NYD is okay, like it’s a nice song with some memorable moments... but kind of lacks a strong hook and sort of peters out. I also tend to not love a TS song that doesn’t have a great bridge because as has been discussed she is so good at them, so when she does a “meh” bridge it‘s disappointing.
I remember before Rep came out she was hyping NYD up saying it was song people would want as their wedding song, etc., and it’s like... “that?” And it’s the album closer AND was a promo single. It always seems to me a song that you’d write and think was nice and sweet and sentimental to the writer, but then really consider cutting from an album.
As for Rep itself, I do like the album but I understand why it was received how it was. To me it was the first time Taylor was putting on such a blatant costume persona in an obvious response to public opinion, rather than her usual evolutions that seemed more natural. Like okay suddenly you’re wearing torn up hoodies and black lipstick because of your scandal. And then oop, next era you like glitter and pastel. Combine this with the fact that the public was still a little cold to her, also the start of the Trump era that Taylor had yet to speak up about, a lot of talk of social injustices and no one was open to hearing Taylor put out an album about how she’d been wronged. (Not saying whether she should or shouldn’t have spoken out, but it all just added up to look as though she lacked some self awareness). Completely agree also with the poster who said it had perhaps too many “thematically cheesy” or campy songs. That said, I do like it overall.
It also got good reviews, just not all around rave reviews as she usually gets.
New year's day is the BEST song on Rep.
