You can call it the Butterfly Era, or the Pastel Revolution, or a rebirth, or metamorphosis, or just the next step in the evolution of Taylor Swift. You can call it whatever you want, the fact is, she's back and ME! is a new jam and a fresh start.
Fans of T.Swift have been ready for new music for what seems like the moment immediately after the release of Reputation. There's a thirst for new Taylor, always. A curiosity to see what she'll do next. And in the lead up to ME! we saw all of that. Internet theories bloomed, with speculation involving Swift's relationship status, sexuality, musical direction, and more. And through all of it, we waited, somewhat patiently, for the new music.
When the countdown first started, I immediately hoped that we would be getting a complete 10 to 12 track album when the clock hit zero and the calendar read 4.26. That's not what we got, so I will keep waiting for TS7 while I listen to and watch the video for ME! featuring Panic! At The Disco frontman, Brendon Urie.
If there was any doubt left (after the cryptic and clue-filled social media posts) that we were entering a new era in the career of Taylor Swift, they were quickly dashed. At just the 15 second mark of the video we see the snake burst into a cloud of butterflies in a strange, but fitting confirmation that Reputation Era Taylor is gone, and now we're moving onto something new.
ME! is a fun pop song, the kind that offers a chorus and a hook that's likely to get stuck in your head. I have listened a few times (or more) and am already in sing-along mode when it comes on now.
Yes, the spelling breakdown thing feels a little Sesame Street-ish, but it's fun. And yes, the admissions of not A+ behaviours ( I know I always make it about me // I know that I went psycho on the phone, I never leave well enough alone) aren't the kind of things people generally brag about in relationships. But the concept of the chorus is the kind of acceptance and connection that people are always looking for.
I'm the only one of me
Baby, that's the fun of me
Eeh-eeh-eeh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
You're the only one of you
Baby, that's the fun of you
And I promise that nobody's gonna love you like me-e-e
Note: I can see how that last line might rub some people the wrong way with a kind of gaslighting vibe if you take it that way. And as we are in the internet age, I do expect to see some comments about it.
In the end, ME! is a pop song that makes me want to get up and dance. The video is filled with all kinds of pastel pleasantness and fun that make me smile. And if this is any indication of what we're going to get from a new Taylor Swift album in 2019, I'm all for it.
Fans who loved the edge of Reputation might miss it. Fans who still miss country music Taylor will miss that. Fans who expected or hoped for one thing, and will get another may be bummed out. But here's the thing. ME! and TS7 aren't replacements for the Taylor Swift albums and songs you love. You can play the one you are most attached to whenever you want, as much as you want. And if this new Taylor Swift clicks for you, awesome!
Hit play again, turn it up, sing and dance, and be ready because we're sure there's more new Taylor Swift coming soon!
