Unless you’re living under a pop-culture resistant bio dome, you caught wind of Taylor Swift’s latest album dropping yesterday. “1989” has been touted as T.Swift’s first wholly pop and largely more adult album, after the “We-were-doing-so-well-and-then-that-breakup-came-out-of-nowhere” magnum opus that was 2012’s “Red”.
For full disclosure, I am something of a pop culture sommelier, delighting in the nuances of the Kardashian’s latest hairstyles and the fruity aroma of red carpet coverage. It was without a doubt that I decided to give “1989” a whirl.
Here’s a track-by-track review of “1989” in all its T.Swift glory.
Welcome to New York
New York, you mystical of creatures! You’re so amazing and exciting! I love making out with dudes in the alley behind my new weird Sunset Park apartment. Or at least that’s what’s happening in “WTNY”. Don’t let the reality that Taylor lives in a $20 million Tribeca penthouse set in — it will harsh your doe-eyed buzz.
Blank Space
Taylor commented that this song was about owning the succubus title the media had given her. Girlfriend, two snaps; this song is a total bop.
Style
“1989” is largely credited to the Harry Styles/Swift whirlwind romance of December 2012. While I’m not one to make a multi-million dollar album in the memory of my monthly flings, if I were going to, I would not so subtly name a song after said ex. And it would be great, just like this.
Out of the Woods
First “serious” song though the ballads are still to come. Something like what a Depeche Mode meets Wilson Phillips fairytale might be. Pretty heavy-handed but the chorus will consume everything in its immediate grasp.
All You Had To Do Was Stay
Like most Disney films, romantic comedies and Cosmopolitan articles, this song is full of very bad misconceptions about how to be in a healthy relationship. But…
Shake It Off
The anthem to every public function you’ll be attending in the next 8–12 months.
I Wish You Would
Look to “AYHTDWS” and repeat but add Bruce Springsteen guitars and percussion.
Bad Blood
So this is the Katy Perry dis track and it’s extremely dramatic, even for Ms. Swift. There are a lot of metaphors utilized that allude to physical violence translating into emotional hurt. For me, it feels fairly tasteless to put petty drama on par with getting shot.
How You Get The Girl
Giving you the “You Belong With Me” #tbt vibes in the best way possible. This track recalls the sound and narrative that endeared the public to Taylor Swift. Arguably one of my favorite tracks on “1989”.
Wildest Dreams
We’ll call this the Lana Del Rey homage track but with Swift offering her own spin on the SoCal, breathless love song genre.
This Love
Y’all, here it is. You had to wait eleven songs to get there but we made it: the T.Swift track that will make you weep into a pint of salted caramel gelato. Maybe you’re going through a tough time. Maybe that break-up is stinging more than you thought it would. Maybe your Starbucks order was super messed up this morning. Let it all out, honey. This is also the only track Swift is credited as the sole writer on, proving once again that the woman knows to write a truly heartbreaking narrative.
I Know Places
Another departure for Swift that successfully pays off. It’s spooky, sophisticated, and fun. There are hints of Little Dragon or even Bat for Lashes tucked into the chorus. A fun song that will probably not get radio play but is still worth doing your dishes and dancing around in your kitchen to.
Clean
A down-tempo jam about losing yourself to a relationship and discovering personal clarity. Well-worn territory for Swift but with a more adult tone.
Overall, Swift is to be commended for her bombastic debut as a more mature artist without isolating the legion of fans that have built her empire. 1989 offers a complete perspective on the new music T.Swift is hoping to pursue while giving enough deviation between songs to keep speculative listeners interested. I’ll undoubtedly have it on repeat through these fall months and well into 2015.
Think I missed something? Let me know your thoughts at @mcgreenw.
