The Tortured Poets Department - Taylor Swift
(Republic Records)
1) Fortnight ft/ Post Malone
The vocals sit well with the synths, but this song does feel repetitive at times. Post does a good job though with his prominent role during the bridge.
2) The Tortured Poets Department
There's a cool 80s pop-beat. The chorus finds Taylor openly mocking herself and her partner. The 2nd verse is a bit shaky lyrically, but the bridge feels highly personal. Her soft vocals add emphasis.
3) My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys
This track continues that 80s 'Madonna-esque' vibe. There's nice variety throughout the verses on this underrated track; "Rivulets descend my plastic smile.....Pull the string and I'll tell you that he runs because he loves me".
4) Down Bad
The synth work really adds to the vibe. This track deals with 'love-bombing'; "tell me I was the chosen one...sent me back where I came from". You can sense the anger and sorrow present.
5) So Long, London
Right from the start this track grabs your attention with the 'choral bells' style of into. You get the sense that she's been trying to prop her partner up; "I'm pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free". She emotes perfectly throughout this track, giving off a sense of frustration while letting go and moving on.
6) But Daddy I Love Him
This track has a throwback Country vibe. While she's playful and coy in chorus, she also makes some serious comments regarding the media and/or the extremes of the parasocial nature of the fandom; "I don't cater to all these vipers dressed in empath's clothing".
7) Fresh Out The Slammer
This track centers around a rebound, with a western country feel. The closing half-time feel can feel very sudden and abrupt.
8) Florida!!! ft/ Florence + The Machine
Florence brings her signature vocal styling on this feature; "So I did my best to lay to rest all of the bodies that have ever been on my body". This track has an overall cool vibe, but it can feel a bit lyrically puzzling.
9) Guilty As Sin?
She's feeling trapped; "This cage was once just fine, Am I allowed to cry?". This track really grooves as she deals with fantasizing while either in a relationship or just out of one. The bridge feels very poetic.
10) Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?
This track feels very haunting; "So I leap from the gallows, and I levitate down your street". You can really feel the anger.
11) I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)
That western country vibe comes back. This song kind of just goes in circles.
12) loml
There are some deeply heartbreaking lyrics on this piano ballad; "I can't get out of bed, 'Cause something counterfeit's dead".
13) I Can Do It With A broken Heart
This track is very unique, as your hear the Eras Tour stage directions in the background. While upbeat, you get the sense of what she was going through during the beginning leg of the tour.
14) The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
She makes good use of her lower voice on this track. This bridge is simply epic, as she lets out her anger. It feels theraputic.
15) The Alchemy
While there's a cool vibe, this track can feel a bit forgettable.
16) Clara Bow
This track almost feels like a sequel to "Nothing New", as she talks about what it takes to make it in the industry; "Beauty is a beast that roars, down on all fours, demanding more". A perfect message for both the close of the traditional album, and intro to the anthology.
The Tortured Poets Department is a fascinating album, with it largely written either during the prep for the tour or while on the tour itself. While there are some bumps, this certainly feels like her most personal album (especially once you factor in the tracks on the anthology). An impressive piece of work. (88.1)
90.9 "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" Chappell Roan
88.1 "The Tortured Poets Department" - Taylor Swift
87.9 " Hit Me Hard & Soft " Billie Eilish
87.3 "Cowboy Carter" Beyoncé
85.9 "Short n' Sweet" Sabrina Carpenter
69.6 "Djesse Vol 4" Jacob Collier
69.3 "New Blue Sun" Andre 3000
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