13 Reasons "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" Is Even More Beautiful Than The Original Album

Fearless (Taylor's Version) >>>.

This week, Taylor Swift dropped Fearless (Taylor's Version), the rerecorded version of her 2008 album, Fearless.

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Now, we all know how beautiful the original Fearless is: The Grammy Album of the Year–winning LP is quintessential Taylor Swift, depicting the minute but magical moments of adolescence with catchy, earworm country hits that stick with you like glue.

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For a fuller explainer on why Taylor rerecorded her albums, click here.

However, the new and improved, updated version Taylor just dropped is even better. And I didn't even think that was possible. Here's why:

1. For starters, the new Fearless album stays true to the original in the most perfectly balanced way.

People / Via youtube.com

"I wanted to stay very loyal to the initial melodies that I had thought of for these songs, but if there was any way we could improve upon the sonic quality of it, we did," Taylor told People magazine.

The new album does just that. Every updated version of each song sounds how the original sounded, but better in terms of sound quality.

2. Taylor's vocals are undeniably stronger, smoother, and more connected than ever.

OWNED BY TAYLOR SWIFT @taylordefsquad

The vocals here??? OMG

10:46 AM - 09 Apr 2021

Twitter: @taylordefsquad

Gone are the days when critics would critique every note Taylor sang. During the Fearless era, however, Taylor was definitely seen as a novice in terms of vocals. She never pretended to be a powerhouse belter, but the media often painted her as this flawed singer every time she made a mistake. On Fearless (Taylor's Version), Taylor's voice is stronger, thicker, and more effective at connecting to the emotion she sings about on each track. Good luck finding a flaw here, haters.

3. There are exquisite new harmonies and ad-libs.

People / Via youtube.com

OMG, the new hums in "Hey Stephen," the slight inflections added to "Forever & Always (Piano Version)," the belting in "You're Not Sorry" — these minute changes make the new album pure magic.

4. The quality of the instrumentation is amazing.

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Just in terms of technology, you can tell the sonic quality of the album is better in so many respects: The drums are clearer, the guitar riffs are even smoother, and the instrumentations — paired with the improved vocals — just make for a better listening experience.

5. Taylor added producers Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner to the updated-Fearless lineup.

@taylorswift / Via instagram.com

Now, Taylor has only worked with Jack and Aaron post-1989, so it was truly magical to see their genius interpretations of tracks from the Fearless era. A true example of how this album blends the new and old Taylors.

6. Vault songs! Vault songs! Vault songs!

@taylorswift / Via instagram.com

Only Taylor Swift could have discarded songs that level up with some of the best songs in her discography. I want answers about who told her to cut "Mr. Perfectly Fine." Or, really, any of the added tracks. From "You All Over Me (featuring Maren Morris)" to "Bye Bye Baby," she really blessed us with the 2008-esque bops we deserve.

7. The album art depicts a matured version of the original.

@taylorswift / Via instagram.com

It may be hard to out-iconic the original Fearless album cover, but the new one is definitely a gorgeous homage. It depicts a grown-up, more mature version of Taylor, while still capturing the golden hue that's been a through-line of Fearless.

8. New lyric videos.

Taylor Swift Updates @swifferupdates

📹| @taylorswift13 dancing her heart out in the You Belong With Me (Taylor's Version) lyric video😂❤️ #FearlessTaylorsVersion

07:42 AM - 09 Apr 2021

Twitter: @swifferupdates

Lyric videos weren't really a thing in 2008, so Taylor giving us lyric videos with unseen footage and photos is everything.

9. The physical disc itself got an update, too!

Liz Bissonette @lizbissonette

how it was how it’s going

05:06 PM - 09 Apr 2021

We stan Taylor's iconic heart hands.

10. The collaborations are stronger than ever.

Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Via Getty Images

Fearless (Taylor's Version) features collaborations with Colbie Caillat, Maren Morris, and Keith Urban and a remix from Elvira. Speaking of Colbie, Taylor told iHeart Radio, “I'm so lucky because she agreed to do the same backup vocals on my version. It absolutely wouldn’t have been the same without her. I'm really grateful that she decided to return to the project."

11. Small detail, but Fearless (Taylor's Version) was released April 9 — aka 4/9, aka 4+9=13. The original Fearless release date doesn't add up to 13.

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A 13-centric release date is always preferred. :)

12. Taylor seems to be happier, freer, more empowered, and genuinely in a better place for this album's release.

@SwiftNYC / Via Twitter: @SwiftNYC

Taylor genuinely seems the happiest she's been in years. She's releasing the best music of her career, collaborating with new artists, and in a happy and healthy relationship. We love seeing Taylor happy, ALWAYS.

13. And lastly, because Taylor owns this album.

Larry Busacca / Getty Images

In essence, Fearless (Taylor's Version) is Taylor Swift's reclamation of her art. It's defending what's right, it's putting in the work, and it's Taylor ultimately staying true to what the Fearless era is all about: being unafraid. She's taking back what's hers and diving into a new journey — headfirst.

You can now stream or buy Fearless (Taylor's Version) on all platforms.