folklore | The Dreamiest Album I’ve Ever Heard

You guys, I cannot stop listening to the new Taylor Swift album.

For anyone who doesn’t know, or has been living under a rock for the last 2 weeks, Taylor Swift released her eighth studio album, folklore on July 24th with no promotion or notice. I honestly think that folklore is one of her most mature and arguably the best album of her career. I have never felt physical pain from some of the words she so effortlessly pulls together to create some of the most captivating lyrics I’ve heard in recent years.

I have always been a fan of Taylor Swift, but I don’t think I’ve respected her more than in the recent years, watching the way she handled all the weird shit this industry throws at her with grace, and a fire I don’t think the music industry has seen before. From the series of unfortunate Kanye West events, to having 6 of her past albums being sold without giving her the option of purchasing them. Her story is unique, her songwriting skills are unparallel, I truly believe she deserves the level of fame that she’s achieved.

I’m honestly SUPER excited about this album, and wanted to walk you through five of my favourite songs, and some of my favourite lyrics.

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the 1

Come on. This song is beautiful. I think many of us who have been lucky enough to fall in love with someone can relate to this song. For me it’s very reminiscent of a first love, reflective and yearning in the most beautiful way. This song reflects on a love you know wouldn’t have stood the challenges that time brings, but knowing it would be fun, if it did work out, because there’s something so hopeful and exciting about being in love for the first time. I think one of my favourite lines in this song is “we were something don’t you think so?/roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool/ and if my wishes came true, it would have been you” UGH. It’s JUST SO GOOD.

august

If you don’t think this is the perfect song to play behind a montage of two teenagers hopelessly falling in love, during the months between schools ending and beginning again, twisted in bed sheets, doing things they know they shouldn’t but they’re just so consumed with each other, please, just close this tab. This song is probably my favourite from the trio of songs on the album that are told from the three different perspectives of a teenage love triangle (the three songs are, cardigan, august & betty). If you are anything like me, and sit down and start analyzing Taylors lyrics on the three songs you will see so many parallels between the three. Like come one people, there’s songwriters and then there’s Taylor Swift.

madwoman

This one is haunting and hilarious. Did the music industry really think Taylor would let Scott Brochetta and Scooter Braun have the last word. The moment I heard this song for the first time, I couldn’t help but smile and think “oh they don’t even know what’s coming”. She has not forgotten, or forgiven, and rightfully so. They way she sings the contrasting lines in the chorus is just so freaking brilliant. “every time you call me crazy, I get more crazy what about that?/and when you say I seem angry, I get more angry” ugh, I cannot wait to watch what she does. GO GET YOUR MASTERS.

mirrorball

When I listened to this album the full way through for the first time, this was my favourite song. This was one song that completely transported me to a different place. There’s so many nods to Joe, her boyfriend as well as nods to the entertainment industry as a whole.

invisible string

This is by far my favourite song on the album. The dreamiest song, but the most honest I think we’ve seen Taylor write about her relationship with Joe. This is the ultimate love song, every single word is perfectly placed. This song also has my favourite lyric from the album, “Time mystical Time/ cutting me open then healing me fine” I have had this song on repeat for the last 5 days, and I’m so ready to hear this at every wedding I attend when we’re able to attend weddings again.

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Have you listened to this album? What is your favourite song from it?