Featured photo by Bailey Brantingham
Story by Bailey Brantingham
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Following a 17 year slew of success surrounded by a constant cloud of hate, it’s clear Taylor Swift is an enigma people have yet to solve but remain to dislike. After a string of 10 albums and another on the way, Swift continues to command the attention of the planet. However, where there is praise, criticism follows close behind, and this attention does not come free of the expected dose of disdain from equally-feeling crowds.
With the ever-present fact that her haters nearly equal her fans in numbers, Swift continues to keep the feuds in her peripheral vision, focusing her gaze solely on her career and those who helped forge it. Although it’s hard to tame her illustrious career into a written list, here are Swift’s top five career-defining albums.
5. “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” (2023)
Undoubtedly her most popular album, “1989” served as Swift’s platform to transform into the pop starlet she’s known as today. Shaking off any remaining sparks from her previous country roots, Swift perfectly curated her first purely-pop album that undoubtedly secured her a spot at the top of the musical food chain. Certified nine times platinum and featuring three number one hits, “1989” was the album to beat of 2014, which, spoiler alert, it wasn’t (it took home the Grammy award for album of the year). After a masterful re-release in 2023 featuring five vault tracks, the synth-pop masterpiece is regarded as her most well-known album to date, and rightfully so.
4. “Midnights” (2022)
Fast forward eight years and a genre hop later, Swift made a remarkable return to her notable pop essence with her tenth studio album, “Midnights.” Following a remarkably cryptic release, “Midnights” returned the reminiscent glittery-pop flavor that fans had been craving. Shortly after its drop, the album reigned as number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 11 weeks straight. Regarded as Swift’s most mature album to date, with catchy earworm tunes like “Anti-Hero,” it’s nearly impossible to not recognize this album.
3. “Red (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)
Following its re-record in 2021, it’s difficult to begin to describe the enigma that is the “Red” album. A subtle blend of Swift’s initial ascent into pop, combined with lingering shimmers of her deep country roots, “Red” managed to knock the wind out of audiences upon its initial release, and then do it again nine years later. Featuring electric pop hits like “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, Swift attracted a brand new audience and mainstream popularity. Underneath the shiny ruby surface, though, hid deeply-feeling tracks about girlhood and heartbreak, which managed to gently embrace every fan, both old and new.
2. “Reputation” (2017)
Widely regarded simply as her “revenge” album, “Reputation” managed to mark a pinpoint in her discography, not only reviving her career, but defining it as well. After what was widely thought of as the most brutal downfall of any artist in history, fueled purely by a bandwagon of hatred, Swift managed to obliterate the glass ceiling, making a remarkable comeback not many others, if any, would be able to achieve. The dark electro pop album solidified Swift as an untouchable force and, after years of upbeat pop tunes, acted as a vessel for Swift and fans to embrace their ever-present wicked side.
1. “Folklore” (2020)
Initially anticipated as a brief stint in her career, “Folklore” provided a glimpse into the musical prowess of Swift’s writing capabilities. While the genre jump into folk may have been brief, a stint it most certainly was not, as Swift proved she was capable of much more than the genres critics had categorized her into. Containing characters of Swift’s imagination and very real people alike, the album branches out into multiple paths, telling stories of love triangles, the adventures of adolescent girls and even reputable widows. With an undiluted supply of whimsy and sorrow, “Folklore” quickly became a fan favorite as well as a cult classic.
To contact Lifestyles Editor Destiny Mizell and Assistant Lifestyles Editor Shamani Salahuddin, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com. For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, or follow us on Instagram at MTSUSidelines or on X at @MTSUSidelines.
