After weeks of teasing and rocking rainbow outfits, Taylor Swift’s much-awaited single, ME! premiered at midnight as our first glimpse at the pop star’s next era, TS7. Featuring Panic! at the Disco lead singer Brendon Urie, the track is definitely a switch from the assertive sound we got from Taylor’s sixth studio album, Reputation. In an interview with Good Morning America‘s Robin Roberts, Taylor talked about one of the goals of her current project, “With a pop song, we have an ability to get a melody stuck in people’s heads, and I just want it to be one that makes them feel better about themselves, not worse.”
The video for “ME!” opens with a reappearance of Taylor’s previous scaley mascot that fans have been referring to as “Karyn” after the nickname the pop star gave to the 63-foot inflatable cobra that was part of her staging for her Reputation tour. This time, Karyn’s scales are pastel and within a few seconds, she bursts into a cloud of butterflies.
A dramatic rainbow transformation isn’t all that Swifties are freaking out about in “ME!”. The video also seems to reference past songs, and the music video nods to Brendon Urie’s passion for musical theater with scenes that remind us of The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and more.
Oh, and you can’t forget the reveal of the latest addition to Tayor’s feline family. While Taylor sits in a ruffle dress raining glitter, Brendon Urie tries to win her over with flowers and even a ring, but it’s, of course, a kitten that captures Taylor’s heart. Right now, Swifties are anxious to know the name of Meredith and Olivia’s (Taylor’s other cats) new brother, but a recent Tumblr post reveals only that the kitten is a boy.
With only one single out, it’s hard to say if “ME!” represents the sound for TS7 especially since Taylor has been known to drop singles pre-album release that are fun radio hits while saving her more nuanced work for the actual album. It seems like we won’t have to wait long though, TaylorSwift.com already has pre-orders available for the unknown album.
