Taylor Swift matures in new album

She’s been pushing the boundaries of country music for quite some time now, and her new CD is no exception. Taylor Swift’s fourth album “Red,” released Oct. 22, features a range of genres, from country to pop and even to a little bit of dubstep.

The album features 16 songs, including pre-released singles “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Begin Again,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and the title track, “Red.”
The CD also features upbeat pop songs such as “Stay Stay Stay” and “22.” The number 22 seems to be a theme with this album as it was released on Oct. 22, while Swift is 22 years old, and the Target deluxe version features 22 songs. In the song itself, Swift describes a carefree and fun night out with friends, in which she lets go and has some fun.

Somber songs such as “All Too Well” and “I Almost Do” are more country and both feature the common theme of heartbreak that is heard in most of Swift’s songs. In “I Knew You Were Trouble,” Swift seems to understand that maybe this heartbreak is her own fault, which she doesn’t admit happens often for her.

This CD also another holds a first for the singer-songwriter as well, as she has two songs featuring other artists. “The Last Time” features Gary Lightbody of the band Snow Patrol, and the song “Everything Has Changed” featuring Ed Sheeran, has proved to be very popular on iTunes.

“Red” also seems to indicate a more grown-up version of Swift as her lyrics show her journey into adult relationships. As pointed out in a recent New York Times article, her lyrics show that she is maturing in her relationships and that she is no longer a young teenage girl. As she sings in “Treacherous,” “I’ll do anything you say if you say it with your hands.”
“Red,” which is expected to sell over one million copies in its first week, became the No. 1 album on iTunes within a few hours of being released. All of the songs have been well-received by fans, and “Red” is sure to mark a new start for Swift.