T Swift just dropped a new album, and um, we're freaking out

Just three days after my birthday, Christmas came early, with Tayor Swift taking to socials to announce the release her surprise, quarantine resulted, studio album, Folklore. Just kidding. Well, not about the album, that part is true, but I may have exaggerated the whole Christmas came early part.

I feel as though I have to preface this article with stating I am not a Taylor Swift stan, my love for music is vast and lies not with just one artist, although her 2012 track All Too Well will forever reign my breakup playlist. I am a mere bystander to Swift’s musings in musical form, an average listener you could say. And thus, I promise to keep this review honest and will limit my hyperbolic claims to only one song, in particular, Exile.

Swift has travelled through genres over the years, making her way from country in her teens, to pop in her late 20’s, but Folklore feels as though she’s finding her footing after all these musical years. It is melodic, it’s soft and it’s sad. It’s the perfect break up album. Do I think Swift has broken up with beau Joe Alwyn, resulting in this masterpiece? Eh. I doubt it. I think by now Swift has probably mastered the art of drawing on past heartbreak to curate an album. I digress.

This album is sixteen songs of melodic tunes and beautiful stoic harmonies, it’s subtle in its sound, unlike her 2017 Reputation album. In fact, I would say it’s again very different from last years, Lover album. It’s not poppy and it’s not lovey-dovey in the slightest.

It only features one artist or band I should say, Bon Iver (if you were anything like me and had no idea Bon Iver were in fact, multiple people). I’d normally chalk this up to the current state of the world, you know, Global Pandemic and all, but this is isn’t abnormal for Taylor. However, the lack of features doesn’t hinder the album whatsoever, as the song of which Bon Iver features on carries this album (hyperbolic who?), on it’s back. I GOT GOOSEBUMPS.

I am not currently heartbroken, nowhere even close, and yet this song, Exile, featuring Bon Iver, made me weep. It is heartbreakingly beautiful. And yes, I may have added it to my breakup playlist.

In conclusion, Folklore is second to her Red album in my opinion. It is the best output of music I have seen from Taylor Swift in years and whilst Red reigns superior (14-year-old Kaylee can’t let go of it okay), it is a pretty close second. My recommendation is to dip your feet in with Exile, and then let it play through, you won’t regret it. Although, maybe keep some tissues nearby, just in case.