Taylor Swift’s new album version sparks ‘Taycapitalism’ criticism

(NewsNation) — With the upcoming release of “The Life of a Showgirl,” Taylor Swift is once again publishing multiple variants of an album with limited release and even more limited differences at high prices. 

Fans of the music superstar are calling her out after she revealed yet another version of her upcoming 12th studio album on Thursday, called “Baby, That’s Show Business.”  

Swift had put a countdown clock on her website before the new version was announced. The “lakeside beach blue sparkle” and “lovely bouquet golden” vinyls are available until August 23 at 1:59 p.m. ET, according to USA Today.  

Fans call out Taylor Swift for “Taycapitalism”  

Following the announcement, some of the “Swifties,” as her fanbase is called, criticized the singer for the new release.  

“Absolutely love her, but like… just no. Hard no. I’m over variants,” one user wrote on X.  

Another user, @Harmonyypgh, said, “I’m begging her to stop. My wallet is crying.” 

“Taycapitalism” is a cheeky term, combining “Taylor” and “capitalism,” used to describe the business and marketing practices of Swift, by fans and critics, on how she monetizes her work and engages with her fans, who eagerly buy her music.  

The label isn’t new for Swift, as fans have called her out on releasing multiple variants of the album for years.  

Last year, Swift released multiple versions of “The Tortured Poets Department,” with each vinyl version costing $34.99, according to Inc. The site calculated that fans would have to spend nearly $140 to get all versions of “The Tortured Poets Department.”

Taylor Swift buys back her masters

In May, Swift bought back her master recordings from Shamrock Capital, after her catalog of recordings was purchased in 2019 by record executive and businessman Scooter Braun.  

Braun’s purchase of Swift’s Catalog led to the singer re-releasing some of her older albums under the “Taylor’s Version” moniker.  

Sources told Billboard that Swift paid Shamrock Capital around $360 million for her original work.  

“All of the music I’ve ever made… now belongs to me. All of my music videos. All the concert films. The album art and photography. The unreleased songs. The memories. The magic. The madness. Every single era. My entire life’s work,” the singer said on her website to her fans.  

Since announcing “The Life of a Showgirl” on her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast on August 11, Swift has announced six versions of the upcoming album.  

The album will be released on Oct. 3.