People know something is going to change when Swift declares her old self dead in the first single of a new album.

Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” is far from her country beginnings and beyond the true pop sound that she has produced over her career. With edgy beats and a more personal touch, Swift changes her sound with the world watching.

The production value in almost all of the tracks is a huge step up for Swift. With less predictable beats compared to her old work, she provides a distinct sound for listeners, which is the best part of the album for me. The different sounds and beats work wonders for her vocal talent.

The best example in my opinion is in “…Ready For It?” The beat stops for Swift to sing and showcase why she is one of the world’s most popular artists. Then, the song quickly turns back and relies on its production value to finish.

While the lyrics still talk about love and relationships, Swift and her many producers add different elements to provide evidence to Swift’s claims that her old self is dead.

The singles released before the album’s initial release Nov. 10 started a buzz that not many other artists can create.

“Look What You Made Me Do” takes a shot at her old self and past moments in her life. This song is a transition song to her new sound, but it misses the one part most people like about Swift’s music. Swift’s voice is the big seller, and it is not utilized in the first single.

“Gorgeous” and “Call It What You Want” display her vocal talent better than her other two singles.

“End Game,” however, is a song that should not be on this album. Adding big artist names, such as Ed Sheeran and Future, add recognition, but Swift should not need any more recognition beside herself. Sheeran would work better on a slower track, and Future should stay in the hip-hop world.

This album is a worthy inclusion into Swift’s transition from country to pop, with her progression as an artist being undeniable and culture shifting.

Overall, this album is mixed for me. Swift further utilizing her vocal talent would help win me over more than adding different beats to her music.

I give this album three and a half stars out of five. The production value and different songs sprinkled throughout do well, along with the added bonus of a personal touch.