Taylor Swift is breaking new ground with "Reputation". The new album shows the dark side of the pop princess.
The artist
Taylor Swift has developed into a global star in just eleven years. Once starting out as a country girl, she gradually approached pop music. Taylor Swift became a talking point mainly because of scandals with Kanye West and her love affairs with Calvin Harris and Harry Styles. For a while, it felt like she was even jumping from one relationship to the next. Today, she still makes country music, but mainly as a songwriter. This week she also received the "Country Music Award" for the song of the year - "Better Man", interpreted by Little Big Town.
The album
Dare to make a new start: Taylor Swift.
It's been three years since Taylor Swift released her last album "1989". Her sixth work, "Reputation", marks a new beginning. Prior to the album announcement, she deleted all content from her social media profiles, everything that was there before has now been virtually erased. The quote in the lead single "Look What You Made Me Do": "I'm sorry, the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, because she's dead!" And it's true, the new album is more electronic, with no trace of country. Once again, she worked with Swedish hit producer Max Martin, who is also instrumental in the success of the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Katy Perry. Taylor Swift nevertheless acts as the main producer and writes all the songs herself.
The verdict
"Reputation" shows how adept Taylor Swift is at songwriting. She doesn't play it safe. She's trying something completely new here, which is to her credit. This calculation works: The songs are perfectly produced, melodically flawless. Among the many songs with an electronic influence, for example with dubstep elements, there are also quieter songs ("New Years Day", in the video below). If you like Taylor Swift, you will also like all of this. Those who can no longer listen to Taylor Swift's drama escapades with the quarrel with Katy Perry will have trouble. Many songs sound like a continuation of the song "Bad Blood", in which she settles accounts with her opponents. And here, too, Swift's all-round attack is often the subject. A bit like a fight in the school playground.
Recommended tracks
...Ready For It? - A firework start to the new album and a good introduction to the "new" Taylor
End Game - Great collaboration with Future and Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift Live
Taylor Swift has not currently announced a tour. There will only be individual promotional appearances in the USA and London.
