Once again, Taylor Swift has taken over music charts with the release of her fifth album, 1989. On this album, her sound is different from her past music; moving the farthest away from her original country roots that she had once been known for. With much more of a pop sound than all of Swift’s previous work, 1989 has been receiving raving reviews since the release.
Although the sound is different, the lyrics of each song are still the usual Taylor Swift we all know and love. The opening track “Welcome to New York” gives off the vibe of finding yourself and independence. With lyrics like, “everybody here was someone else before/ and you can want who you want/ boys and boys and girls and girls,” Swift hits on individuality and self-love. Her well-known single “Shake It Off” gives her more confidence in herself with all of who she is that can reach all listeners in one way or another.
“Blank Space” has been getting radio play and with lines like, “Darling I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream,” it’s sure to be seen across statuses everywhere. Swift continues the pattern of singing her way through a broken heart with a song for every perspective of a relationship. “All You Had To Do Was Stay” hits on a broken relationship that’s too late to go back to. “Bad Blood” is more vengeful and gives Swift a stronger voice of anger, as well as confidence in herself with her relationships.
The fear of falling in and out of love is touched on in “Wildest Dreams” with a slower ballad beat, wider vocal range, and a bit of a Lana Del Rey feel to it. Her other ballad, “This Love,” has a strong 80s beat to it with contradictory lyrics of a difficult relationship. Swift lets listeners know exactly what she would want to hear in “How You Get The Girl” with an upbeat pop sound.
The slightly more eerie sound of “I Know Places” matches her lyrics of major secrecy singing, “they are the hunters, we are the foxes,” of a confidential relationship. A stronger 80s sound can be heard in “Out Of The Woods” that gives Swift her more typical representation of a struggled love. “I Wish You Would” hits on the pain after a recent breakup and missing those lost with more upbeat sounds from the Eighties.
Swifts lyrics in “Style” are relatable to a constant off-and-on again romance that both sides can’t seem to let go of with a changing yet catchy sound throughout. “Clean” finishes off the album well with lines like “I punched a hole in the roof, let the flood carry away all my pictures of you… I think I am finally clean.” Swift sounds strong and independent, while getting out of a relationship healthily.
1989 displays a wide array of Swift’s emotions through the past year or so. As an album, it easily contains some of her best hits with the strongest lyrics. Overall, the album is definitely worth the money to purchase, especially with the recent news that Swift has decided to remove all of her songs from Spotify.
Suggestion: buy the physical album in stores. Some stores will be selling it cheaper than iTunes. Listeners won’t be disappointed!