Dropping Oct. 25 and featuring 14 new tracks, America’s sweetheart Taylor Swift released her third studio album last week. Showcasing the singer’s more mature side, “Speak Now” highlights issues like growing up, mean critics, Swift’s success and life in the spotlight, and the more adult aspects of breaking up with someone. Of course, the album still features signature Swift themes such as boys, crushes, and love.

The songs contain heavier and edgier sounds than her previous albums. In prior recordings, the angriest Swift has ever been was arguably in “Picture to Burn.” On the new album, “Better than Revenge” takes a huge leap from innocence to addressing the other girl and how she acts in the bedroom, proving to listeners that she is growing up. The song is about a girl who stole Swift’s boyfriend. Swift sings, “She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress.” The song also features a heavy drum and guitar combination, showing just how angry Swift really is.

What would a Taylor Swift album be without a song about the dream boy she can’t be with? “Sparks Fly” is about just that. The lyrics rival those of “Fearless;” in both songs, she sings about kissing in the rain and the happiness she feels whenever she is with this certain someone. Though the songs may have similar descriptions, “Sparks Fly” describes Swift as being with someone who isn’t necessarily good for her, a diversion from anything our favorite good girl has ever sung about before.

Another song which strays from Swift’s typical lyrical storyline is “Back to December.” A slow song which features Swift’s guitar, it is an apology to a boy she mistreated. In most of Swift’s earlier pieces, the boy was always the instigator of the problem. Swift sings, “So this is me swallowing my pride / Standing in front of you saying I’m sorry for that night…/ Wishing I’d realized what I had when you were mine.” She is recognizing her own faults, rather than putting all the blame on the boy. This song encompasses Swift’s maturation and ability to take responsibility for her actions, not only as an artist but also as a person.

“Never Grow Up” is another standout. The music is simple, largely showcasing Swift’s vocals and acoustic guitar. The lyrics focus not on fame or boys, but rather on staying young and enjoying youth. In the song, Swift gives listeners advice about the challenges she’s faced in her young adult life. She sings, “Don’t you ever grow up / It could stay this simple / Won’t let nobody hurt you / Won’t let no one break your heart.” She emphasizes the idea that no matter how fast you want you grow up when you’re little, you’ll always want to go back to being that little girl with big dreams.

“Speak Now” features a more mature lyrical style and sound by Swift. The majority of the album is characterized by slower, more dramatic songs that focus on Swift’s vocal ability. Though there are hints of fiddle and piano, the album is largely based on the simplicity of the voice, the instrument that Swift is most known for.

To date, “Mine” and “Mean” have already seen success on album and song charts. While we hate to see America’s favorite girl next door grow up, fans and critics will be happy to see the 20-year-old mature and take risks on this album, singing about a variety of topical issues. Swift proves that no matter how old she gets, she will always be “Fearless.”

            Ashley Berger can be reached at [email protected].