1989 (Taylor’s Version) is an Instant Classic, Again

Of all the re-recordings Swift has embarked on, 1989 perhaps feels the most significant. The singles released with this album, the music videos, the fashion, and the world tour resulted in an unforgettable era. Catapulting the musical genius to a whole new level. Looking back to 2014 with the original release, 1989 took over our lives in a way that you wouldn’t think replicable – until now.

Bringing back the polaroids, retro style, and iconic seagulls, Swift did it again. The release of the re-recordings of the original sixteen albums have transported us back to 9 years ago, reproduced with updated equipment, more mature vocals and a confidence that has developed over time has resulted in a flawless reproduction of pop’s most awarded album of all time. Some particular highlights, in my opinion, are Out Of The Woods – a song fuelled by lyrical anxiety and big sounds, Swift’s vocals fill this song in the same way they do stadiums. Clean, produced by Imogen Heap, maintains status as one of the album’s best tracks.

Whilst there are a couple of discrepancies being expressed online, guitar changes in Style? A strange intro to the New Romantics chorus? Vault tracks sounding like ‘Midnights’ rejects. The overall impact of this masterpiece is firmly upheld.

Now, the vault tracks. Five new songs, written for the original 2014 released, but didn’t quite make the cut – with these, we can see that had 1989 been forty tracks long, it would have the same reception. This collection of songs are so seamlessly cohesive that they could easily have been released as an EP at another time in Swift’s career. All produced by pop legend Jack Antonoff, these songs are absolute celebrations of his ability to create an incredible 80s pop sound. They fit perfectly with the album, all having the signature Antonoff sound that Swift allowed him to bring to 1989 – reminiscent of his own 2015 music with Bleachers.

‘Slut!’ was perhaps the most anticipated, and took a dreamy, wistful direction that many weren’t expecting – a gorgeous song that Taylor has said missed the album because it was more L.A than NYC. ‘Say Don’t Go’ is maybe the most forgettable of the bunch, but still surpasses the pop songs being released at the time. The final three tracks, ‘Now That We Don’t Talk’, ‘Suburban Legends’, and ‘Is it Over Now?’ can only be described as pop perfection.

‘Now That We Don’t Talk’ is a catchy two and a half minute song that explores the end f a relationship. Classic Swift lyrics like ‘I called my mom, she said that it was of best’ could easily send this catchy song to pop radio. ‘Suburban Legends’ has the best of Swift’s legendry storytelling of the five songs, returning to chapters in old diaries and 1950s gymnasiums with the genius hook of ‘We were born to be Suburban Legends… We were born to be national treasures’. ‘Is It Over Now?’ speaks of loneliness, heartbreak, memories and love – a perfect closing track for a perfect album.

1989 (Taylor’s Version) is an instant classic – again. Swift just can’t miss.