Hello and welcome back for another blog post!
It’s been MONTHS since I last posted here on my blog, and I can’t believe I’m coming back with a new TAYLOR SWIFT album to review! Who would’ve thought that we would get TS8 this soon? I’m still in shambles just by thinking about it.
2020 (so far…) has been full of bad stuff, and I’m pretty sure a lot has yet to come, but folklore right here is one the best things that happened this quarantine, I’m so thankful T.T Music has always been there to comfort us, especially during times like this.
It’s been a week since Taylor released folklore (2020). No pre-promotions. No easter eggs. In the middle of the fcking quarantine. The announcement literally took everyone by storm!! As the title suggests, folklore pertains to countless tales and stories being passed from generation to generation.
I think I’ve heard and reflected enough to talk about all the tracks one-by-one! It’s already a given that this album has an indie, folk, alternative vibe into it, the majority of the songs are toned-down, mellow, and atmospheric. So, we will be focusing more on the lyrics and the whole narrative of the album. This album is so poetic and very well-written, there’s surely a LOT to talk about.
TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW
1. the 1
We’re already starting this album with a piano ballad, but it’s the kind of ballad you can vibe and groove into. In here, she reminisces back from the good times she had with a past significant other, and how that relationship felt real and pure. It’s fun to the point she can’t help but wonder ‘what if that person would’ve been the one?’ I think we’ve all been here, we sometimes think about the people from our past, and wonder what would happen if things have gone differently. It’s a great opener, and perfectly sets the tone for the whole album.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
2. cardigan
Taylor has mentioned that there are three songs in this album that talks about a three-way relationship, with each song representing a different perspective from a love triangle. Cardigan is one of those songs and is on Betty’s point of view. Taylor said that this song talks about young love, specifically the relationship Betty had with James when they were young. Young love is pure and innocent, probably one of the most memorable, yet it’s not taken up seriously, “When you are young they assume you know nothing.” I love how Taylor related the feeling of love on a certain kind of clothing, the cardigan. Sometimes we feel like an old cardigan on someone’s bedroom, forgotten and not looked up to, but then someone comes along and tells us that we are their favorite—so sweet. Cardigan is the 1st single from folklore, a music video is also out on Taylor’s channel!
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
3. the last great american dynasty
Probably one of the most upbeat tracks from the album. To be honest, I thought this song was going to sound political just like Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince or Only The Young, but it didn’t turn out like that. In this track, Taylor tells the story of Rebekah and Bill Harkness, a middle-class divorcee who were the previous owners of the Rhode Island home she currently lives in. She tells their story, how Bill was an heir of a Standard Oil Fortune, how Rebekah became the maddest woman in the town by doing weird things, and how it took its toll on the fallout of their marriage. Eventually, Taylor bought the house after many years, and found some parallels between Rebekah and her own life, hence with the lyric: “I had the marvelous time ruining everything” I love how this song has a carefree vibe into it, it reminded me of “There’s Too Much Love” by Belle & Sebastian.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
4. exile (feat. Bon Iver)
This track reminds me of The Last Time (2012) from Taylor’s Red album! The song is slow and melancholic. It explores a breakup situation between two different perspectives. The song tells the feeling of being cut-off from someone’s life, and you can’t do anything but look at them from afar—just like an exile. I really love the layerings on this track, Bon Iver’s deep voice and Taylor’s just fits so well it sounds heavenly! (Even tho the song is depressing) Just from lurking on Twitter, I can already see that this track is indeed going to be one of the fan-favorites from the album!
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
5. my tears ricochet
The infamous track-5 in every Taylor Swift album was always the saddest one. I’m not even exaggerating, but I always tear up every time I listen to this song. The lyricism and the meaning behind this song always get me. The song is actually up for a lot of interpretations, some say it’s from a perspective of a ghost ‘You know I didn’t want to / Have to haunt you / But what a ghostly scene’ as it watches the person that put her through hell attend her wake.
The thought of seeing your destroyer, the person who did everything to tear you down, attend your own funeral is just devastating. The lyrics ‘When I’m screaming at the sky / And when you can’t sleep at night / You hear my stolen lullabies’ also implies that the song was a metaphor to how Taylor was utterly devasted over losing the rights to her past 6 albums. This is a beautifully sad song, definitely one of my favorites!
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
6. mirrorball
This was my favorite song upon my initial listen! Until now, this is still included in my top 5 from the album. One can interpret this song in two ways: personality-wise, or in a romantic way. Basically, a mirrorball is a reference to a disco ball which reflects light, so when Taylor said she’s a mirrorball, she’s implying that she can easily adapt and change herself depending on the situation; change one’s self just to fit in, please other people, or make a good impression (My socially anxious self can relate to this song real hard ngl T.T) On the other hand, if you look at this song more romantically, it means one can change his/her actions just to make the other person love them more. Like, sometimes we act differently whenever that other person is around, and even if we’re not that kind of person we are willing to change ourselves just for them.
I actually see this song from the latter’s perspective, but when someone mentioned that it has something to do with fitting in with everyone, it made me reflect on my life more! I also love how this song gives off the vibe which we can dance to on a prom date!
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
7. seven
Aside from the folksy and soothing voice of Taylor on this track, the lyrics are so precious and pure, I’m bawling my eyes out. This song is sung from the perspective of a child as she comforts her best friend from a traumatizing experience. I’m assuming it’s from an abusive family since the lyrics “And I’ve been meaning to tell you/ I think your house is haunted/ Your dad is always mad and that must be why” implies a chaotic household.
Just like a typical child mentality, “And I think you should come live with me/ And we can be pirates” young people always think that they can just shoo some problems away. I love how the song tells a touching story of a child trying her best to protect her playmate, even if the situation is helpless and complicated. This song makes me want to reflect more on my childhood.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
8. august
The eighth track from the album is titled ‘august’! Apparently, it’s also the 8th month of the year lol. This track is the second song from the teenage love triangle, and it’s from the perspective of ‘the mistress’. Streets were saying the girl is named ‘Inez’ since it’s been mentioned on the album, but I’m still not sure about that. The track talks about a summer fling that happened in August.
Just like a typical romantic fling, it tells a story that is fast-paced, secretive, and forbidden. The whole bridge especially the line “So much for summer love and saying ‘us’/ ’Cause you weren’t mine to lose/ You weren’t mine to lose, no” says that the relationship they have was just temporary and is up for an end anytime soon. The production of this song screams JACK ANTONOFF all over it, I love how the instrumentals sound dreamy and nostalgic.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
9. this is me trying
This song hits differently especially when you’ve been through a lot. Here, Taylor talks about recovering from bad experience, being let down from the failures, and being told that vulnerability is just all in the mind. Despite the insecurities, downfalls, and the hardships, it’s still not too late to own up to it and make things right.
She emphasizes that even with the littlest actions, she’s trying to stand up and move on from it. This is a really good song to reflect to, it’s too deep yet everyone can relate to it at some point in their life.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
10. illicit affairs
Illicit affairs! Some people were saying that this should be the 2nd song on the love-triangle (in replace of august) but I think Illicit Affairs is not fitting in the narrative of young love. Here, Taylor talks about infidelity, nuances, secrets, and mistakes. It’s a more mature take about unlawful affairs between a married man and a mistress.
It’s told from the point-of-view of ‘the other one’ who suggests that she’ll risk ruining herself a million times just to keep up with this forbidden relationship, even if she already knows how their story will end. I really love it when Taylor writes about love in different perspectives, it really showcases her writing abilities!
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
11. invisible string
We already know this song has something to do with Joe Alwyn lmao. This is basically Taylor’s ode to Joe, and how an invisible string “One single thread of gold tied me to you” made an impact on them meeting each other. She metaphorically compared an ‘invisible string’ to this so-called thing called ‘fate’ which could be a reason why two people who meet are destined for each other. I really love the laid-back instrumentals as well as Taylor’s soothing harmonizations. Taylor also included certain biographical nuances and literary references Joe and her experienced together in this song. Overall, this is a cute song ❤
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
12. mad woman
Mad Woman is that song that could easily fit on the reputation album. It’s full of angst, anger, and rawness. Based on my research, mad woman is told from the perspective of a misfit widow taking revenge from the town that cast her out. In a way, we can see how Taylor metaphorically related herself to the ‘madwoman’ every time people call her crazy, she gets crazier.
She explores the theme of how men, in general, induce their anger on women by doing such things, and how the public criticizes women by being angry in return. It explores sexist tropes and double-standards put in women. Personally, I think she also talked about the ongoing feud between Scooter and Brochetta, and the whole masters incident, especially on the lyric “It’s obvious that wanting me dead has really brought you two together”
On the other hand, I think this song also has something to do with Rebekah Harkness, since she mentioned the term “maddest woman” on that song. It’s somewhat a continuation as to when she became a divorcee, and how everything went through after that.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
13. epiphany
This song has a really interesting structure and the way Taylor sang it is so majestically beautiful. Epiphany was a tribute to frontliners and heroes out there. The first verse talks about someone from the military. Taylor said that the main inspiration behind the song was her grandfather, Dean, and his experience landing at Guadalcanal in 1942.
It tells the hardships and the trauma soldiers face in the aftermath of a battle. The second verse explores a different field and focuses more on medical professionals and first-aid responders. This song hits different especially with the whole COVID-19 situation that we’re all facing now. I have a lot of respect for frontliners out there! I love how this song felt like a hymn of some sort, it gives a sense of importance and emotional impact.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
14. betty
Betty is probably the most upbeat track in this album. It brings us back to her country roots. Betty is the final song on the love triangle trilogy. It’s told from the perspective of James, and what happens after she cheated on Betty with another girl during that summer love in August.
Despite it’s fun and upbeat instrumentation, this song talks about how James felt guilty, heartbroken, and ashamed after seeing that she has already moved on with what happened. I love how Taylor just blatantly curses on her songs now LMAO. This is really new that Taylor writes a whole song from the perspective of a guy, I can’t stress enough how good of a storyteller she is!
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
15. peace
This track sounds experimental to me, the instrumentals are quite odd as well as how she sang the verses out. Here she talks about her undying love for someone very special to her, and how she asks if it’s okay if she couldn’t give him any peace. Considering the factors such as fame, exposure, and conflicts, Taylor’s life is surely a lot to handle; she’s very much aware that these things could affect her relationship with someone. “Would it be enough / If I could never give you peace?”
I don’t know if it’s just me but the lyric “Robbers to the east / Clowns to the West” is an indirect reference to the whole Kim and Kanye incident. I think it proves the point that the song is about the dramas and issues in her life.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
16. hoax
We’re finally down to the last track of the album! It’s funny how the album started with a piano ballad, and now it ends with another piano ballad—but this time it’s depressing af.
Hoax tells a story of a toxic relationship that just ended, but regardless of how toxic it is, the receiving end is still asking for reasons and can’t help but still care about the other person.
I think this is the song which made stans wonder if Taylor and Joe broke up, I’m pretty sure they don’t and songs like this should be taken with a grain of salt because just like the title of the album (folklore) Taylor tells stories from the perspective of various kinds of people, so for some, she’s not literally talking about her life. I love how the album ends with this one, pure melancholy.
Stream it here: SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
Overall, I really enjoyed listening to this album!! This might be my most favorite album of her! I love how everything is toned-down and indie. This gives me big Lana Del Rey vibes (another artist I STAN) The production, lyrics, and the art direction on this album is so cohesive. Of course, not everyone is going to like this album, it’s completely different from Country-Pop/ Pop Taylor.
Either way, I really love how Taylor went to this kind of route, I’ve been wanting this kind of album from her since reputation! I didn’t rate the songs because every song is special on its own. This album will definitely hit different when you listen to it at night! Try and take a listen!
Stream the album on SPOTIFY and YOUTUBE!
Buy the album here: folklore (album)
Thanks for dropping by! What are your favorite songs from folklore? Which of the songs do you think will be a grower? Tell me your insights and theories about it!
Let’s continue the discussion on the comments!
See you on the next blog post~
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An Introverted World 
Great review! Love this album and have been waiting for this kind of music from her for ages! I think Betty is probably my favourite so far, that harmonica!! 😍 I also saw Florence Welch put on her instagram stories that she loved the chord change at 2.12 on exile so now I keep listening to that too! 😆 Love, love, love it!
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Thank you! ✨ Yes love Betty too! 💕 Omg I didn’t know Florence was also listening to folklore 🙈 Thank you for mentioning! Now I’m also going to notice that chord change whenever I listen to exile 😂
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