This is the album I've been waiting patiently for Taylor to make for YEARS...let's talk about the surprise drop "folklore"! I wanna hear what you think, whether your a fan of hers or not 👇
I was surprised at how well everything flowed, honestly. She’s always had a problem with consistency, e.g some tracks on 1989 are amazing and some (Shake It Off and Bad Blood) are not very good at all. I’ve only listened to Folklore the once currently, but I love the mix of indie folk and the symphonic touches, it really helps richen the sound up. She does need to know when to call it quits regarding the number of tracks though, I will agree on that - for her next album someone needs to limit Taylor to 12 or 13 songs, cause I genuinely believe she could get a masterpiece out of that. She got so damn close with this album, but over an hour still feels like over egging the pudding a bit. I know that this album was experimental but she is still a pop artist for crying out loud, she’s not a super-ambitious prog metal band.
A lot of fans are saying that "old Taylor Swift is back," but she's not. She's 30- she shouldn't be making the same music that she made when she was a teenager. This album is reminiscent and nostalgic as an adult looking back at her past. Personally, it's exactly what I hoped for.
Honestly tho!!! no one is the same as they used to be. And that's normal?? Like grow up people still saying "i miss they old Taylor" you can always Ignore her pop side and listen to her country.
If you just go by her singles her style seems so different but if you listen to whole albums it's not so different. I learned after reputation that I'll probably like anything she puts out despite how out there her singles are.
@Ares Thor Mars maybe he noticed her great songwriting skills way back then he never listened to her songs after that, until now. That gap became the reason for "was". Haha
Ares Thor Mars They knew she was a great songwriter before this album came out. They used the word “knew,” a word in the past tense, so “was” is used. If they had said “I know she is great songwriter” than that that would include now with the album out. That would not work as a comment is about how she was an amazing songwriter on her past albums but her song writing skills really shined on Folklore. It is not a grammatical error. If something is true in the present but you were talking about the past, you use past tense.
This album is for the people who appreciate artistry and storytelling. The tracks are not created to be mainstream. The productions are very minimal yet complex. The lyrics are top tier. It's Taylor's best album in my opinion.
“This is the album I’ve been waiting for Taylor to make since the release of 1989 6 years ago.” That’s honestly the perfect way to describe my feelings. It’s hard to express how much I feel any other way than that. This is her best album.
Fun fact: her album covers are always close ups of her because it’s focused on her story, but this time it’s further away because she’s telling stories and observing the/her surroundings.
If you had asked me back in 2010 what the creator of Speak Now would make when she was 30, I would have described folklore to a T. It is simultaneously very out of left-field for her, but also exactly what she would make.
I genuinely think that "August" is one of Taylor's best songs. The hook and progression of the track is fantastic, and the whole thing is just really gorgeous. I was really impressed with this record!! Incredible review as always!!!
I just hope she sees that she doesn't need songs like me! Or shake it off to have a successful album. This album was so good and I hope she keeps releasing more intimate/non charting songs and albums
Lol she needed me and shake it off because...wait for it....pop music! Imo she didn’t need those singles to be successful, she needed those singles to mirror what her projects would be.
i mean there's nothing wrong with those songs or songs like that. not every song has to have like deep lyrics or have a whole story behind it. some songs are just fun to listen to and dance around to with your friends. there's nothing wrong with that.
@@krissybee123 agreed. She has lots of songs that are fun to dance like "22", "shake it off", "me!", "...ready for it?", "look what you made me do", even "end game"
@@krissybee123 I think Black Space was a really good single as a representation of 1989. I'd say for Lover well Lover should have been the lead single and For Rep The singles she did release (Besides Delicate) shouldnt even be on the album and I did SOmething Bad or Call It What You want or Deliate should have been the lead single.
The only way to sum this album up is that it cannot be compared to her older albums. This is not only a new era but a new age. It's the first chapter of a new book. Mature Taylor is the best taylor. This is her best album and no song on this album can be compared to her previous efforts nor can they be ranked. This album proves why she is the greatest living songwriter of this generation.
@@hari2185 she wrote speak now by only herself without anyone helping her, just because she asks help doesn't mean she's not great, sometimes two minds are better than one, especially when they're in sync in their way of thinking
@@hari2185 and considering most of her Grammy's came from her self written songs like better man, safe and sound, etc. I don't think she needs to prove herself anymore to the likes of you, her achievements speaks for her
I'm not even a fan of Taylor or pop music in general, but my girlfriend listened to it while i was beside her reading and whoa, I like it a lot. Loved the more subdued nature of the whole project. Props to her for pulling it off such a great record in such troubled times.
She moved country music and heightened pop music, i have no doubt she’ll change alternatives too.. this woman is more powerful than ppl givr her credit for
I have grown up with taylor swift. Her first album is one of the first records I've ever listened to. And this album is so Taylor. It showcases exactly why I love her as an artist. Her songwriting talent is undeniable in this record. I was blown away. (Also I know she's been itching for a Grammy since 1989 and I think with this one she has a fair shot which is exciting)
Not a Taylor Swift fan at all, but the artwork and the title caught my attention and I decided to give it a listen. I really enjoy it! Hope she continues making music like this.
this is 100% her best work. the lyricism and imagery fit so well with the music. i love it so much and i literally wrote a lyrical analysis on it because there is just so much to unpack!!
I‘m so happy that Taylor starts to lean into the alternative genre and she simply shines with beautiful songwriting and lyrics full of poetry. After 1989 I started to explore the world of Alternative and timeless music and it was like opening a treasure chest. Now Taylor has opened her piano and enterd that room too (or sth like that :)). If she would continue to explore indie sounds such as Dreampop or Tweepop I think she could make an incredible addition to her career.
As someone who has loved Taylor for around nine years, I could not be happier with this album. Every aspect of her talent thrives, I feel very proud to call myself a fan of hers. I’ve wanted her to make music like this for years and she certainly did not disappoint.
My Tears Ricochet is about Scott Borchetta and her masters: "stolen lullabies" "I can go anywhere / but not home" etc. There's a few lines that seem to address it.
I completely agree, for whatever reason not many people think that is what its about. It's so heartbreaking to think that he was her mentor and probably a close friend.
As a huge fan or Taylor Swift, I just say this honestly might be my favorite album from hers; and that's something I never thought I'd say especially after speak now and 1989. It's also super crazy to think that she probably wrote and recorded almost every one of these songs in less than 6 MONTHS. I was definitely not expecting her to go this route (Indie that is) but I must say that I am pleasantly surprised and thought she absolutely nailed it with this one! Definitely one of my favorite albums of 2020 so far and something that I'll definitely be listening to during the fall months because this is going to SLAP whilst sitting around a campfire! Truly a 9.5/10 for me!
I agree, this is the album we've been waiting for!!! Taylor's voice is so beautiful, also exile with Bon Iver is a masterpiece. We didn't know we needed Folklore until she released. I need to say I was a bit disappointed since 1989, I really love the old Taylor and I thought she would never do something like Speak Now or RED, but this album showed us she's more alive than ever!!!
I’m not a Taylor fan so when this album was recommended to me on Spotify I didn’t expect anything I’d like but WOW i heard the whole album and didn’t hear one bad song! Even though I don’t like her I can’t deny she is a amazing songwriter and this album will probably go down as her best!
@@artvjon she literally started writing in April...less than 4 months later we have the album and that too the best album of her career...and her record didn't even knew about it till like one two days before release date... Proving once again that she is and always will be the greatest songwriter of this generation
I’m far from being a “Swifty” but this album is fantastic, even if it isn’t your cup of summer tea, you’d be hard pressed not to admit the amount of talent on this thing. Arrangements, vocals, lyrics, storytelling, emotions, this thing hits them all. Well done well done. I like good music and I don’t judge any artist until I hear their latest work.
I’m so happy that Taylor made this album. I feel like we’re listening to the “real” taylor, like it feels that se is very comfortable in this album and with this indie/folk music. She’s one of my favorite artists and i couldn’t be more grateful for this album❤️
Taylor Swift releasing an indie/folk album and Logic releasing the sequel to his best album in the same day, coming up next in music bizzaro world: Green Day Announces that Magnum Opus is actually a real thing Blink 182 reunites with Tom Delonge Avril Lavigne surprise releases Under My Skin 2 with production from Don Gilmore, Rob Cavallo, and Deryck Whibley The All American Rejects Announce The 5th Album MCR releases a comeback single that debuts at #1 on the hot 100 Ryan Ross returns to Panic! (All Of these wonderful things happening aren’t as unrealistic as they once seemed, so please God make them happen)
I feel like at this point the only way they’ll reunite with Tom is if they get inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which might happen since they just became eligible this year.
@The Reverse -Flash Well considering that their shirts are being sold at freaking Rue 21 now and every millennial I know owns at least one of their CDs and knows all the lyrics to What’s My Age Again, All The Small Things, and I Miss You, i’d say they’ve earned it, I don’t give a shit what their Billboard chart history says, they’re easily one of the biggest and most well known acts of this century so far
Although it might take a while for me to fully digest this because it was not the album I was expecting from her at this point in her career, I got to say on first listen (outside of 1-2 songs) this is all a+ material from Taylor. The song august might take over All too Well and Out of the woods as my favorite song from her. The Production is also low-key 10/10 throughout, Kudos to Aaron Dresser of the National for his work here.
I absolutely love this album. FolkLore is Taylor Swift at her best lyrically and vocally. I’ve had this album on repeat since it dropped, and honestly this might be a perfect album in my eyes. August, Mirrorball, and Betty are some of my favorites, definitely reminds me of old school Taylor Swift.
I’ve never been much of a Taylor Swift fan, and was even less so with 1989 and Reputation, despite not being a country fan (at all) at the time. I thought Lover was a step up overall if still deeply flawed, but it renewed hope for me that maybe Taylor Swift would live up to the potential I thought she showed and (imo) never reached. But my GOD, I was not expecting this. Folklore is exceptional lyrically, the music has a subtle beauty to it that hits hard and backs off exactly when it needs to, every song carries it weight to make the album feel just as long as it needs to rather than drag like the other hour long Swift albums (again, imo). To me, this album is second only to Fetch the Bolt Cutters and by a pretty narrow margin. And both feel like they will be regarded as classics of the time-period.
Sound Judgement same but I still like it more than FTBC because, let’s face it, both are best. But since Taylor since managed to surprise me fucking 15 years into her career, like 🤯 I give it to her. Her successive evolutions just makes me a bigger swiftie. I don’t recall any contemporary showing this type of evolution in their career. (Ariana did do it with TU,N but she was just 2-3 yrs. into her career starting her 20s, so it was not much a musical evolution rather a character evolution of herself which brought some changes in her music.)
Just the way you began this review, I knew you were gonna be into it 😉. I absolutely loved this album and considering how her past 3 albums left me underwhelmed and didn't do it for me (sorry 1989 fans, I am a Swiftie ok 😭 please don't be mad), this was a much welcomed change. My favourite tracks are mirrorball, exile, betty, the last great american dynasty, august and epiphany. I do agree that the album is a tad bit bloated, for some reason the tracks seven, peace and hoax are the three that I don't feel strongly about but that might change. However, if she'd cut those tracks out, it'd have taken the tracklist down to 13 which would have been so much on brand for her. I've ordered the 'in the weeds' edition vinyl 😂, have you ordered one Jon? Overall, this is such a great showcase of her maturation and development as an artist and I loved how much of a risk creatively she took with this. This is definitely top tier for me, easily my second favourite album of hers behind Speak Now!!!!
I strongly agree. I really didn’t know what to expect from an album like this. But I am so glad Taylor did what she did. I was getting really sick of her music from Reputation to Lover (both were just awful). But I absolutely LOVED this album. Betty is definitely my favourite song on the album. But I really hope that Taylor does more stuff like this. Because she shines in this type of music.
It’s a great album. I’m really impressed. Excellent songwriting and production. I think this might usher in a new artistic era for Taylor. Could be the beginning of a classics period honestly considering how much praise this is getting.
at the moment, folklore is definitely at least my second favourite album by her, but i can definitely see it growing on me even more in the future. i love it so so much, and i hope that she carries on with this type of music!
I love folklore! It's Taylor's best album yet. The songwriting and storytelling are evocative and impecable. I can see the images and scenarios she's singing about vividly in my head. And the production (thank you Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner) is perfect. All together it creates a mystical atmosphere. I always knew she had lots of talent and with this record she showed it to the whole world.
This album ,made me cry, every day for like 3 weeks. now finaly i have stoped crying and i can see how freaking masterpiece it is. I love beeing a Swiftey as she is just an amazing person in itself.
Totally agree, have been waiting for her to make this album since we got Safe and Sound. The first listen caught me so off guard in a good way because I wasn’t able to predict how the songs would play out and I’ve gotten used to the pattern her music usually takes. Its almost been a bit painful during her last few album releases when songs like ME! dropped as singles knowing what she can do and always impressed with the deep cuts in the subsequent album. I wonder if fans who got into her music say through 1989/ rep would like this because it’s quite left field. It’s winter here in Australia and is currently raining so it makes for the prefect soundtrack.
This is a very solid effort. It's adult music written by adults and totally acceptable for adults. You could sub in the vocalist for The National & this would be an unquestioned great album. The F word drops a few times. Definitely a Top 10 album of the year. 👍
Taylor has said that there is a love triangle in the album: Cardigan (from the perspective of 'betty' the girl who got cheated on) August (from the perspective of the girl who 'betty' cheated with) Betty (from the guys perspective, wanting betty back) The three songs are alphabetically named A-B-C BUT ALSO I just realised that according to the song lengths on spotify, Cardigan - 3:59 August - 4:22 Betty - 4:55 Each song is 23 seconds longer than the previous one! Maybe the 2 and 3 is to represent a relationship between 2 people being destroyed when someone else (the 3rd person) is brought into it, thus, telling the story of a love 'triangle". Or maybe its me going a bit far with theories....
I was surprised by how quick this album came about and was worried about the quality of the music, but this album was probably what I have always wanted to hear. The aesthetics are beautiful and the production and lyrics on this was miles better than what Lover had. I thought this was Taylor’s best album since Red. Really love the album.
This album is simply brilliant. I didn't quite understand the urge to curse every two songs, but if she's writing from a teen's perspective, of course she'll curse. Amazing work overall...I bawled my eyes out to many tracks lol EDIT: six months later and here I am again. When I was a kid, I fell in love with Taylor's lyrical delicacy and how she didn't need curse words to convey really intense feelings of anger and such. I didn't like the idea of losing that. But I myself swear like a sailor. So fuck that lmao
This is my favourite Taylor Swift album. I never thought that Taylor could top the “1989” album that was also a masterpiece in my eyes. It was not that surprising that she took a chance and changed her musical direction again, because she has done that multiple times in her career. However I’m so happy that this album is so amazing and with no filler songs. I think that her voice on this album is at its best and she sounds so beautiful on this album. She has always been a great songwriter and it really comes alive on this album. 😊 I can truly say that this is proberbly the best album I have listened to during this year so far. 😊
Taylor’s best album. Fight me haha. I’m not keen on a lot of Taylor’s work but this album I can listen to all the way through and fully enjoy. It’s absolutely incredible. If anyone knows any other TS songs like epiphany let me know. That’s my fav song on the album along with exile and mad woman. Really well done Taylor. Amazing stuff! 👍👍
this is such a taylor album. it doesn't sound like her usual stuff, but if you know taylor, you know this might be the most taylor swift she has ever sounded (if that makes sense). she's finally comfortable doing whatever the hell she wants. this stripped down album is what her songs with more intense production sound like before they get to the studio, and i love that!! i have been a fan since fearless came out, and this just joined my favorite taylor albums along with red and fearless :)
I was struck by how well produced and written this album is overall. It's Taylor's best album of her career. The choice to work with Bon Iver on "Exile" is inspired, it felt like a weird collab when the tracklisting was revealed but having heard the song I was blown away. Fantastic work Taylor, you deserve all the acclaim.
@@thedudewhomadethisvideo This year has had some collabs that on paper sound terrible but turn out to be good to great. Taylor and Bon Iver just another example of that
Aw you didn't talk about seven and the 1, I'd really like to know what you thought of these. Seven is probably one of my fav songs she's done. Haunting, dreamy, nostalgic vocals are amazing. Her voice and tone is so soft and delicate, just like folksongs haha. Reminded me so much of Bloom by Paper Kites and Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder (both are songs I love). The lyrics are what I fucking loves in seven. The chorus especially. "Pennsylvania under me" and the "Please picture me in the weeds Before I learned civility I used to scream ferociously Any time I wanted" part ughh. chills every time i listen to it. And the 1 really gave me The Birthday Party vibes by The 1975 (probably the guitar and drums in general). But what a great opener. This will her best ever. She didn't try to make a perfect record, she wasn't aiming for the charts. And that is exactly why she's dominating these charts. Lmao this will be the album that I will be recommending my friends when I pester them to give TS a try. Fucking finally. Now I don't have to hide the fact that I've been a swiftie for 12 years. Also what's weird is that I've been a swift fan for so long, I'm quick to love or hate her song. Well not hate but there's always a "skip" list but in this, there's none. Maybe epiphany but only because it's a lil sad. It's crazy to me as a fan. Every single song here has its own place and is irreplaceable. Probably listened to this 15 times now. And the depth of the lyrics hit me mostly after the 5th listen but damn this is her best album. Probably the best of the decade lol and it's just 2020
when taylor's in isolation, she can create reputation and folklore. it amazes me how it displays the best and worst parts (i mean this in a good way) of her.
Agreed 100%! The last two albums were so disappointing compared to the previous ones that I had no hope going into this one. What a pleasant surprise, to say the least. Absolutely love it. But I also got a bit bored near the end. I think she could have left 2 songs out (maybe Peace and Epiphany?) and it would have been perfect. Like you said though, it's not really a complain. Gotta count myself lucky to have her deliver this after all those dumb pop songs from Lover and Rep. Great review as always 🤘
I'm not a fan of Taylor, mostly I'm only familiar with her singles, but I've always felt that she could do more. I don't know why I felt the urge to check out the whole album, but I don't regret it at all. The lyrics are amazing, the atmosphere and the eerie sounds are just superb. If somebody told me in the beginning of the year that I'm going to love this album I wouldn't have believed it.
Not a huge Taylor fan or wouldn't call myself a one until this thing. 94 on Metacritic tho. I mean it's incredible album but dude, as great as Fantasy? My favorite songs include: - august - exile ft. Bon Iver - my tears ricochet - invisible string - this is me trying
This is the follow up I wanted after reputation. Reputation is hands down one of the best albums ever made and this would have been a bad ass follow up. This albums writing is 10/10. Taylor isn’t my favorite artist but she writes better than anyone. This was a masterpiece! Lover was so disappointing. So I’m glad she’s pulled me back in!!
unpopular opinion : her new label gets credit in my opinion as a fan bc i know her old label would’ve never trusted her to make this album because they saw her as a money making machine carrying an entire label
i never really listen to taylor’s music anymore post 1989 and i didn’t even want to give this album a chance, but after listening to a couple of songsfrom folklore, this album actually exceeded my already low expectation of her music, this is probably her best record since red & speak now!! also love ur review man!
She absolutely killed it the lyrics mixed with the vocals and the delivery make it feel like she is truly ispired and this album was something she put her whole heart into, its songwriting like I’ve never heard and it’s so interesting and unique, as a taylor fan for many years as much I love the pop stuff, true artists evolve
Great review! Summed my thoughts perfectly! Also, Matt Champion says ricochet in his verse on ZIPPER by Brockhmapton, but other than that, I got nothing, ricochet is a very underused word.
This album is definatly mature,well written and has beautiful melodies but could i listen to the album all the time? Nah. I feel like the album is more of a mood.Like basicallly ill listen to it on a rainy day. I loved invisible string on first listen though! Its literally the heartwarming SMILE of the album and nostalgic to her older days!
I’m quite a mainstream pop listener so tend to listen to singles, rather than a collective whole. This is still out of my comfort zone but she makes it approachable.
i was so shocked she went the "it's nice to have a friend" route👁👄👁 that was my second (to cruel summer) fave offa lover, and i never thought she'd hit that sound back up my album ranking is now 1)reputation 2)folklore 3)lover 4)1989 5)red 6)debut 7)fearless 8)speak now
This is the album I've been waiting patiently for Taylor to make for YEARS...let's talk about the surprise drop "folklore"!
I wanna hear what you think, whether your a fan of hers or not 👇
Obsessed with it. Her best work yet. Really hope she continues on this direction. Mature and impressive.
Easily her best work...
@@TECfan1 Same...? Like it's a decent folk album...don't see what everyone is on about, though.
I was surprised at how well everything flowed, honestly. She’s always had a problem with consistency, e.g some tracks on 1989 are amazing and some (Shake It Off and Bad Blood) are not very good at all. I’ve only listened to Folklore the once currently, but I love the mix of indie folk and the symphonic touches, it really helps richen the sound up.
She does need to know when to call it quits regarding the number of tracks though, I will agree on that - for her next album someone needs to limit Taylor to 12 or 13 songs, cause I genuinely believe she could get a masterpiece out of that. She got so damn close with this album, but over an hour still feels like over egging the pudding a bit. I know that this album was experimental but she is still a pop artist for crying out loud, she’s not a super-ambitious prog metal band.
On 2nd or 3rd listen, there was no doubt; this is her best work to date.
A lot of fans are saying that "old Taylor Swift is back," but she's not. She's 30- she shouldn't be making the same music that she made when she was a teenager. This album is reminiscent and nostalgic as an adult looking back at her past. Personally, it's exactly what I hoped for.
Honestly tho!!! no one is the same as they used to be. And that's normal?? Like grow up people still saying "i miss they old Taylor" you can always Ignore her pop side and listen to her country.
If you just go by her singles her style seems so different but if you listen to whole albums it's not so different. I learned after reputation that I'll probably like anything she puts out despite how out there her singles are.
Im laughing cuz Taylor being extremely bored locked in quarantine led her to create her magnum opus
Meanwhile people were picking noses.
I knew she was a great songwriter but DAMN.
@Ares Thor Mars maybe he noticed her great songwriting skills way back then he never listened to her songs after that, until now. That gap became the reason for "was". Haha
@Ares Thor Mars he/she probably is not a native. Let it go man.
Ares Thor Mars They knew she was a great songwriter before this album came out. They used the word “knew,” a word in the past tense, so “was” is used. If they had said “I know she is great songwriter” than that that would include now with the album out. That would not work as a comment is about how she was an amazing songwriter on her past albums but her song writing skills really shined on Folklore. It is not a grammatical error. If something is true in the present but you were talking about the past, you use past tense.
she IS a great songwriter
Sabhyata Singh I know that
This album is for the people who appreciate artistry and storytelling. The tracks are not created to be mainstream. The productions are very minimal yet complex. The lyrics are top tier. It's Taylor's best album in my opinion.
“This is the album I’ve been waiting for Taylor to make since the release of 1989 6 years ago.” That’s honestly the perfect way to describe my feelings. It’s hard to express how much I feel any other way than that. This is her best album.
Fun fact: her album covers are always close ups of her because it’s focused on her story, but this time it’s further away because she’s telling stories and observing the/her surroundings.
OOOOOO good eye
Wow, I didn’t think of that! Good point Paula!
It's always about her XD
No hate tho
Deb theRex It isn’t this time tho?
I bought the "meet me behind the mall" version bc it was a close up photo of her on the cover 😅
If you had asked me back in 2010 what the creator of Speak Now would make when she was 30, I would have described folklore to a T. It is simultaneously very out of left-field for her, but also exactly what she would make.
Omg beautifully said
Yes!! Definitely her best album since Speak Now.
I genuinely think that "August" is one of Taylor's best songs. The hook and progression of the track is fantastic, and the whole thing is just really gorgeous. I was really impressed with this record!! Incredible review as always!!!
The outro was also good ❤️
@@edensylvester13 Yes I agree wholeheartedly it's easily one of my favorite songs after the "Red" era
Mirrorball is fav too!
it makes me weirdly proud to have august as my birth month 😂
@@asuka-ryo same lmao
It's such a covid album, not a huge TS or even a huge Pop fan but this is so tranquil and nice
What’s great about it is that hopefully the album will long outlive the pandemic...
So tranquility base hotel and casino
that's not a pop album but an indie/alt album
This isn't a pop album tho
I just hope she sees that she doesn't need songs like me! Or shake it off to have a successful album. This album was so good and I hope she keeps releasing more intimate/non charting songs and albums
Lol she needed me and shake it off because...wait for it....pop music! Imo she didn’t need those singles to be successful, she needed those singles to mirror what her projects would be.
i mean there's nothing wrong with those songs or songs like that. not every song has to have like deep lyrics or have a whole story behind it. some songs are just fun to listen to and dance around to with your friends. there's nothing wrong with that.
She could make an album of her just strumming a chord and it would sell well.
@@krissybee123 agreed. She has lots of songs that are fun to dance like "22", "shake it off", "me!", "...ready for it?", "look what you made me do", even "end game"
@@krissybee123 I think Black Space was a really good single as a representation of 1989. I'd say for Lover well Lover should have been the lead single and For Rep The singles she did release (Besides Delicate) shouldnt even be on the album and I did SOmething Bad or Call It What You want or Deliate should have been the lead single.
The only way to sum this album up is that it cannot be compared to her older albums. This is not only a new era but a new age. It's the first chapter of a new book. Mature Taylor is the best taylor. This is her best album and no song on this album can be compared to her previous efforts nor can they be ranked. This album proves why she is the greatest living songwriter of this generation.
@@hari2185 jack himself acknowledges Taylor as the best songwriter of this generation.
@@hari2185 when you're greatest songwriter even recognize Taylor as athe best songwriter of this generation nwuahahahah
Who the greatest living songwriter of this generation really is, is just personal preference and opinion. That's it.
@@hari2185 she wrote speak now by only herself without anyone helping her, just because she asks help doesn't mean she's not great, sometimes two minds are better than one, especially when they're in sync in their way of thinking
@@hari2185 and considering most of her Grammy's came from her self written songs like better man, safe and sound, etc. I don't think she needs to prove herself anymore to the likes of you, her achievements speaks for her
I'm not even a fan of Taylor or pop music in general, but my girlfriend listened to it while i was beside her reading and whoa, I like it a lot. Loved the more subdued nature of the whole project. Props to her for pulling it off such a great record in such troubled times.
It's not pop, glad u liked it tho!
We Stan u😂
you just wanted to flex you had a girlfriend and it's fine hugo
All the best interesting sounds throughout the decades was alternative music. I hope this career move brings indie to major labels.
She moved country music and heightened pop music, i have no doubt she’ll change alternatives too.. this woman is more powerful than ppl givr her credit for
aaaah you guys said it very well!
I have grown up with taylor swift. Her first album is one of the first records I've ever listened to. And this album is so Taylor. It showcases exactly why I love her as an artist. Her songwriting talent is undeniable in this record. I was blown away.
(Also I know she's been itching for a Grammy since 1989 and I think with this one she has a fair shot which is exciting)
She got it
Not a Taylor Swift fan at all, but the artwork and the title caught my attention and I decided to give it a listen. I really enjoy it! Hope she continues making music like this.
Im not a fan of country pop or alt but taylor makes anythinh, i listen and enjoy lol
I love that you enjoy it but lol don't expect any artists to make the same thing twice.
Have u listened to safe and sound??
Well, she did
Exile broke Taylor's golden rule that she has no vocal chemistry with anyone
The Last Time tho!
Who would have thought that her first good duet in years would be with Justin "oooooooh " vernon?
hey, don't disrespect the last time!!
Where were u "last time".
The last time walked so that exile could run
this is 100% her best work. the lyricism and imagery fit so well with the music. i love it so much and i literally wrote a lyrical analysis on it because there is just so much to unpack!!
I‘m so happy that Taylor starts to lean into the alternative genre and she simply shines with beautiful songwriting and lyrics full of poetry. After 1989 I started to explore the world of Alternative and timeless music and it was like opening a treasure chest. Now Taylor has opened her piano and enterd that room too (or sth like that :)). If she would continue to explore indie sounds such as Dreampop or Tweepop I think she could make an incredible addition to her career.
As someone who has loved Taylor for around nine years, I could not be happier with this album. Every aspect of her talent thrives, I feel very proud to call myself a fan of hers. I’ve wanted her to make music like this for years and she certainly did not disappoint.
My Tears Ricochet is about Scott Borchetta and her masters: "stolen lullabies" "I can go anywhere / but not home" etc. There's a few lines that seem to address it.
I completely agree, for whatever reason not many people think that is what its about. It's so heartbreaking to think that he was her mentor and probably a close friend.
As a huge fan or Taylor Swift, I just say this honestly might be my favorite album from hers; and that's something I never thought I'd say especially after speak now and 1989. It's also super crazy to think that she probably wrote and recorded almost every one of these songs in less than 6 MONTHS. I was definitely not expecting her to go this route (Indie that is) but I must say that I am pleasantly surprised and thought she absolutely nailed it with this one! Definitely one of my favorite albums of 2020 so far and something that I'll definitely be listening to during the fall months because this is going to SLAP whilst sitting around a campfire! Truly a 9.5/10 for me!
That’s great to hear !! 🙂
Whats stopping you to give 0.5 more? 😂 dont be shy haha
I agree, this is the album we've been waiting for!!! Taylor's voice is so beautiful, also exile with Bon Iver is a masterpiece. We didn't know we needed Folklore until she released.
I need to say I was a bit disappointed since 1989, I really love the old Taylor and I thought she would never do something like Speak Now or RED, but this album showed us she's more alive than ever!!!
I’m not a Taylor fan so when this album was recommended to me on Spotify I didn’t expect anything I’d like but WOW i heard the whole album and didn’t hear one bad song! Even though I don’t like her I can’t deny she is a amazing songwriter and this album will probably go down as her best!
You dont like her for what?
i never thought taylor would make an album i liked more than speak now but here we are. amazing how she released this less than a year after lover
It's VERY close for me. Speak Now & folklore are up there, with 1989 + red right behind
@@artvjon she literally started writing in April...less than 4 months later we have the album and that too the best album of her career...and her record didn't even knew about it till like one two days before release date...
Proving once again that she is and always will be the greatest songwriter of this generation
I’m far from being a “Swifty” but this album is fantastic, even if it isn’t your cup of summer tea, you’d be hard pressed not to admit the amount of talent on this thing. Arrangements, vocals, lyrics, storytelling, emotions, this thing hits them all. Well done well done. I like good music and I don’t judge any artist until I hear their latest work.
You're not swiftie that you wrote the fandom name wrong
Anes Ammardjia I might have done it on purpose 😉 but yes I am definitely a casual fan at best but this latest album does rank highly for me.
I’m so happy that Taylor made this album. I feel like we’re listening to the “real” taylor, like it feels that se is very comfortable in this album and with this indie/folk music. She’s one of my favorite artists and i couldn’t be more grateful for this album❤️
The excitement in your voice, come through swiftie jon !
It made me think of Safe and Sound too. This is one of my favorite albums she’s ever made
“When was the last time you heard the word Ricochet in a song”
Sia: “I honestly feel so attacked right now”
Lol I said recently! That was so long ago!
Thatd the only other song I could think of too
Taylor Swift releasing an indie/folk album and Logic releasing the sequel to his best album in the same day, coming up next in music bizzaro world:
Green Day Announces that Magnum Opus is actually a real thing
Blink 182 reunites with Tom Delonge
Avril Lavigne surprise releases Under My Skin 2 with production from Don Gilmore, Rob Cavallo, and Deryck Whibley
The All American Rejects Announce The 5th Album
MCR releases a comeback single that debuts at #1 on the hot 100
Ryan Ross returns to Panic!
(All Of these wonderful things happening aren’t as unrealistic as they once seemed, so please God make them happen)
hold up ryan ross is coming back?
@Nive Is Unicorn Fluff No, all of these things I listed are just wishful thinking, but who knows maybe he actually will
I feel like at this point the only way they’ll reunite with Tom is if they get inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which might happen since they just became eligible this year.
@The Reverse -Flash Well considering that their shirts are being sold at freaking Rue 21 now and every millennial I know owns at least one of their CDs and knows all the lyrics to What’s My Age Again, All The Small Things, and I Miss You, i’d say they’ve earned it, I don’t give a shit what their Billboard chart history says, they’re easily one of the biggest and most well known acts of this century so far
@@thereverse-flash9942 Tom said many times that he plans to go back at some point
Although it might take a while for me to fully digest this because it was not the album I was expecting from her at this point in her career, I got to say on first listen (outside of 1-2 songs) this is all a+ material from Taylor. The song august might take over All too Well and Out of the woods as my favorite song from her.
The Production is also low-key 10/10 throughout, Kudos to Aaron Dresser of the National for his work here.
august was produced by Jack Antonoff tho. but yeah, Aaron is literally one of the best
I absolutely love this album. FolkLore is Taylor Swift at her best lyrically and vocally. I’ve had this album on repeat since it dropped, and honestly this might be a perfect album in my eyes. August, Mirrorball, and Betty are some of my favorites, definitely reminds me of old school Taylor Swift.
The last great American Dynasty is literally my FAV off the album so far!!!!
I’ve never been much of a Taylor Swift fan, and was even less so with 1989 and Reputation, despite not being a country fan (at all) at the time. I thought Lover was a step up overall if still deeply flawed, but it renewed hope for me that maybe Taylor Swift would live up to the potential I thought she showed and (imo) never reached.
But my GOD, I was not expecting this. Folklore is exceptional lyrically, the music has a subtle beauty to it that hits hard and backs off exactly when it needs to, every song carries it weight to make the album feel just as long as it needs to rather than drag like the other hour long Swift albums (again, imo). To me, this album is second only to Fetch the Bolt Cutters and by a pretty narrow margin. And both feel like they will be regarded as classics of the time-period.
Sound Judgement same but I still like it more than FTBC because, let’s face it, both are best. But since Taylor since managed to surprise me fucking 15 years into her career, like 🤯 I give it to her. Her successive evolutions just makes me a bigger swiftie. I don’t recall any contemporary showing this type of evolution in their career. (Ariana did do it with TU,N but she was just 2-3 yrs. into her career starting her 20s, so it was not much a musical evolution rather a character evolution of herself which brought some changes in her music.)
This was a great review. You my friend are an intellectual. You really felt every part of this album. Way better rating than the Pitchfork review.
SHE SAID DIRTY WORDS?!
CANCELLED!
omg tea sis
Just the way you began this review, I knew you were gonna be into it 😉. I absolutely loved this album and considering how her past 3 albums left me underwhelmed and didn't do it for me (sorry 1989 fans, I am a Swiftie ok 😭 please don't be mad), this was a much welcomed change. My favourite tracks are mirrorball, exile, betty, the last great american dynasty, august and epiphany. I do agree that the album is a tad bit bloated, for some reason the tracks seven, peace and hoax are the three that I don't feel strongly about but that might change. However, if she'd cut those tracks out, it'd have taken the tracklist down to 13 which would have been so much on brand for her. I've ordered the 'in the weeds' edition vinyl 😂, have you ordered one Jon? Overall, this is such a great showcase of her maturation and development as an artist and I loved how much of a risk creatively she took with this. This is definitely top tier for me, easily my second favourite album of hers behind Speak Now!!!!
some songs takes time.
I strongly agree. I really didn’t know what to expect from an album like this. But I am so glad Taylor did what she did. I was getting really sick of her music from Reputation to Lover (both were just awful). But I absolutely LOVED this album.
Betty is definitely my favourite song on the album. But I really hope that Taylor does more stuff like this. Because she shines in this type of music.
It’s a great album. I’m really impressed. Excellent songwriting and production. I think this might usher in a new artistic era for Taylor. Could be the beginning of a classics period honestly considering how much praise this is getting.
Yesssssss my tears ricochet has been on repeat since the album release. Glad to see some appreciation.
Haven't heard of "ricochet" in a pop song since Titanium.
at the moment, folklore is definitely at least my second favourite album by her, but i can definitely see it growing on me even more in the future. i love it so so much, and i hope that she carries on with this type of music!
I thought my tears ricochet was about a relationship.. but damn, listening to it again and again makes me think it's about her past record label
The first 35 seconds of Peace is incredible, the guitar and bass harmonies are subtle but very affective
I love folklore!
It's Taylor's best album yet.
The songwriting and storytelling are evocative and impecable.
I can see the images and scenarios she's singing about vividly in my head.
And the production (thank you Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner) is perfect.
All together it creates a mystical atmosphere.
I always knew she had lots of talent and with this record she showed it to the whole world.
after 5 years of 1989 being at the top, this album has officially taken its place as my favorite Taylor album ❤️
Why is no one talking about epiphany!? That song Is so haunting and wrecks me with every Listen
It's hauntingly beautiful but its kinda chill for my taste
This album ,made me cry, every day for like 3 weeks. now finaly i have stoped crying and i can see how freaking masterpiece it is. I love beeing a Swiftey as she is just an amazing person in itself.
The flavor of this album is immaculate
Totally agree, have been waiting for her to make this album since we got Safe and Sound. The first listen caught me so off guard in a good way because I wasn’t able to predict how the songs would play out and I’ve gotten used to the pattern her music usually takes. Its almost been a bit painful during her last few album releases when songs like ME! dropped as singles knowing what she can do and always impressed with the deep cuts in the subsequent album. I wonder if fans who got into her music say through 1989/ rep would like this because it’s quite left field. It’s winter here in Australia and is currently raining so it makes for the prefect soundtrack.
Bro this album was so awesome
This is a very solid effort. It's adult music written by adults and totally acceptable for adults. You could sub in the vocalist for The National & this would be an unquestioned great album. The F word drops a few times. Definitely a Top 10 album of the year. 👍
Give her a Grammy !!!!!!
Taylor has said that there is a love triangle in the album:
Cardigan (from the perspective of 'betty' the girl who got cheated on)
August (from the perspective of the girl who 'betty' cheated with)
Betty (from the guys perspective, wanting betty back)
The three songs are alphabetically named A-B-C BUT ALSO I just realised that according to the song lengths on spotify,
Cardigan - 3:59
August - 4:22
Betty - 4:55
Each song is 23 seconds longer than the previous one! Maybe the 2 and 3 is to represent a relationship between 2 people being destroyed when someone else (the 3rd person) is brought into it, thus, telling the story of a love 'triangle". Or maybe its me going a bit far with theories....
my tears ricochet is about her having to kill off the old taylor in the rep era.
My 2nd favourite album after red. Might become my favourite
Same I just don’t knew if I’m emotionally ready to replace red yet although I have a feeling it might happen haha
I was surprised by how quick this album came about and was worried about the quality of the music, but this album was probably what I have always wanted to hear. The aesthetics are beautiful and the production and lyrics on this was miles better than what Lover had. I thought this was Taylor’s best album since Red. Really love the album.
This album is simply brilliant.
I didn't quite understand the urge to curse every two songs, but if she's writing from a teen's perspective, of course she'll curse.
Amazing work overall...I bawled my eyes out to many tracks lol
EDIT: six months later and here I am again. When I was a kid, I fell in love with Taylor's lyrical delicacy and how she didn't need curse words to convey really intense feelings of anger and such. I didn't like the idea of losing that. But I myself swear like a sailor. So fuck that lmao
This is my favourite Taylor Swift album. I never thought that Taylor could top the “1989” album that was also a masterpiece in my eyes. It was not that surprising that she took a chance and changed her musical direction again, because she has done that multiple times in her career. However I’m so happy that this album is so amazing and with no filler songs. I think that her voice on this album is at its best and she sounds so beautiful on this album. She has always been a great songwriter and it really comes alive on this album. 😊 I can truly say that this is proberbly the best album I have listened to during this year so far. 😊
Taylor’s best album. Fight me haha. I’m not keen on a lot of Taylor’s work but this album I can listen to all the way through and fully enjoy. It’s absolutely incredible. If anyone knows any other TS songs like epiphany let me know. That’s my fav song on the album along with exile and mad woman. Really well done Taylor. Amazing stuff! 👍👍
Definitely her best album from her since Speak Now album 😢
Do you think you'll be getting a physical copy of this album Jon?
Yes!
@@artvjon Yaay I'm glad you like it!
Hey john, where would you put this album in your ranking of all the Taylor swift albums.
We’ll find out soon, keep an eye out for the pinned comment on the Taylor Swift ranked video. It’ll be higher than where “Lover” is, that’s for sure.
@@theseth455 obviously.
He had said in another comment that this one and Seak Now are neck and neck.
The LYRICS of this album is what sells it for me. It’s amazing, and I think Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff did a great job on it.
this is such a taylor album. it doesn't sound like her usual stuff, but if you know taylor, you know this might be the most taylor swift she has ever sounded (if that makes sense). she's finally comfortable doing whatever the hell she wants. this stripped down album is what her songs with more intense production sound like before they get to the studio, and i love that!! i have been a fan since fearless came out, and this just joined my favorite taylor albums along with red and fearless :)
I was struck by how well produced and written this album is overall. It's Taylor's best album of her career. The choice to work with Bon Iver on "Exile" is inspired, it felt like a weird collab when the tracklisting was revealed but having heard the song I was blown away. Fantastic work Taylor, you deserve all the acclaim.
Taylor always seems to have weird collaborations that end up working
@@thedudewhomadethisvideo This year has had some collabs that on paper sound terrible but turn out to be good to great. Taylor and Bon Iver just another example of that
Aw you didn't talk about seven and the 1, I'd really like to know what you thought of these. Seven is probably one of my fav songs she's done. Haunting, dreamy, nostalgic vocals are amazing. Her voice and tone is so soft and delicate, just like folksongs haha. Reminded me so much of Bloom by Paper Kites and Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder (both are songs I love). The lyrics are what I fucking loves in seven. The chorus especially. "Pennsylvania under me" and the
"Please picture me in the weeds
Before I learned civility
I used to scream ferociously
Any time I wanted" part ughh. chills every time i listen to it.
And the 1 really gave me The Birthday Party vibes by The 1975 (probably the guitar and drums in general). But what a great opener.
This will her best ever. She didn't try to make a perfect record, she wasn't aiming for the charts. And that is exactly why she's dominating these charts. Lmao this will be the album that I will be recommending my friends when I pester them to give TS a try. Fucking finally. Now I don't have to hide the fact that I've been a swiftie for 12 years.
Also what's weird is that I've been a swift fan for so long, I'm quick to love or hate her song. Well not hate but there's always a "skip" list but in this, there's none. Maybe epiphany but only because it's a lil sad. It's crazy to me as a fan. Every single song here has its own place and is irreplaceable. Probably listened to this 15 times now. And the depth of the lyrics hit me mostly after the 5th listen but damn this is her best album. Probably the best of the decade lol and it's just 2020
4:54 THAT AGED LIKE THE FINEST OF WINES AHA
when taylor's in isolation, she can create reputation and folklore. it amazes me how it displays the best and worst parts (i mean this in a good way) of her.
Also, my tears ricochet is truly everything. The song is incredible and relating to it makes it an even heavier and more emotional experience
i am a huge swiftie, love all of her albums, but this one, is special and unique. Her best one by far. I hope she keeps doing music like this!
Agreed 100%! The last two albums were so disappointing compared to the previous ones that I had no hope going into this one. What a pleasant surprise, to say the least. Absolutely love it. But I also got a bit bored near the end. I think she could have left 2 songs out (maybe Peace and Epiphany?) and it would have been perfect. Like you said though, it's not really a complain. Gotta count myself lucky to have her deliver this after all those dumb pop songs from Lover and Rep. Great review as always 🤘
@@danxavier25 that's kinda unfair cause epiphany is a song for frontliners and her grandfather
I'm not a fan of Taylor, mostly I'm only familiar with her singles, but I've always felt that she could do more. I don't know why I felt the urge to check out the whole album, but I don't regret it at all. The lyrics are amazing, the atmosphere and the eerie sounds are just superb. If somebody told me in the beginning of the year that I'm going to love this album I wouldn't have believed it.
Not a huge Taylor fan or wouldn't call myself a one until this thing. 94 on Metacritic tho. I mean it's incredible album but dude, as great as Fantasy?
My favorite songs include:
- august
- exile ft. Bon Iver
- my tears ricochet
- invisible string
- this is me trying
I just want to Say that the word ricochet is in Sias song "titanium"
: you shoot me out but all your bullets Ricochet.
Great review!
Such a beautiful album
This is the follow up I wanted after reputation. Reputation is hands down one of the best albums ever made and this would have been a bad ass follow up. This albums writing is 10/10. Taylor isn’t my favorite artist but she writes better than anyone. This was a masterpiece! Lover was so disappointing. So I’m glad she’s pulled me back in!!
unpopular opinion : her new label gets credit in my opinion as a fan bc i know her old label would’ve never trusted her to make this album because they saw her as a money making machine carrying an entire label
i love her pop music a lot but i loved this album too!! top tracks for me were august, cardigan, exile, and betty :)
unrelated, but what do you think of badflowers new single?
It reminded me of her early days. This record is fantastic, an easy 9/10.
i never really listen to taylor’s music anymore post 1989 and i didn’t even want to give this album a chance, but after listening to a couple of songsfrom folklore, this album actually exceeded my already low expectation of her music, this is probably her best record since red & speak now!! also love ur review man!
I KNEW THAT YOU WOULD LOVE IT !!!!!!!👌👌👌👌👌 I feel like I have been waiting for years for Taylor to release something like this 😇😇😇
6:38 Titanium by Sia
She absolutely killed it the lyrics mixed with the vocals and the delivery make it feel like she is truly ispired and this album was something she put her whole heart into, its songwriting like I’ve never heard and it’s so interesting and unique, as a taylor fan for many years as much I love the pop stuff, true artists evolve
Im a Taylor stan but this album blew me away. Im a huge country and folk fan so this was a lovely surprise for me
I’m so happy you love my tears ricochet, it’s my all time fav on the album it’s amazing
I usually don't listen to Taylor but wanted to know what the hype was about, I have to agree it's a beautiful album
I get an early Jewel vibe from this album. Especially on cardigan.
Great review! Summed my thoughts perfectly!
Also, Matt Champion says ricochet in his verse on ZIPPER by Brockhmapton, but other than that, I got nothing, ricochet is a very underused word.
This album is definatly mature,well written and has beautiful melodies but could i listen to the album all the time? Nah. I feel like the album is more of a mood.Like basicallly ill listen to it on a rainy day. I loved invisible string on first listen though! Its literally the heartwarming SMILE of the album and nostalgic to her older days!
I'm excited to listen to this, but it also kinda brings to attention how weird and confusing the state of pop music is right now
I’m quite a mainstream pop listener so tend to listen to singles, rather than a collective whole. This is still out of my comfort zone but she makes it approachable.
i think it’s beautiful! i really love it, a lot more than past albums
i was so shocked she went the "it's nice to have a friend" route👁👄👁
that was my second (to cruel summer) fave offa lover, and i never thought she'd hit that sound back up
my album ranking is now
1)reputation
2)folklore
3)lover
4)1989
5)red
6)debut
7)fearless
8)speak now
Inthaf is my least favourite taylor song tbh
nvelet koslin SPEAK NOW UR LEAST FAVE??? tasteless
Noah E don't be RUDE
Noah E what's your list
Noah E i think folklore might have topped reputation for me now😳
Exile is The Last Time perfected. More depth and mature perspective. But I kinda prefer TLT sonically though.
People better not sleep on Exile and treat it like the last time-
BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SINCE THE ALBUM DROPPED
The only good thing about the pandemic was this album, some bad things brings us good too
easily one of her best albums! such a great indie folk album to chill to and think about!