Entertainment
Taylor's Next Single Is Going To Be Huge
Though Taylor Swift's magnum opus, 1989 , won Album of the Year at the 2016 Grammy Awards last week, it was actually released on Oct. 27, 2014. (Needless to say, the eligibility periods for the Grammys can be a little wonky!) Since that fateful October day, the world has been locked in a near-constant state of Swift mania. Now, roughly a year and four months later, it seems as though the 26-year-old pop superstar is finally starting to become overexposed — but, that's not going to stop her from squeezing every last bit of life from her latest LP.
Last Friday, Swift announced that "New Romantics" is the next single from 1989 — the seventh single to be lifted from the critically acclaimed project, which, according to Billboard, has sold over 5.7 million copies in the United States to date. Whoa. Though Swift fatigue has definitely begun to set in, I think releasing "New Romantics" is the singer's best shot at scoring another hit from 1989. In fact, I think the song could become huge.
Initially, "New Romantics" was only available as a Target-exclusive bonus track, but Swift released it to iTunes and other digital retailers in February 2015. From the moment Swifties first heard the song, they were convinced it had to be a single... but what were the chances their idol would release a bonus track? She'd done it once before ("Ours," a Speak Now bonus track, was given the single treatment in 2011), but many fans weren't holding their breath. Fortunately, however, Swift seems to know that "New Romantics" is something special.
Here's why "New Romantics" is the perfect single choice:
It's A Different Kind Of Love Song
Four of the six singles previously released from 1989 ("Blank Space," "Style," "Wildest Dreams," and "Out of the Woods") are about Swift's love life. Many modern pop songs are about love, and Swift has made a career singing about her romantic relationships, so this isn't surprising. However, after a while, it can become tiresome. Refreshingly, "New Romantics" isn't specifically about Swift's personal life; instead, it's about how she thinks young people (whom she dubs "new romantics") approach love and relationships today.
According to Swift, there's a lot of game-playing ("We're all here, the lights and noise are blinding / We hang back, it's all in the timing / It's poker, you can't see it in my face / But I'm about to play my ace..."), and heartbreak is inevitable, but new romantics keep on dancin' because they know love is ultimately worth it ("We're too busy dancing to get knocked off our feet / Baby, we're the new romantics / The best people in life are free..."). It's a unique message for a Swift single, and I think it'll make the tune stand out.
It's Not A Breakup Song
Swift has written a lot of breakup songs in her day — and there's nothing wrong with that! (After all, she's really good at it.) However, I think radio listeners will appreciate hearing something different from her. "New Romantics" does mention "heartbreak" in its chorus, yes, but it's about a lot more than just love's disappointments. Again, I think the track's subject matter will make it stand out.
It's Up-Tempo & Fun
The last two singles released from 1989 — "Wildest Dreams" and "Out of the Woods" — are both mid-tempo, slow-burning songs. "New Romantics," on the other hand, is an up-tempo pop anthem that's bursting at the seams with energy and life. This contrast, I think, will make it especially appealing to the general public. "New Romantics" isn't the "same old, same old" from Swift — it's something fresh.
Let's Face It, It's One Of 1989's Best Songs
Shortly after Swift announced she was releasing the 1989 bonus tracks to iTunes, I wrote about how all three songs deserved to be on the album's standard edition — and I stand by that. However, if I had to pick just one bonus track to put on 1989's standard edition, it would absolutely be "New Romantics." With its irresistible '80s-tinged production and its carefree, sing-along hook, "New Romantics" is one of the LP's best offerings. Come to think of it, it just might be one of Swift's best offerings, period.
"New Romantics" is available on iTunes now.