By Anna Starkey

Taylor Swift released her newest album on October 27, 2014, selling 1.287 million copies in its first seven days. This has allowed Swift to become the first artist to have three albums sell a million or more copies in a week  Since then, “1989” has become the only record to go platinum this year and is the fourth consecutive by Swift to peak at number one on the Billboard 200.

Despite its similarities in sales to previous albums, “1989” portrays a sound that is far from Swift’s original country roots.  The album title, as well as the songs, were inspired by the year of Swift’s birth, 1989.  Generally favorable reviews have poured in from critics about the change in style while Swift herself described “1989” as her “first official pop album.”  The album as a whole represents Swift’s departure from her original country-pop style.

When asked about their views towards “1989,” students of Bellbrook High School had mixed feelings.  “It is an absolutely amazing album,” stated Junior Nick Martin, “I recommend everyone to listen to it.”  However, fellow music enthusiast, Rachel Stewart, saw the album differently.  “I haven’t bothered to listen to it yet,”
said Stewart, “but I hear it’s a lot different from her old stuff.  I don’t really like Taylor Swift, but I might check it out.”