Swift has carefully marked her space in the music world. Coming on the scene in 2006 with a country packed self-titled set, she then worked hard to move onto more pop songs with albums like ‘Fearless,’ hitting the Grammys on ‘Speak Now,’ ‘Red’ which marked a totally new Swift a more mature and a better songwriting mindset.

‘1989’ falls in the line of her previous albums, but it’s a bit more electronic than her previous work, driven by Max Martin's trademark drum programming and synthesizers, pulsating bass and backing vocals. Swift’s widespread use of violins seem to be nowhere on the album and the new album seems to let be with the current music trends, very apt, her videos bang on for her ever growing fans and the music just the right dose to get that groove.

The 24-year-old who we have seen grow from a young teen to a beautiful woman brings us 13 pop ditties that is pure Taylor material. Welcome to New York is what it says in simple terms. Its catchy hook and innocent lyrics "The lights are so bright, but they never blind me" give out a message what to expect in the Big Apple, something that comes from her own experience leaving the confines of her Nashville home to head to the big city and make a career for herself.

The songwriting is still unmistakably Swift. She has penned most of the tracks on the album, taking the help of some noted songwriters like Max Martin, Ryan Tedder and Jack Antonoff who bring about a much more maturity level to all the tracks here. Break-ups and flings still dominate the subject matter of her song, but now it much more serious talk that we are looking at, compared to the earlier adolescent love songs we used to hear from Swift.

Her outburst comes in songs like Blank Space, but the most bitter song Bad Blood, a tale of betrayal is loud and hard hitting. Her vocals shine sharp and give you the message instantly.

Swift on and off relationship with One Direction’s Harry Styles sparked a song Style. Though nothing great, it is a bit from her past that she shares with her fans. Infact the album has references to him in many parts of the album. I wish you would too has some good moments, with the same going for All you had to do was stay, while the mid tempo This Love sure to become a favorite. This Love comes close to being a sample of Sam Smith massive hit Stay with me. The lyrics are soothing and sure to be a radio favorite. The background chorus and the pre choruses are to be noted. The soft beat fills the track slowly. Then you have the immense mix of Shake it off a floor burner for sure, with the catchy refrain playing in your heard long after the song is over. This is sure to be once concert favorite. Annoyingly catchy. I Know Places features an instrumental part with a piano warbling alongside the anxious beat, with Taylor telling saying she knows “places to hide” and how “we are the foxes, they are the hunted.”. Good creativity we’d say. Wildest Dreams has an eerie opening but moves on to a forceful pitch with some sweet vocals with the song’s drum beat working a feverish pitch. “Say you’ll remember me, standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset.. babe, red lips and rosy cheeks…”.

The album closes with Clean, a collaboration with British alt-popper Imogen Heap, who fuses her electronic elements in the song, making it stand out for what Heap is known to produce. However nowhere on the back album inlay is a mention of Heap’s collaborative work, it only when you go to the inlay lyrics that you find Swift has roped her into the song. The lyrics are pretty interesting though. "You're still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can't wear anymore."

Swift's growing up and well she has an album that is a seller in every way. Love or hate her, Swift this here to stay and we all know that. With 1989, she has cemented her career in the right direction.

Includes lyrics to all songs.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira