New Delhi, Oct. 11 -- In the lead-up to Taylor Swift's twelfth studio album The Life Of A Showgirl, bakery chain Baked By Melissa released a special limited-edition set of cupcakes inspired by the world's biggest pop star. It was one of many brand tie-ins and corporate activations that have accompanied the album's release, evidence-if any was needed-that Swift is a commercial juggernaut. The cupcakes, with packaging full of Swift-lore Easter eggs, come in two variants-vanilla, with either a "teal" or "orange" icing.

I mention this little tidbit because it strikes me as a hilariously on-the-nose metaphor for Swift's music. The toppings might vary-electro-pop sheen on Midnights, indie-folk on Folklore, the hip-hop imbued Reputation. But at...