It is like it’s 2012 all over again… but better.
At 9 PM Pacific Time, the iconic Taylor Swift dropped Red (Taylors Version) on all streaming platforms. It is the second re-recorded album Swift has dropped in the process of regaining the rights to her earlier song albums.
If fans believed Fearless (Taylors Version) was amazing, that was only the beginning and nothing compared to Red (Taylors Version).
Swifties have been desperately awaiting this album to come out, because unlike the original album consisting of 22 songs, this version has 30! The album ended up breaking Spotify’s single-day streaming record.
The album included a 10 minute version of the heart-wrenching “All Too Well”. For anyone who has had a bad breakup, loves the song, or is obsessed over the rumors of Taylor Swift and her exes (like no one knows who they are), this version makes the wait all worthwhile.
There are 10 new songs from the vault, the 10-minute version of “All Too Well is one of the iconic bops on this list”. Some of the other songs include collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Phoebe Bridgers, and Chris Stapleton.
Fair warning: some of the new songs, especially “Ronan” and “Nothing New” are a tad sad. So have a box of tissues nearby.
Thankfully for our hearts, there are some upbeat new songs too. “Message In A Bottle” is more fast-paced and upbeat despite it being a relatable breakup song. “The Very First Night” is a happy song, reminiscing the time when a relationship was in a happier place
The songs that were on the original album have a refreshing. “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “We Are Never Getting Back Together” have a faster and louder beat, to point out a couple.
Swift’s voice sounds as comforting and sweet as ever, but no one can deny that her voice is deeper. Her maturity, spunk, and caring heart shine through Red (Taylors Version).
The re-recordings that Taylor Swift has done, and will continue to do bless our ears and hearts, with nostalgia and waves of happiness. Which is more than I can say for Swift’s ex-boyfriends.
But the new album is not the only gift that Taylor Swift has given us. On November 12, Swift also dropped a 13-minute short film of “All Too Well” starring Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink and directed by Taylor Swift herself. Sadie and Dylan give an Oscar-worthy performance illustrating the real raw emotions the song embodies. They even capture the all too familiar experience of gaslighting that so many of us have gone through in relationships.
Taylor takes us on a painfully beautiful journey of love, betrayal, heartbreak, and loss of innocence. The intimacy behind how the video is filmed makes you feel like you are right there feeling every emotion right by Sadie’s side.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Taylor Swift short film if she was not dropping Easter eggs throughout the video. One of the most notable references she makes in the video is when Sadie and Dylan have an argument over the way hetreated heraround his friends saying, “you dropped my fucking hand, what am I supposed to do with that” referencing the line in Taylor Swift’s Champagne Problems, “because I dropped your hand while dancing”. When I connected the dots, I gasped, but then remembered it’s Taylor Swift, and we could never expect anything less from her.
Anything is possible when it comes to Taylor Swift, and if this is any indication of what’s coming next, I can’t wait.