Why the 2012 Taylor Swift Album Is Still the Best She Has Ever Produced

Published 05/01/2024, 11:11 PM EDT

Taylor Swift has been stringing her guitar since she was as young as twelve and this ability of hers to turn strings into gold while eviscerating the complex labyrinth that is the heart has only gotten better with time. Known as a country artist first, Swift now stands comfortably at the top of every chart and dare we say every heart as well. This asphyxiating grip that she now has on pop culture is a result of her intricately designed albums, the best of which, as many believe, came out in 2012.

As we sit on the denouement of the subjectively epic climax that was Swift's fifteenth album, 'The Tortured Poets Department', fans cannot help but trace back to the genesis of her ascent to pop supremacy.

How did Taylor Swift get her hands on the Pop crown?

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The diddly dallying pop star that we see on stage now was at the beginning of her career, a country artist. In fact, it was not until she was three albums in that she decided to switch things up. And while the belief that perfection comes with practice may be worshipped by the masses, the notion was thrown out of the window as 'Red' came out. The album is to date considered a supremely produced album, an opinion that is especially on the rise due to the one-dimensional landing that her recent album made.

'Red' as an album consisted of the most flavor that a Swift album has ever had owing to her collaborations with Max Martin. The Swedish writer and producer's eccentric beats alongside the sonic rollercoaster of redemption and heartbreak that was 'I Knew You Were Trouble' made way for what came to be defined as a 'timeless bop'. From '22' to 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together', 'Red' was truly one for the books.

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While it has garnered respect due to the strong case, it makes of Swift as a peppy pop artist. The best track in the album hinges more on evoking tears in solitude than inciting exuberance on the dance floor.

What is the best track from Taylor Swift's 'Red'?

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As Taylor's version of the 'Red' album came out in 2021, alongside a music video of 'All Too Well' starring Dylan O'Brien and Sadie Sink, the winner became clear. At the time of its release, 'Red' became the life of the party owing to tracks like '22', ' I Knew You Were Trouble' and more. However, those who lent an ear to 'All Too Well' could not go back. 

What starts with soft strings resembling the very gentle stage of new love unravels into first a turbulent clash, a cry for help, and then lastly, the resolution to be better to one's self, all the while never missing a beat. Despite the entourage of albums that Taylor Swift has released, 'Red' to this day reigns as her best.

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Do you agree that 'Red' is Taylor Swift's best album? Let us know in the comments below.

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Aliza Siddiqui

1435 articles

Meet Aliza Siddiqui, a Hollywood News reporter at Netflix Junkie. Her love affair with Hollywood began with Anne Hathaway and The Princess Diaries, but it was the thrilling climax of Don’t Look Up that cemented her infatuation with the industry and its filmmaking. Aliza's journey into entertainment reporting began with her time at Otakukart, where she wrote over a thousand articles.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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