For a while, almost everyone agreed on Taylor Swift. From country at a young age, to pop now, she always delivered an elaborate and personal album. Personally, I have always been a huge Taylor Swift fan (aka wearing a bracelet that has said ‘fearless’ since middle school) and I was extremely excited for Reputation to drop.
However, things have changed with Taylor Swift. Reputation is an album full of revenge, loss, and mostly lust. She is fighting back the public, bringing up her nemesis Kanye West, and releasing songs that address the headlines. Her privacy since 1989 is now a public act in Reputation. For me, 1989 was just a road to pop and Reputation is the destination.
I’m going to be honest- I was extremely nervous for this album. “Look What You Made Me Do” and “…Ready for It?” are different sounds for Taylor. But Taylor Swift did not disappoint and it is just as good, if not better, than most of her past albums. (Will anything ever beat Red though?!)
Let’s look more deeply into this intricate album:
For starters, the four songs released as singles before the actual release are probably the weakest on the album. The only one out of “Look What You Made Me Do”, “…Ready For It?”, “Gorgeous” and “Call It What You Want” that got me excited for the album was “Call It What You Want”. The lyrics in this song are complex, mature, and show a realistic view of love.
Some forgotten songs on the album include “King of My Heart” and “So It Goes…”. “King of My Heart” has a bass during the beat drop that is a little too abrasive for me, but the lyrics are obviously great. “So It Goes…” is a song you can jam to but it gets lost between songs such as “Delicate” and “End Game”.
Moving onto those songs, “Delicate” has some of the greatest lyrics on the album and is windows down, driving at night, type of vibe to it. I expected “End Game” to get more hype considering it features Future and Ed Sheeran but the beat is different and it’s impossible to get bored during this song because of how complex it is.
“This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” is the funniest song on the album and I definitely hear a 1989 sound in it. It’s an anthem, shady, and has been on repeat since the album got released. I think we all wanted some Kanye shade in this album. If you listen to this song, just wait until the bridge.
My two favorite songs on Reputation are “Don’t Blame Me” and “New Year’s Day”. “Don’t Blame Me” has an indescribable flow and vibe to it and her vocals sound outstanding. If this is what the “new Taylor’s” sound is like, I am SO here for it. “New Year’s Day” is probably the most special song on the album. When I first heard this song, I couldn’t help but cry (you’ll get it if you listen). This song completed the album and every live version she has performed so far only proves how this song will stand the test of time.
