Taylor Swift: 1989 review

Taylor Swift’s new album, 1989, is unlike anything we have heard from her before. Gone are the country beats that flirt with the pop genre. This time she dove head first into pop without looking back and it definitely paid off. If you need proof, just take a look at the iTunes charts where she is, once again, smashing records. 1989 starts off with a track titled “Welcome to New York,” a bubbly anthem celebrating her recent move to The Big Apple. While it is definitely catchy, it certainly isn’t the best that the album has to offer. This is immediately remedied though by the second track, “Blank Space,” which is rumored to be Swift’s second single off of the record. This tongue in cheek song was created when Swift decided to take the extreme boy-crazy personality that the media has created for her and expand on it. She approaches the character with humor and a little bit of sarcasm, making the track an undeniable hit. While literally every song could be turned into a hit single, there are a few that stand out more than others. “I Know Places” is one of those tracks. It has a dark tone and sad story behind it but Swift keeps an air of optimism in the lighter bridge and chorus that connect it. The final track, “Clean,” is a gorgeous and empowering ballad about finally be washed clean of an old love. It is the perfect example and reminder of Swift’s ability to pen intricate lyrics, especially with lines like “you’re still all over me/like a wine-stained dress I can’t wear anymore.” If you choose to purchase the deluxe version of 1989, you get a few extra features. This version comes with three bonus tracks, which are just as good and well written as any of the others. One in particular is called “You are in Love” and was written for Swift’s friend, Lena Dunham as a tribute to her and her boyfriend’s relationship. The ballad is soft and honest and is known to bring listeners to tears. Another thing that the deluxe version has are three voice memos directly from Swift’s phone. These memos feature a glimpse into the process of songwriting that was used to create three of the tracks that made it on the album. Overall, 1989 is one of the most amazing and cohesive albums that Swift has ever produced. Its tracks range from dance anthems like “Shake it Off,” to heartfelt songs about finding yourself despite the mess around you in “Clean.” Whether you are a tried and true “Swiftie” or merely curious about her new music, you will not be disappointed by this album. Rating 10/10 -Nicole Cooper