Hey all!
I feel like I haven't written a music review in a while, but for today's post I am going to be reviewing the new album by Taylor Swift that was released a few days ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Let's get straight into it!
'the 1'
The very first song on the album is a very softly sounding tune, probably about somebody that she's been reminiscing about, saing that she wishes they could be 'the 1'. It's a nice introduction to the album and I definitely like this smoother version of Taylor's voice!
'cardigan'
This second song explores Taylor's deep voice with more of a sensual and relaxing tune. The 'cardigan' reference is relating to picking your favourite clothing out of the cupboard, and whether she is somebody's 'favourite cardigan'. 'When you are young, they assume you know nothing' are lyrics of the song that I can relate to straightaway. I believe that young/younger people are often stereotyped of not being as knowledgeable as their older counterparts, when in fact, they could be smarter...due to the environments around us constantly changing and having to adapt quickly. I think I prefer this song to the first one on the album, but let's see if it makes the top three.
'the last great american dynasty'
This song definitely has a good background beat and background vocals but initially I had no idea what the song meant. After doing a quick Google search, the song was inspired by an American woman called Rebekah Harkness whom she is said to have a lot of similarities with. The similarities included when they bought their 'perfect houses', having an 'all female squad' and both undergoing criticism about the men they were dating. For me, the song's meaning is a little bit complicated, but it's not a bad tune...
'exile' (ft Bon Iver)
The only collaboration on the album is this song featuring Bon Iver. The song starts with a very deep introduction with the incredibly low vocals from Bon. I would imagine the word 'exile' to mean leave or disappear, but I'm not sure? I believe the meaning behind his song is that as Taylor Swift is now single, she's surely not going to be offending anyone, as she's on her own...but apparently there are still people who have their own opinions about her. It's a very slow song and it seems like towards the end of the song, she explains she's had these feelings before, but this time it's better for the individual to leave rather than having to deal with another disagreement.
'my tears ricochet'
At the beginning of this song there are 'Ooos' which slowly fade into the first verse. This is also another very slow song on the album with the meaning of the song very difficult to interpret. I believe this is about another one of her ex boyfriends who is still speaking badly about her, but still wants her back in their life, but her tears ricochet because she's moved on? The final part of the song is sang pretty much in acapella with very light background sounds. For me, I'm not really sure if I like this song because it just sounds like I'm either stuck inside a church, or outside next to a graveyard.
'mirrorball'
At the end of each line sang in this song, the words are held for a few seconds, almot making the song sound like it's being spoken by an angel. Similar to the previous song, it sounds like I've entered the set of a gospel choir - but at least this song is at a slightly faster pace! In this song some of the lyrics include the fact that she can 'change herself anyway she can, in order to fit in' which I feel is something I feel a lot of people do nowadays in order to try and fit in. It's very difficult for people to be 100% fully themselves, when there are likely to be so many people who have a lot of similarities with their personalities, looks or experiences. Either way, I liked the song and it was very relaxing!
'seven'
At the beginning of this song, I thought it was ANOTHER slow ballad, but I was wrong! Just after the first verse, Taylor goes into lightly spoken lyrics with a long gap between the first and second verses. She said she 'reached her peak at seven' and I don't know if that's 7 years old, or because Folklore is her 7th studio album?!? The backing track towards the end of the song sounds slightly similar to an Adele song, but I'm not sure which one...but with the isolated instruments at the end, it helps bring the song to a soft close!
'august'
It's ironic how there is a song called August on this album, as it's being released in July...almost like she is foreseeing what could happen next month? Again I'm not sure what this song is about, but she speaks about cancelling some of her plans in case the person called and she could arrange to meet them behind the mall...probably another lover!
'this is me trying'
So, it sounds like this song is about Justin Timberlake as she mentions the name 'Justin' and I don't think she was ever in a relationship with Justin Bieber...I think the song is about Taylor speaking with someone whilst sober because she explains 'I didn't pour the drink, I just wanted you'?!?! or something along the lines of that, I'm not really sure...I don't know, it's another slow song so not really something I can bop along to, unless it has a dance remix.
'illicit affairs'
Just from the beginning lyrics, it sounds like whoever has gone to visit Taylor, has done something bad...Illicit affairs means doing something unlawful/illegal if in a married couple. 'Look at this idiotic fool you made me' - that could be about somebody who potentially cheated on her or did something stupid? Unless, she had invited somebody to her house, which is why she tells them to cover their head and walk down a quieter road...I don't know! I'm bad at this 'review' stuff! Lol
'invisible string'
The initial lyrics describe the green grass she used to sit at, and the teal coloured tshirt of the guy she recognised from the Yoghurt bar? This is probably one of those 'stalker moments' where you see somebody and think to write a song about them...I believe the invisible string is the secret connection which would pull her closer to this chosen person. I would like to describe this song as a 'boucy' tune with a variety of different speeds and tones throughout the song. Lots of 'hees' and 'whoos' - but they make the song more interesting!
'mad woman'
I think song easily and obviously describes her angry side, where she is able to transform into a 'mad woman' especially when somebody says that she seems angry. She explains that the guy has made her lose everything and that is what probably made her angry - and she feels that he is 'stepping on other people' and 'climbing' which he shouldn't have had the opportunity to do? Anyways, next!
'epiphany'
Here's another slow 'church' song. An epiphany is either something related to God, or it's the realisation of something...but I haven't realised what this song is about yet. After the first 30 seconds I actually started falling asleep, so although this song is in my music playlist, it will either be sped up by 2X or will just be skipped. Too slow for me...sorry!
'betty'
Who's Betty? Taylor's first ex girlfriend from when she was 17?? Ok so after listening to more of the song, it seems like Betty could have one of her old friends from school, and she could have hooked up with somebody that Betty liked - and therefore she wouldn't want Taylor to go to her party? A lot of the songs are quite vague in terms of their meaning...apart from to Taylor who I'm sure knows the exact meaning behind each of the lyrics in each of the songs! Well, cheers to Betty for the inspiration behind this song (with the nice accompanyment of the harmonica in the background)!!
'peace'
It sounded like a house alarm at the beginning of this song...and I do NOT miss those noises from my student accommodation! After 40 seconds, Taylor began to sing...phew! I have no idea what this song was about, so no review for this one! Anyways, onto the last song.
'hoax'
Ok here we go! The final song on the Folklore album! I believe when it comes to albums, the first and last songs are usually the best ones as you want to draw people in at the beginning, but also want to make sure they don't forget the music they've just heard, as the album is ending...Although this song to finalise the album is very slow, the tone of the lyrics is slightly different to some of the other songs - and with the violin sounds in the background, it's got a dramatic type of feeling. She speaks about not wanting any other shade of blue, which could be relating to an outfit worn, or a feeling of being blue? Is she upset, who knows? But it's a great end to an interesting album of songs!
Overall, I don't believe it's Taylor's best album, but that's because I haven't been a fan since Day 1, and there were a lot of songs on this album that were just a little too slow for me. Anyways I'll list some of my favourite songs from the album below!
#1 INVISIBLE STRING
#2 HOAX
#3 BETTY
#4 CARDIGAN
Let me know your favourites from the album!
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