s trying too hard or taking playful jabs just for fun, but it’s still a bold, glittering pop statement. Taylor is fully embracing the spotlight and clearly enjoying herself. This time, she isn’t writing from heartbreak, she’s writing from a place of power, reflection, and pure showmanship.

The album’s visual rollout has been wild. The Swifties are used to multiple album cover variants, vinyl/CD/cassette releases, but now we’ve leveled up with cinematic companion screenings in theaters.

If you’re in it for the bops, the drama, the easter egg hunts, this is her show. If you wanted another Folklore or thesaurus filled poetry anthology, maybe not. Overall, she landed her intentions, she gave us twelve distinct characters and moods, and she reminded us she still knows how to throw a glitter bomb.

Post Malone is set to headline the Red West Music Festival in Salt Lake City, which is making waves with its line up entering its second year. With the festival only 45 days away it felt appropriate to look back on Post Malones F-1 Trillion album which was released in 2024. 

The festival is shaping up to be one of Utah’s biggest music events of the year, and having Posty, who has all but adopted Salt Lake City as a second home, as a headliner feels like a true full circle moment for the “hometown” fans.

Released on August 15th 2024, with a deluxe version releasing the next day on the 16th. The album proved that Posty was willing to risk everything for reinvention. Leaning into the country aesthetic, southern-rock. As a result, he produced a personal and raw album that could be played at a rodeo, through stadium speakers or simply through old car speakers. However you choose it brings back the warm feelings of nostalgia that country music is known for.

The brilliance behind this album in my opinion is that the original release had back to back features. Some of the country’s biggest names partnered with Post Malone to produce some of the funnest tracks of the year. My personal favorites included “Nose Dive” with Laney Wilson and “Losers” with Jelly Roll. This release method, in my opinion, allowed those who maybe weren’t sure of the genre shift to get comfortable with the change while listening to country artists they know and love. 

The day after the initial release Posty then released “F1-Trillion: Long Bed” ; this release is only Post Malone tracks, no features. I loved this idea as it really allowed him to showcase his own work and talent. In fact, “Killed a Man” was one of my most played songs of the year and the album came out with only four and a half months left of the year. The way that Post Malone was able to create a fun upbeat while still deeply personal country album marks one of the most successful genre shifts in my opinion. He wasn’t just trying to jump genres to have fun, he was showing the world that he can and does still write deeply personal music no matter the genre.

Now, over a year later, F1-Trillion feels like the perfect setup for what Red West promises to be. A musical celebration that blurs the line of genres and brings people together in the heart of the Utah desert. When Post Malone takes the stage on October 11th fans won’t just be hearing the hits, they will be watching an artist who evolved from one version to another and has a way of making Utah feel like the biggest hype of a hometown show.

By Britne Goldstein

Jonas Brothers Album Review

Released August 8, 2025, Greetings from Your Hometown marks a nostalgic return for the Jonas Brothers as they celebrate 20 years with a love-letter to their Jersey roots and a musical nod to the icons who shaped them. Featuring 14 tracks, with collabs from Dean Lewis, Switchfoot and Marshmello, it’s their most welcoming album in years.

Track List & Quick Thoughts

1. I Can’t Lose – Bright, upbeat, and ready to kick things off with good vibes. It may not reinvent the wheel but serves as an uplifting kick-off to your album binge.
2. Tables – Funky and confident with classic JoBro swagger.
3. Love Me to Heaven – Lead single energy with retro pop sparkle that feels like a big, warm hug.
4. No Time to Talk – Disco groove with a cheeky nod to the Bee Gees via a “Stayin’ Alive” interpolation. Nostalgic yet fresh. Fans are loving the homage.
5. Backwards – Moody and heartfelt, perfect for a rainy-day listen.
6. Loved You Better (feat. Dean Lewis) – Emotional piano ballad that hits you right in the feels.
7. Greetings from Your Hometown (feat. Switchfoot) – Cozy and nostalgic, like catching up with old friends. Switchfoot brings a true rock texture to the vibe.
8. When You Know – Soft and sweet, a quiet standout.
9. Heat of the Moment – Dreamy pop with an airy, beach day vibe.
10. Bully – Punchy pop with a side of attitude and empowerment.
11. Waste No Time – Catchy and clever, destined to get stuck in your head.
12. Lucky – Soft, shimmery, and full of wistful charm.
13. Mirror to the Sky – Airy, reflective, and thoughtful, like floating in a daydream.
14. Slow Motion (feat. Marshmello) – Beat-driven, dreamy, and makes you feel like dancing on the clouds.

Critics are mostly on board with Greetings from Your Hometown, with Melodic Magazine praising its stripped back production and 70s-tinged nostalgia layered over the brothers’ signature pop charm, while Showbiz by PS called it a clear step up from The Album. Not everyone’s swooning though, CultFollowing threw shade with a one star slam calling it “a blob of insincere emotions,” but the fans are firmly in the “play it on repeat” camp. Reddit threads are overflowing with love for “Mirror to the Sky,” “Tables” and the Dean Lewis collab “Loved You Better.” The album serves as the launchpad for the Jonas20: Greetings From Your Hometown Tour, kicking off at MetLife Stadium before hitting 43 cities across North American.

By Britne Goldstein

Released on August 1, 2025, Bite Me is Reneé Rapp’s bold queer pop‐rock statement. Inspired by icons like Joan Jett and Alanis Morissette, the record blends big attitude with theatrical vocals and punchy production.

The reaction to Bite Me has been very opinionated so far, much like Reneé herself. The Times called her “the Joan Jett of modern pop” and gave it four stars. Billboard described it as “loud, unapologetic, and messy in the best way”, while Rolling Stone called it as “a wild celebration of sex, heartbreak, and defiance.” Some reviewers found it played things a little too safe at times, but overall, it’s been received as a confident next step for Rapp.

Outside of music, Rapp has been gaining attention as a global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris and as Grand Marshal of World Pride DC 2025. Her presence is only growing, and with the Bite Me Tour kicking off September 23 at Red Rocks, she’s clearly ready to take this raw, loud era on the road.

Track by Track First Impressions

1. Leave Me Alone – The lead single I’ve been jamming to for months. A loud, bratty banger where Reneé shuts it all down and just wants to party. Instant attitude, zero apologies.
2. Mad – Sexy, bitter, and a little unhinged. She’s mad, she’s over it, and she still wants to hook up.
3. Why Is She Still Here? – Jealousy never sounded this smooth. A sad, jazzy meltdown over an ex who won’t disappear.
4. Sometimes – Soft, stripped back, and super emotional. Reneé shows off her vocals and gets super vulnerable.
5. Kiss It Kiss It – A playful, disco-flavored bop with flirty lyrics and major bedroom energy.
6. Good Girl – Big ‘80s power ballad vibes. She’s trying to be good but it’s just not working out.
7. I Can’t Have You Around Me Anymore – Mid-tempo and moody. The emotional detox anthem we all need.
8. Shy – Sweet, tender, and totally smitten. A cute love song that feels like a soft exhale.
9. At Least I’m Hot – Spiteful, funny, and super confident, with additional vocals by Towa Bird. Even when everything’s falling apart, at least she looks good.

10. I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone – Chill breakup energy. The vibe is calm, but the shade is real.

11. That’s So Funny – A clever, savage takedown of a fake friend. It’s petty, it’s catchy, it’s perfect.

12. You’d Like That Wouldn’t You – A gritty, grungy closer that leaves a mark. Total mic-drop energy.

Bite Me is a cheeky, emotionally charged sophomore album that shows Reneé Rapp growing into a pop rebel with big heart. It dips into both hard core rock‐pop and vulnerable ballads. For queer pop fans and anyone craving authenticity wrapped in catchy hooks, this album is worth playing on repeat.

By Britne Goldstein

Surprise! Justin Bieber’s Swag Is His Most Honest Album Yet

Justin Bieber has done it again, but this time with no warning. On July 11, Justin surprise-dropped his seventh studio album, Swag. This is a monster 21-track deep dive into the messier, more meaningful corners of his life. It’s emotional, experimental, and it’s already sparking big conversations.

The rollout was as cryptic as it was clever. Giant “SWAG” billboards started popping up in places like Reykjavík, Times Square, and Melrose Ave, teasing lyrics and song titles without any formal announcement. Fans online quickly pieced it together, and within hours of the surprise drop, #SWAG was trending across every platform.

The album’s collaborators are stacked with viral favorites and underground gems: Gunna, Sexyy Red, Cash Cobain, Lil B, Eddie Benjamin, Druski, Dijon, and Marvin Winans. From trap to gospel to weepy soul-pop, the guest list keeps things fresh, and in some cases, unexpectedly deep. Gospel legend Marvin Winans lends gravity to a mid-album spiritual moment, while Sexyy Red turns up the heat on the more chaotic side of love.

Fans and critics alike are calling Swag a more vulnerable and less polished Bieber than we’ve seen in a long time, but in a good way.

Standout tracks include:

• ●  “All I Can Take” – an angsty, falsetto-heavy opener
• ●  “Butterflies” – already getting shoutouts from celebs like Samantha Ruth Prabhu
• ●  “Therapy Session” – where Bieber lays bare his struggles with mental health
• ●  “Walking Away” – a slow-burning confessional about the challenges in his marriage
• ●  “Dadz Love” – a tender ode to fatherhood featuring audio clips of his son, Jack Whether you love it, hate it, or need a second listen, Swag is undeniably a pivot point for Justin Bieber. He’s not chasing hits, but the truth. And in today’s hyper-curated pop world, that alone is refreshing. Listen to Swag now on all streaming platforms. And maybe text your dad after.

By Britne Goldstein

Noah Cyrus released her sophomore album, I Want My Loved Ones to Go with Me, on July 11, 2025. The release date coincides with her late grandfather, Ron “Pappy” Cyrus’s birthday, making the moment extra special. The title comes from a hymn originally written by her great-grandfather, Eldon Cyrus, and performed by Pappy. Noah shared she’s confident he’s “celebrating his big debut up in heaven.”

Noah’s first time co-producing, alongside Mike Crossey and PJ Harding, her longtime writing partner, the album leans into nostalgia while exploring themes of family, identity, and coming of age.

So let’s get into it track-by-track.

The Tracklist And Our First Impressions

1. I Saw The Mountains
   Dreamy and nostalgic. Feels like looking back on your childhood through a foggy car window.
2. Don’t Put It All On Me (feat. Fleet Foxes)
   A soft, emotional duet with Fleet Foxes that hits you right in the feelings. Super cozy and heartfelt.
3. What’s It All For?
   Short, raw, and honest. Like a journal entry set to music.
4. Way Of The World (feat. Ella Langley)
   A country-style duet about how messy growing up can be. Great chemistry between the two voices. *One of my personal favorites.
5. New Country (feat. Blake Shelton)
   A fun nod to old-school country with Blake adding that classic charm. It’s a toe-tapper.
6. Long Ride Home
   Feels like driving on an empty road with your thoughts. Calm and a little bittersweet.
7. Apple Tree
   The emotional center of the album. Includes real audio of her grandpa, which makes it more emotional.

8. Man In The Field
   Peaceful and earthy. The kind of song you’d want to hear on a quiet walk outside.
9. With You
   A sweet little moment with her dad. Feels super personal and warm, like a family hug in song form.

10. Love Is a Canyon
Simple and open, it gives space to breathe and just feel.

11. XXX (feat. Bill Callahan)
A moody, deep duet with lots of texture. Their voices together are weirdly perfect. Perfect for singing in the car.

The album’s release show was held at the Ford in Los Angeles on release day, kicking off a North American tour that runs through October, hitting cities like Chicago, Nashville, and Austin. I Want My Loved Ones to Go with Me honors Noah’s family history while confidently carving out her own artistic lane. It’s both vulnerable and mature, an alt-country journey that feels timeless.