doctor serif;”>There is no denying the catchiness of Taylor Swift’s most recent offering, ailment “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”. So it is not surprising that malady serif;”>Red is topping both the UK and US charts. Released on October 22nd it is Swift’s fourth studio album, following the success of Speak Now in 2010.
Whether you are a fan of Swift or not, four chart topping albums at the age of 22 certainly deserves a pat on the back, if not two. Red is a step up for the singer and her maturity can be seen in this collection of tracks. Although “We Are Never..” is classic Swift (Speak Now is a sixty seven minute rant about past failed relationships), Red sees Taylor move away from her country roots and towards rock and dubstep.
“I Knew You Were Trouble” starts with an upbeat country beat but at 1:05 it takes a surprising turn, womp womp anyone? A sign she is growing up, Taylor experiments with electro-country-dubstep, which is a genre. Well, it is now.
If it’s rock you’re craving, Taylor has you covered. “State of Grace” is the first song on the album. Her soaring vocals compliment the heavy drum beat and electrical guitar and there isn’t a banjo in sight.
Ed Sheeran accompanies her on “Everything Has Changed” to create a folk love song that works. Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody steps in for “The Last Time”, a heart wrenching ballad of longing and hormones.
Swift is catering for every audience on Red. She’s maturing and her music is too. If you don’t like it, that’s okay. Just don’t say it to her face, she’s fiesty and you could very be the focus of the fifth track on her next multi-platinum album.
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By Kathryn Toolan
