Taylor Swift's Reputation as a hitmaker remains intact
It’s no secret that I’m a massive Taylor Swift fan (see previous gushing tribute to Tay-Tay) but this year she’s had a bit of a nightmare. From the Kimye feud to the saccharin showmance with Tom Hiddleston, it’s been tough to be on Team Taylor at times. But every relationship has its ups and downs and when news broke that Swift’s new album Reputation was set to be released imminently, I was pretty pumped. The first few glimpses she gave us into Reputation felt quite different from the country queen who once stole my heart, but while other fans were fleeing her army I remained loyal(ish). On Friday, when Reputation went live on iTunes I toyed with the idea of buying it as I had Speak Now, Red and 1989 before it but something stopped me. From what I’d heard so far I just wasn’t sure I was willing to part with £10.99. But today I gave in. This is a track-by-track rundown of Reputation, as told by a resurrected superfan.
1. …Ready for it?
While the rapping is questionable, the first track on Reputation is catchy AF. The key change was made for karaoke. Also, ‘he can be my jailer, Burton to this Taylor’ is lyrical FIRE. T-Swizzle, I am 100% ready for it. Let the games begin.
2. End Game (feat. Ed Sheeran & Future)
Taylor tries to be cool and I’m totally into it. Ed Sheeran’s contribution is completely inoffensive which is a happy surprise. I want to listen to this pre-night out for the rest of my life. Repetition of reputation slightly grating.
3. I Did Something Bad
I had this blasting through my headphones as I strutted through King’s Cross station and I have never felt more sassy. Taylor is a bad bad girl and she’s given us a modern pop song that plays perfectly.
4. Don’t Blame Me
This is a slow burner but I really like the cadence. It’s a rally cry, Taylor’s very own Crazy in Love: ‘Don’t blame me, love made me crazy, if it doesn’t you ain’t doing it right’. By the time it reaches it’s crescendo I am fully committed.
5. Delicate
Taylor’s vocals are softer (and at times autotuned) in this light love song. It’s stripped back compared to the tracks that have come before and it feels fragile. I like it, obvz.
6. Look What You Made Me Do
The much-discussed and dissected debut single from Reputation is a marmite track but I’d have it on toast for breakfast any day. Whiny, but a winner.
7. So It Goes…
My least favourite on the first few listens. It’s fine, but definitely more filler than killer.
8. Gorgeous
A bit of a cheese fest but you better brie-leave it would make me cry if listened to on a particularly horrid hangover.
9. Getaway Car
Apparently about Taylor meeting Tom Hiddleston at the Met Gala while she was still with Calvin Harris. I love a salacious tale so straight away it piqued my interest. It’s also frothy and fun like a lot of 1989’s stand-out tracks. A front-runner for my new favourite.
10. King Of My Heart
Another good but not glorious track. I’ll obviously still learn every word and sing along with reckless abandon but I have no interest in tattooing the lyrics anywhere on my body.
11. Dancing With Our Hands Tied
Quick-paced and catchy with an EDM beat, I’ll probably dance around my bedroom in my pants to this one.
12. Dress
Sexy, sultry sighs make up most of this soft porn singalong. It’s hard to imagine Taylor’s seduction techniques given her generally geeky demeanour but it’s a banger nonetheless.
13. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
Taylor’s a petty Betty in this rousing chant directed at Kanye West and I bloody love it. Back to her bitchy best (see Better than Revenge and Mean).
14. Call It What You Want
A classic Taylor love song, lyrically strong and aurally joyful, what’s not to love?
15. New Year’s Day
A piano, a pretty chorus and plenty of vintage Swift, this little blast from the past is the perfect end to the album. Turns out the old Taylor isn’t dead yet…