folklore by Taylor Swift Album Review

I cannot believe Miss Taylor Swift decided to drop a surprise album while I was on vacation. I was beyond unprepared. I listened to it that night. Then the next morning I listened to it on the beach. It was cloudy and breezy and perfect. I listened to it a third time riding in the car home. This will be my fourth listen. I think I will have a good understanding of what I like and don’t like now. Let’s get into it.

the 1: Hi this song is it. I love how sad it is, but not completely sad. She’s imagining what could have been. It’s really good. I cannot get over it. Her voice is sounding beautiful. She wrote this with Aaron, and he produced it too. It’s a great sound.

cardigan: Also co written and produced by Mr. Aaron. I appreciate him. This song is a masterpiece. It’s so emotional. She went to bridge city. I love how somber it is, while still carrying so many emotions. It’s powerful and she doesn’t even need to yell. Also, this is part of her love triangle trilogy, which I am so happy exists. This is Betty’s POV.

the last great american dynasty: This is amazing storytelling. Miss Taylor is singing about the woman who owned her Rhode Island mansion before her. She draws parallels between the two of them and it is just simply a beautiful song. I cannot get enough. Mr. Aaron again, too. Happy for him.

exile (feat. Bon Iver): Everything about this is great. I love the conversation between her and Bon Iver. I have a slight issue with his voice. It’s not my favorite. My good friend Tindy pointed out that what if it was Harry Styles singing that part instead. It’s been haunting me since she said that. The lyrics are great. I like that I can hear birds chirping in the background a few times. So sad. She wrote this with Bon Iver and a mystery man. Interesting.

my tears ricochet: This song is so powerful. Her tormentor shows up at her funeral, but now he’s tormented. Might be about her issues with Scooter and Scott. I think it’s great. She wrote it all by herself. Queen. Mr. Jack Antonoff produced it. I love him a lot.

mirrorball: This song sounds so happy. And it mostly is, although there are some sad undertones to it. She co-wrote and produced this with Jack. Go them honestly. Dream team. This song is so cute. I want to be a sparkling room dancing to this. It’s so dreamy.

seven: I can cry to this song. It’s so beautiful. It’s definitely my favorite track at the moment. The way she tells this from a young child’s perspective is crazy good. The way she switches from her fantastic storytelling from the previous tracks (especially tlgad) to this storytelling from a 7 year olds perspective. There is no one on her level.

august: This song is so beautiful sounding. You wanna run in a pretty dress in an open field with flowers. But the lyrics are absolutely devastating. This is from the love triangle trilogy. This is the POV of the other woman. From what I’m getting here (not an expert or smart) she doesn’t realize how much of the “other woman” she really is. She thought she had a chance and is now realizing that she never did. It’s very sad. I like it a lot. Go Jack Antonoff, once again. Also Taylor too, obviously.

this is me trying: This is Afterglow’s cool older sister. This song is very good. Didn’t love the first listen, but I have come around. It’s kind of simple, but the lyrics are still there and killing it. Taylor sounds very beautiful here I would like to add. Also! Hi. The strings in this song are giving me Love song by Miss Lana vibes. I’m not wrong.

illicit affairs: This one is not my favorite, but it’s still an amazing song. It gets better towards the end. I love the bridge. And the rest after that. The lyrics are great. You feel like you’re living it.

invisible string: This song makes me cry actually. It’s so beautiful. The lyrics are just so perfect. I can’t believe a human was actually able to write this. Seriously, every verse gets me emotional. It’s such a simple, yet profound idea. An invisible string, attached to you and your soulmate, and you wouldn’t even know until you find each other. And the bridge?? When she says she sends their babies presents I literally sob. That’s such a happy thought. Taylor is so mature and happy and in a good place.

mad woman: She took this one down to bridge city. Another powerful song. She doesn’t have to scream and shout. The dramatic strings and her cutting lyrics are doing the job. I love how this is a feminist anthem. It’s The Man but a whole lot better. I think it’s so good you guys.

epiphany: This is angelic. It’s a lullaby. Very sad, though. The way she speaks of war and the coronavirus. How we are surrounded by chaos and violence, and only in our dreams we can escape. It’s depressing. But she makes it pretty. And the outro music is it.

betty: I love the harmonica!! Such a good thing to add. And the storytelling of this song. She had me confused for a minute. I thought maybe she was bisexual or something. But I like how she told it. It’s the third part of the love triangle trilogy. It’s the most upbeat song on here. Also the name Betty is a great name.

peace: Big fan of the opening guitar sounds. This lyric right here. “All these people think love’s for show, but I would die for you in secret.” Are you kidding me? That’s amazing. Thank you. I love her voice on this. It’s amazing. I love how mature it is.

hoax: Last track! It’s great. Who could’ve guessed. It’s a little dark, but I think it’s a great closing track. It’s very pretty.

the lakes: I updated this to include the new bonus track!! The violin in this song is very beautiful and Miss Taylor uses a lot of big words. I am a huge fan of the bridge. It is so beautiful. I feel like I will never be ready for this song.

Final Ranking:

seven

cardigan

august

mad woman

the last great american dynasty

invisible string

my tears ricochet

this is me trying

peace

hoax

the 1

mirrorball

the lakes

exile

betty

illicit affairs

epiphany

I am feeling comfortable enough to say that IN MY OPINION this is Taylor’s best album to date. I used to say that about Speak Now. That’s because Speak Now is amazing. This is even better. I’m giving it a 10/10. It’s very much my aesthetic, which is a little sad, rusty, with a touch of cottage core. This album was so cohesive. I love that she wrote songs about fictional people. That really showed off her songwriting abilities. If this doesn’t get a Grammy I don’t know what I’ll do. It’s the best thing I’ve heard. bye