Her:

Taylor Swift is no a longer country superstar after the recent release of her 1989 album; Our sweet southern singer has gone full on pop. In August, Swift debuted her hit single “Shake It Off.” Many Swifties, were heartbroken when they heard it.   At first I did not like the song and the direction Swift was heading, but the song has grown on me. “Shake It Off” is really rather catchy and whenever I hear it I want to get up and dance. We also can assume Taylor has received a few dance lessons, based on the “Shake it Off” music video. There’s no more making fun of her goofy groove.

After leading fans on for months with mysterious Instagram posts, Taylor released her first pop album on October 27th. The album features 13 songs and a side from “Shake It Off,” fans have had three other 1989 songs on replay. “Welcome to New York” describes Taylor’s experience living in her new apartment through a catchy chorus. Swift says New York is “electric” and wanted to exemplify that in her song. Ed Sheeran hinted that his personal favorite was “Bad Blood,” rumored to be a dig at Taylor’s former friend Katy Perry and their falling out. Traditional Swifties probably find the last song on the album their favorite.  “Clean” is most like Taylor’s old works.

Although many fans are happy Taylor’s dancing has improved and her songs are a hit in the pop world, some of Swift’s fans miss the curly haired, 16-year-old that stole the heart of country music. Even the CMA’s miss Taylor, stating how they will always have a seat for her but for now they are just going to have to “Shake It Off.”

By Taylor Martin

His:

In an age where piracy is so rampant on the internet it really is a major achievement to sell enough records to reach platinum status.  The first (and probably only) record to go platinum this year was Taylor Swift’s 1989.  I am simply dumbfounded by Swift’s achievement.  Going platinum is an amazing feat, and doing so after all the lost album sales, even more.  However the fact that many people overlook is Swift’s true brilliance.  Her music.  Getting one person to listen to her music is an accomplishment in itself.  Scamming over a million people into buying such a horrible album is even more amazing.

Not being a listener to whatever genre Taylor is, it would not be fair to judge the album off of musical quality.  All I can say about the sound is that it’s what one would expect from any album that was produced by someone who has more money than all reading this article could make in countless lifetimes.  You can fall asleep to it.  Every note is where it was factory made to be and no more.  Lyrics are the only fair measure I could review this album off of.  And I hope for the sake of humanity that most people ignore the lyrics and simply zone out to the nothingness of sound that’s emitted from their speakers.

There are few instances when rumors or common gossip are true.  When I heard that pretty much all the songs Taylor writes are love songs, I was skeptical.  After listening to the album I tallied the results.  I counted two songs that had no relation to love.  Where’s the creativity?  I’m not saying that all loves songs are innately horrible but love is by far the most covered topic in mainstream music.  Singing about the same topic leaves me with the feeling that there’s no substance.

After listening to 1989 it’s apparent Taylor has little to no self-awareness.  Of the romances that she sings about Taylor refuses to even consider the possibility that she may be the reason why every relationship she gets into fails miserably.  In her song ‘Blank Space’ she has a fit when she realizes her boyfriend is cheating on her.  However in ‘Style’ when her boyfriend (the same one or another, your guess is as good as mine) admits to cheating on her she’s suddenly fine with it because she has “been there too a few times”.  Not once has Taylor evidently cheated on her boyfriend, but multiple times.  I’m no relationship therapist but I think that Taylor needs to step back and think about her actions and how they affect others before she gets in another relationship- and then writes another bad song about how it fell apart.

But then there’s ‘Shake It Off’.  The whole song is about not caring what others think about you and as the title goes, shaking off any bad, bad things that bad people may say about you.  Hey!  A song not about one of the myriads of relationships Taylor probably ruined.  I would have said that it’s an okay song but Taylor ruins the chances of that midway through the song.  She contradicts herself.  After seeing her ex-boyfriend and his new date Taylor gets jealous and from what I can only consider an act to try to get her ex to feel the same emotion, she ‘shakes’ over to a guy with good hair.  Taylor, I think you’re missing the point of your own song.  If you react to someone it’s obvious that you do care about what they think about you.  I pity the guy with good hair.  You had no idea what was coming your way.

It’s sad that such a boring and uncreative album could ever reach the number of sales 1989 has.  I think my feelings can be summed up by the title.  1989.  I know you were born that year, Taylor, but couldn’t you think of a more creative, narcissistic, self-flattering title?

By Liam Iorio