Upon first listen, one will immediately notice the striking similarities between Beg For It and Iggy's past hits, Fancy and Black Widow. Its true the song is basically a mix of the two. However, it is a mix of the best of both. The pounding synth beat and vocal hooks of Fancy combines with the darker production and vocals of Black Widow to create a brilliant hip hop track that resembles a DJ Mustard beat even more so than Fancy did before it. Although MØ's SNL performance was heavily criticized, her studio performance is slick and charming. Honestly I prefer it to Charli XCX's harsher vocal tone. Whether this single blazes through the charts like Fancy and Black Widow, it remains perhaps even better than both tracks.
9/10
Taylor Swift - 1989
When Shake It Off, the lead single from 1989, was released a few months ago, all I could think about was how much Taylor was selling out. She was leaving her country roots to sell her soul to pop masterminds like Max Martin and Ryan Tedder. The result was a lead single that offered nothing more than catchy hooks and a song that had already been done 50 times in 2014. Out of the Woods was no better, offering too much repetition and not enough melody. Somehow, Welcome To New York was worse than both. I was sure I would hate the album. Upon listening to it on Friday I was pleasantly surprised. Taylor had somehow managed to release the 3 worst songs on the album as singles or promo singles. The first song I listened to was Wildest Dreams, a virtual copy of Lana Del Rey's Without You. Instantly my mind was changed. The song was lyrically strong and boasted an extremely strong melody. Little did I know it was the best song on the album. Next I listened to songs such as Bad Blood and I Know Places, songs obviously taking a cue from Avril Lavigne, yet mastering her style within their 3 minutes. Other songs were equally uncreative and not innovative, but extremely catchy. In the end 7 tracks off of the album were noteworthy enough for me to purchase; Bad Blood, I Know Places, Blank Space, Wonderland, Clean, New Romantics, and This Love. In the end, the album proved to be a very strong release, but does so by stealing the styles and songs of more established artists that worked those sounds into prominence. Although I hope Taylor eventually returns to making catchy country music, I wouldn't mind another album full of pop music similar to 1989.
First off, let me just say that this song knocks. It's a beautiful mixture of "Black Widow" & "Fancy" and has double the amount of energy of both singles. Iggy has an actual exciting personality on this record that's not plain and instead is extremely clever and cool on this record. MØ sounds almost exactly identical to Charli XCX which isn't even a bad thing in my opinion, she gets the job done well and that's all that really matters. I would have loved to here her sing on the bridge because her sound is so interesting, but unfortunately the song doesn't have one. The verses are the best part of the song, both lyrically and in terms of production. The only downside about Beg For It is that it is about 45 seconds too short. Besides that, there is no criticisms needed. By far without a doubt my favorite Iggy song of 2014.
“1989" is the 5th studio album by country star turned pop sensation Taylor Swift. I wish she would have decided to go full pop sooner or at least had more pop-influence on "Red". 1989 is a delight from start to finish and surprisingly, the lead single "Shake It Off" is my least favorite song from the album. I loved the experimentation and change ups... ESPECIALLY her collaboration with indie-electro-pop Goddess Imogen Heap. The album is more upbeat and less like Taylor trying to be too mature or artsy like she was during the "Red" era. This album feels like the album Taylor was supposed to make. While there are a lot of good tracks, there's not a lot of great ones.
Song by song
Standard - 8
Deluxe - 7.75
+ .5 for general slayage.
Welcome To New York - 9/10
This song is just plain ol' amazing. I love the lyrics and it makes me feel the excitement of being in New York City. The production is great and this definitely captured all the right feelings and is a great introduction to the rest of the album.
Blank Space - 7/10
The problem with this song is that it is placed wrongly on the album. It's kinda boring to be track #2. It has a great chorus, but that's all. Lyrically, it's okay as well.
Style - 7.5/10
Another song where I don't feel belongs where it is. It's okay, but nothing in this track gets me excited. Weird to think that the lull in the album is close to the front for me. This track just isn't interesting and I just don't get the hype.
Out of The Woods - 9.5/10
This is where the album begins to pick up for a little bit. I LOVE this track and I love the repeating chorus. I just feel like a few lyrics are forced and unnatural. But the beat and the rest of the song is great. This was the first track to get me really hyped for the album.
All You Had To Do Was Stay - 9.5/10
Everything about this song is beautiful. The beat, the lyrics, the general feel. I shortened the song title to "Stay" cause I'm not here for that long ass mess of a name. This and OoTW being back to back is heaven, and I wish Taylor had put an amazing song for the next track for the triple slayage, but alas, I am out of luck.
Shake It Off - 4/10
Taylor Taylor Taylor. Worst lead single choice darling. I dislike everything about this song. I only gave it a 4 so it wouldn't totally sink the album's average. Nothing else to say.
I Wish You Would - 7/10
Nothing much to say about this song. I think it's a bit of a filler, but it's still a bop. One of the better songs lyrically, but the beat just manages to make it bland.
Bad Blood - 6/10
The letdown of the album. I wanted something dark and vengeful, but this is just lame. A huge disappointment because the hype was crazy and this was the song everyone was waiting for.
Wildest Dreams - 7/10
Another song that is kinda filler, but is still really cute. Not my favorite, but definitely not something to skip. It's a really good song, and I think it's ultimately describes the way I feel about the album as a whole. Good song, but not great.
How You Get The Girl - 8/10
Eh. I feel like this song was little overhyped by Swifties during the leak and on release day. It's another good, not great song. However, this one doesn't feel like a filler track. It really stands out during this part of the album, or maybe I'm just over listening to Wildest Dreams and Bad Blood.
This Love - 9.5/10
I love this song so much. It's so euphoric and nostalgic. It makes me want to wear an ugly christmas sweater and drink hot chocolate by a fire while waiting for my loved one to come over to celebrate the holidays with me. Probably my favorite song on the album.
I Know Places - 9.5/10
I appreciate the experimenting in this song. The intro slays, the lyrics slay, the chorus slays, the production slays. I love the film reel beginning and ending. This song just slays in general, and even though it is a swift change from This Love, I'm glad they are next to each other on the album.
Clean (featuring Imogen Heap) - 10/10
I knew from the second the writing/producing credits came out that this song was gonna be the song of the album. The Imogen production can be too "Me The Machine" clone-y, but nonetheless, the song is flawless on all aspects. The song would be an easy 11/10 if Imogen was given a little more vocal time. This song is also a great closing track. Taylor can really chose openers and closers!
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Wonderland - 6/10
Nothing special. I can see why it never made the final track-listing. It's just kinda basic and boring. Nothing intriguing.
You Are In Love - 6/10
Another basic song. Yawn inducing. Nothing interesting and bland.
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New Romantics - 9/10
The Super Bass of the album. It was robbed of a position on the standard tracklisting. Everything about this song slays, especially the chorus. Sad that it ended up as just a bonus track.
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HIGHLIGHTS:
All You Had To Do Was Stay, This Love, Clean
LOWLIGHTS:
Shake It Off, Bad Blood, Wildest Dreams
Iggy delivers another hot track, this time it serves as the lead single off of "Reclassified", the reissue of the biggest female hip hop album of the year, The New Classic. On "Beg For It", Iggy delivers her verses over a catchy, infectious beat. The verses see Iggy bragging about a multitude of things, a similar theme present in several of her other tracks. One of my favorite lines is an ode to Biggie Smalls, in which Iggy asserts "Iggy, Iggy, Iggy, can't you see / that everybody wanna put their hands on me". The song is further completed with a hook sung by indie pop artist MØ, written by Charli XCX. Many claim it to be a rehash of Fancy, but this track has a darker, sexier vibe. It is yet another brilliant mesh of rap and pop, just like Fancy was. This looks to be another hit for Iggy, one that I will be definitely bopping to for the rest of the year and thereafter.
This song has recieved heavy criticism from many which I think is quite unfair, I personally love this track as a whole, the 80s vibes, the synths, the chorus, which I know could be stronger and the lyrics which many have criticized, I find really cute. It's the perfect album opener.
9/10
Blank Space
I'm glad this was chosen as a single as it's definitely one of the strongest tracks off this album, the chorus is infectious, the background vocals sound heavenly and it's hard to not fall in love with the lyrics.
9.5/10
Style
Once the beat starts, the first thing you think of is 80s. Taylor really captures the 80s on this particular song, it took me a while to really get into it but for most it was an instant like. I can see this being a potential single in the near future.
8.5/10
Out Of The Woods
This is one of my favourite tracks from this album, I love the beat, the haunting vocals, the chorus and I can't forget the flawless bridge. Potential single.
9.5/10
All You Had To Do Was Stay
If this doesn't get stuck in your head after one listen, something has to be wrong with you. This to me has one of the most catchiest choruses on the album, it could have done with a stronger bridge, but clearly Taylor wanted a catchy song and this has catchy written all over it.
8.5/10
Shake It Off
Shake It Off is a prime example of a Pop song, it immediately hooks you in and once the chorus starts, you may as well not bother, you'll be singing along by the end of the song, you'll then be trying your hardest to avoid singing it once it finishes. To me this is one of the weaker songs, but I can understand why it was picked as the first single.
8/10
I Wish You Would
This is personally one of my favorites, I decided this after my 20th listen and ever since it's been hard for me to take it off repeat. I I I, I I I wish, I wish this will be a future single.
10/10
Bad Blood
I had really high expectations for this song considering the background story for it, however after I first listened to it, I was disappointed and felt it was quite weak, but I knew it was going to be a grower and after many more listens, I'm in love with it. Mainly the beat, with headphones/earphones it sounds amazing.
8.5/10
Wildest Dreams
This is another favorite of mine, I think it could be top 3. Her vocals in this are outstanding, the chorus and lyrics are great and once again I'm in love with the instrumental. I really hope this is a single as it's a standout track.
10/10
How You Get The Girl
This is a fan favorite and I agree with everyone who loves this song, it's basically 22's child and it's pure Pop heaven. I'm in LOVE with the chorus, I love it so much. There's nothing more I can say but I love it and it screams SINGLE.
10/10
This Love
So on first listen, I found this song quite boring and forgettable... However after listening to it when I was in a more calm mood, I fell in love with it, it's not one of my favourite tracks though.
7.5/10
I Know Places
The lyrics in this song are one of my favorites, probably has one of the strongest lyrics on the album.
8/10
Clean
Clean was another song like This Love where I felt quite bored and thought it was forgettable, but I listened to it more, actually listened to the lyrics and it's a great song in my opinion.
7.5/10
Wonderland
Wonderland is the first deluxe track and it's a really strong song, I'm surprised it wasn't put on the standard edition. I really enjoy listening to this song.
9/10
You Are In Love
This is my favorite ballad on 1989, it was an instant love for me, the lyrics are touching and sincere and is helped by Taylor's soft vocals.
10/10
New Romantics
This is another song which has managed to capture the 80s and I'm in love with this song also, it's a great way to finish the album (if you have deluxe) which then connects back to Welcome To New York.
10/10
Overall, I feel like this is the strongest album to be released this year, especially compared to the other Pop albums released thus far.
Max Martin and Taylor have crafted an amazing Pop album with great variety for all to enjoy, making Taylor's transition to fully full Pop star a huge success.
Iggy's new single is a continuation of the career path she is paving towards a pop fan base. Unlike the other singles, that clicked with the GP because they were ''new'', this won't have the same luck. The song doesn't go anywhere, the structre is awful and it has the same problem as Black Widow, the climax of the track doesn't happen and it's frustrating. Iggy's rap skills are as usual very bad, the lyrics have no impact and they are talking about the same ''haters gonna hate'', ''i have money'' type of stuff that simply doesn't cut it anymore in 2014. Mo's chorus lacks personality, something that is very different than what she usually does (i'm a fan), it seems like she was asked to tone down her personality which makes me feel uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like Mo, it sounds like Charli. Last but not least, the song is a carbon copy of Fancy just like Widow was a carbon copy of Dark Horse, this fact shows that Iggy is not here for musical evolution and only here for quick singles. Let's see where this takes her.
Iggy's new single is a continuation of the career path she is paving towards a pop fan base. Unlike the other singles, that clicked with the GP because they were ''new'', this won't have the same luck. The song doesn't go anywhere, the structre is awful and it has the same problem as Black Widow, the climax of the track doesn't happen and it's frustrating. Iggy's rap skills are as usual very bad, the lyrics have no impact and they are talking about the same ''haters gonna hate'', ''i have money'' type of stuff that simply doesn't cut it anymore in 2014. Mo's chorus lacks personality, something that is very different than what she usually does (i'm a fan), it seems like she was asked to tone down her personality which makes me feel uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like Mo, it sounds like Charli. Last but not least, the song is a carbon copy of Fancy just like Widow was a carbon copy of Dark Horse, this fact shows that Iggy is not here for musical evolution and only here for quick singles. Let's see where this takes her.
Song by song
Sad that it ended up as just a bonus track.