Variety’s review of Taylor Swift’s four new tracks on “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” treats them as a new EP, not an album add-on: three revisit former relationships and regret, while “Cleveland!” celebrates her marital bliss with Travis.
The review says “Patient Zero” addresses an ex’s new partner, but its real-life inspiration is unconfirmed. It reads “Pink Clouding” as regret over ghosting someone and “Babylon” as an elusive, sympathetic song about an ex; “Cleveland!” is described as a goofy, upbeat celebration.
The tracks were recorded after “The Life of a Showgirl” was released and reunite Swift with producers Max Martin and Shellback. The review notes varied production, including electronic percussion on “Patient Zero” and live-sounding drums on “Cleveland!”; it describes “Babylon” as fuller than much of the original album.
