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The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

Taylor Swift’s “Red” brings new definition of country music

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From country cutie to pop princess, world renowned artist Taylor Swift has astonished fans with her new taste in music. And this time, she’s come with a brand new album, “Red,” that’s set out to paint the world in its color. Following “Speak Now,” her third studio album released in 2010, “Red” mixes the old-fashioned country rhythms and the beats of mainstream genres such as dubstep.

Swift had previously released promotional singles from her album. These singles were (in order) “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Begin Again,” “Red,” “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “State of Grace.” Arguably, Swift released her some of her best songs as singles. These songs gave a taste of exactly what the album would have to offer, musically.

While the artist hasn’t fully changed genres in the music industry, she throws in a couple pop songs. Undoubtedly, they are all catchy and have the “party” themed rhythm. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” a particularly upbeat song rumored to be about a certain celebrity, was released as the first summer single. Admittedly, the catchy song is the perfect song for car rides with friends. But don’t hang on to it too long, because the catchiness will hook like Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” did, and it will never ever go away.

But despite Swift’s genre switches, she retains many of her famous country-pop rhythms in this album. “Red” contains the guitar rhythms that Swift’s past albums had. With reverberation–a persistence of sound in a particular space after the original sound is produced–similar to that of the rock band, U2, “State of Grace” takes the audience back to Swift’s previous musical style. The title song, “Red,” consists of a consistent drum beat that hooks listeners in to tune in to the rest of the song. It’s reminiscent of her previous songs like “Sparks Fly.” Swift’s other songs with the same country-pop rhythm do not fail to satisfy listeners with such expectations.

No Taylor Swift album is complete without one or two depressing songs that call for a box of tissues. Soft guitar melodies, rhythmic cello solos and light mixtures of keyboard make up the album’s saddest songs such as “All Too Well” and “Sad Beautiful Tragic.” These extensive songs are genius musical sequels to some of Swift’s love stories told from her albums “Fearless” and “Speak Now,” particularly the songs “Forever and Always” and “Last Kiss.” Pointing out a certain Joe Jonas and John Mayer, Swift’s diary-like verses pull out the most intricate details from her past and translate them into a compilation of bittersweet melodies and connective pathos.

After two years of respite from “Speak Now,” Swift has returned with an ingenious new album, ready to strike the hearts of boys and girls all over the world. These songs are no accident; Swift’s lyrics are the truths of her past and her feelings. Burdened with a glorious purpose to speak her mind and unafraid to let her life’s worth of diary entries spill out, Swift has once again spoken out. Armed with a red paintbrush, “Red” is meant to color the world with love.

“Red” is available on iTunes for $14.99 and on Amazon for $9.99 It is available at Walmart, Target, Papa John’s, Walgreens and Fred Meyer. The “Red” Target exclusive edition is on sale for $17.99.

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About the Contributor
Chrisann Kim
Chrisann Kim, Co Editor-in-Chief
Ideas for her future career of becoming a zoologist started back in Beaverton, Ore for Chrisann Kim, senior. “I love working and being around animals,” Kim said.  Kim wants to learn about them and not be someone who takes animals for granted. “I want to be [a zoologist] because humanity and mankind need to realize that we share this planet with absolutely spectacular creatures, and we avert our eyes away and never wonder what the other biological worlds are like,” Kim said. Though she enjoys Oregon, Kim wishes she was born in England. Sophistication is one of the many words that describe Kim and another reason for her love of England.  Kim loves the style and sophistication of England. “I’m sort of a British freak! I wish I was British,” Kim said.  If Kim had the money, she would go to England for school. Kim’s favorite artist is Taylor Swift.  Last year, she was given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Swift’s Speak Now World Tour.  A lucky win via a country radio station landed her a spot in the pit at the concert. “Hands down, the best part was seeing my idol and role mode perform live five feet away from me. Just being in her presence was absolutely mesmerizing, because I never believed that I could make it to [the concert],” Kim said. “She has helped me in unfathomable ways and to see her for myself was the moment of my life.” A Class of 2013 senior, Kim is ready to move on with her life.   She is now ready to take on whatever life throws at her.  Chrisann is prepared to begin the next chapter in her life, as a freshman in college.
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Taylor Swift’s “Red” brings new definition of country music