Taylor Swift Fearless (Taylor’s Version) Review
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) Originally Released November 11, 2008. Taylor’s Version April 9, 2021.
*Ed. Note: When possible I’ll be reviewing Taylor’s Version of these albums as they represent the artists definitive version of these albums.
Fearless (Taylor’s Version), the re-recorded version of Taylor Swift’s sophomore album already begins to demonstrate her move toward pop. Sure, this album is pure country but it’s already more mature and sophisticated than her debut showing a songwriter starting to grow and flourish as she understands who she is as a person and musician. While still a teenager and rooted deeply in the country music scene Swift is also already starting to assert her independence that would eventually become full on feminist and activist in later years. The opening and title track Fearless is that declaration a perfect pop song that sounds contemporary and relevant as ever on this re recording. It’s interesting to hear some of these songs reinterpreted by an adult Taylor. Fifteen for example is the kind of high school reflection that was fresh on her mind and heart when she wrote it. All these years later she’s a young woman who has had her heart broken a million times. But adult Swift sings the song with an earnestness that captures the original record while still somehow sounding like it’s being sung by someone far more mature and knowledgeable and sad.
Fearless includes the songs that propelled Taylor to superstardom Love Story and You Belong With Me. Diary entries to love lost and love unrequited these songs smashed onto radio and into the heads of millions of girls (and their moms and dads). Perfectly poppy, hooky af, and fun as hell these songs captured the imagination of the world and remain among Swift’s most popular and enduring songs. The “new” versions here are punchier and louder than their originals while still sounding eerily like the originals.
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) is an incredible set of music that includes huge hits, low key fan favorite deep cuts and a slew of previously unreleased and unheard songs from the original sessions that demonstrate even more of Taylor’s process and progress as a songwriter. 8.5/10. Highlights: Love Story (Taylor’s Version), You Belong With Me (Taylor’s Version), Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor’s Version).
