The release of Taylor Swift’s fifth album, 1989 has brought much more than thousands of screaming fans and millions of dollars in the first five days. The album has brought the world a new and matured Taylor Swift. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter is known for her emotional, country ballads about heartbreak and boys that have done her wrong but the new Taylor is focused on improving herself and getting over the past.

One of the very distinguishing features of Swift’s music was her country-pop crossover beats. To prove to the world that she’s ready to start a new chapter in her life, she made the leap and categorized her entire album as pop. This has raised many speculations seeing that Taylor grew up in rural Pennsylvania, then moved to the heart of country music itself, Nashville, Tennessee.  Currently, Taylor lives in New York and is ready to bring the city mentality to her fans.  She describes the albums opener, “Welcome to New York,” as an invitation to the New York state of mind rather than the city itself.

She shed her country skin and is excited to show her gigantic fan base who she is now, the mature Taylor who has finally grown up. Swift fan, Hannah Ward (‘18), says “I can’t stop listening to 1989! It’s her best album yet and she’s so talented.” The album includes dance tracks like “Shake it Off” and “Style” while also balancing her emotional roots with songs like “Wildest Dreams” and “This Love”.  Swift also manages to show off an edgier side with “Bad Blood.” Some critics are questioning whether this will be Swift’s last major hit album but with a fan base as strong and loyal as hers, Taylor could put out any new songs and the world would go crazy.