RED
I’m not really sure where to begin in describing RED, Taylor Swift’s autumnal heartbreak masterwork. At the time of its release in 2012, critics praised the album for Swift's trademark confessional songwriting, but were divided on its drawn-out track length and scattered amalgamation of genres. Years later, it’s become evident that RED was perhaps the most crucial inflection point in Swift’s sonic evolution, as it laid the foundation for so many exciting threads she would follow in years to come. Between the continuation of her sentimental country roots, her first foray into proper pop that she’d follow on 1989 and REPUTATION, and shades of indie rock that would turn up on FOLKLORE and EVERMORE, the all-encompassing soundscape of RED makes it the most exhilarating work of Taylor Swift’s to revisit.
Like her last re-recording, RED (Taylor’s version) includes nine (!!) new songs “from the vault”—songs she recorded but ultimately scrapped or gave away to other artists when first releasing RED. While the vault tracks feature some incredible collaborations with artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Chris Stapleton, Ed Sheeran, and Mark Foster, the real highlight is the original, 10-minute version of Taylor Swift’s magnum opus, ALL TOO WELL. If you thought a 10-minute version of ALL TOO WELL was nothing but a gimmick to spice up the track list…please know that Ms. Swift has truly delivered lyrically—and then some. Whatever you think you’re ready for, you’re not. So with that, I leave you to collect your maple lattes & scarves and relive whatever romantic trauma you experienced in 2012.
—Neal Mulani, Development Assistant
