1989, Taylor Swift
G’Morning, fellow music enthusiasts. Today, we’re talking about Taylor Swift’s brand-new album, 1989, which just dropped yesterday. For all of you who don’t like TS, please excuse this post (later this week will be back to the regularly scheduled blogging *wink*) and I know you’re probably tired of seeing this album and name everywhere on your social media timelines. The good news? There won’t be more Taylor here this week, though I cannot promise there won’t be Twitter chatter about #TS1989 and, I say ROCK ON those of you who tweeted about this yesterday – loved it.
My physical album isn’t here yet – boo! – and probably won’t arrive until the end of this week or next, though I did get the good news email it was shipped yesterday. But… despite my best efforts of course, I cheated and found some download links. I held off on downloading all of the tunes because come on, I have to have a few surprises, however I picked out several tracks – including the Target bonus tracks – and guys, I’m sorry, but yes, I heart these new songs from the artist. Here are the songs I have on my Windows Media Player and a few thoughts:
1989, Taylor Swift
1: Welcome to New York – a release ahead of the album’s official release, I enjoyed this song’s superficial message of awe upon coming to a new city. It’s upbeat and has some cool songwriting.
2: Blank Space – some of the song cues are awesome in this, like the sound effect right after the chorus words “blank space” (it sort of lends a audio aid to wiping the slate clean), but this one hasn’t fully grown on me – even with its sassiness (“…cause darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.”) Yet. “…look at that face. You look like my next mistake.”
Look at that face, you look like my next mistake
– TAYLOR SWIFT
3: Style – happy and plenty of swag, yep, another new TS favorite.
4: Out of the Woods – this song released last week ahead of the October 27th full-length album debut and it’s more in the style of Taylor’s “moody” songs even though the music is more upbeat, the lyrics tell a story of a will-they-or-won’t-they (stay together), reckless kind of relationship.
6: Shake it Off – you all know I heart this one. ‘Nuff said.
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9: Wildest Dreams – “say you’ll remember me… say you’ll see me again, even if it’s just in your wildest dreams…” Yep, pretty song – though it’s also one of the more “adult” songs.
12: I Know Places – not a favorite…
13: Clean – this one is about moving on and erasing memories of a past relationship, and has a pretty beat that isn’t “soft” like ‘Begin Again,’ but still pleasant in a moody kind of way.
14: Wonderland (Bonus Track) – unique is the best word to describe this song. Lots of Alice in Wonderland story cues.
Track 15: You are In Love (Bonus Track) – again, another “adult” love story, but I confess, I adore the melody of this song as well as how the lyrics flow.
Track 16: New Romantics (Bonus Track) – typically the same as track 15.
When it comes down to the end and defining Taylor’s sound, as so many have heralded, this IS a new era for this worldwide best-selling artist. The album is straight pop, and yet, in her own unique talent, she carves out a voice all her own within the genre; it’s refreshing because, honestly, what starts in Red (the beginning of Taylor “growing up”) continues in this effort. So far I do love what I’m hearing from 1989. In her defense, and her audience, everyone is growing up and her music reflects that.
The only thing is, like a well respected publication mentioned, I’m not sure there will be as many easily-loved, snappy (‘I Knew You were Trouble,’ and ‘Shake It Off’) singles among this batch of tunes. Beyond that… this “preview” journey I took makes me all the more eager to have the physical album and start the “repeat” party on the iPod.
*if anyone wishes to know, there are a few songs in which the lyrics use h*ll, da*n or there are illusions to immoral behavior though same as always, nothing is ever flat-out offensive.
Your turn: Thoughts, impressions of this “1989, Taylor Swift” are most welcome. Or anything you wanted to chat about, comment away.
Shake It Off is my anthem song, I mean it's so true the haters are always going to hate so you got to just shake it off or it will eat you up. Did you watch her free concert thing on Yahoo! last night?
Yes, me too, Shannon; 'Shake it Off' is a perfect anthem song. Well said – and yes, it is true! We cannot control what others think of us and if we let it, it'll make for a very unhealthy way to live. It's sad because those that do hate seem to be unhappy in general because they're "mean" just for the sake of being mean.
I didn't see her concert last night – though I'm sure it was awesome! :)
PS: for some reason your comment on 'The Heir' is MIA, but thanks for the additional comment! I saw it in my email. :)
Good, I'm glad there's nothing explicit in this album–I was a little concerned when I read about the lyrics being more "adult" in a few of her songs. I'm excited to download this on iTunes eventually (although I still have never heard the entirety of Red–planning to download that one before 1989! :)), especially for Shake It Off :) I love that song. And Out of the Woods is growing on me since I've seen/heard it on so many shows.
Anyway, thanks for posting on this–Taylor Swift is probably my favorite secular artist!
dance a real
This is certainly her most "adult" batch of tunes to date, but what I heard isn't awful at all. Or that was my impression. I'm eager to get the rest with my CD purchase and am hoping to find some more favorites. As for 'Shake it Off,' love that one as well as 'Out of the Woods.' The latter song reminds me of one of her others, but which one escapes me now… maybe kind of (in tone), 'Safe and Sound'!? I don't know. Just something. ;)
Same for me; for some reason, I just really like Taylor's music, probably because so many of her songs are just… FUN! :)
Hope you like 1989 and Red, Hannah. Overall that is still one of my favorite albums – ever.
I loved reading your thoughts on Taylor's new music, Rissi! My sister and I bought the album on Monday, but I still haven't listened to it fully. I'm looking forward to it though!!
Thanks for this fun post! It just made me want to check out '1989' all the more. :)
Yay! Hope you enjoy 1989, Bekah. I'm lovin' what I've heard thus far and am looking forward to my CD arriving. Happy listening – and thanks for commenting as always. :)
I'm glad to see you liked this album overall! I have yet to listen to the full thing, but I'm hoping for good things. I'm not a huge fan of her new pop style (which is strange because I don't like country music), and Shake it Off has been grating on my nerves since it came out, but I'm sure I can find something to like. Taylor is still a great musician, so I'm holding out hope!
Even though this album is straight pop, I think there is a good amount of "different" styles in there, Emily, so like you, I hope you'll find something fun. I've been enjoying several and in particular think her "Wonderland" song is cool – it's very Alice in Wonderland-esque! :)
completely in love with this new album, even more than I thought I'd be. :) love that you reviewed it!
Hi, Susannah! So lovely to "see" you again – it's been too long.
I agree; this album is awesome! Way cooler than some of Taylor's prior, "younger" years. I like where she's going musically and will be curious to see how this goes for her. :)
I got it yesterday and my favourites are Welcome To New York and I Know Places and Clean. :) Love the album cover. Her new music on 1989 take on a whole new style of singing for her, and I'm beginning to fall in love with it. Well done, TS, I'd say.
Yay! SO glad you're enjoying this one, Nine. I am too – in fact I'm still listening to the album on "repeat" and haven't gotten tired of it yet. 'Clean' and 'Blank Space' are two that have grown on me, neither of which were favorites in the beginning. Now, I'm a BIG fan.
Well said. This era of music is pretty groovy from Taylor. Looking forward to what her next project will be like. Yes, already going there. ;)
I must confess, due to all the hype about how different this album was going to be in comparison to anything she's done before, I fond myself a tad nervous to listen to it…however, my fears were completely unfounded, of course, and I absolutely LOVE what she's done. This is a singer that can (overall), really do no wrong in my opinion. Also, the more I listen to it, the more I can see that, as you said, it really is the best next progression for her musically.
I've never been a huge fan of the more electronic-sounding songs (dub-step, etc..), which I have found especially prevalent in the background of most of this album's songs, but Miss Swift really makes it work. Songs featuring a lot of repetition also get on my last nerve more often than not, and yet Out of the Woods is definitely one of my favorites. My number one favourite however would have to go to How You Get the Girl, followed closely by You Are in Love (I agree, both the melody and lyrics are just gorgeousness-sauce!)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
God Bless
Eleanor Rose
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one too, Eleanor. I think there is a ton of skeptisicm because of her new sound, but she does a fantastic job both musically and lyrically. Like you, the more I hear it, the more I adore this album as a whole. Sure I have some "issues" with it, but it's… beautiful and fun overall. I'm really addicted to 'Blank Space' for now and have gotten more fond of 'You are in Love' also. Plus I like knowing that the former is in response to the media making fun of Taylor's "serial dating." That's amusing methinks. ;)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Hoping Taylor continues to grow as a musician. This album is an excellent step in the right direction. :)