So I’m meant to be writing about something I struggle with, but mentally I’m doing better than normal and I really don’t want to write about things which make me sad because then I’ll be sad. Does that make sense?

However, I don’t want to just throw you so I’ve decided to write about something else.

By the time this comes out, Taylor Swift’s folklore album will be out officially. I’m in love with this album so I’ve decided to review the album as a whole and share my honest thoughts and feelings.

This is a bit different so please let me know if you enjoy it and I’ll write more like this.

First Thoughts

When I first listened to this album, all I could think about was how calming yet relatable all the songs where. It pays homage to lots of Swift’s early songs where she just played an acoustic guitar. I like how all the albums are in black and white because it just reinforces the aesthetic style she’s showing here. Also the fact she wrote an entire album during lockdown puts us all to shame. All I’ve really done is watch a load of Netflix. (I was trying to think about other things but that’s pretty much it… oops).

There are sixteen songs on this album so I’m going to try go into each of them and my thoughts on them.

Track listing and Thoughts

1. the 1 – the melody is amazing and the lyrics are so raw and I just think it’s so catchy in a perfect way.
2. cardigan – Honestly my favourite song of the whole album. It’s the perfect amount of angst and the lyrics and melody combined is perfectly haunting.
3. the last great american dynasty – so quirky and slightly upbeat and based on a true story. Rolling Stone did a full article about the backstory which is a really fascinating read and talks about the songs star, Rebekah Harkness and Easter eggs you may have missed. Check that out here.
4. exile – truthfully, not my favourite song. However, Bon Iver’s and Taylor Swift’s voices together is the most gorgeous thing I think I have ever heard. Personally, I find it slightly too slow but the lyrics hit home.
5. my tears ricochet – a gorgeous song yet again, with ever-current and relatable lyrics.
6. mirrorball – being brutally honest here, I find this a relatively skippable song out of all of them. The high notes may give me chills, but, it’s honestly a pretty forgettable song.
7. seven – strong lullaby vibes from this song. A perfect mix of her old songs and her more recent work but somehow still sounding new and fresh.
8. august – a calming song with a fascinating chorus with a plethora of notes. It’s also called August which I think is super cute because eeeyyyy birthdayyyy
9. this is me trying – lyrics which as much as I don’t want to admit, I really relate to. Each of the lyrics make me go “eek, that’s me” and I love it.
10. illicit affairs – I don’t really have much to say about this song except I adore it, her voice my G O D and the way she says “illicit affairs and clandestine meetings” does something to my heart.
11. invisible string – The guitar is amazingly simplistic but it works so well. The whole song is just her life and I love how it flows. Also, the colour hints and subtle hints to her other songs, I see what you’re doing Taylor!
12. mad woman – Yet another total banger of a song. Swift has an incredible talent for writing true feminist anthems. It talks a lot about how domestic abuse victims can be seen as a “crazy ex” which really hits home and makes me feel as though I’m less alone.
13. epiphany – a song to just close your eyes and really listen to. I don’t have much to say about this song except I can’t help but listen to it over and over.
14. betty – there is a harmonica at the start, then throughout the song it’s amazing. This entire song takes me back to all the fights I had with friends and how differently they could turn out. It reminds me of a modern twist of Fifteen and I think it’s genius. Another firm favourite for sure.
15. peace – honestly nothing to monumental. It sounds lovely but it’s not one which makes me go woah
16. hoax – a strong finish to a strong album. Nothing like anything she’s done before, it seems very fragile but also hard hitting and it’s just a great listen.

Parting Thoughts

Overall, I love this album. I think it’s a work of pure passion and you can tell it’s just emotions layered over each other. However, I do love her fast-paced songs and I can’t help but yearn for more of that. It’s a very chilled album and I’m pretty sure I’ll be listening to it while I revise and complete schoolwork.

Considering the fact she just casually made this album so we have something to listen and relate to is amazing and it just shows how amazing she is. The order of the songs is genius too, if you don’t understand, look at the track listing and the song titles and you’ll appreciate it.

Thank you so much for reading, let me know if you want to see more like this! I love reviewing things and I’ve never reviewed an album before, so let me know if you want more like this!

Love you all, Tati xx