By Nydia Ramos, Copy Editor
World renowned country-turned-pop star Taylor Swift returned with her sixth studio album Reputation on Nov. 10. The recent success of the first four singles from the album has already set it on track to overshadow 1989, Swift’s former studio album.
The debut song, “Look What You Made Me Do,” hit iTunes charts at No. 1, breaking the record of most streamed debut week for a female artist. The song is a murderous clapback to everyone who’s wronged her, successfully stirring up while simultaneously shutting down celebrity drama.
The second and third singles, “…Ready For It?” and “Gorgeous,” provide the catchy sing-along choruses and fun lyrics that Swift has used in years before to dominate radio stations and high school dance playlists. The fourth single, “Call It What You Want,” is the oddball of the group, using electronically layered sounds to create an emotional pop ballad of finding the person you want to spend your life with.
Upon the release of the full album, it was clear that this was superior to those that had come before it. Each song had a unique sound and feel, but they ultimately tie in together to make one big story of a woman who is taking the reins of her life back and making it her own narrative. One track called “End Game” featured one of Swift’s good friends, Ed Sheeran, and famous rapper Future. With the song’s alternating verses between three huge musicians, it’s expected to bring in all kinds of fans.
The third song, “I Did Something Bad,” tells the story of a woman who toys with playboys and narcissists who she then double crosses once they give her a good reason. The overall sound of the third track gives off strong vibes, featuring a brash beat drop with gunshot sounds and eccentric noises that somehow tie in to create one addictive song.
During the bridge of the song, Swift sings “They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one… So light me up.” This lyric is loaded with the underlying message of this entire album. Swift’s life is one huge witch hunt in which the media tries to execute or ruin her reputation for the tiniest little slip up. This is her way of saying she knows she has a bad reputation but doesn’t care anymore. She’s inviting the world to take their best shot at her by saying or doing anything they want. This message is portrayed most prominently in songs like “End Game,” “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” and “Call It What You Want,” though all the tracks tell the same story.
Swift said herself that the tracks at the beginning of the album represent who she was about a year ago, an angry girl who just wanted to show everyone what she had. But towards the end of the album, the tracks represent where she’s at in life now. Which is in love, and completely aware of who she is and who she isn’t, no matter what her reputation is. The 15th and last track, “New Year’s Day,” embodies this perfectly. It’s the only acoustic song on the album, harnessing the raw meaning of true love, with its simplistic background music and vocals.
Overall, the only complaint to make about this album is the fact that it’s lacking an emotionally ferocious song, something that Swift can play piano to while belting out amazingly heart-wrenching lyrics. Putting that aside, this album is undoubtedly Swift’s most well-rounded and lyrically-sound collection yet.