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Reputation Album Review

Are You Ready For It?

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Reputation Album Review
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Have you ever had that toxic friend that's super sweet to your face, but then talks really badly about you behind your back? You keep them as a friend because they're entertaining and fun so you look over their obvious flaws.

That's who Taylor Swift is to me. She's been an artist that has been in my life for so long that it seems almost ridiculous to cut her out of it now. However, I tried so desperately hard to not like her new album, "Reputation". This album made me feel so many different emotions at once that it's almost hard to give the album a fair review.

The songs in this album have me feeling like the most confident girl in the room to the girl who wants to curl up into a ball and cry. Taylor Swift has done it yet again with her lyrical genius and catchy melodies. Before I begin my album review, let me ask you this one question. Are you "...Ready For It?"

1. "...Ready For It?"

Jokes aside, this song is a great opener for Reputation. I love the rapping that Taylor starts with. It immediately tells you that this is not your typical Taylor Swift album. Long gone are the guitar riffs that we're all so used to. This new Taylor Swift has an edgier side to her that I am very excited to explore throughout the rest of the album.

Favorite line: "Every lover known in comparison is a failure, I forget their names now. I'm so very tame now. Never be the same now, no."

2. "End Game" (Feat. Ed Sheeran & Future)

I HAD NO IDEA ED SHEERAN WAS IN THIS SONG. The last time Ed Sheeran was featured on a Taylor Swift album was in the song "Everything Has Changed" on Taylor's Red album. When I heard him come in with a rap midway through the song, I literally started screaming in my car.

Future also has a wonderful rap section in this song that is super notable. This song is catchy in its own way. It is very tongue-in-cheek, which is something that I'm used to with Taylor. I also may have freaked out at the mention of "I wanna be your A Team" throughout the song. I love the shout outs to Ed Sheeran in this song a lot.

Favorite line: "I bury hatchets, but I keep maps of where I put 'em."

3. "I Did Something Bad"

Taylor Swift cusses in this song and I think my jaw dropped when I first heard it. This song makes me feel confident, powerful and in charge. This is definitely a song I want to play every time I get ready to leave the house just because it puts me in such a great mood. Plus, Taylor showcases her lower register in this song and it is amazing.

Favorite line: "They're burning all the witches even if you aren't one. So light me up."

4. "Don't Blame Me"

I have a rule when I do album reviews. During my first listen, I make sure that I don't repeat a song. My first listen through for an album should be organic and it should flow effortlessly so I can completely understand the way the artist put each song together and went onto the next one.

But, as I'm learning with Reputation, rules are meant to be broken. This song immediately stood out to me on the album. It has a bit of a Hozier feel to it, which may be why I enjoy it so much. I'm definitely listening to it on repeat for the rest of my life.

Also, that vocal run during the 3:10 mark gave me goosebumps. Seriously, belt to this song as much as you want. I won't judge you one little bit.

Favorite line: "Oh Lord, save me, my drug is my baby. I'll be using for the rest of my life."

5. "Delicate"

This song gave me "22, A Million" vibes at the beginning. I love the production in this song. It's chill, vulnerable and it has a haunting vibe that was not seen in 1989. Again, Taylor Swift points out her expert lyricism in this song. I love the imagery that she managed to bring to life in every verse of this song.

Favorite line: "My reputation's never been worse, so you must like me for me."

6. "Look What You Made Me Do"

OK, when I first heard this I hated it. I wanted old Taylor Swift to come back, and I was so afraid that Reputation would just be a slam fest to all of the artists that "wronged" Taylor over the years. While this song is catchy, I do not believe it is the strongest song on the album.

Favorite line: "I don't trust nobody, and nobody trusts me."

7. "So It Goes..."

This is not my favorite song on the album. I think it has its place, but there is nothing entirely special about this song. In "So It Goes", this is where the pop part of the album goes flat. This song is easily forgettable, and certainly does not live up to the hype that the production team put behind it. I'll skip this song on the album in my next listen through.

Favorite line: "Cause we break down a little but when you get me along, it's so simple."

8. "Gorgeous"

I love, love, love this song. This song reminds me of having a crush on someone who seems way too out of your league. All you want to do is tell them, "Hey, you're gorgeous!" without making a total fool out of yourself.

This gives me old Taylor Swift vibes through her quirky lyrics. This is such a fun song because it isn't deep. It doesn't cut at anyone in a deep way. It's just fun. I'll definitely be repeating this song for a while.

Favorite line: "You are so gorgeous, it makes me so mad. You make me so happy, it turns back to sad. There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have. Guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats. Alone. Unless you wanna come along."

9."Getaway Car"

This song feels a bit misplaced. I almost wish that it was featured on 1989 instead of Reputation. The synths that are extremely prominent throughout this song remind me so much of the vibe that was on 1989. I love it, but it just seems odd in the midst of the other songs in Reputation. Still, it's fun to listen to. I'll still give Taylor props for this one.

Favorite line: "I knew it from the first Old Fashioned, we were cursed. We never had a shot, gunshot in the dark."

10. "King of My Heart"

"King of My Heart" is one of my favorites on the album too. I always love Taylor's upbeat love songs the most. Something that I'm noticing the more I listen to this album, is how happy Taylor seems on this album. In all of the love songs in this album, she seems truly happy and infatuated, which is a super nice change of pace. There are mentions of heartbreak, but for once there's a happy ending. I'm happy for her.

Favorite line: "Say you fancy me, not fancy stuff. Baby, all at once, this is enough."

11. "Dancing With Our Hands Tied"

Lyrically, this song is spectacular. The changing syncopated rhythms in this song make it incredibly fun to sing along to. Taylor Swift has this amazing ability to create a scene in my head with just the words of her songs. Each song is like a short story that I want to dive deeper into. This is part of where the magic of Reputation really is. This song is such a fun story and I love listening to it.

Favorite line: "And my, my, love had been frozen. Deep blue, but you painted me golden. Oh, and you held me close. Oh, how was I to know?"

12. "Dress"

"Dress" is a song that is so unlike any other Taylor Swift song out there. She is explicit and confident, which is something I'm starting to like about this "new" Taylor. I don't think this song is nearly as strong as others on this album, but it definitely has its place. Though, I do like the double meanings in this song, and I think that Taylor's true artistry displays in this song as well.

Favorite line: "Even in my worst light, you saw the truth of me."

13. "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things"

If you want another slam song by Taylor Swift, this is one of them. Personally, this song is not as good as "Look What You Made Me Do". However, it does have a great amount of sass. The lyrics definitely reflect some of the events that Taylor Swift went through like the Kim and Kayne phone call that happened earlier this year. As a future English teacher, the line, "Feeling so Gatsby for that whole year" did make me cringe a bit.

Favorite line: "And here's to you, 'cause forgiveness is a nice thing to do. Haha, I can't even say it with a straight face."

14. "Call It What You Want"

Again, listening to Taylor Swift talk about her relationship with Joe Alwyn in this album has been so inspiring. In this song, she talks about her reputation has been ruined, but she's in the happiest relationship she has ever been in so it helps make everything okay.

Seeing Taylor be truly in love with someone and having it portrayed in her writing makes such a big impact in her songs. I love this song because of how in depth she goes in.

Favorite line: "All the jokers dressing up as kings, they fade to nothing when I look at him. And I know I make the same mistakes every time, bridges burn, I never learn. At least I did one thing right. I did one thing right."

15. "New Year's Day"

Honestly, this is probably my favorite song on the album. "New Year's Day" brings in a stripped down Taylor. The synths and big productions are gone. Instead, a simple piano is playing behind Taylor's vocals in this ballad. This song brings in a new depth to Reputation and brings the album to a somber close.

This is a song about loving someone even when the sparkle is gone. It's a truthful story about what love really is and how it doesn't have to be glamorous to be important. Sometimes, it's about picking up the mess one day at a time and growing stronger because of it. This song is beautiful and I don't think anything else could have closed this album in a better way.

Favorite line: "Don't read the last page, but I stayed when it's hard or it's wrong or we're making mistakes. I want your midnights but I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day."

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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