I am not at all claiming to be the first one with an opinion (authoritative or otherwise) on folklore. I also happily admit that I went into this album completely blind / deaf; aside from a few monster hits, Taylor Swift does not rest naturally on my musical pathways. Obviously I have heard about this album (and its sister follow up), but this was my first dive into it — shuffle hath deemed it.
This is a great album.
Low-key and melodic, peaceful and playful, and hook-filled from stem to stern. Sometimes a Cocteau Twins feel (“august” and “this is me trying”), sometimes channeling Over The Rhine (“cardigan”). There is fine variety here within the limited palette that Swift and Aaron Dessner have set forth, and I was totally engaged from beginning to end; the organic nature is such a nice change from the abrasive pop of Reputation.
I know much has been made in the past of Taylor’s lyrics, about them being vapid teen longing. I’m not going to pretend I studied the lyrics at all, but I can say that “betty” was a pretty funny song about unrequited modern teen love, and that the “invisible string” line “Cold was the steel of my axe to grind for the boys who broke my heart” made me chuckle. And that “epiphany” is about as far from vapid teen as you can get. All with some gliding melodies and harmonies.
This is a great album.
This reminds me very much of George Michael’s Faith. Before that dropped, he was solely known as the pretty boy half of WHAM! But with Faith, he changed the game and brought forth an album of variety, fun, passion, depth. To me, this is the promise of Taylor Swift fulfilled. Game changer.
At the end of the 17 tracks, I was thinking “it’s over already?” I really wanted more — I guess it’s time to seek out Evermore.
5/5 (classic, must own; repeated listenings will be rewarded)
Taylor Swift / folklore
Republic Records (2020)
67 minutes
For more information; and then get thyself to your local record store and buy it.
