For Taylor Swift’s fans, the transition from country-tinged pop to mainstream, chart-friendly pop on her fifth album, “1989,” shouldn’t be that great of a leap.
The 24-year-old musical phenomenon still writes those quirky, insanely catchy tunes of her early days. The only difference is now, courtesy of Swedish production maestro Max Martin, those tunes are overwhelmed by thumping synthesizer beats instead of accented by guitars and banjos.
The current hit single “Shake It Off” embodies Swift’s new approach. Its frothiness fits the song’s lighthearted sassiness perfectly, though a more lightweight concoction is hard to imagine. The problem comes when that same formula gets used repeatedly, regardless of the type of song involved.
For instance, there’s nothing to distinguish the Swift put-down song “Bad Blood” from the Swift romantic come-on song “Blank Space.” Thanks to the peripatetic arrangements, punched-up drum sound and vocal effects, they’re shoehorned into the same emotional space.
While Swift succeeds, quite brilliantly, in transforming herself into a pop diva during the album’s first half, she submerges herself in generic beats and vocal effects, losing the individuality that once set her apart.
The second half of the album tones down the dance floor overdrive considerably with a winning series of more developed and strongly performed ballads. “Wildest Dreams” and “How You Get the Girl” employ stronger melodies and choruses that are more than just cheerleader-like chants.
This happy trend continues through the three extra songs on the “D.L.X.” (deluxe) version of “1989” available at Target stores. In what has become a tradition with Swift, these bonus tracks — especially “Wonderland” and “You Are in Love” — are equal in quality to any of the tracks on the “regular” album.
The results prove that Swift’s talent can travel across genres easily, given musical settings that play up her strengths.
No one begrudges Swift’s desire to break out of her former mold. She just needs to find new pathways that allow her distinctive qualities to shine.
The expanded version of “1989” also includes an interesting curiosity: three early working versions of tracks from the album, along with narration from Swift explaining the different techniques she used to write each one.
Expect a full tour in 2015. In the meantime, Swift will appear at the 102.7 KIIS Jingle Ball on Dec. 5 at the Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Other acts on the bill include 5 Seconds of Summer, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, Pharrell and Iggy Azalea.
