Anyway back to the album. Taylor had stated ahead of time that "1989" would be a pop album, but I think everyone knew that since her last album, "Red" went from pop to country to even dub-step in one song and from her single "Sweet than Fiction" from the "One Chance: The Incredible True Story of Paul Potts: Motion Picture Soundtrack", wow that is a mouthful. Anyway this is my track by track review:
1) Welcome to New York: I go back and forth with this one. I like that it's kinda become an anthem for equality and it's very catchy but I feel the music overpowers the lyrics. The song was also co-written by Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic. It was also released as a promo single. 7/10
2) Blank Space: This song is set to be the second single from the album. I was confused about her talking about "Starbucks Lovers" and went I looked online I saw that the lyric was "Got a long list of ex lovers". That kinda made me laugh because Taylor got a lot of media scrutiny for her dating life after "Red" was released. The overall song is great. 9/10
3) Style: I love this song! It is my second favorite song on the album. It is very poppy and has an upbeat chorus that makes me wanna dance. Even as I typed this review my head is bobbing to this song. This song, along with many other songs on this album, is rumored to be about Harry Styles from One Direction. 10/10
4) Out of the Woods: When "Shake It Off" was released, I was scared about listening to "1989". Then this song was released as a promo single and I was happily surprised. This song is my favorite song on the album and I hope it becomes an official single in the future. Like "Style" this song is rumored to be about Harry Styles. It was also co-written by Jack Antonoff from the band, "Fun." who also co-wrote Sara Bareilles' hit single, "Brave". 10/10
5) All You Had to Do Was Stay: I hated this song at first but after a couple of listens, it' grown on me. It's very catchy but I can't the high "Stay" parts that are played in the chorus. 8/10
6) Shake It Off: The first single from the album. It's a very empowering song about not letting the haters get to you. That being said, it took a long time for me to like the song. It also became Taylor's second number 1 song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The video was also pretty funny. 7/10
7) I Wish You Would: Another song co-written by Jack Antonoff. If you got the deluxe edition of the album, then you got a voice memo of this song. In the memo Taylor explains that Jack had the instrumental done and Taylor wrote the lyrics after hearing it. The songs talks about how the narrator wishes their ex would come back so they could take back everything they said so they can get back together. 10/10
8) Bad Blood: Before the album was released, I was excited about hearing this song. Taylor had said that she wrote the song about a girl, so I thought it would sound like "Better Than Revenge" from "Speak Now". When I first heard it I was so disappointed that that wasn't the case but after a couple of listens I really liked it. The verses are amazing and the chorus is very catchy. The song is rumored to be about Katy Perry. 10/10
9) Wildest Dreams: A slow ballad that sounds like a cross between Coldplay and Lana Del Ray. It has a very dreamy vibe to it which makes sense since the song is called "Wildest Dreams". It's still growing on me. 7/10
10) How You Get the Girl: The first 6 seconds reminded me of "Girl at Home" from the deluxe edition of "Red". Despite an upbeat chorus, it's not memorable as the previous songs and feels like a filler track. It's my least favorite song on the album. 5/10
11) This Love: Not it's not a cover of Maroon 5's or The Veronica's songs of the same name. This song is the only one on the album that Taylor wrote by herself. It reminds me of Avril Lavigne's songs, "Falling Fast" and "Hush Hush". The song gives me goossebumps and the chorus is just amazing. 10/10
12) I Know Places: This song feels like it should be on one of "The Hunger Games" soundtracks. The verses are amazing but the chorus is kind of a letdown. Ryan Tedder also co-wrote this song too. 6/10
13) Clean: The last song on the standard edition of the album. It's a ballad that sounds dark in the beginning and is very haunting. The song was co-written by Imogen Heap and is about getting over a relationship. It's amazing. 10/10
14) Wonderland: The first off three songs on the deluxe edition. I didn't like it when I first heard it but it's grown on me. I feel like it would be perfect for an "Alice In Wonderland" movie. I love the part where she sings, "Didn't they tell us not to rush into things, didn't you flash your green eyes at me, haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds." I wish it was on the standard edition of the album instead of "How You Get the Girl". 9/10
15) You Are In Love: The second I heard the intro I knew I'd love this song and I do. The song is a slow ballad about love at first sight. This should've been on the standard edition of the album instead of "I Know Places." I hope this will be a single. 10/10
16) New Romantics: Another amazing song, why are the songs on the deluxe edition better than some of the songs on the standard edition? This song will have you on your feet dancing. It's a very happy upbeat song and it should've been on the standard edition of the album. 10/10
In the end Taylor's new album, "1989" is much better than her last album "Red" and will likely hit number 1 in the U.S. I know there were 3 voice memos on the deluxe edition but I felt that there wasn't really a point reviewing them. My favorite songs on the album are: "Out of the Woods", "Style", "Clean", "Bad Blood", "This Love", "I Wish You Would", "Blank Space", "New Romantics", "You Are In Love", and "Wonderland". Out of 160 points I give the album 139 which 86%, a B+. Awesome job Taylor!
