Growing up, people around us either had a soft spot or a hatred for Taylor Swift. Middle ground couldn’t be found in terms of liking her or her music. However, whether we agree or disagree, one bond exists: growing up by her side.

For the past 15 years, Swift has grown her popularity and media attention through multiple scandals, mixing genres and nine albums – not to mention the 32 Grammy Award nominations and 11 wins. Once again, she is making headlines for upcoming releases of re-recorded versions of her older albums – and some new tracks – set to come out this Friday, April 9, in order to gain artistic rights back from her record label.

These albums are being re-recorded and produced because of a battle about the artistic and producing rights between Swift and her record label of 13 years, Big Machine Label Group. Swift had called out Scooter Braun, who had released an album with older live performances without her permission on behalf of the label. We think gaining these rights back will help Swift renew herself and her brand. 

Besides the legal battle, the publicity being created from these albums will be a good redemption for Swift after the drama and controversy with Kanye West at the 2009 Video Music Awards. At these VMAs, Swift won best female video at the MTV Video Music Awards for “You Belong With Me.” During her acceptance speech, West came onto the stage and announced that Beyonce should have won instead. We think that isn’t right on Kanye’s part because it was just so unnecessary. In years following the incident, interviews on live TV, songs written and phone calls leaked, which all kept provoking the feud. These re-released albums will help people remember to love and relate to the music they hear no matter their opinions on Swift.  

Swift announced on her Instagram that the first “From the Vault” song she released March 25 would be called “You All Over Me.” The track features a tune that sounds a lot like her old country songs, so hearing her matured voice sing in the way she used to when she was a teenager was something we really liked. The lyrics are really impactful as well, depicting a relationship she can’t get over. It was very well-written. It completely fits the vibe of Fearless, and it was nostalgic to hear that side of her music.

Swift already released “Love Story (Taylor’s Version),” which is the same as the original, except she now owns the full rights to it and has re-recorded the entire song. At the first listen, it sounds the same, but once we listened again, the vocals were more mature and it sounded better overall because of the higher quality. After listening to it, we are looking forward to hearing the rest of the original “Fearless” album as a chance to hear a new sound to old songs.

Swift’s other most recent albums, “Evermore” and “Folklore,” are more of a mix of folk-pop and country genre and similar to the original recordings of “Fearless” and “Speak Now,” versus the upbeat vibe of “Lover,” “Reputation” and “1989,” which were less popular among fans, including ourselves. We liked the older music because it was easier to relate to, especially as we get older. We also just liked her older style of music, not the “Lover” pop style. Hearing the older style of music will be refreshing and give a sense of renewal. 

Since Swift’s fans are usually teenagers and millennials, they listened to the albums that are being re-recorded during their childhood. Because of this, many people will give these a listen out of nostalgia because it is something from years ago. For example, hearing “Never Grow Up” during elementary school was something we didn’t fully understand, but hearing it re-released in high school feels especially nostalgic.

“My version of ‘Fearless’ will have 26 songs on it because I’ve decided to add songs from the vault, which are songs that almost made the ‘Fearless’ album, but I’ve now gone back and recorded those so that everyone will be able to hear not only songs that made the album but the songs that almost made it,” Swift said in an interview with Variety. “The full picture.”

The announcement of re-releases has everyone excited, and us, too.