Taylor Swift's much-anticipated 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, dropped on Friday after weeks of hype and speculation.

For this album, the 35-year-old artist reunited with Swedish hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback to deliver a more upbeat project with some light introspection. 

Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says the album's prompted mixed responses - but it's already broken several key records. 

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