Taylor Swift - folklore (July 24, 2020) Album • Page 75

This may be a reach but it occurred to me that the only other time she’s used the word “marvelous” to my knowledge is on “Starlight”...her other song about the wealthy New England jet set.

 

Top two tbh

 

The National’s Aaron Dessner Talks Taylor Swift’s New Album folklore

Also just casually threw in that they’re working on the next Big Red Machine album(!)

 

i still haven’t listened to big red machine

 

y tho

 

im not a huge side project guy. i will eventually. just never on the front of my mind.

 

It’s definitely worth it. There’s some really great stuff on there.

 

The last like 2:20 of exile is so fucking good.

 

Big Red Machine is fantastic and doesn't sound like a side project

 

Betty has the most perfect bridge

 

Read for some thoughts on The Lakes!!

 

I don’t really know what Big Red Machine is.

 

Until yesterday, I wouldn't consider myself a Taylor fan as I was mainly into Red and most of 1989 and Reputation. But this album... is extremely my shit. Wasn't expecting all those The National sounding flourishes, so that partnership is genius by the way, and her lyrics are so vivid, like she manages to depict scenes so well. So many lines make me emotional too. Probably the biggest surprise of the year so far.

I'll try to catch up on this thread, wish me luck.

 

I've found myself listening to The National so much this year that what is essentially a National album with Taylor Swift fronting is perfect for me

 

So I’ve been trying to pin down what makes this feel so special, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the lack of expectation around the songs. Taylor herself is the first to admit that losing AOTY for Red was fundamental in her pivot to 1989. Going beyond that, I think it’s fair to say that her career has been a series of attempts to one up either herself or the criticism levied against her. For example, Speak Now was written alone because they said she couldn’t do it. Reputation was an attempt to examine her identity, but she couldn’t stick to killing off her old self when it became clear critics wanted more of that. I think not being Grammy nominated for Rep really hurt her and made her rethink what’s important about her artistry and her direction, leading us in a circle back to Lover.

There is a confidence and a sincerity throughout these songs of someone who knows they are writing in isolation, free from preconceived notions. It feels like the first time in a long time she is writing just for the sake of writing and not just to prove something. I don’t mean to say any songs on her previous albums are insincere- they’re just the kind of sincere reminiscent of someone who is determined to make you like them. The songs on folklore are more of a “take me as I am” sincerity that can only be won with deep personal introspection and growth.

The feeling I get from this album is that we’re at the start of something incredible. Which is WILD to say about someone 8 albums into their career. She really is the great American songwriter and I think she finally realizes that that is and always will be true, no matter what her detractors say.

 

"Our coming-of-age has come and gone"

"Your integrity makes me seem small
You paint dreamscapes on the wall
I talk shit with my friends, it's like I'm wasting your honor"

"All these people think love's for show
But I would die for you in secret
The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me
Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?"

"peace" swinging in past my early favs to make a strong case for being my real favorite on here.

 

Great breakdown. One of my least favorite things about her music in the past is how focused she is on other people liking her, so that not being a theme in this album is a big reason why I think it stands above her past work.

 

Justin's vocals on "Exile" remind me a lot of that second Volcano Choir album, particularly the "so step right up" part.

 

i had a marvelous timmmmeeeeee ruining everything

 

last great American dynasty reminded me that she once dated a Kennedy. is she telling a alt-history of the house she bought up there around then?

 

This seems accurate to me, and I hope she stops caring what the fucking Grammys think forever.

 

The wild true story behind Taylor Swift's 'The Last Great American Dynasty'

 

I agree with the confidence part, & forever agree that people shouldn't take the Grammys seriously, lol.

I do think that her gift for observational songwriting makes her more reactionary writing sincere & effective in a way that someone else's might not be. "The kind of sincere reminiscent of someone who is determined to make you like them" is a great way to put it. But, it still works as honest artistic expression, instead of insincerity & going through the motions or whatever.

 

Justin Vernon + Aaron Dessner

 

i mean, i know. i just haven’t gotten around to it lol