The arrival of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) was always going to be a big deal: after all, her 2014 album was one of Taylor Swift’s critical and commercial high points, scoring three No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 and winning the album of the year Grammy after fully reinventing the country superstar as a pop icon. When 1989 was announced as the fourth of Swift’s six albums to receive the Taylor’s Version treatment, fans understandably turned giddy at the thought of Swift’s new takes on her old classics, plus the “From The Vault” goodies coming from that time of high-wattage, cinematic pop music.
And while 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is landing at a particularly busy time for Swifties — considering the fact that “Cruel Summer” sits atop the current Hot 100 after its months-long viral comeback, the Eras Tour concert film dominated the box office this month and wholesome content of Swift and Travis Kelce is darn near inescapable — the achievement that it represents should not be overlooked, even by the most casual of fans. Perhaps more than any Taylor’s Version release thus far, the re-recorded 1989 subtly tinkers with songs like “Blank Space,” “Welcome to New York,” “Out of the Woods” and “Clean” in compelling new ways, reanimating its gems from a fresh perspective and with a more seasoned pop voice.
Plus, the five “From The Vault” songs — all solo songs, the first time that the “Vault” tracks haven’t featured guest artists — supplement the album’s aesthetic, serving to further complete a vision that Swift had for the era. Some of them sound like surefire hits, and others sound destined to become fiercely beloved fan favorite; whichever lane they find, the “From The Vault” tracks demonstrate the continued power of 1989’s sound and texture, and deserve their day in the sun.
Although all five “From The Vault” songs are worthy new additions to Swift’s catalog, here is our preliminary ranking of the new goodies from Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version).
