A country music breakthrough artist at the tender age of sixteen, Taylor Swift has achieved incredible success since arriving in Nashville. As a songwriter, she has been honoured by the Nashville Songwriters Association and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Swift's other achievements include seven Grammy Awards, eleven American Music Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards and six Academy of Country Music Awards. She has sold over 26 million albums and 75 million digital downloads worldwide.
One cannot argue with such achievements and now, at the age of 24, Taylor Swift is achieving further success with the release of her fourth studio record, Red. She has gradually moved direction into the arena of Pop Music and her commercial instincts to conquer ever more territory, are sharply observed with the inclusion of two songs; Taylor shares vocals with teenage heartthrob Ed Sheeran and also, Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol who appeals to a slightly older generation, but is certainly in the arena of melodic, stadium rock.
So, now aged 24, Taylor Swift is well established and has more industry experience behind her than most artists see in a lifetime. By pushing her career in a new direction, she is certainly making a brave move, but one that makes good commercial sense. In the years ahead I have no doubt that Taylor Swift will develop her talents even further. Right now she is trying to decide whether she should channel Cher or whether Shania Twain might prove to be a better role model in the long run.
The tracks here are all very polished, if perhaps, a touch over produced. However, her song-writing is strong and she has a hand in all sixteen tracks on display here. Her two recent hits Trouble and We Are Never Getting Back Together are included and the new Princess of Pop will undoubtedly continue to reap the rewards of her prodigious talent.