Artist: Taylor Swift
Album Title: 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
Genre: Pop
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2023
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After many years, American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift re-recorded her iconic 2014 album 1989. The fan-favorite record was perhaps the most anticipated release among Swift’s catalog of rerecorded albums. Many fans loved the album, but some argued it was not as good as the original.
“Personally, I don’t enjoy Taylor’s music. I prefer other types of music such as rap or rock, and since her new album, I have come to dislike her music, because I personally don’t like country music or any romantic songs,” sophomore Gabriella Arango said.
Starting in April 2021, Swift began releasing her re-recorded albums. She has been doing so after losing rights to her original recordings after copyright agreement she signed at the beginning of her career, therefore not receiving any income from their streams. Each album that has been re-recorded and released as “Taylor’s Version” has become a symbol of her taking ownership of her music and the new leaf in her career.
In the case of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)”, she reclaimed the year she was born. 1989 TV is the fourth of the six re-recorded albums. Additionally, this album includes five previously unreleased “From The Vault” songs. Each of these tracks definitely added to the album. It was fascinating to hear songs that were previously cut, all of which contained unique storylines that enhanced the album’s themes. However, the production of the original songs is very different from the rest of the album. Swift’s vocals are also noticeably better throughout.
Track 2: Blank Space (Taylor’s Version)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Blank Space” is a song written from the point of view of a “crazy, but pretty, but manipulative” woman. In the song, Swift mentions that she has a long list of lovers, and they all perceive her as crazy. Since she knows her worth, she knows another guy will come along, so she leaves a “blank space” to write his name. In this song, she exerts her own power while smartly satirizing the media’s perception of her as a crazy maneater who can “make all of the tables turn”.
Track 3: Style (Taylor’s Version)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Style” is one of Swift’s most popular songs. This song describes an on and off relationship that ends up coming back “in style.” Despite the sad message conveyed in the lyrics, Swift manages to uplift the mood with an energetic beat, making it a fan favorite. But this enjoyable song deserves its fan-favorite status not only because of the atmospheric production, but also its catchy and familiar lyrics.
Swift never seems to fail to make a relatable song, which makes many of her fans feel less alone. However, the original of the song does sound better. Since this is one of Swift’s more popular songs, many fans are accustomed to the vocals from the original song, and the re-record proves to not hit as hard.
“I think ‘Style’ showcases Taylor Swift’s ability to evolve from country to pop the best. Its description of an intense relationship is so vivid. Style’s sound is infectious,” sophomore Hazel Grosell said.
Track 17: “Slut!” (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Slut!” is from the point of view of Swift’s reputation. She is often viewed as a “slut” but does not mind that reputation as long as she is with her lover. In the song, she states, “And if they call me a slut, you know it might be worth it for once,” which shows that she has grown to not care about the title she has been given as long as she gets a meaningful relationship out of it. These lyrics are compelling because of how many women get shamed for the men they are with. This song helps women see that they are not alone and are much more than a term someone calls them.
“Slut has grown to be one of my favorite songs on the album. Initially, I was surprised because I assumed the song was going to be more upbeat and aggressive, when in reality it captures certain aspects of being in a toxic relationship. The song talks about devoting yourself to someone in a consuming way that can be harmful to oneself. However, a more important take from the song is that women are more exposed to being slut shamed in comparison to men. While men can sleep with countless women and get away with it, the same does not apply to women,” junior Melissa Hernandez said.
Track 21: Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Is It Over Now” is one of the From The Vault songs that was not previously released on the 2014 album. The song explores the emotions of heartbreak and introspection after a breakup. Swift questions whether a relationship truly ended when both partners were intimate with other people. This song should be appreciated for its positive message; its hard-hitting lyrics encourage people to reflect on their actions and consider the possibility that they may not always be in the right.
Although the re-recorded album is a masterpiece, the original will always hit home. 1989 TV is Swift’s 13th No. 1 album and the sixth album to contain more than one million sales in a single week; it is not hard to see why. Despite some inevitable negative feedback, Swift always shows up and gives her all.
“My favorite part of the album is definitely the vault tracks. I feel like they give her listeners a deeper dive into what she was experiencing when she was initially writing the album. The songs are also so different from each other which proves to show the variety of emotions Taylor felt at the time; her songs are not only happy but can be very realistic and relatable in a melancholy way,” junior Melissa Hernandez said.
