So, prior to her
latest release, 1989 (out at the beginning of the week,
Monday, October 27, 2014), much of Taylor's music was somewhere
between country and pop. Trying to blend these two styles created
sappy, derivative, boring “music”. She came across as a slightly
more grown-up Miley Cyrus (of the Hannah Montana years, not the newer
version of “Wrecking Ball” fame).
I'm starting to
think that if I had managed to force myself through an album, I might
have found that she felt trapped behind the system. Or simply not
established enough to attract the great pop writers. Or maybe she
just gained fame at the wrong time.
Her new album, 1989,
moves beyond standing at a high school football game, dreaming about
some time with a quarterback, into an adult, developed sound.
Assisted by the great Jack Antonoff, of fun. and now Bleachers, she
has put together some great new pop ballads and dance hits.
Leading
off this new album, “Welcome To New York”, is a new anthem for
the city. This helps to define her new sound. Starting with a
simple clapping beat, adding in synth styles which must be coming
from Mr. Antonoff, it's overlayed with Taylor's signature treble. No
great depth of thought, not the best song on the album.
Following
the first track, “Blank Space” gives us a real exposition of what
I hope we have waiting for us with Miss Swift's future. This finally
takes her vocal talents and applies them to beats the likes of which
we haven't encountered with a female artist in years. She
carries this on into the next, “Style”. This is a pop ballad
that is reminiscent of those of the 80s.
I'm
listening to this all the way through for the first time as I write
this. So far, my only problem is that the lyrics seem a little
shallow or non-descript. But I don't really have a problem with it
here. Would I love some seriously creative writing behind T-Swift in
this new sound? You can bet the house. I would pay serious money
for something like that. Her voice is naturally rich, and with pop
stylings, it plays really well. The production here by Antonoff is
solidly his own. Which is actually a little depressing. Right now
I'm on “Out Of The Woods”. He actually does some of the backup
vocals. Those male vocals you hear? That's the guy from Bleachers.
I kinda like this one, but I'm just not really feeling it as great
because I've heard it before, and I like Bleachers better.
“All
You Had To Do Was Stay” already feels like she doesn't want to give
up the themes of country music (re: relationships and break ups).
And that's a little annoying. . . . . . . . . .
…..But it is growing on me.
“Shake
It Off” has been stuck in my head for almost a week now. This
heralds the new Taylor into being. This is what her plan seems to be
for the future of her career. And I'm perfectly fine with that.
This is a rocking pop tune. A little too repetitive, but it is Top
40 Pop, so that's to be expected. I still dig it.
With “I Wish You
Would”, we once again get more Antonoff stylings.
At this point, I'm
calling the album as Taylor Swift doing lead vocals with Bleachers
playing behind her, all playing more of Jack's music. But I love it.
I love Jack Antonoff. I love Bleachers. I love this new Taylor
Swift album. I have a new addiction. I'm not even ashamed here.
I'm proud of this choice. Might regret that later. Screw it. I
love this new T-Swift. I want more. I'm already dreaming of a
Kanye/T-Swift colab. Yes. I'm completely serious.
Yeah, I probably shouldn't make this my first post on this blog, but I can't help it.
