Down to her fourth album, America’s sweetheart, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift brings a new sound, a more mature voice and a lyrical balance targeted at the adult contemporary market. With six Grammys under her belt, on her new album, Swift still manages to throw in a few radio friendly melodies that her fans should be contented with to match her image.

Red’s title track is a yarn about a past romance with the word red being stressed upon. State of Grace lends itself into a bit of electro-country and away from what she had given us…. country pop. I Knew Your Were Trouble is loud, slightly fast paced with a heavy chorus, while All Too Well moves back to her early days and is sumptuous country. On 22, she talks abouther age and while the song does produce a good storyline, it’s a downer.

Stay Stay Stay has a happy go lucky tune, up-tempo and talks about staying with a boyfriend, with lyrics that go ("Before you I only dated self-indulgent takers / who took all of their problems out on me") ending with a fit of giggles, with her squealing "It's so fun!”

Her duet, co written with British singer Ed Sheeran on Everything Has Changed is welcome and a must hear on the album. Sheeran’s towering voice has a lot of depth. Also on replay mode we’d suggest We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, a sassy pop-rock piece in the lines of her pop mate Katy Perry.

On The Lucky One, Swift takes on the perils of fame, inspired by the story of folk singer Joni Mitchell. Whether she's plucking her mandolin on Sad, Beautiful, Tragic, Swift is taking no stops in making this album a success and nowhere near the danger mark.

Overall, it's a decent album but a slightly disappointing follow up to Speak Now. But fans who love her music, a listen to Red won’t leave you red-faced for sure, even though you would have to traverse 15 songs to make up your mind; the album has its good moments, but is losing her steam on this record. Swift is incredibly talented, she’s written all the songs on the album, some co – written with Max Martin.

Includes booklet with pictures of Swift in different moods and also lyrics to all songs.

-- Reviewed by Verus Ferreira