“ME!” by Taylor Swift (feat. Brendon Urie)

Taylor Swift is an incredible songwriter. She’s got an unparalleled knack for writing extremely specific yet intensely relatable lines that hit home with fans and casual listeners alike. She’s broken more records than I can name from memory, and every album she releases has multiple chart toppers. She’s become a household name, and managed to remain relevant for thirteen years without a lull in her popularity. She is perhaps the ONLY artist to successfully transition from country to pop, a feat which she managed to pull off fearlessly and with class, as opposed to the scores of country artists who have recently attempted the same transition but ended up creating a gross country-pop hybrid which, unfortunately, is becoming the new norm for country music.

I want to briefly comment of her latest release (a more thorough analysis of her new music will be coming in the next few months). Taylor’s latest single is called “ME!,” and it serves as the lead single for her upcoming 7th album (for which she still hasn’t confirmed a title, though I tend to believe it will be called Kaleidoscope). Coming on the heels of the darker, more serious reputation era that preceded it, ”ME!” is a firm step in a much lighter and more jovial direction. While a little repetitive and not lyrically groundbreaking, the track is fun and upbeat, which is a welcome shift after having spent a while with the more serious songs of reputation.

When I originally found out that the song featured Brendon Urie, I was less than excited. Taylor’s songs that feature other artists generally aren’t her best, in my opinion. I was surprised to find that I ended up liking Brendon’s role in the song a lot, despite the fact that I am not a fan of Panic! At The Disco. My only real complaint is that his voice seemed to overpower Taylor’s a bit at some points, but it wasn’t a huge issue.

Overall, I like the song, and I think we’re in for a very solid seventh album from Ms. Swift.