Following her public dispute with music executive Scooter Braun, Taylor Swift’s new re-recorded music is finally here. Over the past two years, the singer-songwriter has been locked in a constant battle with Braun over ownership of her masters. In 2019, shortly after Swift signed a contract with Universal Music Group, Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records, Taylor’s former record label, for an estimated 300 million dollars. From Swift’s 2006 self-titled debut to her 2017 “Reputation,” the rights to her first six albums with Big Machine lay in Braun’s hands. 

 Following Braun’s acquisition of the original works, Swift shared that she would be re-recording her first six albums: “Taylor Swift,” “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red,” “1989,” and “Reputation” starting November 2020. However, the ownership of the catalog changed yet again as of last November. An investment firm, Shamrock Holdings, purchased the rights to the six albums for over 300 million dollars. According to The New York Times, Swift “declined an offer to partner with Shamrock, citing Braun’s continued financial involvement.”

After making an appearance on Good Morning America last Thursday, Swift gave fans an inside scoop on her upcoming music releases. She announced that the re-recorded version of her 2008 hit-song “Love Story,” would be released at midnight. To go along with the song, Taylor released a lyric video, featuring photos and video clips of Swift with her fans during the “Fearless” era that night. She is also set to drop a re-recorded version of her second studio album “Fearless,” which Swift titled “Fearless: Taylor’s Version.” The album will include six unheard songs from what Taylor describes as the “vault.” Swift says these are the “songs that almost made the original “Fearless” album, but [she’s] gone back and recorded those, so everyone will be able to hear not only the songs that made the album but the songs that almost made it – the full picture.” In an Instagram post, Taylor revealed the new album cover and a letter to fans. Swifties pieced together hidden capitalized letters spelling out “APRIL NINTH,” hinting at the album’s release date. 

“I’ve spoken a lot about why I’m remaking my first six albums, but the way I’ve chosen to do this will hopefully help illuminate where I’m coming from,” she wrote. “Artists should own their own work for so many reasons, but the most screamingly obvious one is that the artist is the only one who really ‘knows’ that body of work.” 

When faced with adversity, Swift’s fight and will to speak her mind is apparent. By re-recording her first six albums, she is not only able to legally fight what happened with Braun but in the end, come out on top as a stronger individual. The lessons Taylor has learned throughout her experiences in the music industry have shaped who she is as a person and who she will continue to become in the future. In the coming months, her growth, lyrics, and above all, her passion for music will continue to inspire fans around the world.