Officially Stefny

And we’re back with another Taylor Swift album review!

Bright and early yesterday morning, Taylor graced us all with the news that at midnight Eastern, she would be dropping a new album called “folklore” that she had co-written with Aaron Dessner of The National and Bon Iver. Well, obviously that’s gonna have indie-chill written all over it, right? Is it just gonna be a whole album of “Safe and Sound” knockoffs?

Unfortunately, I was too sick last night to stay up and listen to the album, but I’m here now with my ~hot takes.

1. the 1

Dude the first line of the album says “shit.” Stan this character growth. I really dig the way the piano sounds. Oh look, she said “shit” again. I love the way this song flows and I can definitely hear Aaron’s influence. Great opener, let’s see if it sets the mood for the rest of the album.

2. cardigan

So I actually did stay up for this video last night and might I just add, that it is incredible. 2/2 of mentioning drinking (rep 2.0?). This song also just SCREAMS Aaron. I have to admit, I’m a little confused by the line “I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone’s bed, you put me on and said I was your favourite.” Like… whose cardigan is it? Just stealing random people’s sweaters? Can we just talk about the outro to this song though? The distorted sounds we hear all through the song. UGH SO GOOD.

3. the last great american dynasty

For some reason all the name dropping in this song reminds me of Vampire Weekend. LOL she used the word “gauche.” “She had a marvelous time ruining everything” WHAT A LINE. “Flew in her Bitch Pack friends from the city” WHAT A LINE. Bro, the revelation that this is her Rhode Island house. This song is brilliant. Also, still getting VW vibes from the lyrical content.

4. exile (feat. bon iver)

Oh hey Justin, just immediately. “You’re not my homeland anymore” WOW. Call me a one track train, but this song made me think of Like Crazy (“I think I’ve seen this film before and I didn’t like the ending, you’re not my homeland anymore so what am I defending?”) and now I hate myself. I looooove the call and response. Man, what a song.

5. my tears ricochet

The high-pitched “ooh”s at the beginning confused my cat lol. OH SHE SAID “BABE.” Is that the first song on the album where she said it? There is an engagement/marriage reference in this song, also the first on the album I think. HNGGG WHEN THE DRIVING BEAT COMES IN. “Drunk on this pain” I know isn’t actually about being drunk but hey, that’s song #3. Also, in true Taylor fashion, track 5 is emotional af.

6. mirrorball

My best friend really wanted this to be disco and it is immediately evident that it is not. But there’s the high heels reference! “The masquerade revelers” is such a great term. Oop, there’s the drunk line. Weird that the bridge goes into circus imagery. Are mirrorballs popular at circuses? I haven’t been to one since I was a little kid and tbh I can’t remember a huge chunk of my childhood so I’m really not sure.

7. seven

It would’ve been really weird if this hadn’t been track 7. “I hit my peak at 7” is a big mood, wow. She acknowledged PA though!

And I’ve been meaning to tell you
I think your house is haunted
Your dad is always mad and that must be why
And I think you should come live with me
And we can be pirates
Then you won’t have to cry
Or hide in the closet
And just like a folk song
Our love will be passed on

Wow, that verse hit me on a personal level…

I had a friend like this when I was 7. I also can’t really remember what she looked like but she was my best friend in kindergarten and 1st grade and then she moved to a different school after that. Her name was Justine. She had white-blonde hair but that’s really all I remember. Damn, this song is relatable.

Also, I know I haven’t hit on the music in a while but that music was *chef’s kiss.*

8. august

August – the 8th month and the 8th song. I see what you did there, Taylor. … is this song about doing it? There’s the wine lyric! Could definitely hear Jack’s influence in this song, especially “remember when I pulled up and said ‘get in the car?’”

9. this is me trying

Oooo this song sounds so different. Are those violins? Drinking line! And another. I’m actually pretty concerned about Taylor’s alcohol intake at this point. OMG the strings. I cannot with this song.

10. illicit affairs

PSA: this song is 3:11. Is this song about having an affair with an older man? UNF this guitar part at the very end.

11. invisible string

Immediately I am in love with this guitar part. I also looooove the way she says “me” in the chorus. Well this song is clearly autobiographical about Taylor and Joe. Yep, there’s the “dive bar” reference.

12. mad woman

SOS TAYLOR SAID FUCK. The piano in this song is so pretty. I like to think that this song is the direct sequel to “I Did Something Bad” and “Don’t Blame Me.” Man, what a song.

13. epiphany

The beginning of this song sounds like an orchestra warming up. The lyrics seem like incoherent nonsense at first but is it about a doctor dealing with war? Is the war a real war or is it COVID?

14. betty

Holy harmonica, Batman. Wow, was not expecting this to be about school. Taylor, were you a bully? ALSO SHE SAID FUCK AGAIN. “I’m only 17, I don’t know anything” goes directly against the lyrics in “cardigan.” Wait, did she steal Betty’s boyfriend? WHAT IS HAPPENING? SHE DID. SHE HAD AN ~ILLICIT AFFAIR~ WITH BETTY’S BOYFRIEND. WAIT, NOW SHE’S KISSING BETTY. AND BETTY IS WEARING A CARDIGAN. Oh wait, earlier in the lyrics I think she is referred to as James. So did James cheat on Betty? I’M SO CONFUSED.

15. peace

Very interesting musicality here in the beginning. SHIT ALERT. “Give you my wild, give you a child” hmmmmmm.

16. hoax

This piano is beautiful. “Your faithless love’s the only hoax I believe in.” Clap, clap, clap. This song is so sad. Is it about a failing relationship but she like… would rather be sad with them than move on?

bonus: the lakes

I guess I won’t be able to listen to this one for another 16 weeks until I get the record. 😦

So, in conclusion: