Taylor Swift released her re-recording of her fifth studio album, 1989, on Oct. 27, 2023, exactly nine years after its original release. One of Swift’s most iconic lines, “My name is Taylor, and I was born in 1989,” was her Instagram caption for the release.
Before I continue, I want to clarify that I’m the world’s biggest Swiftie, given she is everything and more to me. I need to reiterate the best day of my life as proof of my loyalty to this pop sensation.
Now that that’s out of the way, I will most kindly give my honest review on 1989 (Taylor’s Version), as it was underwhelming, to say the least.
1989 was the first time Swift released a different type of music that was more fast-paced and lively. Songs like “Wonderland” and “New Romantics” get you on your feet and moving. She also has one of the most iconic bridges in “Out Of The Woods.” My favourite Swift song, “Clean,” is a masterpiece and something I was looking forward to.
1989 was my first and only CD purchase of hers. Growing up in a world where online music was available, my family didn’t buy me many CDs. However, I did get 1989 because, at the time, it was my favourite album of hers. It was the only soundtrack in our family car rides, and at that point, everyone was tired of the same music, except for me.
When she announced she would be re-recording all her albums, I was very excited about this specific one. Since it’s one of her pop albums, I knew the energy would be unmatched. When I first listened to the re-recording the night it was released, I immediately skipped to the vault songs. With each re-recording, Swift is releasing vault tracks, which are songs that she never released in the original album.
“Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version)” is a beautiful song. She perfectly encapsulates the feeling of holding on to hope for someone who shouldn’t be in your life anymore. I was in tears the first time I heard it. ‘“Slut!” (Taylor’s Version)’ was my second favourite. It sounded serene, almost like it belonged to her tenth album, Midnights — and that’s when it clicked.
Her vault songs didn’t belong in 1989 (Taylor’s Version); they belong in Midnights! They have a pop, R&B and romantic feeling to them, which did not fall under 1989’s (Taylor’s Version) theme. The remaining three vault songs are good — they’re catchy but nothing out of the ordinary. This was fine because there have been some amazing vault tracks and some average ones in all of her re-recordings.
After listening to the vault tracks, it was around 1:00 a.m., and I was exhausted. Spotify crashed after the release, which was not surprising considering the power this woman has. I listened to some of my favourite original tracks, “I Know Places (Taylor’s Version)” and “All You Had To Do Was Stay (Taylor’s Version).” They just made me more tired, so I decided to go to bed.
The next day, I woke up disappointed. Just listening to a few songs, I already felt the lack of the precious, lively energy in the original 1989 production. With songs as powerful as “Bad Blood,” how could that disappear? I listened to the whole album again. It sounds as if she’s reading her lyrics rather than singing them.
“You Are In Love (Taylor’s Version)” was extraordinary. I do admit this song sounded angelic. “Clean (Taylor’s Version)” felt like her emotions were turned off. I didn’t feel the beauty of moving on like the original version portrayed. It was boring, like a voice in a microphone. The whole album felt monotonous.
I’m not saying her singing isn’t good because it is, but it sounds like an acoustic version. It’s slowed down, and the passion isn’t there. It feels like Swift sang it because she had to. My devotion to Swift will only allow me to listen to this version because of all the hard work she put into it. However, it feels nostalgic, but in a sad way. Her voice sounds beautiful. It is mature and heavenly, but the production of the re-recording was not what I expected it to be.
I love her and everything about her, which is why it saddens me to be disappointed with this re-recording. I had too many expectations, and an album that once made me feel alive now makes me reminisce about something that is gone.