Fearless

iTunes Review

Making the transition from teen pop star to mature artist can be difficult — just ask Tiffany, Jessica Andrews or Lila McCann. Judging by Fearless, Taylor Swift is making the shift with commendable grace. Unlike other adolescent hit-makers, she laid the groundwork for her creative growth by asserting her songwriting skills early. As a result, Fearless’ tunes (all written or co-written by Swift) have far more sparkle and substance than most country/pop offerings these days. The songs here have the authentic ring of teenage angst and delight, with the emphasis on the travails of young love. Backed by chiming guitars and a buoyant pop backbeat, Swift sails through “Fearless,” “Hey Stephen,” and “You Belong With Me” with seeming boundless joy. Her happy moments are made all the more believable by such thoughtful tunes as “Fifteen” (a knowing glance back at high school) and “White Horse” (a snapshot of lost innocence). Swift is equally capable of tender invocations of childhood (“The Best Day”) and bittersweet breakup songs (“Breathe”). She's more than beaten the sophomore jinx with this outstanding release. If Fearless is any indication, fans will be following her musical evolution for years to come.