American teenager, blonde haired and blue eyed Taylor Swift cannot be missed on the country - pop – rock circuit. She has been around for sometime and has carved a niche for herself after her self titled debut album skyrocketed her to superstardom.

As a 19-year-old then, Swift brings her second album after three years singing songs about boys and heartbreak, fun, sneaking out windows at night to see boys, while gently playing the guitar and self penning all the 16 songs on this album. Many have praised the singer for her lyrical maturity which is vibrant and intriguing, unlike other teenage stars whose material is written by established adult songwriters. Swift sounds her age, is crisp, confident about her music and is a bright new artist to look out for.

While she is no Britney Spears, Beyonce or any other pop diva that you might think of, Swift keeps her music which is more popish –rock in nature a little same on most of the tracks, which would be a bore to a mature music fan. But going by the immense success of her debut, it’s a handful of slow paced songs that click in your mind, which have catchy hooks like the lead single Love Story, the lovely piano based ballad White Horse and You're Not Sorry. Singling out a few more lyrically, musically, and in terms of the overall presentation, almost all have a pleasant feeling, but go for Teardrops on My Guitar, Hey Stephen and Breathe (featuring country – pop singer Colbie Calliat). The pace picks up on songs like the rocky guitar in You belong to me, and Should’ve said no.

Since the age of fourteen Swift has had a full song-writer’s publishing deal, most often in collaboration with established songstress Liz Rose who also co – writes 5 songs here.

A few standouts are Fifteen that has lyrics talking about her best friend ‘……. And Abigail gave everything/She had to a boy/Who changed his mind/And we both cried......’ that carry a very valuable message for young people, offering a timely message about the preciousness of virginity. On Forever & Always she finds out that declarations of love are often spoken too fast only to regret later, while White Horse records the painful realization of an unexpected storybook ending which is sadly not going to happen. The playful melody of Hey Stephen is a narrative about a boy she met and with whom she has a crush on and how like a true adolescent she is infatuated by him, something her teenage fans would feel the same.

Her honey toned voice is unforgettable which makes sure she has the goods for a long career. In Hey Stephen her angst is vocal and even though her voice may slow down on You’re not Sorry, The Best Day, she does possess a clear, if slightly immature voice as an artist. Even though it’s just her second album, she has come a long way and she has ample time to hone her voice to make it to the diva status. On the pepped up You belong to me her cry is heard loud and clear as she voices ‘……She wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts/She's cheer captain, and I'm on the bleachers……’

Swift’s sound is a mix of ballads, rock tinged pieces and some pure guitar based tunes. The production is tight and fine tuned in the highest possible way. Comparisons to country singers like LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood certainly don’t come close to Swift, for she has her own style. Breathe a duet with songwriter – singer Colbie Calliat is neat and well produced. Her voice splits in the rocky Change, thus making way for the use of AutoTune. The catchy finale Should Have Said No however is a standout once again pop-rock enveloped in a country arrangement. A more heavy sound appears in songs like Fearless and The Way I Loved You that are packed with loud, lean guitars and plain choruses.

In one of her songs, Swift talks about princesses, angels and fairytales and it’s no doubt that she is a possible princess of country pop rock. Overall, Swift’s new work is very well done, filled with excellent, self-penned, radio-friendly pieces that will appeal to a select young crowd. She’s country's newest superstar singing girly songs for teens. She's put her heart in her music, not trying to be someone she isn’t, and especially not trying to be one of those ‘teen’ stars around. Includes Lyrics.

Rating: *****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira