Red

Red

Taylor Swift

2.3/ 5.0 from 8 ratings
#840 Overall#20 for 2012
Descriptors
emotionaldiverseanthemicheartbroken

Reviews

PS
Apr 5, 2026

There's a really great EP buried inside this album. The problem is the surrounding material dilutes the impact. When this hits, it HITS — a couple of these tracks are among the best things they've ever done. But then you get a run of three mediocre songs in a row and the momentum completely dies. I appreciate the attempt at a longer, more ambitious project, but I think this artist works better in shorter formats. The ideas here are strong but they're stretched too thin. Still worth hearing for the highlights though.

PE
Apr 5, 2026

A good album in a discography full of great ones.

RI
Apr 5, 2026

This hits a sweet spot between accessibility and experimentation that very few albums manage. It's catchy enough to enjoy casually but deep enough to reward close listening. Smart, well-crafted music.

CA
Apr 5, 2026

Incredibly overrated. One of the most baffling critical darlings out there.

SP
Apr 5, 2026

I tried multiple times but can't connect with this at all.

DU
Apr 5, 2026

I went into this with an open mind and came out confused about its reputation. The songwriting is meandering, the production choices are baffling, and the whole thing feels about twice as long as it needs to be. There are maybe two tracks that justify their existence and the rest is filler. I don't begrudge anyone who loves this — art is subjective and all that — but I find the unanimous critical acclaim mystifying. This felt like homework, not music. I kept waiting for the moment where it all clicks and it just never came.

SI
Apr 5, 2026

I put off listening to this for years because the hype felt overwhelming. How could anything live up to that kind of consensus? But when I finally sat down with good headphones and gave it my full attention, I understood immediately. This isn't an album you casually appreciate — it demands and rewards your complete focus. What strikes me most is the emotional range. It moves from devastating vulnerability to towering confidence, from intimate whispers to massive sonic landscapes, and it all feels organic. The transitions never feel jarring even when they probably should. That's a level of craft that very few artists achieve even once in their career.

OR
Apr 5, 2026

Decent album with a handful of really excellent tracks. The problem is the material between those peaks isn't compelling enough to hold your attention. Worth cherry-picking the highlights for a playlist.