Red
by Taylor Swift
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 2123 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,858 out of 2123
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 2123
  3. Negative: 224 out of 2123
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  1. kendylmau5
    Oct 26, 2012
    7
    Musically, Red is certainly many more colors than one, which finds Swift transitioning from Joni Mitchell-esque singer-songstress to Max Martin/Shellback polished pop princess throughout. From its opening U2 influenced arena rocker "State of Grace" to is closing country ballad "Begin Again", Red is obviously Swift's idea of experimentation whilst clinging to her signature songwritingMusically, Red is certainly many more colors than one, which finds Swift transitioning from Joni Mitchell-esque singer-songstress to Max Martin/Shellback polished pop princess throughout. From its opening U2 influenced arena rocker "State of Grace" to is closing country ballad "Begin Again", Red is obviously Swift's idea of experimentation whilst clinging to her signature songwriting about, you guessed it, damned, doomed love. While the majority of Red is often moderately successful at turning Swift into a sassy pop-rock diva (the catchiest example being the dubstep-influenced chorus of "I Knew You Were Trouble" and the mating of Max Martin/Shellback produced pop with Ke$ha-esque songwriting on "22") and country queen (the 'all-too-familiar' "All Too Well" that reminiscences on a previous relationship and the folky duet with English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran), the rest of Red plays it too safe with its amount of filler tracks and flourishing cliches that even call back to Swift's 2006 debut album. But in the end, Red is an overall enjoyable listen that may capture some newer listener's attention and remain faithful to longtime fans.… Expand
  2. BrunoZrZr
    Mar 9, 2013
    7
    A simply and cute mix of country pop, each song makes you relax, dance and sing alone, a very good work, I'm surprised, this album show music of every times.
  3. Mariana80997
    Jan 16, 2013
    7
    Taylor is a very talented artist but in this album she got out of her confort zone wich is Country and i think she did a great job , however vocaly she is not a great singer but the way she talks about her life and her story trought the songs is very beautiful .
  4. victorcarter
    Nov 21, 2016
    7
    its far from a masterpiece, but swift really knows hot to create a catchy tune. this was before she went 100% pop, so there is still a little bit of emotion in this record, and it really works out for her.
  5. cipriano
    Feb 6, 2020
    7
    After his country show album, it's a shame he has few productions and sounds with its origin. I expected an even better album, sound is not bad but it becomes totally average with this mix. Working with versatility is not easy, it's a challenge and it didn't work out to Taylor's point, I still felt emotions and grit in their compositions, but in production and even better soundAfter his country show album, it's a shame he has few productions and sounds with its origin. I expected an even better album, sound is not bad but it becomes totally average with this mix. Working with versatility is not easy, it's a challenge and it didn't work out to Taylor's point, I still felt emotions and grit in their compositions, but in production and even better sound disappointed me. However, a totally pop album could surprise me and a lot, this woman has it all.… Expand
  6. Davidsister
    Feb 19, 2021
    7
    Overall red is a very strong album. The production is amazing, specially in tracks with contrast between pop and country. My one problem with it is the amount of fillers in it! It’s a very long album with some of Taylor’s best work. But for every “All too well” there is a “Stay Stay Stay”. It just makes is a bit incohesive and a lot to take in.
  7. miguelcstb
    Mar 13, 2022
    7
    I am going to start this review by saying that I know Taylor is currently releasing her albums again, and that she already did release the new version "Red", and that should be the one I have to listen to, but I want to check her original projects first how different they are. With that being said, this is what I think about this album.

    So after listening to "reputation" and "1989" and    I am going to start this review by saying that I know Taylor is currently releasing her albums again, and that she already did release the new version "Red", and that should be the one I have to listen to, but I want to check her original projects first how different they are. With that being said, this is what I think about this album.

    So after listening to "reputation" and "1989" and liking them very much LOL, I got curious and decided to check another of her albums, so I decided to do it with the album that is considered one of her best records by several people and experts. Let me start by saying that I didn't enjoy this album as much as I did enjoy the ones I mentioned before, but that doesn't it is a bad record. The production and the melodies are things that were very well executed, but I think what really stands out the most here is the songwriting. There were some lines that really surprised me, and they let you know how personal and emotional this album is, but as I said before, I didn't really enjoy this album much, and that is because there are some songs that are just boring and have basically zero emotion, also, there are some parts when her voice gets annoying, and you kinda want her to shut up, but regardless of that, I think this is a good album.    … Expand
  8. Swiifitie
    May 21, 2023
    7
    Creio que seja o preferido do fandom, mas eu não tão fã das titles, as b-side arrasam muitoooo mais. Precisava de uma repaginada que veio anos depois.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2012
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Jan 23, 2013
    80
    Hearing Taylor Swift sing makes you remember these things, how you can wax poetic one day about the efficacy of love to change lives permanently for the better, and the next rail about how love leads only to pain and heartache.
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  2. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Nov 13, 2012
    91
    I like the feisty ones, as I generally do. But "Begin Again" and especially "Stay Stay Stay" stay happy and hit just as hard.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Oct 31, 2012
    60
    More varied in its offerings, but also more disjointed than her previous work, Red sounds like a transitional album for Swift.
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