Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”: Review Revue

Robbie Daw | August 14, 2012 2:02 pm

With new single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, Taylor Swift leaves the country aesthetic behind and goes for a full-on pop makeover, thanks to producers (and co-writers) Max Martin and Shellback. Whether this is a one-off foray into glossier territory for her or a small taste of the full flavor of upcoming LP Red, critics had plenty to say about Swift’s new song. Head below for our review roundup, then let us know your own thoughts!

:: The New York Daily News feels Swift is treading in familiar waters: “Though some fans have already taken to YouTube to complain that the song isn’t country enough, or doesn’t sound enough like the old Taylor, in fact it very much does. It’s another light pop song with a chorus even the deaf couldn’t miss.”

:: Zap2it.com comments on producer Max Martin’s input: “Martin also worked with Avril Lavigne on four songs for her record Goodbye Lullaby, so it’s no surprise that Swift’s new song has a very Avril sound to it — relying on catchy pop hooks and gimmicks (like spoken-word sections and a crowd-pleasing ‘Whee!’ exclamation) as opposed to Swift’s usual lyrical depth and country twang.”

:: Entertainment Weekly also cites Avril: “The track…sounds like a brighter, more-polished Avril Lavigne tune, with an undeniable, instantly catchy hook. In typical Swift fashion, she’s telling off an ex-boyfriend, but there’s a rah-rah festive flair that makes the whole affair seem joyous rather than dour.”

:: Newsday concurs: “Considering Swift co-wrote it with Max Martin and Shellback of Britney Spears fame, it’s kind of amazing that it still sounds like her – a super-glossy, beat-oriented, Avril Lavigne-ish version of her, but her, nonetheless. Part of T. Swizzle’s charm is the way she makes her songs sound genuine and conversational and ‘Never Ever’ is no exception, even including a scrap of spoken-word dialogue about how the relationship in the song is ‘exhausting.'”

:: The Washington Post is ready to break up with Taylor: “It’s hard not to roll your eyes at the song’s opening line (‘I remember when we broke up’) since it finds the 22-year-old Swift in the same mindset as when she first emerged as a teenager. Of course the chorus is catchy but if this is representative of what’s awaits on Red, it’s hard to be too excited.”

:: Crushable delivers Swift a crushing blow: “What a brilliantly poignant, poetic title, right? When I first read the name of the song on Twitter, I was sure it was someone’s joke. I would almost say she is parodying herself, but I doubt we could give her that much credit.”

:: The Prophet Blog sums things up with this: “Super catchy and super radio-friendly too, but the lack of country flavor will definitely disappoint some people.”

Let us know your own thoughts on Taylor’s new single below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!