The first Friday of October 2025 is a doozy for new music releases — and that’s largely thanks to Taylor Swift.

A year and a half after releasing The Tortured Poets Department — which spent an eye-popping 17 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — the pop star returned with yet another mammoth album drop on Friday (Oct. 3). On The Life of a Showgirl, she reflects on what her life has been like over the past two years, from traveling around the world on the Eras Tour to falling in love with fiancé Travis Kelce. And while Swift is the ultimate showgirl, several other big names get some time in the spotlight on the LP. Sabrina Carpenter, for instance, shines as the album’s only guest artist on the title track, while “Father Figure” interpolates the late George Michael’s hit of the same name. P

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