“1989” is Taylor Swift’s full “coming out” into the realm of pop music.

Being her fifth album, her full transformation from a drawling, Nashville princess of country, to a young woman who’s experienced the weight of living is fully evident.

Conceived on the front doorstep of the city that never sleeps, Swift reached a pivotal moment in her life where she dropped everything to move to New York. Her journey through the highs and lows of her new life are presented in a way that’s catchy, yet carrying underlying weight along with it.

If you say that you’ve never wanted to dance to “Shake it Off”, then you, dear reader, are a liar, caught red-handed. This song just calls for the impromptu dance solo, and I have yet to see someone resist swaying to the beat.

Yet, the track is acknowledging the fact of the opposition she had faced throughout her 10 years of making music.

The background music in “Out of the Woods”, although “poppy” in its essence, is what completes this track.

The echoing bass notes, crashing percussion, and a few riffs from soprano voices in the chorus, feel familiar. It may sound like something reminiscent of a song you have heard on an evening drive, with the windows rolled down, the summer breeze in your hair, and hope in your heart.

“Wildest Dreams” carries Lana del Rey in spirit: long, breathy notes flitting between alto and soprano, a slow, flowing rhythm, and an orchestral base… not to mention the many allusions to sex.

But at the song’s very core is Taylor’s plea to be remembered for more than what she had to offer behind closed doors. This cry is universal: to have more worth than just the value of their body. Swift’s acquired wisdom and maturity is evident in songs like these.

Even when burdened with all of the revelations that come with age, the essence of her teenage self is still fully intact in “How You Get the Girl”.

Guitar? Check.

Her classic narrative song style? Check.

Telling the story in third person, only to switch to first person later in the song to reveal that- GASP- the story was about her all along? Double check.

Oh, there you are, Taylor Swift from 2007. I’m so glad that you’re still here. You’ve finally managed to appease my inner fifth-grade self, who still becomes giddy at the mere wisp of the prospect of being swept off my feet.

The final track, “Clean”, is her final sigh of relief. Despite her countless heartbreaks, setbacks, cuts, bumps and bruises, Swift managed to fall down seven times and get up eight. “Clean” is her way of saying, “I survived. I’m still here.”

There’s simply no better accomplishment than that.

As a whole, the album is easy to listen to, easy to dance to, easy to clean your entire room to. And if you listen to this album five times in a row (like I did while writing this), it’s easy to memorize, too.

Bravo, Taylor.

Perhaps people will stop looking down on pop music and at least give it a chance.

If not, I’m sure you’ll just shake it off anyways.