After weeks of coded lyric teasers and sparkly website countdowns, the world has finally heard Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated twelfth album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” As has become customary for Swift, the album quickly shattered sales and streaming records within mere hours of its release.

Countless LSU students joined in on the festivities with orange feathers and glitter on Oct. 3, proving that not even the Tigers are immune to Taylormania. Many students, including those in the LSU Swifties club, attended “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” in theaters throughout Baton Rouge.

Maggie Dunn, a communications disorders major, said she and her roommates celebrated the album’s release with a dorm listening party, complete with themed snacks and drinks. She said that turning Swift’s music into a fun event has helped to create a sense of community for her on campus.

“It really is a celebration of womanhood and togetherness,” Dunn said. “That’s really what Taylor has become for me, at least, as a Tiger.”

English major Caylie Seidel said that after participating in a listening party for Swift’s 2022 album “Midnights,” she was drawn to the fandom on LSU’s campus. She feels becoming a Swiftie has been an incredibly positive experience and especially enjoys discussing Swift’s music with others.

“You can dig deep into it if you want to,” Seidel said. “You can just love the vibes if you want to. Being on an SEC campus with college football, it’s not as intense as that, but it can be if you want it to be.”

LSU Swifties club advisor Lisa Fisher feels that Swift’s motivational messages throughout “The Life of a Showgirl” are perfect for any students who may be struggling, whether academically or personally.

“It’s all about claiming your power back and just having a good time,” Fisher said. “And understanding that even if you’re in a dark spot, you can find light in something.”

This sentiment, according to Fisher, is echoed throughout LSU’s campus.

“LSU’s such a good family place and such a great community that this album just matches the vibe of campus,” Fisher said.

However, what screen arts major Iris Cavazos is most excited for is Swift’s return to what she calls ‘true pop.’

“I love albums such as ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ but I think I’m just loving her going back to the pop-y, meaty music,” Cavazos said.

As usual, Swift left Easter eggs throughout the release of the album for her fans to find. Her intentional placement of the tracklist to mimic the stage for The Eras Tour did not go unnoticed for Dunn, who said that the songs flowed very well when listened to in order.

“It was very clear that everything was very carefully placed,” Dunn said.

Dunn said it was difficult to choose just one favorite song from “The Life of a Showgirl,” but eventually settled on lead single “The Fate of Ophelia.”

“I feel like that was such a perfect opening track,” Dunn said. “It really encompasses how far she’s come as an artist.”

Another track that was consistently mentioned as a favorite by LSU students was “Opalite,” the third song on the album. Marketing major Mattie Baker said she simply could not stop listening to it, which was a sentiment that Cavazos and Seidel enthusiastically agreed with.

Baker also noted that Swift’s sound consistently evolves with each new album, most notably within the past five years with releases like “Evermore” and “The Tortured Poets Department.”

“The folk music into pop, I’ve loved to see over the past couple years,” Baker said. “It shows her range.”

Seidel is grateful that Swift opted to work with producers Max Martin and Shellback for the album, therefore creating a different sound than her more recent works. She believes that Swift was likely inspired by Swedish pop group ABBA while making “The Life of a Showgirl.”

However, these positive opinions were not shared by all students. Business major Isabella Cerniglia had a ‘wi$h li$t’ for “The Life of a Showgirl” that Swift did not meet, especially with Swift’s lyricism. She remarked that the lyrics often felt recycled and repetitive compared to previous albums, especially on tracks like “Wood” and “Actually Romantic.”

“I think ‘Showgirl’ had some good moments, but overall was a cringey album that still doesn’t feel like Taylor Swift,” Cerniglia said. “Personally, I think it just seems to lack the same artistic drive that Taylor maintained throughout her previous albums.”

Her criticism does not mean that there were no standout tracks for Cerniglia. She shares Baker’s love for “Opalite” and likened the song to characters from the popular romance novel “Fourth Wing.”

Regardless of any criticism, both on-campus and online, “The Life of a Showgirl” is a new favorite of Seidel’s.

“I’m a yes man,” Seidel said with a smile. “I love Taylor Swift. I’m going to find joy in whatever she produces.”