Here’s the deal: I have always liked Taylor Swift. When she made her music available on Spotify back in June, I was thrilled—especially because I was working at a camp and her music is guaranteed bangers while still being camp appropriate (bless up). It’s possible I have a 100+ song playlist exclusively devoted to Taylor Swift, but I also acknowledge that many people have issues with her from a social perspective (and many also have issues with her actual music). Granted, I am not a big enough fan to purchase this album. I did spend literal hours searching for this album to download (and potentially received who knows how many viruses, which I think is true dedication). THIS GAL does not have $15 to spend on one album, so I gotta do what I gotta do.
When the first few tracks from Reputation were released over the summer, I was really worried I was going to hate this album. After intentionally staying up with my co-counsellor so we could be the first ones to listen to “Look At What You Made Me Do,” we were both disappointed. If you’re like me and less-than-thrilled by the new Taylor sound, I have good news for you: the sound of this album really isn’t that different from her previous albums. You will still like this album if you’re a fan of 1989 and Red. Yes, Reputation does have a number of tracks that are more electronic synth-based than previous albums, but it doesn’t stray that far from “Out of The Woods” or “Wildest Dreams.” Swift does dabble in a little bit of rapping on “End Game” featuring Future, but that same song also features everyone’s favourite British ginger, and Taylor’s bestie, Ed Sheeran. “New Year’s Day” gives us the classic Taylor ballad I was looking forward to, and “Getaway Car” has been added to my Shower Belt It Out Bangers playlist (and don’t pretend you don’t have one of those too, okay?). Taylor also gives us a few songs that go along with her “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” genre, including “I Did Something Bad” where she utters the first ever swear word on a Taylor Swift album.
All in all, I am not upset about this album, though I still skip over “Look What You Made Me Do.” In fact, much to the dismay of my family and Taylor-hating friends, I have a feeling I’ll be listening to this album on repeat for awhile. If you’re thinking of checking the album out, some favourites of mine so far are: “Getaway Car,” “New Year’s Day,” “End Game” feat. Ed Sheeran & Future, and “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.” Who knows, maybe even Taylor nay-sayers will like this supposedly “new” sound of hers, and she can appeal to the old and new fans!
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