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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 13,761
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Style
Taylor Swift
Review archive
Rihanna - FourFiveSeconds
Nick Jonas - Jealous
Nicki Minaj - The PinkPrint
Beyoncé - 7/11
Kanye West - Yeezus
Azealia Banks - Broke With Expensive Taste
Ariana Grande ft. The Weeknd - Love Me Harder
Taylor Swift - 1989
Tinashe - Aquarius
Calvin Harris ft. John Newman - Blame |
Taylor Swift is more than familiar with presenting her relationships through typical tropes of love, and her evolution as an artist is not least indicated through the images with which she chooses to translate the pages of her diary. In 2008, it was Romeo and Juliet with the song Love Story - a story that captivates the hearts of teenage girls first familiarising themselves with classic literature in high school. Fast forward six years, our next set of Starbucks [sic] lovers comes in the form of something which is much more indicative of the in-style Tumblr age, the age obsessed with sepia-toned gifs of beautiful earth imagery and vintage glimpses of nostalgia which remind – or convince – the tumultuous youth of a time much simpler, apparently.
A song named 'Style' characteristically featuring the ‘James Dean daydream’ with ‘slicked back [hair]’ is deceptively superficial. Instead of a whimsical celebration of all that fascinates us with fashion, Style instead manifests itself as a ghostly drive in a boyfriend’s car at midnight. The contrast between the subtle groove of the guitar and the breathy vocals create the wonderful, ghostly landscape of headlights piercing the darkness in the dead of the night.
Style quickly reveals itself as not being so much concerned with the style of the tight little skirt itself, but more so about the transient life cycle of fashion trends and the way in which they mirror romance. Once, for Swift, it was the teenage naivety of Romeo and Juliet, now it’s a mature and foreboding drive with James Dean.
The verses drive further into the uncertainty of the night until the chorus, an earworm tailored to the finest inch. It’s a soaring contrast with the ghostlike verses, yet it perfectly resonates with the dichotomy between love and loss, sex and absence. This is all the more captured through the lyrics, where Swift's typical aversion to overt sexual references is somewhat fitting here: ‘The lights are off he’s taking off his coat’ being a slight inflection of sex which heightens the spectral nature of the song. This is a hazy and voyeuristic glimpse into a romance which ebbs in and out of consciousness in the same vein as to how ‘long hair, slicked-back hair’ cycles in and out of style through the years.
This is something captured beautifully in the video, rife with illusory images and dark projections, which reflects the idea of these ghostlike thoughts haunting Swift, unwaveringly floating in and out of consciousness like a phantom gliding through a haunted house. It’s almost like a perfume advert, which is the precise sensory experience which encapsulates Style.
As tightly as a hemline is sewn to a dress, there’s something intrinsically visceral about this song. James Dean is not so much a simple name drop as it is a symbol in this song, a cyclic romance as transient and as beautiful as fashion; it’s a sophisticated incarnation of Taylor Swift. Gone are the glossy-eyed caricatures of Shakespeare, but something more allegorical – maybe even something that will never go out of style.
7.7 out of 10 |
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Quote:
Originally posted by bluth
wb this?
or does it need to have square dimensions |
The dimensions don't matter but I'm not sure if it's been recognized as the official single cover. I was considering that one though, let me put it in anyway. Thanks 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 43,104
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Would it be too late to hold reviews for the future No.1 Hot 100 smash LMLYD?
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Quote:
Originally posted by ClarksonSlays
Would it be too late to hold reviews for the future No.1 Hot 100 smash LMLYD?
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I think we could certainly do LMLYD in the near future.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 12,666
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TAYLOR SWIFT 'STYLE' || 95/100
Taylor Swift’s transition to the pop scene has been smoother than one could imagine, tradition between her fourth album and latest album 1989 with complete ease. Perhaps, this may be due to the fact that Swift’s always had pop elements in her songs, even when being dubbed a country leading lady. After huge successful pop records ‘Shake It Off’ and ‘Blank Space’, both of which managed to reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 and become a hit with critics, the singer-songwriter releases what may be the most distinct song off 1989, the third track and third single off the record, ‘Style’.
The song starts off with a guitar riff that may be one of the most sultry riffs not only in the singer’s discography but in pop music alone. The intro is almost heavenly, the listener more than not wanting to hear the intro on loop. The bass drops and we’re left listening to a production that sounds nothing short of a midnight drive with your love interest through the streets of Miami. Swift’s vocals then approach out of the dark, radiating nothing but vigor and sultriness. For once, we don’t hear Swift as the young girl who’s singing about love but as a grown woman who is able to tell the story of a deteriorating relationship in an almost vexing way.
Out explodes the Max Martin produced chorus, a clear reminder of what hit maker is behind the 80s influenced track. Swift delivers with lyrics that namedrop names such as James Dean, along with other lyrics that create an almost fantasy for the listener. But perhaps the true summit for the song in terms of quality is the bridge when Taylor belts out to her lover to take her home, the production crooning along with Swift. Her vocals shine during this part of the song, the emotion precise. The song ends with a final chorus that leaves you wanting more, with each listen, not wanting the song to end.
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Member Since: 12/10/2010
Posts: 23,117
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Style
This song is one of the highlights if not the best song on 1989. It has a very slick 80's-esque beat that builds into an explosive chorus and is Taylor's best pop song to date. Lyrically it's quite strong drawing on a lot of classic fashion motifs to paint a vivid picture of a relationship. The best part is the bridge which shows a different side to Taylor as she proclaims "I've been there too a few times". The song is quite sultry and arguable Swift's sexiest song to date (along with Wildest Dreams). Overall this song is pop perfection and a must listen!
10/10
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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I'm ending it late, but here we go. Updating for Vulnicura now.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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*Unofficial*
| Vulnicura - Björk
Björk | One Little Indian | Release Date: January 20, 2015 | Review Period: February 2, 2015 - February 13, 2015
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91 | Member Score
Universal Acclaim
based on 4 Reviews | ddddd. | dddddd
9.1 | Experimental Top Critic Score
Universal Acclaim
based on 1 Top Critic |
| | dddddddddddddd | Summary: After a leak, Björk's 8th studio album was released approximately two months early. | Record Label: One Little Indian
Genre(s): Electro-pop |
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| Member Reviews | | d | .iPositive: ████████████████ 4 | | d | ....iMixed: 0 | | d | Negative: 0 |
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| | Top Critic Reviews | | d | .iPositive: ████████████████ 1 | | d | ....iMixed: 0 | | d | Negative: 0 |
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Vulnicura results.
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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How come the results are unofficial? I thought the minimum review requirement was 5.
Good score though 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bloomers
How come the results are unofficial? I thought the minimum review requirement was 5.
Good score though |
It has to be more than 5. That's why the scores for Songs of Innocence and Kings of Suburbia are also unofficial. Rock doesn't get a lot of support here, surprise! 
From the OP:
Quote:
The Review Process
– A single or album will be put up for review if there are at least three people requesting it to be reviewed. Under special circumstances, such as surprise release, this requirement may not apply and whether it is reviewed may be alexanderao's decision.
– Promotional singles will not be reviewed until they are released as official singles.
– The general amount of time for reviewing a single will be 3-4 days.
– The general amount of time for reviewing an album will be 6-8 days.
– The maximum amount of things that will be reviewed at once is 5.
– 1 day notices will be posted for all singles and albums.
– Scores are only official if the song or album being reviewed receives more than 5 reviews.
– Review periods may be extended at the discretion of alexanderao.
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Quote:
Originally posted by alexanderao
It has to be more than 5. That's why the scores for Songs of Innocence and Kings of Suburbia are also unofficial. Rock doesn't get a lot of support here, surprise! |
My mistake. I always thought it was ≥5. Those albums you listed are all albums I reviewed too 
So close to getting that official score 
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Member Since: 5/22/2011
Posts: 21,227
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I wanted to review Björk's album but I am so broke that I couldn't even afford a copy..
Also I wanna get back into this, I've been so busy but I love reviewing music. Lemme go write up my 'Style Review'.. 
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Member Since: 2/20/2012
Posts: 24,225
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Quote:
Originally posted by alexanderao
It has to be more than 5. That's why the scores for Songs of Innocence and Kings of Suburbia are also unofficial. Rock doesn't get a lot of support here, surprise!
From the OP: |
As if Kings of Suburbia is rock... 
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Can we do Little Toy Guns by any chance?
and maybe Rihanna's new song
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Member Since: 5/22/2011
Posts: 21,227
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Mezik's Music Review ♪♫
Taylor Swift - 'Style'
Album: '1989'
Taylor's third single off her fifth album '1989' was a fan favourite since the release of the record and with good reason too. In true Taylor fashion, Taylor sings about a past relationship that no matter what ever comes their way they will always be there for each other as "they never go out of style".
Lyrically, the song is a well thought and tightly connected story which takes the listener on the adventure of a women and ex (?) lover who cannot keep each other off their minds even though they are no longer together. As you listen you feel the tension in the relationship, and can relate to how these characters are feeling about their past lovers. The very first few lines of the song "midnight, you come pick me up, no headlights / long drive, could end in burning flames or paradise" sets the rest of the story perfectly and are among the highlights of this track. As the song progresses to the second verse you can feel the jealously that is in the air as the female character confronts her male friend "I've heard that you've been out and about with some other girl, some other girl / he says what you've heard is true but I / can't stop thinking about you and I / I said I've been there, too, a few times" and later admits that she has still been thinking of him as she's been with other guys. With the addition of a catchy, simple and fun chorus to change the mood in between verses it ends up being a very well balanced structure. However when the second chorus is ending you expect Taylor to transition to this epic bridge, as she usually writes the best bridges in the industry, but instead just get a lazily added "take me home / just take me home / just take me home" and ruins all momentum that was building up to this point. It does not necessarily make the song bad by any means, it just results in 'Style' being a solid song but nothing phenomenal.
Production wise Max Martin brought his A game to the track, like he did with the majority of '1989', and gave the song a mixture of retro/glam-pop along with a nice addition of dance-pop. The production added with the lyrics also gives off a feeling of suspense and makes the song feel so much more of an event than it actually is. Max and Taylor working together at first was an intimidating thought as I really felt Taylor was at a completely different level of talent compared to Max, however when these two work together they create magic and released some of Taylor's best work.
Overall 'Style' is a great listen and truly a gem on '1989'. The story displayed through the lyrics and the production work so well together that it feels like it can be made into a Hollywood movie. With how the momentum builds up as the song progresses it truly deserves a bridge that is much more grand than the one that was given to it, but it is a minor flaw in the song that can be overlooked by all the positives this song brings.
Mezik's Score
9.5 / 10
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Member Since: 5/22/2011
Posts: 21,227
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bloomers
Can we do Little Toy Guns by any chance?
and maybe Rihanna's new song |
Ooh, I agree with 'Little Toy Guns' it's been a while since we reviewed a country song. 
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Member Since: 9/16/2011
Posts: 50,981
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“Style”
“Style,” the beloved third single of Taylor Swift's blockbuster 1989 album, is one of the album's sleekest offerings. The song exudes coolness, successfully channeling the coolness of its subjects. Swift paints Herself and a love interest in vague, universal terms: his “long hair slicked back,” and Her “tight little skirt.” Her empty descriptors are anonymous, which is peculiar when one considers the fact that Her inspiration is in anything but. It's right there in the name of the song, in fact, and it's remarkable that She managed to reference the fella in question so blatantly and still produce a song as great as this. It's a mark of truly clever lyricism to connect style trends to an on-again-off-again relationship as Swift does here, and a indicates a stroke of absolute brilliance from Swift.
Elsewhere in the song, Swift declares that “he can't keep his wild eyes on the road.” It's a lyric loaded with implication. Perhaps, as with the man of 2012's “All Too Well,” he's too busy looking at Taylor to focus on the road. Or perhaps, as the following lyric (“some other girl”) suggests, it's a reference to the man's wandering eye. That “some other girl” lyric marks a turning point in Swift's growth as a person, and as a songwriter. Rather than exploding in a fit of fury as Swift of albums past would of done, this adult artist merely concedes that She has “been there too a few times.” It's one of the most unexpected moments of the album, surely.
Unlike the majority of Swift's music, “Style” never launches into a fully formed bridge. Habitually, this is the point in the song where She delivers Her best lines (“All Too Well,” “Last Kiss”) and resolves the challenges faced throughout the song's narrative. That “Style” lacks a middle eight of this variety suggests that the conflict of the unending back-and-forth relationship has not yet been resolved. Instead, Swift settles for simply repeating an orgasmic shout of “take me home.” In the previous verse, though, he's already taken Her home and removed his coat. Therefore, Her shouts of “take me home” during the bridge should be interpreted metaphorically—Her orgasmic shouts representing an actual orgasm.
It's worth noting that the phrase “take me home,” used both literally and figuratively in the song, is coincidentally also the name of an album released by a boyband containing a member whose last name coincidentally corresponds to the name of this song. We all know how Swift loves to riddle Her work with clues pointing towards Her subjects. While “Style” may directly name drop its subject and one of his albums, Her clues have ironically never felt so subtle.
Swift's “Style” is sexy and sublime, simple yet riddled with depth, anonymous yet blatant in its references to its inspiration. Moreover, it's a song that paints a picture of a classically cool couple in such a way that lets you, the listener, stand in their shoes.
Score: 10/10
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Taylor Swift - Style
Pop music thrives on simplicity. It needs to be streamlined enough for anyone to be able to digest and relate to; it can't be too noisy, too quiet, to out there. At the same time, it can't be too generic, too basic, or pandering or else there's really no point in releasing a song. Pop needs a strong personality or situation for people to identify with; which is why so many songs focus on love, sex, dancing, or relationship troubles; these songs have universal topics that almost everyone experiences and can relate to.
The best pop songs take things to another level though. They address universal topics in a fresh, unique way. Instead of releasing a song that's your average dance song, or a song that panders to a certain yearly tradition like an anniversary, Taylor Swift sets her song about relationship trouble in motion in a unique way but still maintains the simplicity of modern pop.
As always with Taylor's best singles, it's the little details that make her song believable. "Midnight, you come and pick me up no headlights" she sings as a bouncy guitar sets the song in motion, coupled with synths that sprawl out in front of her like the open road. The production is crisp and clean; but at first listen, there might not be too much to the song and it may seem too sparse. It seems like a love song with a chorus about never going out of style. It may hit a little too close to Taylor Swift parody song. Only as the song progresses, do you realize that not everything is perfect in this song. The guy with the "James Dean day dream look in [his] eye" may not be the dream guy afterall, betraying Taylor's "good girl faith." But Taylor herself is guilty of staying, proclaiming "we go crashing down, we come back every time. Cause we never go out of style," making her just as much at fault for the damaged relationship. It's a deceptively deep and detailed song rapped up in a stylishly sleek pop song. It's mature, but also naive. It's relateable and lived in; it's easy to picture the guy's charm and Taylor's "little tight skirt" as you ride along with them, but it's also the work of an artist with a distinctive voice. It's pure Taylor at her best: the story-telling is on point, as is the releateability, and timeless production, songwriting, and themes, make this one a potential classic.
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Grade: A
 My Reviews
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Member Since: 4/29/2012
Posts: 15,977
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Taylor Swift - Style
Taylor's third single from her album 1989 is the midtempo song Style and unlike her previous singles Style is one of the more bearable songs she's released since the beginning of the Red era.Starting off with a guitar, the synths are added progressively and make for a catchy build up coupled with a big chorus that gets more anthemic every time. Taylor's vocals performance is better than usual but unfortuanately she still won't leave her signature 12-year-old-modern-fairytale type lyrics which seem incredibly calculated at this point.
Final Say: While Style is a much better pop song than Taylor's last two singles Shake it off and Blank Space it still waddles around going nowhere and leaving a lot to be desired for it to be truly called a great pop song.
4,5/10
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I'd vote for the Imagine Dragons album too since I really liked their debut and need a reason to listen to it.
And we should really do What Kinda Man by Florence.
EDIT: I'll suggest Kanye West's All Day too.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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I have a feeling that Smoke + Mirrors has been requested 3 times but I'm not completely sure.
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