Sydney Rosinski ’18

Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album, Reputation, was released on Nov. 10th. She was not afraid to express her thoughts about the media and drama surrounding her brand for the past two years in the album.

Reputation touches on Swift’s very own reputation taking a hit after feuds with multiple celebrities. With lyrics like, “My reputation’s never been worse, so you must like me for me,” in the fifth track off the album, “Delicate”, Swift expresses her struggle with what the press and social media had to say about her.

Swifts feuds with Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Katy Perry turned into inspiration for some of her angrier songs on the album, such as “Look What You Made Me Do” and “I Did Something Bad.” The gossip surrounding her is prevalent throughout Reputation. Though the album addresses negative happenings, she’s never sounded more free.

The album is receiving positive feedback from fans and is currently 2017’s top selling album, selling 1.05 million copies in the first four days. Swift’s sound has evolved over the years, from country to modern pop and she even includes rap artist Future, in the second track of the album, “End Game.” Her fresh sound was a shock at first but completely works with her honest lyrics both about being wrong and being optimistically in love.

Unlike her previous albums, Reputation only has one slow love song, “New Year’s Day.” The song which is already a radio hit, contains the classic lyric, “please don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere.” The lyrics in this song are reminiscent of previous ballad’s that Swift is known for, such as; “All Too Well” off her Red album.

Taylor Swift transitioned from “the girl on the bleachers” to the Queen of Snakes in her most recent music video for “Look What You Made Me Do.” Gone is her pristine image with more mature lyrics;0 she even finally swore in a song at 27 years old! Taylor did what she does best with this album; she kept up with her reputation for writing powerful lyrics.