T-Swizzle’s resurrection

REPUTATION Taylor Swift

WILL there ever be a more highly-anticipated album in the history of music? On instinct alone, the answer is a resounding no. It’s hard to imagine any possible scenario where the circumstances leading up to the release date are more conducive for maximum commercial performance.

The contributing factors (aside from her musical history and talent) can be traced back to 2009, on that fated day Kanye West took to the stage in his drunken stupor, a moment forever immortalised in pop culture. Eight years later, the disc tracks, estranged friends and jilted lovers all seem like tiny specks in her rear view mirror, as Taylor Swift pursues all-time greatness at never-before-seen speeds. Few would bet against her getting there.

But on to the album itself. The lead single landed amid a huge, multi-platform announcement, and anyone saying they were oblivious to it is probably lying. And what a song it was, with lyrics that speak of a change of scenery, of inevitable reckoning, and a music video that was just as, if not, more powerful than the song itself.

Every line in the song and every scene in the music video was a barely disguised bullet aimed at someone, and that set the tone for the rest of the album. Fans were reading into every tweet, every photo, every word uttered from that moment on, waiting for the next hidden message to a former ally or partner.

That had to be the agenda, the MO, the crux of the “new Taylor Swift” or so we thought.

Sure, there was a lot of excitement to find out what waited on the other side now that the old Taylor Swift was dead, but there’s also relief that she sticks to what she does best — wellwritten, emotionally-delivered pop music.

Any aspiring musician should look to Swift as a role model, as she grows and transforms as an artiste; the core with which she made a name with remains true and strong.

The electronic pop sound from reminds us all that Swift can get you dancing just as well as reflecting on the relationships you’ve had in your life. Longtime production collaborator Max Martin has to take the credit for this, as does Jack Antonoff who continues to enjoy a thriving career away from Fun and behind the scenes.

The songwriting narrative revolves around familiar ground, love songs that are relatable for just about anybody with the capacity to love.

Many people counted Swift out after her very public falling outs with the likes of Katy Perry, Calvin Harris and Kimye. None of them are laughing now, while TSwizzle enjoys the most successful period in her career. Or was this all part of the plan?

Rating: 4/5