Released: October 27, 2014

By: Taylor Swift

With this album, Taylor Swift has cemented herself as one of the most dynamic performers in the music industry.

Her 2012 album, Red, had quite a bit of pop music while still being labeled as a country album. However, 1989 is all pop both in content and genre. While she used the ultra-upbeat “Shake it Off” as the lead single, the majority of her songs have a bit more of a mellow vibe.

Every song on this album is a hit. She pokes fun at her love life with the incredible “Blank Space,” has a fifties vibe with both “Style” and “Wildest Dreams,” and takes on her enemies with “Bad Blood.” 

Few artists can transition from one category to another so effortlessly, but Swift makes it clear that she is not like other artists.

Final say: A career-defining album. ★★★★★