On the night of the October 27th I was going mad. Why you may ask? Because I didn't realise that 1989 was going to be released on iTunes that night, the 28th was the official NZ release date. So I spent that night listening to the three tracks I already had on a loop to mentally prepare myself. But a few hours later, on the 28th, I woke up early and walked in the rain to go get my physical copy of the deluxe album. You see, I really wanted those Polaroids, bonus tracks and songwriting voice memos. Did I overreact? Probably. But here I am, having listened to the album for about a week, and ready to tell you dear reader, if it was all worth it.
The two year mark since Red has passed and Taylor Swift is back and ready to start the 1989 era. Which means it's time for me to put the fangirl glasses down (but keep my regular glasses on) and get ready for a new track-by-track review. Bear with me because I'm still figuring out how I like to do these. I like to rate the songs individually based on what I like and what they are like musically (instrumentation, rhythm etc.). Also, bear with me as it's hard to find unpitched versions of new songs.
1989 is Swift's first official pop album, no matter how much iTunes tries to label it as country. For some reason mine was categorised as Country & Folk... okay iTunes. It's a massive gamble for someone to switch genres but Taylor has been toeing that line between country and pop for a long time. If you take a look at Red (2012) there were still some elements of country with twangy guitars but the same record toyed with elements of dubstep. So I guess it was only natural for the official switchover to happen. But let's see if it paid off. Hold on tight people, it's a long one!
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| Album cover for 1989 (Deluxe) |
Welcome to New York
"It's a new soundtrack, I could dance to this beat."
I'm going to be totally honest right now and say that this is probably the song that I listen to the least. Welcome to New York is a poppy synth laden track with lyrics that describe the moments of first arriving in the big bright city. Taylor has often been talking about her move to New York and praises it endlessly so I guess the doe eyed, new girl, shiny outlook works in this case. I don't think it's going to be aN iconic New York anthem like New York, New York or Empire State of Mind but it adds something different into that mix. It's full of wide optimism. In my head, I thought the synthy sounds matched the big city lights that I've always pictured. I guess my main problem with it is that it just doesn't interest me as much as the rest of the album. It just doesn't capture my attention. I don't dislike it but I don't love it. It's... alright. BUT, I do understand why it was included and why it's the first track on this album. Welcome to New York serves as a storybook opening into the world that 1989 will paint and that totally makes sense. We're introduced to Taylor's new world before really exploring what 1989 is all about. Let's think of it as an opening act.
Rating: 6.2/10
Listen to the preview of Welcome to New York
Blank Space
"Got a long list of ex-lovers, they'll tell you I'm insane. But I've got a blank space baby, and I'll write your name."
Blank Space is the second track on the album and is also serving as the official second single off the album. I'm going to cut straight to the chase. I LOVE this song! Blank Space is a take on the idea of a notorious serial dater that the media have painted Taylor as. She even refers to this girl as a "nightmare dressed like a daydream." I often have the chorus stuck in my head and I usually I don't even realise that I'm singing it in my head. The verses follow a simple beat with easy lyrics to remember and mime along to. The chorus has to be my favourite part. It IS my favourite part. From the lyrics, to the backing vocals, to the instrumentation. It gets me dorkily headbobbing with no shame whatsoever. I love the OHs in the background and I actually try to spot them whenever they If you can , I would suggest listening to the songwriting voice memo for Blank Space and you can see how far this song came along from just an idea. Martin and Shellback are hilarious in the background making it sound like an "early 2000s Nelly track." And I tell everyone this but... I LIVE FOR THE CLICKS AT THE END.
Rating: 9.7/10
Rating: 9.7/10
Style
"You've got that James Dean, daydream, look in your eye."
Style has to be one of my favourite songs off the entire album. When I say that I have Blank Space stuck in my head a lot, I probably have Style stuck in my head just as many times. I knew from listening to the teaser in the Target commercial that I'd be obsessed. So now I am really hoping that it's going to be a single at some point! When I listen to this song I often think of those cinematic slo-mo driving, road trips, with the top down, head nodding, seat dancing and arm waving. I don't even know why. It builds from this continuous motif from the guitar until we reach a slight bass drop just before the chorus. The simplicity is key as it brings great imagery that makes it stand out. You'll be singing along in no time.
Rating: 9.8/10
Listen to a preview of Style from the Target commercial
Out of the Woods
"The rest of the world was black and white, but we were in screaming colour."
Out of the Woods was the second track we heard from 1989 and was released as a promotional single following Shake it Off. It showcases more of Taylor playing with synthpop and relies heavily on pulsing percussion. I admit that this was definitely not what I expected when I heard the title and it was a great surprise. I never get tired of this song and its explosive chorus that keeps you chanting "are we out of the woods, are we out of the woods" over and over. From the get go it continues to build into a hectic and frantic bridge and then erupts for last 40 or so seconds of the song. There are so many elements involved and they all work together in it's racing nature. If were comparing it to Red, I had the same thoughts about State of Grace and that ended up being one of my favourites from that album. I imagine that this one would be great live and would combine well with great theatrics that she brings to her show.
Rating: 10/10
Rating: 10/10
Watch Taylor's first live performance of Out of the Woods
All You Had to Do Was Stay
"I've been picking up the pieces of the mess you made."
After a slew of tracks that I am in love with, we get to one that I just... like. The chorus is what really gets this song going and Taylor always likes to leave her signature catchy hooks. The high notes on "STAY" caught me very off guard at first listen and they do take some getting used to. Just like the "OH" in I Knew You Were Trouble. It just sounds like a very traditional Taylor Swift song on much more poppy track which is fine. But there are definitely some other songs on this album that I rank a lot higher. In saying that, I don't skip it when listening to the album the whole way through.
Rating: 7/10
After a slew of tracks that I am in love with, we get to one that I just... like. The chorus is what really gets this song going and Taylor always likes to leave her signature catchy hooks. The high notes on "STAY" caught me very off guard at first listen and they do take some getting used to. Just like the "OH" in I Knew You Were Trouble. It just sounds like a very traditional Taylor Swift song on much more poppy track which is fine. But there are definitely some other songs on this album that I rank a lot higher. In saying that, I don't skip it when listening to the album the whole way through.
Rating: 7/10
Shake it Off
"It's like I've got this music in my mind saying it's gonna be alright."
I've already spoken about this song and you can find my thoughts about it when it was first released here. But I'll say a couple of things anyway. It's been a while since it was first released but my thoughts about the songs haven't changed. I'm still a sucker for a good brass section. I still love it and it gets me in a good mood when I need it. In fact I actually watched the music video again the other day because exam stress was about to do my head in. It still is but it definitely helped. I guess the rating may change now that the album is out and I can compare it to the other tracks. If you told me that this wasn't the best song on the album after it was first released, I would be in utter disbelief.
Rating: 9.5/10
I've already spoken about this song and you can find my thoughts about it when it was first released here. But I'll say a couple of things anyway. It's been a while since it was first released but my thoughts about the songs haven't changed. I'm still a sucker for a good brass section. I still love it and it gets me in a good mood when I need it. In fact I actually watched the music video again the other day because exam stress was about to do my head in. It still is but it definitely helped. I guess the rating may change now that the album is out and I can compare it to the other tracks. If you told me that this wasn't the best song on the album after it was first released, I would be in utter disbelief.
Rating: 9.5/10
I Wish You Would
"Makes you want to run and hide but it makes you turn right back around."
I Wish You Would is the second track on the album that was produced by Jack Antonoff from the band fun. (the other being Out of the Woods). Even though it's a good song I still find that sometimes Taylor sings a bit too fast or the beat is too fast for the lyrics. I know I say this too often, but I only say it because it's true. When that chorus is stuck in my head, it is stuck right in there and it won't budge till I listen the song. Is that a testament to great songwriting in general? Probably. Again, this one isn't a favourite but it's still worth a listen. Thematically it's the same kind of topics that Taylor writes about but musically it's very different. Also, this is another song that was a songwriting memo in the deluxe edition and showcases a different way she writes her songs. This one was just singing over a track.
Rating: 7.2/10
I Wish You Would is the second track on the album that was produced by Jack Antonoff from the band fun. (the other being Out of the Woods). Even though it's a good song I still find that sometimes Taylor sings a bit too fast or the beat is too fast for the lyrics. I know I say this too often, but I only say it because it's true. When that chorus is stuck in my head, it is stuck right in there and it won't budge till I listen the song. Is that a testament to great songwriting in general? Probably. Again, this one isn't a favourite but it's still worth a listen. Thematically it's the same kind of topics that Taylor writes about but musically it's very different. Also, this is another song that was a songwriting memo in the deluxe edition and showcases a different way she writes her songs. This one was just singing over a track.
Rating: 7.2/10
Bad Blood
"Band-aids don't fix bullet holes. You say sorry just for show."
They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Bad Blood is an example of that. Although the lyrics are pretty basic as songwriting goes for Taylor, it falls nicely on a simple and pounding beat that runs through. But I really do love the bridge as far as lyrics go. It's stomp and cheer with a bit of angst. It's Taylor Swift mixed with a bit of Bring it On. I said brrr... it's cold in here! There must be some Tauros in the atmosphere! Except... less cheery and more angry. There's a sense of snap and attitude that runs through it which is a total contrast to the rest of the lovestruck and smitten songs on the record. She's mad and this is how she's letting it out. I like it and it does make me want to know what actually happened that pushed her to write this song. But as far as this song goes, it doesn't look like she's going to bury the hatchet anytime soon.
Rating: 8.4/10
They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Bad Blood is an example of that. Although the lyrics are pretty basic as songwriting goes for Taylor, it falls nicely on a simple and pounding beat that runs through. But I really do love the bridge as far as lyrics go. It's stomp and cheer with a bit of angst. It's Taylor Swift mixed with a bit of Bring it On. I said brrr... it's cold in here! There must be some Tauros in the atmosphere! Except... less cheery and more angry. There's a sense of snap and attitude that runs through it which is a total contrast to the rest of the lovestruck and smitten songs on the record. She's mad and this is how she's letting it out. I like it and it does make me want to know what actually happened that pushed her to write this song. But as far as this song goes, it doesn't look like she's going to bury the hatchet anytime soon.
Rating: 8.4/10
Wildest Dreams
"Say you'll see me again even if it's just in your wildest dreams."
Appropriately named, this track is swirly, muted and dreamy. I do have to say that I do cringe a bit whenever she says "handsome as hell." I probably wouldn't have used that same phrase but hey, I'm not the one selling millions of records. If Out of the Woods is a song that continues to build throughout the song, Wildest Dreams does the same but at a much slower pace. There's an ethereal kind of sense that surrounds the chorus with the breathy vocals and harmonies. It's a big contrast to the booming songs and a nice break to the fast paced songs that out number these more emotive slower songs.
Rating: 7.3/10
Appropriately named, this track is swirly, muted and dreamy. I do have to say that I do cringe a bit whenever she says "handsome as hell." I probably wouldn't have used that same phrase but hey, I'm not the one selling millions of records. If Out of the Woods is a song that continues to build throughout the song, Wildest Dreams does the same but at a much slower pace. There's an ethereal kind of sense that surrounds the chorus with the breathy vocals and harmonies. It's a big contrast to the booming songs and a nice break to the fast paced songs that out number these more emotive slower songs.
Rating: 7.3/10
How You Get the Girl
"And then you say I want you for worse or for better. I would wait forever and ever."
I first heard a snippet of this song on the Diet Coke commercial with Taylor and all the cats and I instantly fell in love with the beat. To draw more comparisons to Red, I would probably say that this is the 22 if the album. If anything, How You Get the Girl is probably the one that's the closest to sounding like anything from Red. It's a step-by-step set of instructions that help the listener learn how to win back the girl. I'm not too sure how foolproof it is but hey, the song is sweet and convincing enough. It's light and fun and I never object to those kinds of songs. Once the chorus kicks in you'll be singing along and dancing ridiculously... yeah I seem to be finding myself doing that quite a lot with this album.
Rating: 8.5/10
I first heard a snippet of this song on the Diet Coke commercial with Taylor and all the cats and I instantly fell in love with the beat. To draw more comparisons to Red, I would probably say that this is the 22 if the album. If anything, How You Get the Girl is probably the one that's the closest to sounding like anything from Red. It's a step-by-step set of instructions that help the listener learn how to win back the girl. I'm not too sure how foolproof it is but hey, the song is sweet and convincing enough. It's light and fun and I never object to those kinds of songs. Once the chorus kicks in you'll be singing along and dancing ridiculously... yeah I seem to be finding myself doing that quite a lot with this album.
Rating: 8.5/10
This Love
"These hands had to let it go free and this love came back to me."
This Love is another dreamy track that starts off with whispered lyrics to create a more somber atmosphere. It's much more hushed than Wildest Dreams and sounds much more careful and cautious. Let's think of it like glowing embers from a fire. It sounds warm and tender but still manages to burst through with synth without exploding to unnecessary heights. It stays low and hazy as it should. Am I even making sense? I hope so.
Rating: 7.4/10
This Love is another dreamy track that starts off with whispered lyrics to create a more somber atmosphere. It's much more hushed than Wildest Dreams and sounds much more careful and cautious. Let's think of it like glowing embers from a fire. It sounds warm and tender but still manages to burst through with synth without exploding to unnecessary heights. It stays low and hazy as it should. Am I even making sense? I hope so.
Rating: 7.4/10
I Know Places
"They are the hunters, we are the foxes and we run."
Taylor enlists the help of Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) once again (previously on Welcome to New York) to create the most eerie and almost sinister sounding songs. Well, as sinister as Taylor can be. It's about a couple who are being hounded by unwanted people, possibly the media, and one of them saying that they know places where the two of them can hide. We get a bit of a hunting metaphor which sets the tone for the song and creates the idea of being uhh... hunted. The odd harmonies in the chorus caught my attention but we do see Taylor playing with these sorts of layers throughout the album. As far as I can see, it's working. This is also another song that has a songwriting memo with Taylor singing her initial idea while playing on the piano. It's interesting to see how this all started sounding like a piano ballad and then turning into a synth heavy and punchy song.
Rating: 7.3/10
Taylor enlists the help of Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) once again (previously on Welcome to New York) to create the most eerie and almost sinister sounding songs. Well, as sinister as Taylor can be. It's about a couple who are being hounded by unwanted people, possibly the media, and one of them saying that they know places where the two of them can hide. We get a bit of a hunting metaphor which sets the tone for the song and creates the idea of being uhh... hunted. The odd harmonies in the chorus caught my attention but we do see Taylor playing with these sorts of layers throughout the album. As far as I can see, it's working. This is also another song that has a songwriting memo with Taylor singing her initial idea while playing on the piano. It's interesting to see how this all started sounding like a piano ballad and then turning into a synth heavy and punchy song.
Rating: 7.3/10
Clean
"The rain came pouring down when I was drowning. That's when I could finally breathe."
Taylor collaborates with Imogen Heap on Clean and the result is an emotive and refreshing song that acts as a great closer (if you have the standard edition). It's poetic and full of beautiful lyrics that really capture the essence of the song. I'm going to say it right now that this song has my favourite lyrics of any of the songs on the album. It's warm and leaves you with a buzz with the help of ethereal Heap harmonies and it's simplicity. Although it has Heap's signature stamp on it, the song is very much traditional Swift. Also I can't get over the mriba sounds. Sticking to the theme of shaking things off, ends with the lines "and by morning, gone was any trace of you. I think I am finally clean." I'd say that's a sound ending to the musical journey and stories that this album has told. I hope this was deliberate because that was genius.
Rating: 9.8/10
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| In case anyone was wondering, these are the Polaroids that I got with the album. |
So here's a bonus bit for the bonus tracks. Because... why not?
Wonderland
"We found Wonderland. You and I got lost in it."
Complete with allusions to Alice in Wonderland, Wonderland starts off very much reminiscent of a music box. That's before it changes and rushes into a punchy pre-chorus before returning to it's magical roots. Then towards the end of the chorus, the bass drops and it crashes into something very Rihanna-esque. It plays with dainty sounds and then changes into a hectic pace once the relationship starts becoming exciting.
Rating: 7.4/10
You Are In Love
"Pauses, then says you're my best friend. And you knew what it was... he is in love."
Very much like This Love, it's hushed and quiet but tells the tale of how a couple start to fall in love. At first I was confused when Taylor initially teased the lyrics above and I thought the guy was getting friendzoned. Oops? But I guess you'd want him to be your best friend first. It leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy (aww). I totally understand why Lena Dunham wants this as her future wedding song. (It may also be because it was written based off her relationship with Jack Antonoff but whatever).
Rating: 8.3/10
New Romantics
"'Cause baby I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me."
I think New Romantics is my favourite of the bonus tracks. It's that chorus. I'm a sucker for a good hook. The chorus is fast, exciting and high energy. It's full of promise and something fun and lively. I'm thinking that it could potentially be a song that acts like an anthem for those fun times with your friends. Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks of Paramore's Brick By Boring Brick because of that lyric.
Rating: 8.6/10
KEEP
Average Rating: 8.3/10
1989 is a different direction for Taylor and it has definitely paid off. Overall it is cohesive and flows well thematically. Although it's a new sound it still sounds very much like the classic Taylor songs with her autobiographical lyrics. I would have liked one song that conveyed the same sort of emotions as All Too Well from Red. I guess that was more appropriate for that era as it was overall a devastating record. 1989 is positive, uplifting and hopefully lively enough to get me through this exam season.
Watch a behind the scenes look at the studio sessions for 1989!
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