The long awaited reputation by Taylor Swift was finally released today, November 10th, and I personally could not have been more excited. I’ve been a fan of Swift for years now – I’m talking back in the “Teardrops on my Guitar” days – and no matter what she does with her music, I always tend to love it. What I didn’t love about this album right away, however, was that it was only available through iTunes for $13.99. That isn’t a ton of money, but when you’re a broke university student living on Kraft Dinner and hope, it was kind of a big deal. It also took me back to the days before Apple music and Spotify, when listening to your favourite artists required buying a physical CD. Nonetheless, I have been psyched about this album since Swift dropped her controversial single “Look What You Made Me Do” this summer. I knew that reputation would be unlike anything else she had done, so I bit the bullet and ignored my shrinking wallet’s protests.
I thought it would be fun to listen to the album in its entirety, then provide my opinion on each individual track and the album as a whole. So, for all of you fellow Swifties, here is my review of reputation:
1. “…Ready for it?”
This song was actually dropped before the release of reputation and is available on Apple music, Spotify, Youtube, etc. Swift also released a badass music video for it where she plays a sexy assassin and weird alien robot. The first time I heard this song, I kind of hated it because it sounded nothing like her. The chorus, however, brought me back to the old Swift days which felt like a saving grace. The more I listened to it, the more I liked it. It’s super catchy and fun, but I think it will be one of those bubblegum type songs that you quickly grow tired of. Favourite lyric: “In the middle of the night, in my dreams, you should see the things we do, Baby”.
2. “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”
Like “Look What You Made Me Do”, this song seemed to portray the new Swift image of a former good girl giving the middle finger to the world, no longer putting up with crap from anyone. It’s definitely a more angry track, and not my favourite. It”s pretty catchy and fun, the chorus mimicking a children’s choir, but it’s also a song that I will tire of. That said, it’s great to blast when you’re angry at that friend who stabbed you in the back when she stole the middle school love of your life. Favourite lyric: “And there are no rules when you show up here, bass beat rattling the chandelier, feeling so Gatsby for that whole year”.
3. “I Did Something Bad”
Yet another badass track about turning her back on those that wronged her, but I really like this one. It has a cool beat and sounds like old Taylor (if she was really mad). Overall, another great song to blast when a f*ckboy breaks your heart and you want to embrace the pettiness. Favourite line: “If a man talks shit then I owe him nothing”.
4. “Dancing With Our Hands Tied”
Falling in love with the wrong guy? Classic Swift move. This song is about a love lost, but the upbeat melody and bass dominated chorus keeps it light. I don’t have a strong opinion either way about this song, it’s just okay. Favourite line: “I could have spent forever with your hands in my pocket, picture of your face in an invisible locket”.
5. “Call It What You Want”
This was also released prior to reputation so it is available for streaming and has a super cute lyric video. I instantly fell in love with this song; it doesn’t sound like something she’s done before, but it still feels like the Taylor I know and love. It has great lyrics and makes me feel all the feels. I especially love the way she doesn’t really sing this song, it feels more like she’s talking to you with the occasional high note thrown in, making it unique and fun to “sing” along to. Favourite lyric: “I want to wear his initial on a chain ’round my neck, chain ’round my neck, not because he owns me, but because he really knows me”.
6 “Dress”
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG. Any fan knows Taylor loves throwing lyrics about dresses into her songs, so I wasn’t that surprised to see a song with the title. I was surprised, however, by how completely sexy and daring this song was. It’s sung beautifully, and is definitely going to be on every high schooler’s make-out playlist (is that a thing?). Favourite line: “Only bought this dress so you could take it off”.
7. “End Game (feat. Ed Sheeran & Future)”
A rap song on a Swift album? Okay, I’m down for it. We all needed another Swift-Sheeran collaboration in our lives, and this does not disappoint. Sheeran and Future both provide rap verses while Swift sings the chorus and hook, resulting in a really cool mix. She also tries her own rap type verse which makes me cringe a little, but I still kind of dig it. Swift’s fans knew Ed Sheeran would be featured on the album before it was dropped, but I personally was expecting another slow love ballad so this was a pleasant surprise. Favourite lyric: “I just want to be drinking on a beach with you all over me.”
8. “So It Goes…”
Honestly not sure to say about this one… it’s good, not great, not bad. Honestly I kind of zoned out halfway through listening to it. Favourite lyric: “You know I’m not a bad girl but I do bad things with you”.
9. “Don’t Blame Me”
This was another song that I wasn’t crazy about the first time I listened, but the more I did the more I liked it. It has a slower buildup to an anthem type chorus which sounds really cool. The lyrics are also interesting, yet again proving Taylor is done messing around and refuses to apologize for making anyone angry in the process. It’s also a relatable track for anyone that has fallen into an obsessive type love. Favourite lyric: “My name is whatever you decide, and I’m just gonna call you mine”.
10. “King of My Heart”
This chorus of this song almost gives me Red vibes, providing a bit of nostalgia in something that is still fresh and new. It reminds you of that time you swore off love only to find the perfect guy a week later. I love how honest it feels and although it’s a love song, its EDM influenced beat stops it from feeling sappy. Favourite lyric: “Up on the roof with a schoolgirl crush, drinking beer out of plastic cups”.
11. “New Year’s Day”
Not going to lie, this made me tear up the first time I heard it. I was so happy when I saw that Taylor had put a piano track on reputation, giving us a break from all of the heavily edited tracks. This song is organic and emotionally raw. I know it will be one that I will love for years to come, reminding me of why I fell in love with her music in the first place. I also love that this song could be about your SO, your best friend, or anyone else in your life that you adore. Favourite line: “I want your midnights, but I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day”.
12. “Delicate”
Another purely emotional song with great lyrics, one that talks about the terrifying and exciting part of a new relationship when you realize you are falling hard and wonder if the other person is too. I really appreciate the simplicity of this track, showing us that although Taylor is done being the “nice girl” she hasn’t frozen her heart. Favourite lyric: “Phone lights up my nightstand in the black, come here, you can meet me in the back”.
13. “Look What You Made Me Do”
Honestly, I only see this song as an incredible publicity stunt to get everyone pumped about the album (it worked on me). It’s super catchy and great to blast in your car when you want to feel like a #badbitch, but other than that it feels too angry and petty for me. I did thoroughly enjoy the music video, however, as it reminded me of how Eminem’s character in 8 Mile makes fun of himself before anyone else can. Overall, I applaud Taylor (and her PR team) for grabbing the attention of pretty much everyone, keeping us all on the edge of our seats for reputation. Favourite lyric: “I’ll be the actress starring in your bad dreams”.
14. “Gorgeous”
Yes, yes times a thousand times – this song is amazing. Like the majority of the album, Swift barely sings her verses, then hits us with the high notes in her chorus. It’s such a fun to song to listen to when you’re getting ready, or driving, or stalking your crush on Instagram. I’m sure I will get sick of this one soon, as I cannot stop playing it, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts. This was also released prior to reputation so make sure to give it a listen! Favourite lyric: “Guess I’ll just stumble on home to my cats, alone…unless you want to come along”.
15. “Getaway Car”
Another fatal love song, this one reminds me the most of old Taylor. Parts of the chorus sound so familiar that you could place this song on a different Swift album and it wouldn’t sound misplaced. I am always amazed by how well her lyrics portray an entire story, one that feels both universal and personal. I would place this song below “Delicate”, “Dress”, and “New Year’s Day” personally, but it is still a great song where instead of the one left behind, Swift is the one leaving. Favourite lyrics: “I struck a match and blew your mind, but I didn’t mean it”.
Overall thoughts: as a whole, I would describe reputation as Taylor Swift’s most raw and experimental album. Pieces of it felt nostalgic while others made me wonder if this was a even a Swift album, but together that created something inspiring and genuine. I personally am not a huge fan of the petty/revenge type tracks, as celebrity drama feels pretty ridiculous to me and I’m often skeptical of it being real or just for publicity. That said, the songs that seem to come from her heart are beautiful and worth playing repeatedly. I also enjoy how she played around a little, making fun tracks like “Gorgeous” and “End Game”. I am glad I bought the album, but I wouldn’t suggest spending the cash if you are expecting a classic Swift album and don’t like change.
Whether you love her or hate her, there’s something to admire her for: Taylor Swift has been dominating the music industry for over a decade now, and she’s not about to slow down.
All Gifs taken from https://giphy.com/