This Friday afternoon, Taylor Swift released her seventh album, Lover . Whereas Reputation was about Taylor’s search for a genuine connection amidst the trappings of being a celebrity, on Lover , she feels liberated, and happier to be alive and in love. While the two opening singles ( “ME!” & “You Need To Calm Down” ) to this album didn’t set people’s worlds on fire, Lover is a stronger album than those songs would have you believe. Believe it or not, those songs sound much better within the context of the album. The core of this album portrays Taylor as smitten; head over heels in love. When you’re in love, you start to see it in everything. Love is the ups and downs of life ( “Paper Rings” ). Love is the times you share ( “Cruel Summer” ). Love is the places you go ( “Cornelia Street” & “London Boy” ). Love is a religion ( “False God” ). Sonically, Lover has a good measure of slick, upbeat synthpop (in contrast to the overbearing production of Reputation ), courte