Taylor Swift has undeniably been a centerpiece for attention in the media for years now. And in the decade that’s passed from her debut self-titled album, Swift has risen from a new country starlit to become one of the best-selling pop stars of this generation. Of course, this rise to fame has resulted in not just her style of music changing, but Swift herself. So in her sixth studio album, reputation, released November 10th, Swift fully embraces the snake image she has garnered in the past year as a result of her public feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, alongside her faulty relationships with Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston. However, this recent endeavor ultimately falls short of expectation following her surprisingly good 1989.
The big theme throughout reputation is - as the name implies - the constant reminder that the media flocks to her and impacts her perception; that the negative press isn’t always provoked by her and that she doesn’t love the drama. Even when the anticipated tracks about falling in love and uncertainty about a relationship hit, the lover is seen as shelter from the storm of the press. So if you’re not particularly invested into the personal narrative of Swift, you might not be able to get much out of songs that delve deeper into her rock bottom reputation, such as ‘Look What You Made Me Do,’ ‘This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,’ or ‘I Did Something Bad.’
Now, if there is any fitting way to start this album, it’d have to be with ‘… Ready For It.’ The song prepares the audience for the album, in that it - while reminiscent of past songs in terms of lyrical content - has a darker edge to it. This track is but one of many in the album that features trap elements that have blown up in popularity as of late, with an overall distorted, dark, and odd production. The only part of the song that really grabs me is the final pre-chorus. I love how her voice sounds here despite how saturated it is in vocal effects, and it compliments how the beat drops out in order to excite you for the final chorus. Granted, I don’t really like the chorus, but the final build-up is, at least, nice.
Following the opening track is probably the most bizarre song on the album; ‘End Game.’ Now, when I say bizarre, I don’t necessarily mean that in terms of production or lyrics, rather, I’m talking about the two artists that are featured on the song, and the only two features on the entire album: Future and Ed Sheeran. Even though I was initially skeptical as to how such a weird combination could work. And … it kinda does. Even if the three may seem like they clash, they don’t for the most part. They all have a nice flow in a song that details how Swift doesn’t want to be just another ex that her boyfriend is doomed to hate, but rather, she wants to be the “end game;” her boyfriend’s true love. Frankly, it’s one of the better songs here.
However, without a shadow of a doubt, the biggest and most notable song on the record is ‘Look What You Made Me Do,’ what with it being the lead single. This song also blew up at an absurd rate; being used in a commercial the day it came out. And one of the reasons this song grew to be so popular is because of how polarizing it is. You either love it or you hate it. As for me, I’m not the biggest fan. For one, the song has an incredible build-up in its pre-chorus, as the piano adds this tense and suspenseful atmosphere. Then … the chorus hits, and all of that atmosphere goes flying out the window. It’s a rather boring yet catchy hook, but it just doesn’t do anything for me. The same thing can be said for the rest of the song, honestly.
As for other songs I like, ‘Getaway Car’ and ‘King of My Heart’ are easily the best songs on this album. Particularly ‘Getaway Car,’ with fuzzy, comforting synths throughout the song that make it one of a few breaths of fresh air in an album that is half-dominated with dark trap beats. And the content of the lyrics serves as one of the more reflective pieces in reputation, too. Essentially, the song details how Swift’s love is doomed from the very start of the relationship, as “nothing good ever happens in a getaway car.” And in the entire span of the relationship, she experiences numerous emotions that ultimately lead her to leave the getaway car and move on with her life.
And aside from other pieces such as ‘New Year’s Day,’ which is a sincere and soft spoken piece that is the last track of the album, the rest of reputation didn’t do engage me. Ultimately, even if you’re a fan of Swift, this album might not do it for you, with its foray into darker more trap-based production sometimes. Not only that, but if you aren’t invested in Swift’s personal relations and ongoing narrative, the lyrics might not hook you in. I’d say to be wary, but it’s at least worth a listen.
Image Courtesy of Billboard