In 2014, when Taylor Swift released what would later become her best-selling album, 1989, it was deemed pop perfection. On Friday, October 27, Swift released her re-recorded version of her earlier album, and once again, it’s pop perfection. 

If you’re like me, this is the re-recording you’ve been waiting for. Swift announced she would be releasing her re-record during her final Los Angeles show of the Eras Tour on August 9, and “the crowds in stands went wild.” Building up anticipation for the album even more (if that’s even possible) Swift released “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)” and “This Love (Taylor’s Version)” before the entire album. 

Come breakdown Swift’s recent release with me, from her newest vault tracks to her famous re-recorded tracks. 

Vault Tracks

When the full re-record was released, it included five of Swift’s renowned vault tracks. Her first and most-anticipated track, ‘“Slut!” (Taylor’s Version),” is something I would have never expected. This song takes you in a completely different direction than its name suggests, and tackles the idea of being undoubtedly in love in the wake of the media’s sexualization and shaming. While this track may not be everyone’s favorite track–and it’s not mine–you can’t deny that it’s Swift making music for herself and what she believes. 

Swift’s second vault track, “Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version),” is a true blondie ballad: “Why’d you have to lead me on? Why’d you have to twist the knife?” Can’t you just hear 24-year-old Swift’s angst and heartbreak in her lyrics? Can’t you just hear thousands of fans screaming this in a stadium already? I know I can, and will continue to scream this song…most likely in the shower, not in a stadium, though. 

Swift’s third track, “Suburban Legends (Taylor’s Version),” is where you can really hear Jack Antonoff, Swift’s longtime producer, take over. Antonoff has recently faced criticism for his production and composition styles, but his work on this track truly shuts down all these critics. Thankfully there’s no more Bad Blood anymore! 

Her final two vault tracks are where she really kicks it up a notch and starts throwing shots. Watch your head, Harry Styles! “Now That We Don’t Talk (Taylor’s Version)” is a mix of an upbeat sound and hard-hitting lyrics. Although it’s only 2 minutes long, it’s both unrelatable and relatable at the same time. We’re not 2014 Swift going through a breakup with Styles (“Now that we don’t talk / You grew your hair long”), yet Swift still has the ability to take her listeners through every emotion of a no-contact breakup, whether it be a friendship or relationship breakup. 

Swift’s final vault track is the definite, perfect single. We Swifties begged mother for a duo track with Styles, yet she heard diss track. “Is it Over Now? (Taylor’s Version)” is one of Swift’s best songs of all time. Her lyrics, production, and two bridges (because one isn’t enough) are God-tier. I am proud to say that the 1989 (Taylor’s Version) vault tracks have surpassed the other re-records’ vault tracks by far.

Re-Recorded Tracks

Since the original album was released almost a decade ago, Swift’s voice definitely sounds more mature on the re-recorded tracks. When I listened to her iconic “And we run” line in “I Know Places (Taylor’s Version),” I felt as if I was ascending to the heavens. Her growl? She just keeps getting better. Swfites were also happy to hear that Swift and Kendrick Lamar re-recorded their version of “Bad Blood.” After hearing fans scream Lamar’s lines back to Swift during the Eras Tour, this song’s re-record means everything. Fans have also noted some production changes in some of their favorite songs like “Style” and “New Romantics,” but in the end, these songs are still the banger we know them to be. 

Swift is the music industry right now, and this re-record has done nothing if not solidify that. All I can say is, “Don’t Blame Me” for the way I act when Reputation (Taylor’s Version) comes out…