In case you missed it, Taylor Swift re-released her album Red on Friday. I would be lying if I told you that my friends and I didn’t plan a listening party for Thursday, November 11, in (literally) September. What can I say? Ms. Swift runs the show. Who else could make the Empire State building light up red? No one. Who else could have an entire dormitory hallway of girls singing “All Too Well” at 12 AM, the exact minute of her album’s release? No one. We all had high expectations for Red (Taylor’s Version), and to our not-so-surprise, it exceeded them all.
my review:
I am absolutely LOVING these re-recordings. Having grown to adore these songs years ago, hearing “Taylor’s Version” has really encouraged some full-circle self-reflection. I can attribute these songs to the current state of my life, whereas the original songs bring me right back to my first middle-school heartbreak (He plays football at Notre Dame now, guys. You can’t blame me). Taylor’s voice has matured beautifully, reminding us of just how much we have grown, together, since Red’s original release in 2012. On another note, this re-release proves just how much this woman has impacted my development into the person I am today. Her music has always been, and always will be, the literal soundtrack to my life. Sad? Play “Dear John” or “All Too Well.” Happy? Play “New Romantics” or “22.” Falling in love? Play “You Are In Love” or “Enchanted.” We hate men today? Play “Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” or “We Are Never Getting Back Together.” Nostalgic? Play “Long Live” or “‘tis the damn season.” I could go on and on and on and on.
I appreciate her “From The Vault” songs SO MUCH. Lately, I have found myself missing Taylor’s country phase. “I Bet You Think About Me” with Chris Stapleton is just what I needed. I can guarantee you that the next time I go for a drive, I will blast this with the windows down (despite the freezing Massachusetts temperatures). And the short film? Unreal.
My Favorite: “Better Man (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”
The Verdict: 11/10
Some Other Reviews:
“The re-release of Red is life changing (shout out Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink). It brought all of the girls together for a midnight listen. It was one of the best moments ever with an entire floor singing ‘All Too Well’ at 12:01.” – Gracie Dolan ‘24
“It’s amazing. I can’t believe she’s never released her vault songs because they’re so good, and I love how they’re both pop and country. The ‘All Too Well’ 10 minute version is so well written and adds a lot of new meaning to other songs like ‘22’ and ‘Begin Again.’” – Catherine Cannamela ‘24
“I think it is incredible. I love the album because you can listen to it when you’re in any mood, there’s a song for everything. The 10 minute ‘All Too Well’ is so beautiful and the short film she directed was genius! My favorite Vault songs are probably ‘I Bet You Think About Me’ with Chris Stapleton and ‘The Very First Night.’ Some people may say 30 songs is too much for an album, but every song is so beautiful. I don’t know how someone can write that many amazing songs.” – Abby Flaherty ‘24