Taylor Swift's latest album is one for the books. On November 10, Taylor Swift dropped her sixth studio album, reputation. In just four days, it has become the best-selling album of 2017 in the U.S., with 1.05 million units sold.

The pre-released songs — “Look What You Made Me Do,” “...Ready for It?”, “Gorgeous” and “Call It What You Want” — received mixed reviews, with critics noting her seemingly diminished songwriting ability.

Swifties were concerned about the musical direction of the album, over-focus on the media and negative influences on Swift’s life. Some believed that the “Old Taylor” really was dead. Hardcore fans wrote essays denouncing their loyalty after hearing the first single, disappointed by her “strategically manufactured, inauthentic persona that is trying way too hard.”

I guess they just weren’t ready for it.

I fell in love with Taylor Swift's music in 2013, so my first album release was 1989, in my sophomore year of high school. It was the year after my dad passed away, life was different, Taylor Swift's music was different, I was growing up sooner than expected.

It felt like a new era, an ending and a beginning, but Taylor Swift’s music was always there for me.

My sister and I listened to the album on repeat until we’d memorized all the lyrics. I made a Tumblr blog specifically to follow other Swifties and learn everything there was to know, from Secret Sessions to secret messages in the album. 1989 showed me how to find myself, find things I love, like playing piano and writing and singing, and be happy by myself.

Going to any Taylor Swift concert is amazing because of how much she cares about the f experience. The 1989 World Tour was a huge party- complete with pyrotechnics, interactive light-up bracelets, and a rotating stage.

At the second night of the 1989 World Tour at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Swift sang “Never Grow Up” from Speak Now. The honest, introspective lyrics never fail to make me cry:

“Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room

Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home

Remember the footsteps, remember the words said

And all your little brother's favorite songs

I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone.”

I suppose it’s because I’ve already lost some of those things that this song means so much to me. But at the time, it just felt serendipitous.

This is why Swifties love Taylor Swift so much. She experiences all the same feelings as them — loneliness, love, happiness — and isn’t afraid to share her heart with the world. She is wise, funny and awkward and even with a new edgy haircut, she’s still the same cat-obsessed girl who moved to Nashville to become a country star. As she once said, “I’ll never change, but I’ll never stay the same either.”

I've grown up with Taylor Swift. Through my first relationships, first heartbreak, beginnings and endings and everything in between, her music has been a constant guide. After listening to reputation in its entirety, I can't help but feel proud.

The album starts off with loud, pounding bass — the ellipses in “...Ready for It” made sonic. Arguably the best of her pre-released songs- so begins the new era of reputation.

“End Game,” Swift’s collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Future, is made memorable from the chant: “Big reputation, big reputation / Oooh, you and me, we got big reputations.”

Undoubtedly, my favorite song off the album is “Delicate,” a soft synth-based track with lyrics about the shy uncertainty of a new crush: “Is it cool that I said all that? / Is it chill that you're in my head? / 'Cause I know that it's delicate.”

“Don’t Blame Me,” “Getaway Car” and “Dress” are other album highlights that show off the true pop style Swift has embraced, with the help of producers Shellback, Max Martin and Jack Antonoff.

In the past few years, Swift has grown up. She's hardened to the media and is more unapologetic about who she is. But she's also still the same, and I'm proud to be a fan. This era feels like bravery and sharing passion.

With

reputation as my soundtrack, I can do more than I've ever dared to try before. I’ll leave my mark, and make my own reputation to remember.