By Jillian McClure
Not many artists can boast of being a country sweetheart, pop star, and a two-time winner of the Billboard Woman of the Year award. The encompassing icon that is Taylor Swift released her fifth studio album, “1989,” on Monday, Oct. 27, and it is already on its way to becoming the first platinum record this year.
Growing out of her country roots, Swift designated “1989” as her first pop album. The Rolling Stone’s review got it right when they said that this album “sounds exactly like Taylor Swift, even when it sounds like nothing she’s ever tried before.”
Even without the guitar, Swift can still hold her own. “1989” is composed exactly like the pop albums of Swift’s counterparts, except for the fact that the pop newcomer does it better. Swift is open, honest, empowered, and most of all, independent, in this new phase of her life and songwriting.
Instead of addressing haters with the old sentiments found in her song “Mean,” Swift declares that “If you’re upset that I’m just being myself, I’m going to be myself more.”
Since the album’s debut, the second track, “Blank Space,” is gaining popularity. According to a Buzzfeed poll, “Blank Space” is the album favorite, so far. The track’s lyrics are full of sharp wit on Swift’s part, evident when she sings “I can make the bad guys good for a weekend.” She also addresses her “long list of ex-lovers,” shrugging off the haters talked about in the hit “Shake it off.”
After years of countless cruel rumors, MTV Video Awards interruptions, and haters hating, Swift learned how to shrug it all off and dance to the beat of her own music, which happens to constantly change. The loyal fans will love her despite the new genre, and the haters will continue to hate. To each his own, right?
