Greetings my tired friends!
It's been a roller-coaster few days as a Taylor Swift superfan, and since my blog doubles as a Taylor Swift fan account (I'm not sorry), I couldn't continue with my regular content until I had properly acknowledged the legend that is folklore.
For those of you who have been living under a rock, last Thursday Taylor Swift announced she was releasing her 8th studio album, a surprise album. And I for one was definitely surprised. Folklore was written and produced all during the coronavirus pandemic, so whilst the rest of the world ate too much, drank too much and made their way through the Netflix catalogue, Taylor Swift was writing her newest masterpiece. As this is the first album release since I started my blog, I firstly want to apologise to those of you who have not experienced this side of me before...
I've had a few days to process this (still afraid I'm going to wake up and realise it was a dream), so today I'm going to be sharing my thoughts with you. Literally nobody asked for this. Not one person. But I'm doing it anyway!
Folklore is, in my opinion, Taylor Swift's best album to date, and there are so many reasons I could give (and I will). But instead of bombarding you with my opinions, I'm going to take you through the tracklist. Disclaimer, this list will not include the deluxe album version song "the lakes" as I am waiting to receive mine in the post! Anyone looking to purchase the deluxe album can do so on www.taylorswift.com where there are 8 different versions available! (I purchased the "betty's garden" version).
Without further ado...
Track 1: the 1
The album begins with reminiscing a past relationship that didn't work out. The 1 puts a twist on the classic "the one that got away" tale, with the undertone of the song being about having moved on from the lost love, but recognising that you still wish things had worked out. This song isn't filled with bitterness or hate, only reflection.
Favourite lyric: "and if my wishes came true, it would've been you"
Rating: 7.5/10
Track 2: cardigan
The lead single for this album, and my absolute favourite song. This song is all about young love, and because this is a Taylor Swift song, it tells the story of a girl who has been cheated on by her first true love (who eventually finds his way back to her). The lyrics paint a picture unlike any other and the vocals are soft but powerful. A true masterpiece.
Favourite lyric: "I knew I'd curse you for the longest time, chasing shadows in the grocery line"
Rating: 100/10
Track 3: the last great american dynasty
The most upbeat song on this album is the last great american dynasty. This song tells the story of Rebekah Harkness - a real woman who acquired lots of money when marrying her second husband, and whose old house Taylor Swift purchased in 2013. My description of this song wouldn't do it justice, so all I'll say is that when you listen just remember this is a true story. It makes all the difference.
Favourite lyric: "and in a feud with her neighbour, she stole his dog and dyed it key lime green"
Rating: 9/10
Track 4: exile (featuring Bon Iver)
Exile is the only duet on this album, and I've seen it compared to 'The Last Time' that featured Gary Lightbody on Swift's 4th studio album Red. In my opinion, exile is filled with more emotion, better vocals, better harmonies and better lyrics. Taylor Swift and Bon Iver's voices compliment each other beautifully.
Favourite lyric: "you were my town, now I'm in exile seeing you out"
Rating: 8/10
Track 5: my tears ricochet
This track did not initially stand out to me, however the more I listened the more I grew to love it. My interpretation is that my tears ricochet is written from beyond the grave, and if you want a song to cry to this is it. Everyone knows that Taylor usually puts her rawest, most emotional track as number 5 on her albums, but this one exceeded any before.
Favourite lyric: "if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?"
Rating: 9.5/10
Track 6: mirrorball
My interpretation of mirrorball is that it was written about trying to fit in, and be something different for different people. It conveys the message that nobody truly knows who you are because you change yourself to match the people you are around.
Favourite lyric: "I can change everything around me to fit in"
Rating: 7/10
Track 7: seven
This song appears to be written about childhood trauma, and the innocence with which it is experienced. It takes on the role of a friend trying to help the child escape to a better, safer, happier place.
Favourite lyric: "pack your dolls and a sweater, we'll move to India forever"
Rating: 7.5/10
Track 8: august
Written from the perspective of "the other woman", this song gives a whole new view on summer flings. Although the song appears slightly more upbeat, the lyrics tell another story. This song explores the way your mind tricks you into thinking you have something real, but looking back you realise it wasn't ever yours to lose.
Favourite lyric: "so much for summer love and saying "us", 'cause you weren't mien to lose"
Rating: 9/10
Track 9: this is me trying
A devastating track about reflecting on past mistakes and trying to make amends. This song is sung with such pain and passion, a tear-jerker if I ever heard one.
Favourite lyric: "I didn't know if you'd care if I came back, I have a lot of regrets about that"
Rating: 7.5/10
Track 10: illicit affairs
This track takes you through the emotions surrounding an illicit affair, of course, and the course they tend to take. It's all about the things you know when you begin, but ignore, that come back around and bite you in the end.
Favourite lyric: "you showed me colours you know I can't see with anyone else"
Rating: 8/10
Track 11: invisible string
This track has the sweetest message behind it. If you believe in fate, you'll appreciate this lyricism as Taylor reassures us that all along there was an invisible string tying us to the one we're meant to end up with.
Favourite lyric: "isn't is just so pretty to think, all along there was some invisible string?"
Rating: 7/10
Track 12: mad woman
It took me a couple of listens to really grasp the enormity of the message in this song. Similarly to "The Man", Taylor takes on the patriarchy with this song by explaining how society portray women to be mad. Lyrics such as "every time you call me I get more crazy, what about that?" and "you poke that bear until the claws come out and you find something to wrap your noose around" show the depth the narrative runs in society.
Favourite lyric: "she should be mad, should be scathing like me, but no one likes a mad woman"
Rating: 8.5/10
Track 13: epiphany
This song is beautiful and haunting in ways I didn't know a song could be. The first time I heard this track I could barely recognise it as a Taylor Swift song. This song is as brutal and painful as the rest of the album, maybe even more so.
Favourite lyric: "just one single glimpse of relief, to make some sense of what you've seen"
Rating: 7/10
Track 14: betty
This track brought me all the way back to Taylor's routes, with the background harmonica and a hint of the country accent that made her famous coming through. This song was written from the perspective of James, singing to Betty, the girl he cheated on over the school summer. Tragic love story, of course. This is the last song in the love triangle, with 'cardigan' sung from Betty's perspective, 'August' sung from the other (unnamed) girl's perspective and 'betty' sung from James' perspective.
Favourite lyric: "in the garden, would you trust me if I told you it was just a summer fling?"
Rating: 9/10
Track 15: peace
This song is about the vulnerability of being with someone you truly love, and the fear that you'll ruin it. It's about being consumed with love but also fear and the feeling that you'll never be someone's peace.
Favourite lyric: "I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best"
Rating: 6.5/10
Track 16: hoax
To finish the album, Swift leaves us with a track that encapsulates all of our fears around love. This song delicately tells the story of hopeless love itself, and the pain it can cause. It is the epitome of being in love with the wrong person, but staying anyway because you don't want anyone else. Devastatingly beautiful.
Favourite lyric: "your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in"
Rating: 8.5/10
Folklore is Taylor Swift's first alternative album, a mellow, raw, mature sound. Her greatest talent has always been her ability to tell a story, and with this album she really has outdone herself.
Stream folklore now on Spotify, Apple music and Amazon music.
Charlotte. X
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