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⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
Taylor’s new tracks are getting roasted for sounding like literal AI-generated stock music and "The Office" themes. Fans are losing it over the uninspired production and lyrics that feel way too blunt compared to her usual magic.
The way everyone is collectively losing it over Taylor Swift’s new tracks is actually wild. Since dropping The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore on Friday, Sept. 25, the internet has spent the weekend hunting for hidden meanings—but mostly just finding reasons to be disappointed. Instead of the redemption arc fans were praying for, these four new songs are actually getting even more hate than her original album from last October.
The Production Problem
A huge part of the drama centers on how the music actually sounds. Listeners are calling out “Patient Zero” and “Cleveland!” for feeling totally uninspired, with many claiming Taylor is just flatly speaking over beats that sound like AI-generated tunes or royalty-free stock music. It got so bad that X user @sweetenerpacket made a viral edit playing “Cleveland!” over a 5-Minute Crafts video, and people literally couldn’t tell if the audio was real or fake. Even TikToker @fae.laughs.a.lot pointed out that “Cleveland!” gives off major opening theme energy for The Office.
Beyond the production, the lyrical shift is hitting fans hard. Compared to the sweeping romance of her 2019 hit “Lover,” the new tracks feel strangely blunt. In “Cleveland!”, Taylor basically says you only need to find one person who doesn’t think you’re “completely insufferable.” It is so fucking funny that she’s written like 3 songs about her husband that are all like ‘isn’t it so awesome how he plays football and has a podcast?’ and then writes dozens of incredible songs abt her situationship from 3 years ago, wrote X user @theIesbianqueenin in a post that racked up 38,000 likes.
Critical Reception and Ratings
The backlash isn’t just coming from casual listeners; even big-name fan accounts are struggling to keep up. The Swiftologist went viral for saying “it’s so hard to be the Swiftologist at a time like this,” calling “Cleveland!” a petty sequel to the already unpopular song “Wood.” Meanwhile, YouTube channel Chats & Reacts faced heat after their positive reactions to “Patient Zero” were slammed by commenters as being forced or insincere. On Metacritic, the deluxe edition currently holds a score of 39, which puts it in the same territory as Katy Perry’s widely derided 2024 album 143. Even if some die-hard Swifties refuse to back down, let’s be real: this encore is an extra set of tracks most people didn’t ask for.
Do you think Taylor is just entering a new era, or is the internet right about these new tracks?
❓ People Also Ask
Why are Taylor Swift's new encore tracks receiving backlash?
Taylor Swift's new tracks are facing criticism due to uninspired production and a shift in lyrical style. Listeners have complained that songs like Patient Zero and Cleveland! sound like AI-generated tunes or royalty-free stock music. Additionally, fans are disappointed by the blunt nature of the lyrics compared to her previous romantic work. Some critics have even noted that the new material feels less meaningful than her older songs about past relationships, leading to significant disappointment across social media platforms.
What is the Metacritic score for Taylor Swift's new deluxe edition?
The deluxe edition of the new album currently holds a Metacritic score of 39. This low rating places the project in the same critical territory as Katy Perry’s widely derided 2024 album 143. The score reflects the widespread internet backlash and dissatisfaction regarding the production quality of the new tracks. While some die-hard fans continue to support the release, the professional critical reception suggests that the encore tracks have struggled to resonate with a broad audience.
How have listeners reacted to the production of the song Cleveland!?
Listeners have reacted negatively to the production of Cleveland!, comparing it to AI-generated music and even the opening theme of The Office. The audio quality was so controversial that a viral edit on X played the track over a 5-Minute Crafts video to highlight its uninspired sound. Many fans found the production to be flat and lacking the sweeping, high-quality arrangements found in her previous eras. This specific track has become a focal point for those criticizing the new album's overall sound.
Which Taylor Swift songs are being criticized for their lyrical content?
The songs Patient Zero and Cleveland! are being specifically criticized for their blunt and uninspired lyrical content. In Cleveland!, the lyrics focus on the idea of finding one person who does not find you insufferable, which some fans find underwhelming. Critics have also pointed out a perceived imbalance in her songwriting, noting that she has written several songs about her husband's hobbies while her more complex, beloved songs often focused on past situationships. This shift has caused significant friction within the fanbase.
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📰 Source: Mashable