haven't had a chance to listen yet - just not in the mood for something slow haha but I've been enjoying all the reactions and analysis so far!
I'm really glad No Body, No Crime and Cowboy Like Me exist. The country flare adds another dynamic to these songs that was missing mostly on folklore.
This isn’t blowing me away like Folklore did, but honestly, not much does. (I really think that one’s an all timer.) This is still really great and special though. She’s in her prime. Closure is just..ahhhhhh. So good.
I surprisingly have only listened to the album once so far. I think I’ll hit it hard this weekend though.
Just paid all of my bills for the month and wrapping up Christmas shopping tonight/tomorrow morning, so buying the vinyl once that's all set. My Folklore vinyl is due to come in tomorrow, but honestly think it'll be more of Monday/Tuesday based on status.
a few listens in, I certainly like this album a lot, and much more than most albums from this year, but it's not quite folklore for me. folklore was a whole brand new thing for her, so every single song on the album was fresh and new. These songs I find myself constantly thinking "oh, this sounds like this from folklore," which is not a bad thing at all, but it does make it feel more like a sequel than it's own thing. I also think the musical choices on folklore were a bit more exciting and dynamic for me, there's are a lot of standout parts of songs from folklore that feel classic. Justin & Taylor trading vocals to each other, the sweeping musical part toward the end of august, things like that. A lot of the evermore songs feel consistent throughout the song, which again is fine, but there's less cool moments that I am catching and more of like... track-length "vibes". Obviously time can change that, but that's where my head's at currently.
This whole album is superb, but man, “Marjorie” is just one of those “always going to make me cry” songs. We lost my grandma a few months ago and that song captures that kind of loss in such a potent way.
I know what you mean. I won't know which one I like "more" until this one has settled but I bonded with folklore on an intrinsic level in a way I didn't quite achieve with this one. Still, I'd be surprised if she doesn't take my two top slots regardless of which order it ends up being in.
I agree. This is obviously the more ambitious record, but folklore was such a *moment* that I don’t think can be recaptured in the same way. For a lot of us, it was exactly the record we’d wanted her to make for nearly a decade, and despite both records being surprises, the former was a much bigger shock to the system. I think evermore is very good, is Taylor’s lyrical peak, and will absolutely grow on me even more with time — but the proximity to an album I’m still reeling over (and that is just generally more up my alley) has undoubtedly softened the blow here.
Re: AOTY list talk, I’m just straight up not including it lol. Those lists to me are reserved for records that defined my year. I had a hard enough time whittling down to only 50 records I loved this year to cement in something that I’ll surely always associate with 2021 anyhow
I wish I was connecting with this one as much as y’all. It’s exquisite with some wonderful highs, for sure, but folklore brought me back instantly instead of listening to this again.
Hahaha, no I definitely won’t be trying to cheat. I know that bugs you and it bugs the hell out of me too
My fiancée and I were both fully crying on the first listen because it was so deeply personal that it felt like it was written specifically for us...about two completely different losses. What a songwriter she is
After first listen, I like this one more. Folklore has higher highs (mirrorball and exile specifically), but I enjoyed the average song here more. Feel like Aaron and Taylor's styles mesh a lot better here overall. There were a few moments on the last album where I thought the music brought down the energy that Taylor has but I didnt get that here at all. Also, Im going to put this on my 2021 list and no one can stop me.
Idk, as much as I love folklore, I think this one has more emotional punch and doesn’t have the songs I’m not very enthusiastic about (namely, “mad woman” and “hoax”). It’s obviously too early to make the call, but I’d say folklore felt more “new” for her, but this one feels a little more like the Taylor I fell in love with. (I’ll probably have them in subsequent slots on my list.)
I truly can’t choose yet. This album is incredible. The production is just outstanding. Spilling over with Sonic detail. The songs that didn’t blow me over on first spin are already growing on listen #2. What a gift Will note that this has some of the most gorgeously recorded upright bass I’ve ever heard on anything