Just at the tail end of Panic! At The Disco’s ‘Pray for the Wicked’ tour and the release of a new music video from the band, fans couldn’t wait for more music from lead singer Brendon Urie. After months of teasing, Taylor Swift and Urie released their first collaboration with the song ‘ME!’. Co-written by Joel Little, the song is a mix of of Swift’s classic break-up/make-up lyrics as well as Urie’s energetic, bold and bright vocals.

The music video begins with a snake slithering across a stone path, hissing at the camera, and morphing into butterflies; this presumably represents an ex and Swift’s escape from him. This becomes clear when the opening scene featuring the artists portrays two lovers in a quarrel. Swift truly embraces the her style and makes fun of herself a little as she exclaims, “And in front of our young daughters!” referring to her pair of cats. Her unapologetic reference to the old and lonely ‘cat lady’ is a breath of fresh air compared to her usual defensive nature when it comes to critics who point out most of her songs are about painful breakups and revenge against the ex.

However, there is a stark contrast between the depressing scene and the music as it is a high-energy and upbeat piece. The loud snare percussion drives the piece forward at a steady pace, eventually opening into a grand dance number at the chorus. While Taylor Swift is a capable singer with a large range, her high voice is quite breath-heavy throughout the piece. However, this softer tone helps convey the mood of the piece: carefree and lighthearted.

Brendon Urie’s introduction reflects an integral part of his style. he is easily able to match Swift’s entry with a strong and boastful sound. Urie’s vocals are especially impressive in this piece as he displays masterful control of pitch, even in a higher range with his chest voice. Still, there is more to Urie’s performance than his Mary Poppins-like umbrella scene and the verse, the chorus demonstrates his distinct falsetto that he has mastered over the years. Don’t believe me? Check out the chorus of ‘King of the Clouds’ by P!ATD. While males with strong falsettos is fairly new to the pop scene, Urie’s voice is comparable to a long-time aficionado, Portugal. The Man.

The best part of the entire piece was most definitely the closing of the music video. From the special effects inside Urie’s heart and the bright exhibit of paint not only from the sky, but also from Swifts dress, one can easily guess the amount of time and efforts the artists had put into the production as well as the stunning prowess of the video editor. Moreover, Urie’s unapologetic and passionate dancing and Swift’s clean and rehearsed version side by side was a indicative of the entire song: a collaboration of two completely different styles, vocals, and artists. The blend between the two parties was seamless, a spectacle to watch, and did not disappoint.

3 out of 4 stars