NEW ALBUM: Taylor Swift - Red

RED is Swift’s third studio album and, like the first two, it’s an outpour of Taylor’s real-life experiences – except this time, it’s all about the rollercoaster called, “Love”. Titling the album “RED” to define the overriding message of the battlefield of love that Taylor has gone through this past 22 years, this album is retains her country roots but dabbles with other sounds that she’s been interested in lately and for a while. Collaborating with Snow Patrol’s, Gary Lightbody and Ed Sheeran, RED is a whole new journey for both Swift and her fans.

Personally, I’m a little tired of the whole idea of love’s ups and downs as a theme with Taylor. Usually I love the breaks of talking about growing up, family life and the overall ‘we’re all in this together’ ending that her first two albums had, but RED has been a mental strain for me to sit through and listen too. I even deliberated as to whether or not I should review this album just because I don’t really enjoy listening to it – but that’s just me guys! I’m doing this review to (hopefully) convince myself that this album is actually better than I think it is AND to give kudos to Taylor for another good album. I won’t deny that it’s a good album, but whether it’s a great album is a different story.

RED

Taylor Swift

State of Grace – “I Love You” Doesn’t Count After Goodbye

This song depicts the battlefield of love. It’s like in the rush of everything that life has to throw, there’s a moment of bliss; and just like in a battle, it’s just that single moment before chaos hits again. It’s hypnotic with its transient sound that comes from the vocals that has an upbeat accompaniment.

RED – “SAG”

I like this one. This song talks about a relationship based on colours and the emotions and situations that are attached to those colours. It’s got that typical country sound that Taylor’s brought to the charts and it’s one you can sing along to in the car or in your bedroom. I have to say though, her articulation in the first verse is a little unclear, but when she repeats at the end of the song, it’s much better.

Treacherous – Won’t Stop Till It’s Over

Another strong country song that talks about the dangers of falling in love – by “dangerous” I mean love is not an easy path, but it’s worth it. The acoustic and the drums accompany the vocals well and is one you can slow-dance to.

 I Knew You Were Trouble. – When You Saw Me Dancing

Rumour has it that song is about Harry Styles, but frankly I don’t thing it is. The lyrics describe someone that Taylor would have known for much longer that a few weeks. And frankly, even if Harry is known to be the flirt of One Direction, there have been no real reports of him being ‘trouble’ from ex-girlfriends. If it is about Harry, then Taylor read way into a few conversations and (rumoured) text messages –frankly, she’s a lot smarter than that. But it’s got a very strong pop vibe and it’s great to belt out if you have ever fallen in love with someone who was no good for you and regretting it just slightly.

All Too Well – Maple Latte

Resounding with her Fearless track, “The Way I Loved You”, this track carries the same theme of remembering an old love story but having it tainted by the reality, yet having that longing to have it back. I don’t mind this track; I enjoy that to-and-fro that the lyrics talk about and the overall sound of the track. It’s slow enough to sway too, but the vocals are strong enough to belt it out along with Taylor.

 22 – Ashley, Dianna, Claire, Selena

Celebrating 22 years on Earth, this song resonated with Hilary Duff’s, Sweet Sixteen as Taylor sings about loving her age and the fun that comes with turning another year older. It also talks about crushing on someone that’s completely bad news, but only for that one night. It’s fun and upbeat and I like dancing around to this song or turning it up as I drive around everywhere.

I Almost Do – Wrote This Instead Of Calling

This about unacquired love that comes with all the nostalgic feelings that comes with missing a special person that you once had. This song is the tragedy of careers tearing two people apart. I like this song; the lyrics are so well written and the accompaniment compliments the story well.

We Are Never Getting Back Together – When I Stopped Caring What You Thought

I love belting this song out with my friends. I mean it’s never applied to me, but it’s so much fun to sing. The video clip was a bit of a let down, but this song is really chirpy and the title says everything that this song is about. I think this song is Taylor’s most realistic song and it defines her musically and literally.

Stay Stay Stay – Daydreaming About Real Love

This is by far my favourite song on this album. It’s so much fun to listen to and it’s really playful musically and lyrically. It’s very country, yet it’s also very pop at the same time. It’s just great.

The Last Time – LA On Your Break

Co-written and featuring Snow Patrol’s, Gary Lightbody, this song is another favourite of mine. It’s a beautiful breakup song that takes you through that slow journey for an ending relationship. The lyrics repeat, but are sung from different perspectives to emphasise that sense of prolonging the moment before goodbye. I’m just disappointed that Taylor doesn’t drive this track; vocally, Lightbody overpowers her.

 Holy Ground – When You Came To The Show In SD

Far from the country scene, this song sound a lot like something out of a rock / pop album with the drumbeat. It’s reminiscing about that person you shared that one moment with and having it repeat in your mind again and again. ‘Holy Ground’ is referring to that place that the moment they shared that dance together and because it’s so sacred, dancing alone – even in that same place – desecrates the site, action and the moment.

Sad Beautiful Tragic – While You Were On The Train

This is another mystical song that talks about the loss of love. (Are you catching the reason why this album is called ‘Red’ yet?) It’s a simple song about going separate ways geographically and being torn apart by knowing that the literal distance is where love ends. I like this song, short and sweet with a haunting sadness.

The Lucky One – Wouldn’t You Like To Know

I love this song. Written about a past actress, it talks about the other side of the spotlight; where fame and fortune is not as pretty as you think. It’s got a 60s feel to it and you can really see the black and white images that come with this song, along with the curls and the petticoats that graced the movie and television screens. I love the light-hearted feel of the song that’s evident in both the lyrics and the music as Taylor writes about past, present (counting herself) and future starlets.

 Everything Has Changed – Hyannis Port

Co-written and featuring one of my current favourite singer/song writers, Ed Sheeran, this song is another one of my favourites. The song talks about that first encounter of just knowing that the person in front of you will special to you, whether it’s a good or bad kind of ‘special’, everything has changed because you’ve met. So that song endeavours through the process of figuring out which side they sit on. How? By getting to “know them better”.

Starlight – For Ethel

Written for Ethel Kennedy, Swift pencils a precious loves-struck memory that comes to mind when thinking of young love. It’s got that summer love feel to it and it’s really great to pump now a days since it’s our summer. I wanted to say that it’s a reflection of her own summer love story with Connor…but due to current reports, it didn’t seem appropriate.

 Begin Again – I Wear Heels Now

Talking about learning to love again, this end track is the perfect way to wrap up an album full of anger, confusion, nostalgia and lost hopes. It’s a happy ending to a journey full of pumps.

Deluxe Edition Tracks:  

• The Moment I Knew
• Come Back…Be Here
• Girl At Home

Overall:

I just think the recent interview with Ellen sums up this album completely – and who better to talk about the album with then Ellen?!

sL Star Rating: 3 Stars

Next: One Direction's, TAKE ME HOME

Coming Up:  Perks of Being a Wall Flower (Movie)