Taylor Swift's evolution from country cutie to pop songbird

By CHELSEA HUANG

The wait is officially over -- "1989" is here.

Taylor Swift released her fifth studio album on Monday after months of teasing her fans with catchy singles like "Shake It Off" and "Out of the Woods" last week.

It's pretty safe to say that after a quick listen of her new tracks, the 24-year-old singer is sh-shakin' off her Nashville past.

Swift aptly described the pop-tastic album as her "very first documented, official pop album" and it clearly has a much different vibe than her early work.

In honor of her huge leap, we took a look at the "fearless" evolution of Swift's career since her first self-titled album in 2006.

Then: Taylor pined over Tim McGraw

Now: Taylor gushes over a boy - though we still haven't figured out who it is - in "All You Had to Do Was Stay" and "New Romantics"

It's no secret that the singer loves to croon about whatever guy is catching her fancy (or wronging her) at that moment -- she's just become a little more discreet. Gone are the days of obvious song titles, like "Tim McGraw" and "Dear John" (for John Mayer). She's keeping her newest interest on the down low.

Then: She addressed all haters by song

Now: She STILL addresses all haters by song

Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate -- but T. Swift will sing about them. Taylor famously addressed being dumped by Joe Jonas on the phone and reportedly penned "Forever & Always," "Last Kiss" and "Better Than Revenge" about the relationship. Her newest album features "Bad Blood," which is reportedly about Katy Perry. Looks like old habits die hard.

Then: Taylor adored cowboy boots and white dresses

Now: She can't get enough of crop tops, ladylike fashions, and headbands

Fans are loving "1989," but we're an even bigger fan of Taylor's style transformation. Maybe it's her new BFF Karlie Kloss's influence or the Big Apple, but the ex-country crooner is looking better than ever lately and frequently finds a spot on our weekly sexy stars list for her sophisticated and chic style.

Then: She loved her curly, ramen-like hair

Now: She's loves her sleek, cropped bob

Going hand in hand with her style, Taylor's ditched her crunchy country curls for a sleek new cut that fits in perfectly with her new image.

Then: Her songs always felt like a fairytale

Now: A more mature Swift is in touch with her darker side

It's hard to forget the ooey-gooey lyrics from tracks like "Today Was a Fairytale" and "Love Story," let alone the sappy music videos that accompanied some of her earlier work. But on "1989," a grown-up Swift isn't afraid to get in touch with the less flattering side of relationships and life. Point in case, "I Know Places" has lyrics like "Loose lips sink ships all the damn time/ Not this time" and "Clean" has an Alanis Morissette-feel with a line like "You're still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can't wear anymore/ Hung my head, as I lost the war, and the sky turn black like a perfect storm."

Welcome to a new era, Taylor.

See Taylor's best looks from 2014:

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