Despite breathing music I didn't think I'd actually end up reviewing any. However Taylor Swift decided to surprise us last week, resulting in me having to make a gap in my drafts and push back a few reviews. It was worth it.
I find myself falling on and off the Tswift bandwagon a lot. Sometimes I can really relate to her music and I really enjoy it and other times I can't gel with it. You see this is the beauty of music so diverse, you are actually allowed to pick and choose what you like. And I like Folklore a lot, it reminds me of autumn.
I don't know if you have ever felt the change in seasons, or ever fully appreciated the gentle shift when one changes into another. But if you do, it's lovely. I love autumn. I like the shift from the warm summer into the cool, damp breeze as we find ourselves somewhere new. Taylor's new album feels like that change. Her atmosphere in this new album feels like the cool new breeze as you are standing among damp leaves in a forest, and the image above gives me those vibes so badly.
So we are actually going to review this one a little differently. I'm going to give my piece on each song from the available album on Spotify, and then my thoughts on the album overall when I will give the score.
So first of all we have 'the 1':
The swearing caught me off guard until I realised I was no longer 14 singing along to soothe what I thought back then was a broken heart. I wouldn't find out what that was really like until I was 18. Our first piece off of the album as a smooth one. Urban-esque lyrics with a soft simple beat, you can really follow the story here. I hate to say it, but as nice as this one is, for me it just ain't 'the 1'. It is catchy, and it is calming but I don't really gel with the mix of explicit to soft, but that's just me!
Next we have 'cardigan':
I get 'Back to December' vibes from this really badly. The melody from the piano in the background feels really familiar to me and it actually gives me some strong emotions. As strange as that sounds I am a sucker for sad piano notes, and it reminds me of the song 'I'm not Ok' by Trent Dabbs. She's been really clever here, because this song feels EXACTLY like an old cardigan in the form of being safe and familiar. I also love references to Peter pan and the lyrics 'Peter losing Wendy' just get to me every time I play it. I feel some hardcore loss there and through that bridge her vocals merge with a lighter tone and blend so nicely with the piano and this is exactly the kind of song I want to listen to when it is raining and I feel lonely. It turns out this is perfect for reflection. This one is fighting for top spot on my favourite list from the album.
'the last great american dynasty':
I'm sorry but I don't really get on with this one, it just isn't for me. It tells a story and I admire that, especially in the lyrical sense, it all ties together nicely. I'm just not a fan of said story. It is done really well but there's nothing special in it, I can't pull up any emotions so I can connect to this song. All I can do is listen to this tale, this folktale, and move on.
'exile' ft Bon Iver:
This one is the song that is competing with cardigan for my favourite from this album. If you just sit quietly for a moment and fully appreciate the contrast of voices in the first chorus you will understand why I love this song. The harmony between Bon Iver and Taylor is phenomenal. You hardly hear her in the background for a moment but she adds another layer to his chorus, making it slightly chilled, there's two sides to a story we are hearing here, and this first chorus although sad, just gets a little more depth as if this break between them is fresh.
I also really like the country twang they both have, as well as harmonizing perfectly, it also gives that perfect folklore vibe. I don't know about you guys but I find that twang really comforting.
I think this song is really beautiful, especially with the conflicting tones. It brings me back to her song 'The Last Time' with Gary Lightbody. However the male tone is a lot deeper in this one giving a different atmosphere to the story. I am in love with the lyrics 'I think I've seen this film before and I didn't like the ending', I think it's pure genius as it really puts into perspective how no matter what you do break ups always end up the same (in most cases), and someone always ends up hurt. I have so much love for this one and if you haven't heart it please do, it's a heartbreaker.
'my tears ricochet':
This is one I can see being that classic Taylor song, like you get from each album. It's soft but modern, think back to 'Teardrops on my Guitar', this is a grown up soft pop version. We are all adults now but the hurt is the same.
I'm also getting 'Into the Woods' vibes from this as well, this could have been a beautiful connection/continuation from that one if we weren't in a new era completely.
'mirrorball':
Don't ask me why but I get serious 60's vibes from this one. It might be the tambourine and the slightly wavy notes. But I do think this one is really soothing and fresh. Due to the calmness that washes over me when listening to 'mirrorball' I find it really hard to really listen to the lyrics. I'm pulled away by the current and end up dreaming, and I think that's a nice, ties in with the folklore theme as I'm away with the fairies!
'seven':
I love the cultured vibes this one gives me. You know like those proper folk songs sung around campfires? I think this one is hard to stay with however, the change of pace in places and lyrical style, the choppiness is what attracted me to this song but I can completely get why some people can connect and some can't.
'august':
As previously mentioned I'm a sucker for season related songs. August is obviously the end of summer, but the musical vibe here is a transition between that bright summery pop tune into that cool softer melody you get from autumny songs. Which is perfect as its reminiscing a summer romance. Boy does this song bring back memories. It has a nice flow to it, like a soft summer breeze and if you just let it sweep you away you'll be in Swift's dreamland.
'this is me trying':
This song will knock you flat if you listen to the lyrics. It is a powerful song packed full of emotion in a slow, ghostly tone. Definitely a song that inspires reflection on failed relationships and painful memories, but it also inspires hope to change. Fair warning, it is a little on the sad side, and if you are having a break up I would recommend listening to this one as it's something I would do, sad songs help you get the emotion out and eventually move on. I really like the bite on some of her words here as she pushes out her emotions at how she ended up here, just before the bridge, it really helps sell it.
'illicit affairs':
I like the story told in this one but I'm not really a fan of the song. I know it is on a forbidden subject so naturally is going to feel a little ominous, but it gives me the wrong kind of chills. But that's alright because no one expects you to like every single song on an album, and this one just doesn't do it for me. It's crafted well but I just can't gel with the story against the music, doesn't fit well.
'invisible string':
This is one of those songs where I prefer the listing verses to the chorus, they seem like they are from two different songs and while they almost go together I don't fully appreciate the fit. I like both aspects don't get me wrong, just not as a collective, which is a shame because I really enjoy this song!
'mad woman':
This song is sexy and dangerous, but I don't like it. Which is a total shame as I feel I really could relate to it. But it's just not a bit of me stylistically. If we go back to 'Better than Revenge' or 'Look What You Made Me Do' or even 'Bad Blood' they were sexy, powerful and ultimately petty which was beautiful. This one just lacks some oomph for me, although the 'women like hunting witches too' lyrics sticks out for me and can be perceived in so many ways, I just thought for a warning revenge anthem it could have been so much more.
'epiphany':
Whenever I see the word epiphany I automatically think Sweeney Todd due to a song from the soundtrack. Thought I'd share that with you. But seriously after reading through the lyrics and listening on repeat, I take back what I said earlier. THIS ONE is my favourite. In a few weeks time I'll be publishing my review on the film 1917, and this song takes me back to viewing scenes from this and Dunkirk. I honestly think it would be a perfect fit to a tragic war scene, picture the scene is silent as a tragic event as just struck, there's sand or dirt spraying as men are falling to the ground, and we as the onlookers are as helpless as the medics are while this song plays over the fallen, switching to the grieving families as they find out. It's a horrible thing to compare to, and to picture, but if you want gut wrenching emotion this would be perfect to overlay. I kind of hate that I love this song. I find it beautiful though, and it gives me goosebumps as I associate it with such traumatic events due to the lyrics. It is angelic though, it does sort of connote a happy ending for those brave souls. Maybe it's not meant like this, but oh my goodness, my heart breaks. And that was my epiphany.
'betty':
Wow. Sounds stupid considering this is a Taylor Swift album, but serious Taylor Swift vibes here. You know exactly what I mean don't even pretend. This is a grown up version of that country-esque girl we all secretly loved despite all the stick she got. I love the throw backs here, the personal notes, the instruments that shadow her voice so well. Also the little nod to cardigan. Again the swearing caught me off guard a little, but it sort of fitted the vibe and sorta didn't? It made sense in what she was saying, but I think I relied on the old Taylor here and wasn't expecting it. Made me smile though. We are adults, she can swear if she wants to!
'peace':
'peace' isn't for me. It's the wrong sort of blues for me, jazz it up and yeah sure what an anthem. But no matter how hard I try I can't gel with this song. Reminds me a little of the M&S adverts actually. It has a kind of beach/sea vibe which I'm not too sure about. I just can't convince myself her vocals in this one glue to the music.
'hoax':
I really enjoy this one. It's slow, it has a lonely vibe, and it appeals to my inner sadness. I resonate with this one on another level due to some of my own experiences, such as the lyrics 'you know it still hurts from underneath my scars from when they pulled me apart, but what you did was just as dark' as well as 'don't want no other shade of blue but you, no other sadness in the world will do' it is deep and dark but boy do I know what that means.
So as a whole then, I actually really enjoyed this album. It was different for what I had come to expect from Miss Swift, but somehow still familiar. I guess that was the intention as folklore is familiar as they are tales handed down generations and you get that vibe loud and clear. It's very mystical, and I get such forest witch vibes. I also think it was really clever to purposely have all the titles in lower case. That feels very personal to me, very comforting. This seems like a very personal album all together and I think at a time like this it is very much needed as we have all been brought together by a united tragedy.
On that front I'm going to award folklore an 8/10. I enjoyed the themes, and the rollercoaster of memories I ended up on. If you are looking for catchy party anthems you will be disappointed, but if you are looking for songs for the soul, you've hit the jackpot. On that note, drop your favourite song in the comments, stay safe, have fun, and I'll see you all next week!
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