Thirteen years ago, Taylor Swift introduced herself to the world as a young girl who just wanted her songs on country radio. Now, she’s a successful popstar playing sold-out stadiums with no signs of slowing down. 

Her loyal fans, known as “Swifties,” and music fans around the globe have now entered a new era in the 29-year-old singer’s career. With the Aug. 23 release of her highly anticipated seventh studio album “Lover,” Swift has not only grown as an artist but as a leader in the music industry.

Back in April, Swift released the album’s lead single titled “ME!” featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco. The song came along with a music video showing a much happier Swift singing about expressing who you are and not worrying about what anyone else thinks of you.

Her last era, “Reputation,” included multiple images of snakes and the infamous lyric in “Look What You Made Me Do,” where she says, “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now, because she’s dead.” Swift showed a never foreseen gloomy side of herself. On this new album, Swift has broken out of that dark shell and stepped into the light again.

With an excellent pop vibe, “Lover” is the album that both Swifties and music fans needed. With a mix of upbeat songs like “Paper Rings,” which touches on a new love obsession and slower tunes like “Cornelia Street,” about an unknown deep life experience, Swift proves once again that her songwriting ability has only grown stronger.

What makes the album pure Swift is the title track, a romantic ballad that tops almost every other love song (and there have been plenty) Swift has written in the past, with the exception of “Ours,” “Love Story” and many other fan favorites. While Swift is still experiencing love and relationships, her songs about those concepts will only grow better from here. 

With the same autobiographical style of writing as her previous records, Swift shows the world with “Lover” she’s not afraid of making music about her personal life experiences, an aspect of her career that has made her so relatable to fans. With outstanding lyrics, smooth melodies and various stories about Swift’s life, “Lover” will no doubt be left on repeat for a long time.

Whether you like or dislike her, Swift is an American icon and proves that accolade with this new album. Maybe someday she will return to her frizzled hair and sparkly guitar country days, but for now, Swifties couldn’t ask for anything less.

Noah is a sophomore in LAS.

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