…ready for it?
Taylor Swift drops album like no other
One of music’s hottest artists, Taylor Swift, just released a new, highly anticipated album. With a modified persona, Swift’s music has changed in a way we would have never expected.
November 18, 2017
Ever since Taylor Swift dropped the first single, “Look What You Made Me Do,” from her latest album “Reputation,” the anticipation has been building to see what else the “new Taylor” has to offer. With a collection of songs unlike anything we have ever seen, Swifties have plenty to analyze and indulge in.
“Reputation” personifies Swift’s new-found rebellious, carefree attitude yet still incorporates the deep personal songs fans expect. After being drawn in with every new release, fans will not be disappointed with Swift’s new sound.
Swift first realized she wanted to go into music at the early age of nine years old and several years later her family relocated to Nashville so she could better pursue her dream. She learned how to play the guitar and write songs, so she would stand out against others when competing for a record deal. At the age of 14, Swift was the youngest artist ever signed by Sony/ATV music publishing house. In 2006, she released her first album which consisted of a youthful country sound.
Over the years, Swift’s music has gradually shifted from country to pop. She’s come a long way in the past decade since her self-titled debut album. Though Swift came from humble beginnings, her hard work and dedication along with the help of her family led her to become the Grammy Award winning artist she is today.
“Reputation” opens with “…Ready For It?” which was the second song that Swift released from the album. Despite the track being out weeks prior to the rest of the album, its extreme energetic rhythm has kept it in the limelight. The track climbed all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 just behind Swift’s first release “Look What You Made Me Do,” which peaked all the way to #1. “…Ready For It?” is a fiery track discussing Swift’s hectic love life that doesn’t get old.
[T]he anticipation has been building to see what else the “new Taylor” has to offer.
— Staff Writer Caylee Cicero
In “Call It What You Want,” the last song released prior to “Reputation,” Swift negates others’ opinions of her by expressing her boyfriend’s belief in her is all that matters. The track features many themes Swift’s mentioned in the past in songs such as daydreaming and running away. Through the smooth beat, Swift preaches no one else’s negativity will affect the happiness she has found in life. “Call It What You Want” offers listeners a calmly tune and words of wisdom.
“End Game,” a star-studded track featuring both Future and Ed Sheeran includes a contemporary R&B sound listeners would expect more from an artist like Rihanna. Looking back to Swift’s prior collaboration with a rapper in “Bad Blood,” which featured Kendrick Lamar, Swift maintained very much of a pop sound, whereas in “End Game” she completely embodies the R&B and hip hop beat. Sheeran and Future perfectly complement Swift’s chorus unlike in “Bad Blood” where Lamar stole the show.
“I Did Something Bad” is an intense track in which Swift questions the rightfulness of her actions. The song increasingly escalates to the climax of a powerful chorus. Although the theme resembles some of Swift’s previous releases, nothing else about the track does. “I Did Something Bad” puts a darker twist on Swift’s previously light-hearted love songs.
In “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” Swift takes another jab at Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. One can’t help to sing along with this fierce track. Almost incomparable to Swift’s past hits, “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” has a up-tempo rhythm which offers a taste of its own.
“New Year’s Day” closes out the album with it’s unrefined sound and meaningful lyrics. Unlike the other more electronic tracks in the album, Swift overpowers the soft melody of “New Year’s Day” rather than the beat taking control. The rawness of Swift’s voice is enough to give any listener chills. The acoustic guitar and piano accompanying Swift hearken back to something listeners would have expected from the “old Taylor.”
Though fans are sad to see the “old Taylor” go, Swifties should be more than ready to welcome the “new Taylor” into their playlists. An album like no other, “Reputation” breaks past stereotypes and challenges all while maintaining a catchy beat and drawing in listeners. Call it what you want, but I call “Reputation” a success.
