By: Nayria Figueroa Colon
Time’s 2023 Person of the Year, Taylor Swift, has revolutionized what it means to be an artist. From the beginning of her country music career to her record-breaking world tour, the world has seen what a dedicated singer, songwriter, and producer looks like.
Swift has released ten albums to date. She is still in the process of re-recording six of them, which include “Taylor Swift,” “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red,” “1989,” and “Reputation.” Reputation has yet to be re-released.
“Taylor Swift is such an acclaimed artist because she’s not afraid to take risks,” said UT junior Madie Allgeier. “She trusts that her fans will have her back no matter what genre she explores.”
Some fans know that Swift likes to experiment with her sound. She has evolved from different genres of music during her career. The beginning started with country, slowly veered to pop/electropop, indie folk, and then to synth-pop. Her creativity with sound has also helped her fans acclimate to exploring new genres. Her career has made her songwriting more mature, and her ideas have come to life through the styles of her albums. Her albums have brought to life storylines, characters, and topics many find hard to write about.
“My favorite Taylor album is ‘Folklore.’ It is my favorite album because it made me fall in love with Taylor,” said UT senior Olivia McGowan. “I feel like she got to me lyrically, and it was exactly what I needed when it was released. It is still such an important album to me.”
The Grammy Awards took place on Feb. 4, where Swift was nominated for six categories, including her two Grammy wins, Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. Swift made history that night by being the only artist with four wins in the Album of the Year category. Though she won two of her six nominations, some were surprised she took Album of the Year for “Midnights.” Many were expecting “S.O.S” by SZA to take the win.
“I do believe Taylor Swift has evolved as an artist, both vocally and artistically, in her writing,” said UT freshman Lily Galvin. “She has also grown as a person. Her song lyrics began to hold more meaning and are so carefully thought out as each new album is written.”
Swift is known for being a “mastermind” in her music. She always gives small hints and places meticulous “Easter eggs” when hinting at new albums, songs, or tours. Her fans were waiting for the announcement of “Reputation (Taylor’s Version).” Fans were not expecting the surprise that arrived on Grammy night. While receiving her Best Pop Vocal Album award, she gave her popular smirk, a hint that most swifties can say is her way of giving the fans something to be excited about. She announced that her 11th album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” will be released on April 19.
“She has also faced so much hate and challenges in her personal life and music. She has overcome them all, evolving into a strong and confident person,” said Galvin. “Her voice has also gotten so amazing and is always getting better. Overall, I think she has evolved as an artist in lots of ways and her number of fans does reflect that.”