For the past eight years, country-crossover artist Taylor Swift has fearlessly been taking over the music world. From her debut self-titled album to the most recent 1989, Swift has been a prominent pop culture figurehead.

With her newest album 1989, Swift redefines her music style from the down-home country girl that we all came to love from her trademark songs of heartbreak off her first albums. When the hit single “Shake it Off” came out earlier this year, the world was caught by surprise with its upbeat and catchy tune. The accompanying sudden release of 1989 was no different; Taylor was definitely a more diverse musician than she once was. Country and Swift fans alike have complained about the new album’s sound being too ‘poppy’ for the crossover star, but Swift encourages everyone to embrace the change of genre, just as she has.

In a letter enclosed in every copy of 1989, Swift indulges in her controversial transition.

“For the last few years, I’ve woken up every day not wanting, but needing to write a new
style of music,” Swift writes, subtly hinting at the criticism surrounding the new album.

In some cases, writing and producing a completely different style of music can be an
artist’s downfall in the music world, and some expected 1989 to be no different. Some critics said the same about her previous album, Red, but Swift has proven any change for her music to be successful, truly adapting with her growing worldwide audience. Along with topping charts all over the world, and talk of her approaching 1989 world tour, this album can hardly be described as a “bad decision.”

Although it is strange to hear the pop-country star singing the repetitive chorus of her introductory song “Welcome to New York,” 1989 is a good ‘transition’ album, allowing her fans to get used to the new sound. Swift has mastered the art of mixing tunes with a more mainstream pop sound like “Blank Space” and more heartfelt songs like “This Love” throughout the track list, a simple way to balance the sound of her album.

Yet, while Swift’s sound may be completely foreign to a long-time fan, it will be
hard for anyone to not find themselves singing or humming along to the songs on 1989. But not to worry: we see the same old Swift in the way she sings about past love and the hidden messages in her lyrics, something fans have adored since the beginning. Swift has also written or co-written every song on her album, bringing in pop stars like Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic to help her along with both the music and the flow of the album.

“You are the only one who gets to decide what you will be remembered for,” Swift
finishes her letter with a final lasting statement to ‘shake off’ those who have a hard time adjusting to the new Taylor Swift.