Doesn’t bother me per se, but if she records different lyrics that don’t include it and it doesn’t mess up the flow of the melody, I’ll most likely prefer it. If she cares enough to record it twice, I don’t think it’s weird for some people to prefer it over the original.
I don’t mind cursing, but it comes off as juvenile at a certain point. I don’t think this album is too heavy on it, but when an artist says fuck too many times then it just sounds lazy.
A few months ago I was working out in the basement and my daughter (6 yo) came down and stole my phone to play songs she likes, like "Party in the USA" and stuff like that. Well the song "abcdefu" by GAYLE starts playing, and I hadn't ever heard it before, but it's the original version of the song that starts right off with "fuck you and your mom and your sister and your job" and before I can grab the phone and shut it off my daughter is dancing and singing along like she knows the song. Turns out her and my son both love the clean version of that song, and it's much tamer and more kid-friendly. She was singing the kid lyrics but knew the melody and everything. At first I was like "wait how do you know this?!??"
I’d bring it back further to Alanis. I feel like it always comes with connotations of being confessional, too
Honestly she just...does it kind of awkwardly? Couldn't care less about swearing lol, but I also can't think of another artist where fucks and shits more frequently come off in a way that sounds as forced. I just view it as a stylistic choice that sometimes doesn't benefit the songs (in my opinion obviously). It's not a huge deal at all, and outside of a one-off curiosity driven skim through the clean copy I'll only ever be listening to the real version. But when I saw that post I did immediately throw on edited Snow on the Beach because I'd be lying if I said I didn't mentally roll my eyes a little at 12:15 or so last night when I got to the chorus of it for the first time.
The only time her cursing sounds forced to me on this album is I guess the chorus of Snow on the Beach? Totally takes me out of the song for reasons I don’t totally understand, haha.
First listen, it’s probably her least outstanding besides Reputation, but her craftsmanship (and Jack’s) are on such a phenomenal high these days that it’s still really good and definitely going to grow on me. The last 4 songs are a killer run and “You’re on Your Own, Kid” really jump out as standouts. It also leans into some of her weakest points actively though. Her (not sure how to describe it better) hip-hop-inflected verse melodies where she’s talking more than singing can be a bit monotonous. And I never find her convincing when she’s trying to do the vengeful “black widow” thing. Her knack for poetry and really memorable imagery always fails her there. But again, a credit to a craftsman in her prime that it’s still so good.
The target near me has every vinyl color in stock but I’m too indecisive. The Mahogany is nice but so is the jade green.
Also a first listen, so first impressions. I’ll be excited to read this back in a few months and see if/how my feelings have changed. I really like the Taylor/Jack combo. I think he, as well as Dessner, challenge her more than someone like Max Martin. She’s spoken a lot recently about not always writing songs based off her own experience and telling stories and such so this album is either more great storytelling or a level of vulnerability I never thought we’d get from her (and understandably so.) “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”, “You’re On Your Own, Kid” and “Glitch” are probably the standouts for me from the whole collection at this point. As far as cursing goes, anytime she says fuck on this album she sings it like she absolutely means it. For me, it’s emotionally earned from a lyrical standpoint. in my opinion, Taylor’s one of the strongest songwriters/storytellers we’ve got and she just continues to prove that album after album. Even if I end up not going back to this too often, I’d still take most of her misses over many artists’ greats.
Omg how did I not realize there were 7 more songs until I saw the front page post lmao. I heard ppl mention 3am but ive only skimmed this thread and I thought it was just like... idek like when she broke up folklore into different chapters. Wtf I still have 7 songs I haven't heard yet????
I dont rly buy it when taylor acts like a baddie but I think of it as like a fun cosplay for her and it's fun to dance to and strut to on the treadmill but sis we all know you're rly just back there baking cookies
The Target bonus track is fucking amazing and doesn’t fit sonically on this album or the 3 AM EP. But holy shit it’s good, especially if you’re an old school Taylor fan. Sounds like a Fearless vault track.
3 AM would be a perfect 10” to release independently. Alas, I don’t think it will be (eventually) packaged that way.