The biggest artist in the world put out a record Friday at midnight, and everyone is going to have their own opinions. This is not an album review; this is a shameless promotion for the last track on Reputation, “New Year’s Day.” That is all.
As I listened to the record, I did not expect a ballad. It’s so purposely anti-Swift; electronic, modern and lyrically infused with alcohol and sex.
But the 15th song that Swift included on Reputation is so unmistakably true to herself that it’s almost too good to be true.
“New Year’s Day” is a raw, unaccompanied piano track. No prerecorded backup, no auto-tune, no sign of being tainted by the modern music industry. It’s a humble, toned down display of the one-of-a-kind songwriting that put the world in Swift’s palm to begin with.
What makes it so great is that there’s no distraction. The album is packed full of strong lyrical moments, but many of them are drenched in beat drops and heavy bass until they sound like anything else being remixed at an 18 and up dance club.
“New Year’s Eve” is different. The chorus alone captures more emotion than we have heard from Swift in years. “Don't read the last page/But I stay when it's hard or it's wrong or we're making mistakes/I want your midnights/But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day,” Swift sings.
Along with her musical and lyrical talent, Swift has always had a knack for business. She understands how to market herself better than anyone that’s hired to promote her. This past year, tabloid sparks turned into a bonfire, leaving Swift in the ashes. All anyone ever needed was evidence that she was fake — because no one could ever be that nice, right? So they took what they had and ran with it.
Swift responded, naturally, by stripping down her image and reversing it. She was fed up with playing nice, and that’s how most of Reputation came about. But “New Year’s Day” is a diamond in the rough; it’s a standout if I’ve ever seen one.
In the last track on Swift’s newest release, there is not a hint of vengeance. Nobody is being fawned over, nobody’s heart is broken; there isn’t even nostalgia. It’s not a song about overcoming adversity or coming of age. Every theme that Swift has ever exhausted in the eyes of critics is absent from “New Year’s Day.”
It paints a scene and defines the characters in the midst of its enchanting haze. It whispers of the beginnings of a modern day urban love story, but in the least cliché way possible. “New Year’s Day” raises the question of whether the moments that are perceived to be great are what we should be chasing. When all that’s left is glitter on the dance floor and walks of shame, having the right person by your side in the morning is all that truly matters.
“Please don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere,” Swift pleads. And with that, she closes the masterpiece.
“New Year’s Day” proves that the old Taylor is alive and well, folks; she’s just a little late.
Halle Weber is a sophomore studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post Did you listen to this song? Let Halle know by tweeting at her @HalleWeber13.
