REVIEW: Taylor Swift’s newest album “Reputation” hits to a successful response
Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album “Reputation” dropped on Nov. 10 after her longest break from publishing an album, and her millions of fans are so “ready for it.”
The album cover of “Reputation” shows Swift in black and white with half of her face overlapped by different newspaper prints of the words “Taylor Swift.” From the letter included in the album, Swift mentions how people can only see the side a person chooses to show to society and that is the reputation he or she upholds. Thus, the songs in “Reputation” describe Swift and how she has changed throughout the years.
The first track “…Ready For It?” of Swift’s new album introduces a new music style of electropop also seen in the other songs of “Reputation.” This new genre has a rough, catchy beat, but also a calm and melodic chorus. Swift’s transition between the two styles differs from many other artists.
Some other tracks with this similar electropop genre are “End Game,” “I Did Something Bad” and “Don’t Blame Me.” In addition, the lyrics of these songs emphasize her current “death of reputation” and explains the aftermath of the feuds that she has been engaged in for the past few years with Kanye West, Katy Perry, and many others, as written in Swift’s poem “Why She Disappeared.”
One of her biggest hits “Look What You Made Me Do” informs listeners on how her reputation has been changed as the media has twisted and turned her image, but inside she is still a “core person that is really a fantastic human being,” music video director Joseph Khan said in a recent interview.
Through Swift’s iconic lyrics “I’m sorry, but the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now… Why? Oh. ‘Cause she’s dead,” Swift relays the message that she has transformed and is stronger than ever.
Alongside her new style, Swift also takes on a softer and more tranquil approach by bringing in beautiful harmonies and melodies.
Although “Call It What You Want” may sound monotone when listeners first hear it, the calmness of the song slowly brings out the beauty of Swift’s music. The lyrics are also painted onto the reader’s mind like a work of art.
“My baby’s flying like a jetstream high above the whole scene/loves me like I’m brand new,” Swift sings in “Call It What You Want.”
To finish the “Reputation” album, Swift’s final track “New Year’s Day” throws back to her acoustic style with lyrics focusing on her memories. It seems as if Swift wants to finish her “reputation” as the same girl inside even through the ups and downs.
Even though Swift claims that the “old Taylor is dead,” she is still the creative and inspiring girl she once was, just mentally stronger and more determined than ever.