Watch It Begin Again (Again)
Red is a beautiful album, full of powerful lyrics and catchy melodies. It’s the perfect mix of pop and rock, and it shows off Taylor’s amazing vocal range. It’s also one of her most personal albums, as it deals with her struggles with love, fame, and self-doubt. If you haven’t already heard Red, now is the time to do so. It’s an incredible album that will make you think about the things that matter in life – and it’s perfect for any music lover out there.
Swift’s fourth studio album Red was released in October 2012 and quickly became a hit with fans and critics alike. The album perfectly portrays what it’s like to be young and consumed by poignant love, as it flawlessly portrays the struggles of young people.
The record is sonically the opposite of cohesive- it has piano ballads and banjos, cheerful ukuleles and thunderous drums, and songs that are so utterly pop it’s obvious Taylor was looking at country music in the rearview mirror by the time she was done with the record. Red is chaotic, confusing and confused- just like any person in their 20’s with a broken heart. ..
The album was quickly able to gain success and garner critical acclaim, with many raving over the brilliant songwriting and storytelling. But most of all, Red became a Swift fan-favorite in no time. Thus, when she announced it was going to be the second step on her re-recording venture to own the master recordings of her entire catalogue, fans went wild. How could she improve what seemed to be an unimprovable album? How could she live up to her past self? But even though expectations were high and the stakes even higher, Taylor did not disappoint; instead, she took a masterpiece to the next level.
Taylor Swift’s new album, Reputation, is a deep and nuanced work that benefits from her newfound maturity. Her vocals are richer and more powerful than on her previous albums, adding depth and character to tracks such as “Come Back…Be Here” and “Sad Beautiful Tragic.” ..
Despite the fact that every rose has its thorns, this crimson record is not an exception either – the production for some of the songs goes a little sideways.
The pop tracks on “Pop” feel a little off-putting, likely because one of the producers, Max Martin, didn’t mix them as well as he could have. Additionally, the album’s more pop-ish songs don’t sound as catchy or interesting.
The vocals often overpower the instrumentals in a very noticeable way (especially when listening with headphones), and make the experience rather jarring and overwhelming at first. It’s obvious she was a bit more invested in the acoustic-y tracks, as some of the others sound like they were done in one take because she was itching to get out of that studio. But these are only subtle differences that would probably require a trained Swiftie ear to be picked up, and might fly under the radar for more casual fans. ..
The obvious victim of changed-up production is the song “Girl at Home,” where the instrumentation changed so much it went from country to electro-pop, reminiscent of the 1989 sound. ..
Taylor Swift’s new album, Red, includes nine songs that were not included on her 2012 album, Red. These songs were originally intended for a different album, but were later pulled and are now included on Red. Fans have been waiting for these tracks to be released, and they are definitely worth the wait. ..
Swift’s new album, “1989,” was met with mixed reactions from her fans. Some were excited to hear more country music, while others were expecting more of the pop songs from her previous albums. Many people were curious to see what new songs Swift had written, after her 2012 album marked a significant change in her songwriting style - from being quick-witted to being more poetic and emotionally vulnerable. This anticipation was felt by millions of fans who eagerly awaited what new tracks Swift might have been working on. ..
Nine tracks from the vault? What does that mean? There are no rough diamonds in the bunch. ..
Better Man (10/10)
“I just miss you and wish you were a better man.”
In 2016, Taylor lent the song to country group Little Big Town. Deciding whose version is the best one might be up to personal judgement, but Swift gets more points for pairing such deep country sounds with the London Contemporary Orchestra.
The song is about a woman who is breaking up with her ex-boyfriend, and she feels like things could have been better if only he had been a bit bigger. The lyrics are straightforward and the message is clear – she wants him to know that she would have been happy if he just hadn’t been so small. This song has a classic country feel to it, with the right amount of sass.
Nothing New (Feat. Phoebe Bridgers) (9.5/10)
At eighteen, you may feel like you know everything. But by twenty-two, you may realize that you still have a lot to learn. ..
The song is about a person growing older and worrying about losing their spotlight to someone younger. It’s a sweet-voiced duet between Phoebe Bridgers and the band Radio Company, about how growing older can take away your chance to be famous and worry about whether you’ll ever be able to keep your place in the world.
Although the song being absolutely wonderful and touching, it’s understandable why it didn’t make the 2012 record - the song is hauntingly similar to The Lucky One, but it’s far more personal and vulnerable, something for which Taylor wasn’t ready yet. ..
Swift’s duet with Phoebe Bridgers on “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” is one of the highlights of her latest album, “Reputation.” The song would not have been nearly as great had it been a Swift solo recording; Phoebe’s verses and harmonious vocals are what turn the eerily sweet track into pure magic. ..
Babe (9/10)
The president of the United States made a number of promises during his campaign. Some of these promises were specific, such as making sure that all Americans have access to quality healthcare, while others were more general, such as creating jobs and improving the economy. He also said he would make sure that the country’s debt was reduced by 2020.
The song is about a man who is in a bad relationship and how he feels about it. He talks about how he doesn’t like the way things are going and how he wants to end it. Despite sounding a bit like the discount version of Better Man, this song is another country zinger that we can’t get enough of. Just like its sibling track, Taylor had lent the song to another artist – Sugarland – in 2018, and decided to release a solo version this year. Sugarland’s version was nice for sure, but the freshness and boldness in Swift’s voice make the song what it was always supposed to be.
Babe was one of the unfortunate victims of the record’s wonky mixing. The instrumentation is simply too loud compared to the vocals and tends to overpower them throughout most of the song. Babe is still wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but it could have easily been better had they toned down the instrumentals here and there.
Message In a Bottle (8.5/10)
A bottle of water is all I can do. I’m standing here hoping it gets to you.
The song is a catchy bop that is sure to be a hit with dance-pop fans. It was written and produced by the hit-making duo Max Martin/Shellback, and it is sure to be a favorite with those who love this genre.
The song was initially kept in the drafts because it was good, but it wasn’t too hard to figure out why. The lyrics are basic and unoriginal, and they don’t have the “Swift signature” that is found on all of her other songs. Still, the song is a great hit.
I Bet You Think About Me (Feat. Chris Stapleton) (9.5/10)
“I bet you think about me when you say, ‘Oh my god, she’s insane, she wrote a song about me,’”
The song is about a man who falls in love with a woman who is not interested in him because he is not country. He tells her that he loves her and she tells him she loves him too, but she is not interested in him because he does not have the same interests as her.
Forever Winter (9.5/10)
“I’ll be your summer sun forever / Forever your winter if you go.” ..
After a three-year hiatus, Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift reunited to record the album “Forever Winter.” The album is a collection of songs that capture the bittersweet feeling of winter. ..
The song is about a friend who is going through a tough time, and the singer promises to always be there for them. It’s a touching song, and it’s underrated among fans.
Run (Feat. Ed Sheeran) (8.5/10)
The speaker promises to never let their enemies tear them apart and to keep hold of their hand while they run.
The final collaboration on the album is a duet with Ed Sheeran, Taylor’s old-time friend and with whom she had already worked for Everything Has Changed. The song is called “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and was written by the two singers in collaboration.
The acoustic-y track talks about wanting to flee the city with your lover, to escape the prying and judgmental eyes – a theme that becomes recurrent in Swift’s later discography, especially throughout the album 1989. The song flows more nicely, and the two artists’ vocals are more harmonious here compared to the 2012 duet – still, that might be thanks to their growth as producers and vocalists. Thus, it’s plausible that the song would not have been quite as melodious had it been released in its original form. ..
Swift/Sheeran collab: Red included a (much catchier) Swift/Sheeran collab, and Run might have been just one too many.
The Very First Night (9/10)
The speaker reflects on how much they miss their loved one and how little they know about what they whispered to them. They express their sadness and regret for not being more aware of what they said to their loved one.
After listening to the upbeat Message in a Bottle, you may have had the same question as the protagonist in the song- why was this song scrapped? This cheerful, up-tempo track will have you shaking your hips and bopping your head, asking yourself the same question. ..
The first night they met, she recalls, he was so sweet and gentle. She loved the way he looked at her and the way he touched her. She wishes she could go back and relive that night again, just to be with him.
The Vey First Night is a song about the first night of the year. It’s a bittersweet song with basic upbeat percussion and acoustic guitar. The song might have gotten the shaft in 2012 because it was too bubbly-sounding, but it’s definitely a certified bop.
All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (10/10)
Did the love affair maim you, too?
The most popular and important myth within the Swiftverse is the legend of the 10-Minute Version of “All Too Well,” which fans have been begging for since the singer revealed its existence in a 2012 interview. ..
All Too Well is a fan- and critic-favorite, as many name it as the peak of the Swiftian storytelling. As Taylor combs through her memory and recalls the ups and (many) downs of the relationship in a meticulously detailed manner, she paints such a vivid and technicolor picture, you will feel as if you had been part of the love affair too. The scarf is not only Taylor’s anymore – for those 5 minutes and 29 seconds, the heartbreak will be yours too. ..
The fully fleshed out version of “All Too Well” gives us the whole story about how that love had burnt down in flames, one we were unknowingly missing out on for the past nine years. The Jack Antonoff production elevates the song even further, making it even more dreamlike and heart-wrenching. ..
Taylor Swift has once again outdone herself with her latest single “Look What You Made Me Do.” The song is catchy and fun, and it definitely stands out from the rest of her repertoire. ..
The golden age of Red (Taylor’s Version)
Despite Red already being an iconic and amazing album, Red (Taylor’s Version) definitely takes the crown of the better sibling. Listening to the extended version feels like finally getting to read the last chapters of your favorite book you never knew was incomplete – we get to hear the whole story behind Red, filing in the blank spaces at last.
Taylor Swift should not have to re-record her catalogue just because a few suits decided to treat her life’s work like a commodity. But somehow, she was able to turn lemons into lemonade, and turn the re-recording process into something fans not only want, but eagerly anticipate.
After all, Fearless (Taylor’s Version) is the reigning best-selling album of the year, and Red (Taylor’s Version) broke the record of the most-streamed album by a female artist on Spotify – clearly, the demand for Miss. Swift is (still) very high. ..
Taylor Swift’s new album, Red, is a tribute to her older self. The album features new songs that are easy to belt out and new lyrics that can be memorized quickly. The album is also a goodbye to her old love story, Red, which was a great but fervid love story. Now it’s time to move on and start again with Taylor’s version of Red. ..
