Fearless (Taylor's Version)
| Taylor Swift
Fearless (Taylor's Version)
Fearless (Taylor's Version) is the first re-recorded album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on April 9, 2021, through Republic Records. It is a re-recording of Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008), and the first of six re-recorded albums Swift plans to release, following the dispute regarding ownership of the masters to her first six studio albums. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
Taylor Swift’s project to re-record her albums to reclaim legal ownership of the music begins with 2008’s Fearless, an almost identical, polished, and somewhat melancholy version of it.
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Rolling Stone
This rerecording of her breakthrough 2008 album is at points even more moving than the original.
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The Guardian
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) is both an art project executed serendipitously and a strategic move the industry will be poring over for some time.
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Stereogum
We All Get To Benefit From Taylor Swift’s Sweet Revenge.
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AV Club
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) is definitely going to invoke memories of what made Swift a household name in the first place, and should take fans back to a certain time in their life, probably when they first discovered what it means to—borrowing a phrase from the titular song—dive in “head first, fearless.”
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NME
a celebration of the star’s breakout album.
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K State Collegian
This album gives me the chance to reflect on things I have experienced and understand I am not alone. It’s perfect, just as it was 13 years ago, but has a different meaning now.
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MSN
a faithful and symbolic triumph.
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The Post
Taylor Swift’s version of ‘Fearless’ is bittersweet, representing maturation.
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The Independent
Swift’s re-recorded versions of her 2008 album is a timely reminder of some of the best pop songs committed to record.
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Daily Lobo
“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” is a deeply personal, carefully crafted swivel back in time that captures Swift’s encounters with notoriety and cleverly takes control of should’ve been hers to begin with — her musical legacy — by rendering the previous version obsolete.
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Gigwise
A power move and a poetic force.
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Slant Magazine
The maturity and control of the singer’s voice re-contexualizes the songs from the original album.
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Slate
Taylor Swift’s Fearless Redux Is Both Business Stunt and Conceptual Art.
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The Cougar Chronicle
All told, Fearless (Taylor’s Version) accomplishes what seemed impossible: it remains true to the Album of the Year-winning 2008 original while also updating and improving it. Only Taylor Swift could make a nearly note-by-note re-recording of an album released 13 years ago feel innovative yet timeless.
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The Daily Free Press
For many fans, we grew up with Swift. An invitation to relisten in this re-recording was refreshing, meaningful and emotional — showing just how defining her first records really were.
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Daily Trojan
While there can be millions of words written about the impact of Taylor Swift, the release of “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” has made it more clear than ever: The only words that will define her legacy are her own. And I cannot wait to see what she’ll say next.
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The Rice Thresher
Therefore, the album, now rightfully owned by Swift herself, has an important role in Swift’s discography and deserves a listen — whether it be from a fan who has watched her grow, someone who perhaps despised her or her music at one point or the occasional listener, it is bound to be worthwhile.
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The Washington Post
It’s grown-up Taylor revisiting songs that a younger Taylor wrote about an even younger Taylor; nostalgia piled on nostalgia, longing on top of longing. For Swift, it’s a powerful flex, a brilliant example of fan service and an exercise in high-minded pettiness, all at the same time.
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Popsugar
Not only was I flooded with nostalgia listening to these rerecordings, but I was also filled with a sense of pride knowing that Swift finally owns these songs. There's just something incredibly emotional about hearing Swift sing about her teenage experiences with her mature vocals. She's really come a long way these past few years, and I'm so grateful to have been on this journey with her since the very beginning.
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The Sunflower
Taylor Swift did it again. Except this time, it isn’t a new album. It’s an old album with a new flare.
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Buzzfeed
"Fearless (Taylor's Version)" Is Even More Beautiful Than The Original Album.
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State Press
After a series of disputes with her former record label, Taylor Swift's rerecording is a return to her roots and an ultimate success.
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The Sydney Morning Herald
The Taylor’s Version project, then, serves a dual purpose – it allows Swift to regain control, while also giving her fans a chance to reflect on the artistic and sonic journey of their favourite artist. For those who’ve grown up listening to her music, it’s an opportunity to reflect on their own journeys, too, and wave hello to past versions of themselves. As Swift sings on Fifteen, “wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now.” By looking back, she’s looking forward.
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The State Times
The album as a whole is fun to sing along with and it’s also nice knowing that Swift is once again able to own the songs that were beloved by her and so many others.
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South China Morning Post
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) might be a re-release, but there’s nothing stale about it. Six new songs, better instrumentation overall, subtle changes in her enunciation, and a bit of extra “spice” that only an extra decade of experience can provide. There are plenty of things to enjoy for both hardcore Swifties and casual listeners alike.
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The Observer
It’s a rare and special moment when a piece of media can instantaneously catapult you back 12 years in the past, and that’s exactly what “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” did to me this weekend.
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Stereoboard
No matter what motivated these re-recordings, they represent a fittingly fearless endeavour that has been flawlessly executed.
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The Ithacan
“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” magnificently proves that old themes can still be relevant today, welcoming new and old fans alike. Swift is no longer the small-town country girl but a talented artist who creates sincerely and fearlessly.
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Backseat Mafia
In a Fearless act to regain control over her art, Taylor Swift effortlessly exhibits her growth and strength as both a musician and a person.
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TN2 Magazine
Swift takes us into the vaults by uncovering six never-before released songs written at the same time as Fearless. We are provided with an intriguing look into the world of Swift’s golden era. While tracks like the dreamy Jack Antonoff-approved ‘Mr. Perfectly Fine’ are delivered with a knowing bite, the reimagining of ‘Change’, the closing track on 2008’s Fearless, proves even more relevant than before.
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Clash Magazine
Shrugging off the pressure to always move forward, Taylor re-applies her seemingly endless passion for making music to her old self, collaborating with her past in order to save it. And the result, bittersweet magic that has millions feel nostalgic.
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The Times
sweet, nostalgic and as wholesome as apple pie.
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The Line of Best Fit
Fearless has already, in its initial form, sold over 12 million copies, and in all likelihood this new one will sell a couple of million more, so nobody could argue that these are essential recordings. What they are is an invitation to witness one of the greatest artists of all time breathing new life into a vital piece of her early work, and reintroducing it to a new generation of fans for the very first time – that’s reason enough to be very excited about the rest of the project.
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RHS Today
This re-release, the first of hopefully many, showed Swift’s growth as an artist, allowing her to receive the credit she deserves for her artistry. The album adds a degree of retrospection to the music many of us grew up with, making Taylor’s Version my preferred form of the Fearless album. I think the re-releases will take Swift and her fans on a journey through her and their own lives, reuniting the fan base.
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Vox
On the re-recorded version of her 2008 album Fearless, the artist’s new perspective on her work shines through.
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Riff Magazine
Her voice has matured, she’s gained range and can go softer than on the original recordings. She’s added some slight intonations and is able to hold notes longer than before.
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