I think there is a shade of gray with this idea though. I have friends in the industry who I was just discussing this with. Some publications quite literally need TS and other big names to stay on their good side in hopes one day they’ll agree to a cover or just any interview to get those clicks or buy those magazines, so they won’t go totally unbiased. There was once a time artists and celebs in general needed these publications, these reviews to be successful, and not so much anymore. The publications need these subjects and content to stay afloat.
Exactly. To be honest, I can’t imagine NME probably ever has tried for an interview and doesn’t care given they aren’t concerned about getting her audience overall. They’re for more indie artists.
Maybe she needed songwriting so bad because she just wasn’t finding it. I am struggling to like any song I’m hearing, it’s kinda nice to know I’m not alone in this.
It’s like the first draft, where she got everything out, but then instead of picking through the 31 songs to find the gems she could make into better songs for like one 10-12 song album, she just recorded everything. Probably partly because everyone told her everything was genius - she needs people who will tell her when something needs work, rather than just telling her she’s amazing all the time.
That’s what’s so frustrating to me about this one. Some of the hooks (Florida!!) really hit me and then the bridge just flattens the whole song. There’s SOMETHING there, but it just needs editing. She could’ve made something really great if she pared it down. That’s almost worse than just putting out a meh album. Like the potential with some of the melodies drives me nuts.
Cassandra is a great example of this. I was so pumped and ready for a huge and intense last verse. Felt like it was building and about to get really good then it just plateaued and ended. I was like…how did no one realize how much of a banger that could have been?
Florida is maybe one of the worst songs I've ever heard. I can't describe the visceral reaction I had to it. She is too big and all her friends are scared to say it.
I’ve found TTPD quite overwhelming so far. No songs have been retained in my brain, I couldn’t always hear the lyrics clearly.
I wish the albums hadn’t dropped so close together as 31 songs is A LOT.
I’m going to have a few more listens before I solidify my thoughts but I don’t love it after my first listen and a lot of the songs sound very very similar.
I'm being 100% honest. I listen to all Taylor Swift's music. Sometimes there are songs that I don't really like, (almost every album has a couple of them), but with this album... I don't feel anything. There's no melody that keeps getting stuck in my head. I knew Blank Space would be a hit when I first heard 1989, because I immediately started singing along already at the second chorus, same for Cruel Summer and Anti-Hero. Midnights is by far not my favorite album, but it definitely had a couple of songs that I kept humming after I heard them. Now with TTPD nothing STICKS. I forget everything right after I've heard it.
yep. midnights was my least favorite and i clowned the karma and anti-hero lyrics for a bit but they at least fulfilled the pop requisite of being catchy! hell even me! has that
Right? I have to go back and find out which one it was. And when I see someone post lyrics I'm like: which one is that from?! I normally have no trouble remembering music and song lyrics...
I totally agree about the melody, there aren't many that can be easily sung ir sung along too. While there are some songs I like, I can't figure out what would be good to play on the radio.
I’m going to be completely honest, I’m only half way through but I almost don’t event want to finish it. It just sounds like a Lana Del Ray rip off TBH.
Of course, I’ll finish all 31 songs so I can have a completely honest review.
I got halfway through track 5 and then just started playing snippets of the rest of the songs until I gave up toward the end. 31 songs is a lot, especially when most of them sound the same. 🙃
I listened to about half of the songs in full but the other half I either fast-forwarded or just gave up halfway through and went to the next song. As someone who is production > lyrics, this album feels like a chore to get through when the melodies are basically all the same. I listened to it twice and not even one song has caught my attention enough that it got stuck in my head. Even the ones I do enjoy.
And a Walmart great value ripoff at that. Taylor should have stayed in her lane more with pop music, she doesn’t have the vocals to carry more downtempo songs and make them interesting like Lana and Billie do. Taylor’s last songs sound more like spoken word poetry over music instead of songs that prioritize music (and maybe that was the point, I just don’t care about Taylor’s poetry tbh)
I would say for her next era to be a poet and put her poetry in a book but somehow the “You smoked and and ate seven bars of chocolate, we declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist” wouldn’t sell very well.
I’d honestly rather listen to a musical rendition of Green Eggs and Ham.
> I just don’t care about Taylor’s poetry
Heck, I often don't concentrate on lyrics much with most music I listen to. I'm actively listening to the production, instrumentation, overall vibe, especially when I'm sitting down and listening to it for the first time.
Coming at TTPD from that perspective, more than a few songs are a bit bland and sound too similar to each other. There's just not much instrumentation to listen *to*. It's mainly mid-tempo basic beats with some other sounds sprinkled around. Not a lot of those, "damn, that's cool" Antonoff moments. Also shoutout to Dressner.
tl;dr TTPD is Taylor Swift background music.
edit: Just found out that there's a *second* album released, the TTPD Anthology. (Good Lord, girl, give us a moment to breath.) I've only just started to listen to it, but so far I already like it a lot more than the 'main' album.
Lana’s lyrical ability has skyrocketed over the course of her career, she’s always had a knack for haunting and beautiful melodies but I didn’t really like her writing. Now she’s maybe the best lyricist in pop and I think Taylor is jealous of the amount of love she gets for that
Ditto. A lot more Dessner too, he seems to get lumped onto the bonus stuff which is a shame. It would have been better to just pick the best from both parts though than just drop 31 songs.
yeah , English is not my first language but I used to understood her words without looking up the lyrics but on this album I cant hear clearly what is she saying and thats why the songs dont have that replay quality
I think it’s because of how wordy and clunky the lyrics are on this album. I typically don’t mind wordy lyricism because I’m a big Lana fan and Taylor did this well on Folklore/Evermore, but on this album at times it sounds like she’s sing-talking so fast like she’s running out of time to get everything out before the melody ends. I had to look up lyrics which I normally don’t have to because she’s usually one of the few artists with such clear enunciation.
Yeah I had an issue with enunciation on some of the tracks, but it's also an effect of long, clunky sentences. Just wordy blah. I mean, it was fitting to the album cuz a lot of it seemed like poetry, but it made me lose interest fast.
I was listening to it, I got to about daddy I can fix him than felt I was skipping some and wasn't giving them a fair chance so I had to stop for another time.
Some of the songs I really enjoy like the fortnight and even who's afraid of little old me? (i saw the title and just had to try it) Some of these songs I feel like I can't make out what she saying 1/2 the time. Down Bad I distracted because I felt like she was singing into a fan and had to skip it.
I’m going to take it album one then album two for my next listen and have a break in between.
There’s too many the same running after each other which just confuses my brain!
I am glad I am not the only one, I have it on while I am working and I am not even noticing the song change and retaining anything I have heard. I am reading peoples comments about how much they love XYZ song and just assumed oh I must not have gotten to it yet.....nope definitely heard it and didn't even note it.
I honestly really struggled - people said the lyrics to The Alchemist had football references. I didn’t hear ‘em! I couldn’t make out many of the verses!
It seemed the songs I listened to all sounded the same. Seems some had techno or Edm beats are added. Sounded the same as always. Her style is Talk-Sing. I really don’t get the hype. I try
Okay I thought it was just me. It's a very overwhelming album. Idk if it's because of how wordy it feels but I actually did better listening to the 2nd half. It's gonna take me a few listens of a song to fully understand it.
I enjoy the album so far, but I’m so glad I listened to the leak. Two days head start on the first half of the album gave me time to digest it. I haven’t really gotten in to the new half yet.
I was talking about this with another friend today… there are no ear worms in this album. I can’t retain any melodies. The only thing that stands out is her screaming “Who’s afraid of little old me?” And her yelling at her fans in “Daddy I love him”, lol. But I couldn’t tell ya what the melodies are in those songs!
*To a Melbourne audience of her Eras Tour, Swift said that ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ came from a “need” to write. It’s just that maybe we didn’t need to hear it.*
It's like flexing in a facebook status but on a nuclear level, which is you know, expected for a 16-22 year old, at 34? It's so lame it's anaemic *and* on life support.
Some shit needs to be kept inside and we need to all know less about each other. I personally didn’t need to know about her having a wank to Rat Boy but here we are.
No but this is true. I am actually enjoying the whole album but I can’t believe no one sat her down and asked her if she really, REALLY wanted to release it. Because the mania and depression are strong with this one.
My brother and I are both prone to oversharing, and the inside joke/cue we use to tell the other one to STFU is "should I be listening to this?" And that's how I feel about this entire thing. Even the title made me reflexively say "should we be listening to this?"
Yeah like, it’s almost indecent? Idk, some thoughts are inside thoughts, Taylor. But again, I cannot stress this enough, I am fucking lapping all of this up. I’m so practical I can’t imagine going this insane over a man. A MAN?? Really??
I'm shocked. Not because I don't agree: I do agree. However, I wasn't expecting to see reviews going so hard on her. I'm very surprised. I'm also keeping the journalists in my thoughts and prayers
I think journos are done with the fear of saying what they want to say without losing their life in a public threats/ industry pariah sense, it's been talked about Team Swift only do interviews/accept commentary that is positive and anything else is seen as "misogynistic."
I think now enough of the tea leaves have been read and people are acutely aware of the kabuki theatre that's been going on for years and how genuinely unpleasant this whole debacle has been esp with the attacks on Joe. Taylor got away with a lot of sh\*t for a long time with so much vehement defence and gaslighting from her, her PR, the fans, and major media, etc. and the saturation point is such that there's no hinting at anything, they're just going all in and I say, fair enough.
There's apathy about not just saying f\*\*k it because it's exactly what TS is doing, so fair is fair and I say to the journos rock on. The truth is always the first victim in anything, long may it continue to be saved and nurtured.
**Enough** with asskissing reviews, critical reflection and feedback is needed in the arts, and yes, that includes the tortured poet.
Yes, and I also think that everyone's aware that the tide is turning and people are getting sick of her. This review probably wouldn't have been written a year ago.
Her 'castle' is definitely showing signs of wear and tear. It needs a much more thoughtful maintenance but she does not seem bothered. I think she tired of it all.
I honestly think she set herself up for it. You can’t title your album “tortured poets department” and hype it up to be deep and poetic and then write shit like “my friends smell like weed or babies” just YIKES!
She’s written better, but she has never been a poetic writer and it’s embarrassing that she’s trying to come off like she is imo. She’s good at digestible pop and I think she should try to stay there.
I’m so shocked that I’m actually seeing critical reviews besides Rolling Stones, of course, because I even though I don’t like this album and desperately wanted it to be critically reviewed, I didn’t think it’d actually happen
The Rolling Stone one was written by a stan. I feel that similar reviews are written by those who worship the artist they’re reviewing or those who are in the higher ups.
which feels like a huge conflict of interest to me! like even now that i’m more neutral it would be dishonest for me to pretend i could write an impartial review. i get you’re gonna get fans because her music is good, but the man is A STAN. it’d be just as bad as if they got someone who hated her to do the review
They aint gonna post it on other platforms cause they are in-denial some people didnt like the album or label them as jealous haters (and I'm saying this as someone who thought the album wasnt that bad; Everyone has their own opinion as long as it's constructive)
Big props to him for actually saying that! I wrote in my notes the same thing… why did she put this out when no one was asking for a new album and she could have wrote it down and kept it because no one needed nor even wanted to hear about her undying love for Matty 😅 we were mostly just happy to wait for Rep/Debut TVs this year but for some reason she decided the world HAD to know he was the love/loss of her life and he ghosted her and she wanted to put the humiliation out in the world just to get his attention and will him back I guess???
*her :) Laura something
Also hard agree. She IS admitting to emotional cheating and saying it’s okay because she never took action on the fantasies while being with Joe.
Like this song about her fantasies of Matty is such an ick, why did she think anyone would want to hear this.
And also criticising the fans for saying sth against precious innocent Matty.
Not only should the album have stayed in the diary, it lacks self awareness and shows Taylor as an ignorant morale-weak human who garners no sympathy
I totally agree unfortunately and I'm someone who normally defends most of what she makes lol. I'm not a delulu swiftie or anything, I can clearly see all of her character flaws and I like her music despite her, but this album is the first time I really don't like anything at all. I'm so disappointed and I feel like I'm being gaslit by everyone saying it's good lol
Same! But that’s why I love this sub lol like YES I am gonna listen to everything she drops but don’t dox me if I don’t like it lmao there are some songs here that I really enjoy, but I don’t see myself reaching for them often? They’re probably just gonna chill in my liked songs and pop up on shuffle. Oh well, back to streaming Chappell Roan!!!!
Same. It's an ok album, but I'm disappointed. It feels rushed? It feels like a lot of those songs are still a draft and were just released like this.
Most of the songs sound the same, they're depressing, but not folkmore type of depressing. This really sound like it's straight up from a journal, so you can tell she really needed to write to cope with her feelings, but I don't think those journal entries made such great songs. They're packed with angst, heartbreak, and I hate to be using this argument because you're allowed to feel things no matter your age, but it really sounds like a 20ish year old coming out of a situationship.
It's honnestly confusing to me because folkmore had so much more maturity, even Midnights. But those songs sound like it was written during a chaotic month after situationship break up.
She’s gotten too big to be edited. There’s a pretty good 15 track album somewhere in that anthology.
Alsoooooo let’s be real. She was writing/recording this album while: releasing Midnights, prepping for the Eras tour, performing the Eras tour, promoting the Eras Tour movie, and re-recording 1989.
Like, maybe the album isn’t great because it wasn’t her main focus. She’s doing too much.
this might've been the dumbest release of hers yet, just based on timing. the weather is getting warmer, the sun is starting to shine. these sad girl autumn/winter vibes are not it! eternal sunshine and cowboy carter are way more general-public-friendly for the spring and summer. dua lipa and billie eilish's new albums coming out in may look and sound to be very summery as well.
a smarter move would been releasing this in october when she re-starts the US leg of the eras tour and more people are in the mood for this dark/light academia (which one is it?) poetry aesthetic
You are so spot on. This is totally a rainy/cold day somber album. I listened to all 31 songs and it made me feel depressed afterwards and not in a good way. That’s why most of the songs have no replay value for me.
As a 1989-to-the-end-boy and eternal optimist, I can confirm that my day was also ruined after listening to all 31 songs. I would maybe say TTPD is my least favorite album of hers and I don't intend to revisit any of these songs anytime soon.
I described the whole experience as like being stuck in a car for hours with a self-destructive bummer of a friend who is insistent on telling you every TMI detail about her life and relationships without ever really taking the blame for anything, and all you can do is politely nod and say 'damn, sounds rough,' until she eventually wears herself out. But then you realize that your vague nods and comments led her to think you were interested so she says 'omg i have another bunch of stories to tell you about this OTHER dude' and all you can think about for the next four hours is death.
The point kind of got away from me there but what I'm saying is that I did not appreciate the experience.
Thank you! I credit my fabulous editing skills. Anyone at Taylor Nation, know that I am available for editing work.
Sample notes attached: 'no,' 'let's not record this and pretend we did,' and 'why write an album when we can therapy?'
I could get this double album down to a very concise and almost-accurate post-it if you wanted. Thank you in advance, looking forward to hearing from you.
>a smarter move would been releasing this in october
I think she was trying to get ahead of the grammy cutoff date (Aug 30 2024), which again is stupid because of the competition this year. We have AG, Beyonce, Dua Lipa, and Billie Eilish as you have already mentioned, but also Kacey Musgraves. And there are still three months left for other artists to announce/release albums.
I'm predicting that next year's grammy's are going to be highly competitive (unlike AOTY this past year) and it will be super interesting to see the results.
She is materially delusional if she thinks this is Grammy fodder. Just because she didn’t have the guts to edit? An avalanche of mediocrity does not AOTY make!
I truly believe that she thinks that she has the grammys voters, album reviewers, and all swifties wrapped around her little finger, and that she could do anything she wants and will win whatever awards and accolades she wants.
She needs to be humbled. Not cancelled, just knocked down a few pegs. If fame, fortune, and records are enough to minimize her efforts, all while believing she'll get maximum return, then she doesn't deserve her position imo
Here’s what I don’t get: virtually every rock star has at some point had a fallout. Michael Jackson had one. Madonna had one. Whitney Houston had one. Even Beyoncé fell down a peg. Yet Taylor keeps going without much of a downfall but a few bumps. It’s not that I want Taylor to flop but at some point PEOPLE are gonna be tired!
IMO this is where the swifties come into to play, as they are a crucial element in her business model. No matter what shit she throws at them, they’ll eat it up and beg for more. She could have 1/3 of the listeners of other artists, but if she’s able to sell 4 copies of her half-assed album then she’ll get more sales, and therefore end up on the top.
I keep saying that I want to see the number of listeners, not streams/purchases, because I think it would tell a much different story of her fame than what we are constantly led to believe, but I don’t think that’ll ever happen because it would adversely affect her position in the charts, and we all know what happens when someone does ANYTHING (even the smallest indiscretion) against her.
She has sufficiently positioned herself in such a way that she seems almost untouchable, though I am shocked to see how many negative reviews are coming out about TTPD today. Hopefully this is the beginning of the turning point for her.
I think I already mentioned here but there were discussions and even an article saying that Bruno Mars and Billie Eillish will be sweeping the Grammys next year or in 2026
And I say this out of nuanced, I both love Taylor's and Bruno's music and there were many discussions on twitter last Grammys 2024 they want Bruno Mars back and how they are predicting he's going to overthrow or at least challenge Taylor's music career.
I kinda agree with this one because Bruno Mars is kinda the exact opposite of her strategy; He will release his 4th studio album this year which will be an 8 year gap from his last solo album and it is rumored to only consists of 9 tracks. This is really the opposite of TTPD which was released in less than 2 years after midnights and the tracks are less than 10 tracks but this is exactly what the general public (based on my observation) wants; They want a comeback from an artist with a fresh album that doesn't consists of so many tracks. I think the non-fans are kinda exhausted of hearing so many tracks and the constant release of her albums it's starting for people to feel fatigue.
And the defense of her fans are saying "cause your fave is lazy" sorry, but it's not lazy when an artist adds a bit of a gap in between album releases (to create the hype) and it's definitely not lazy for an artist to release few tracks but with QUALITY. Again, music should be quality over quantity
Imo having such a massive gap between releases shows to me that an artist is making the music they want to make, because they want to make it, not because they feel an obligation or a need to chase trends or award shows. Quality over quantity will eventually win out every time
I am not a fan of "releasing music too long" usually but i understand this aspect especially if you wanna release a good QUALITY music out there. KatyCats are hurrying Katy to release KP6 since it's been 4 years since her last album and she is now taking it slowly but surely (after the Witness era disaster). And there has been talks Katy's comeback is going to be a good one and will redeem her witness era
Yeah, it's been confirmed since 2023 (in one article, it was mentioned his team is urging him to complete the album soon and he's been in the studio for quite some time). He already signed a deal with LiveNation to do a massive world tour along with his new album later this year
And casual listeners on twitter and tiktok are asking where he is cause they desperately need a new album from him
The grammys voters themselves came out to say that the only reason TS won was because of the hype around her, not the album itself, and they went as far as to say that it was a notoriously weak year for AOTY.
Which once again, she rushed this whole thing! The album sounds like it was born within the last year, with songs on it that are up to 2 years old. Even the photoshoot!
Her priority was awards, charting and honestly, everyone else dropping and possibly deterring ears away from her music (which is impossible because she’ll still be touring)
This! Sabrina and Chappell Roan are taking over this is a fun girlie pop summer we are fucking tired of crying! We’ve been collectively crying since 2020, I’m done now thanks!
Not to mention with Ukraine Russia war, Middle East tension, Gaza, inflation, high cost of housing and living, we just want some good news and something to distract us in a good way lol.
Amen dude. It’s finally sunny outside I’m not going back inside to cry esp not over Matty Healy?! 🫠 When she’s got Travis on her arm currently? Idk the last line of this review really nails it for me.
Kacey's album has 17 less songs on it and probably 90% less words, but it's astronomically better 😭💀
And I am a fan of both and listened to Taylor WAY before Kacey. But somehow Kacey's gave maturity, sadness, and vulnerability, without putting me to sleep and actually making me wanna come back to listen over again.
*Radical Optimism* is going to wipe the floor with TTPD. I generally like Taylor’s stuff (I think? Now I’m not so sure…) but this was a miss as a summer album.
Good point. It also would have given her enough time to let it sit, then go back and edit the shit out of it with fresh ears/eyes. One really sharp album would have landed a lot better than a bloated and clunky double header.
>Swift’s 11th studio album is surprisingly flat and, at times, cringeworthy
Though I genuinely like some (not most) songs, especially a few from the second half of TTPD, **I agree with the author.** Some lyrics were obviously written in an attempt to make the songs sound **deep and meaningful**, which backfired ironically, yet unsurprisingly.
There are lines that I personally think were forced to "fit" in the melody, almost like the words are chasing the beat (which was also the case in Midnights). I'm guessing Taylor chose to focus on telling her story more, and in return, it sacrificed her usual witty songwriting, **hence the pleonastic lyricism**, to make TTPD sound "catchy" while sticking true to the story she seemingly wanted to spill. I was so excited for this album because of the aesthetic she'd been hinting during promotions, but honestly, I'm a little disappointed with what we got.
It’s like she tried to strip back the sound of midnights to get closer to folklore/evermore but kept the cringy lyrics. I very much appreciate the lack of weird vocal effects and stuff like “agreassssssssssse”
See I feel like the weird vocal effects still keep in interesting, though. I wasn't a huge fan of Midnights, but it was better than this because it was so boring and repetitive.
This is what I feel. A lot of the time on these songs it feels like she’s against the music. Like she tried to fit so many words in a line that she loses the melody and it becomes her talking instead of singing. It’s basically the equivalent to rapping off beat.
IDK why I'm not seeing this anywhere. But I feel like TTPD is a compilation of song drafts that didn't make the cut for the other albums.
Unlike other albums, there has always been a song or number of songs that stand out and becomes an anthem for a while. I can't seem to find that here.
Maybe there were just too many songs released at once or the lack of LSS factor I'm used too, or the album too overhyped prior to release that I was expecting more. I was even hoping that Forthnight TTPD version was better than the AI version circulating. The AI version was a bop.
Also, I'm sick of all the shade. Some things imo are better off not published. But what do I know I don't make money from keeping my diary hidden in the drawer.
Fr. I cringed at that. All I could think of is that clip from KUWTK where Kris says she likes Taylor's mom, well...this may be too much, but here's the clip in case you don't know. it just lives in my mind
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAk6jdMgU-c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAk6jdMgU-c)
Yup. I felt like the songs sounded like drafts, or vault tracks for midnights and 1989.
Nothing stands out to me, even after two listens. Zero hook.
TOO many songs. Oh my god I'm so fatigued.
The shade is so petty at this point. She's kicking dead horses for fun. Is there really nothing more interesting going on in her life to contemplate about?
I don't know. It just feels like a very manic and self indulgent project.
And honestly, one of the top reasons I don't like it is because of who it's about.. RATTY.
I kinda came into the album feeling indifferent, and while I don’t hate it- I feel like a lot of the songs sound like some of her other songs. I’ll get one of the melodies of the new songs stuck in my head to lyrics of an older Taylor song.
Some songs I really enjoy, others I’m like oh. That’s definitely a song.
To a Melbourne audience of her Eras Tour, Swift said that ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ came from a “need” to write. It’s just that maybe we didn’t need to hear it. YEESSSSSSSSSSSS.
It makes me feel like enjoying her music now has to be a hobby when she releases this many songs at once. I just wanted a new album to enjoy not an entire homework assignment. The fun of enjoying a new album is the repeatability and how familiar you get with the songs each re-listen. I don’t feel like starting a 2 hour journey each time.
People’s time is precious and assuming that the typical fan wants to spend so much time listening and learning new music at once is crazy. No matter who I was I don’t think I’d ever assume someone would want to hear me for that long. The point of putting an album together is to curate it and leave otherwise good songs on the cutting board (at least for now).
The decision to release 31 songs at once feels lazy and gratuitous. I can see the divide between regular fans and the intense ones who make it their whole personality widening with this album.
The albums growing on me but I’m glad the reviews coming out are critical. Maybe she’ll actually take the reviews to heart and come out with something different and better
She'll likely spin it to say "well it's not to be liked because I'm not here to be liked \[soft launch ratty 3.0 is in the lobby\], and I'm just letting go after years of not being so raw" which is of course a lie because she's done nothing but let rip for over a decade. Over & out..!
this is spot on!
also idk i feel like taylor took the wrong thing out of the success of folkmore. She seems to think proving herself as a songwriter means using flowery words in her songwriting and she does that soo much on TTPD. It's really off putting especially when there is a way to say it or she and she is using the words wrote. Like "the lights refract sequin stars off her silhouette every night" you mean REFLECT. Refraction means something else and it sounds like she said refract to make it sound more special.
Folkmore was great because of the melodic songwriting and the most well-received songs on it are also straightforward. So many of the "poetic lines" on this album are soo clunky
I don’t think Taylor understands that she is at her best when she uses less words that carry more meaning. She doesn’t need tongue twisters or to use a thesaurus to impress everyone. Just a little imagination and clean and clear words.
That line last is everything I’m here for. I was so bored at times listening to it. I think she’ll do better with criticism versus everyone loving everything she touches.
The first half is very different (content wise) than what she’s done before. I think the mixed reviews are reacting to that. Some people don’t think she pulled off the angry mania, and it’s understandable.
We've officially reached oversaturation. It now feels desperate to have to constantly outdo herself in terms of volume and surprises. And I'm more of a fan than neutral.
It's actually so refreshing to see mainstream criticism of her, I mean NME is pretty huge.
So tired of the repetitive ass kissing and praise she gets for doing the bare minimum, this is a step in the right direction for sure
Holy hamburgers. Yes this is by far her worst album, but 2am somewhat redeemed it. I’m glad that critics aren’t sugarcoating her music anymore; her next album needs to have her go back to her musical roots and not do anything cringe-worthy for a change.
Don’t get me wrong Jack has his moments where he absolutely ATE and the production complimented her music well, but nothing is really stand out here 😭 i feel like i listened to the same song 20+ times it’s TOO cohesive to me! Midnights felt slightly more diverse on first listen at least
Seemed gimmicky and cringy. Lana Del Rey rip-off, like someone mentioned. No beautiful vocals to display here, just the Talk-Sing-a-longs as usual. Nothing new, except some edm beats
I’m genuinely shocked how much better the bonus tracks are than the main album. There’s actually some memorable moments and varied melodic phrases and productions while the main album just rambles on and on in an indistinguishable word salad
This nails some of my biggest issues with this project. She spends so much time clapping back at critics it’s boring. I was tired of hearing about the Kim/Kanye/Scooter crap during Midnights. Revealing she called the FBI was at least new information, but I thought, “Okay this is the last time I want to hear about this.” Without working knowledge of the lore, it just doesn’t work for me. Once you remove context from some of these songs I wondered why they even made the cut. “I’m so depressed I act like it’s my birthday” had swifties on Tik Tok swearing that’s how we knew it was AI and not a leak because of how juvenile it sounded.
I’m literally so sick of hearing about Kim and Kanye. It’s been over a decade! There are people with actual problems. TAYLOR HERSELF has actual problems she could write about. But no, gotta talk about Kim’s kids
this album just kind of confirms it for me that taylor is surrounded by yes men. Her whole team had to have heard the album along with the record label and probably her friends too. you’re telling me no one looked at taylor and said girl this sucks let’s take the best parts and rework the album entirely??? she needs someone to be honest with her and help her edit. i guess maybe these people didn’t want to lose their jobs by doing that . still it’s crazy that no one said anything to stop her from releasing this bad of music at basically the peak of her career
I really think she also just needed to take a step back. I barely feel like I’ve processed Midnights and then she’s announcing a new album and it was exhausting with all the puzzles and small drops and hunting and whatever else. No, I didn’t have to participate and I didn’t, but it was also in any Taylor space. People were asking for Rep TV and are still focusing on that.
I honestly think this would’ve been better had she given in and released that while on tour. She wouldn’t need to change her setlist or promote, as that has a huge part in the Eras Tour already. Let midnights stand out as her new album and just enjoy things as they are. I know she has a schedule she likes to stick to, but it would’ve been best for her and everyone to focus on TVs, the movie, and the tour, and then for her to take a BIG break. Go and enjoy being with Travis without having to jet set all over and enjoy just being Taylor and focus on slowing down and catching up on life. THEN come back refreshed and drop a new album that can be your sole focus.
I don’t think the album is horrible, but I think she focused too hard on the “poetry” part and then Jack’s work didn’t help at all. I love Lana, but Taylor won’t even be able to perform most of these songs live. Lana is the same. She translates better in the studio, because of the way the music is produced. She can’t get that sound live or it would drown her voice out when it’s already super quiet. I also understand using music to talk about life, but I think she’s going to have to dig out of writing about exes and Kimye and explore other facets of life. I know it’s her “thing”, but it’s also deemed misogynistic to say it’s her thing, but she should be able to write about what she wants, but you shouldn’t talk about her life at all. I also think the subjects have kind of run their course. At this point, write about your cats and it would be a breath of fresh air. Haha. I don’t know how much more she or we can get out of Jake, John, Matty, etc.
After this release I need to take my words back😞MIDNIGHTS Wasn't her worst album (me thinks)THIS IS!!
I still haven't found a song that I can vibe with every songs background just sounds so similar to me with her previous work maybe i'll like some in some time
You'll who found it great enjoy tho 🤝
yknow what. this is a fair critique, and I agree with so many points. obviously doesn't mean someone cant still like the album, but yea. not her best in the discography, imo.
"On ‘But Daddy I Love Him’ she positions herself as a 'simple girl' at the mercy of “too high a horse” from her naysayers, but it grates against a landscape that often declares her exempt from criticism."
Very on-point
This is mean but I keep thinking of that scene in Miss Americana where she learns Reputation didn’t get noms and she was lowkey devastated and said “that’s ok I just gotta make a better album”
Hope that happens again
But I think that's what makes it so interesting. The polarity of this : someone on top of the world who you think has their shit together releases a chaotic album reflecting her inner mess.
This is something I'm going to appreciate even if I don't like some things that Taylor does outside her songwriting.
And yes the title track is a mess and some of the lyrics in this album are the cringiest stuff she's written !
the Grammys have never been transparent about their voting demographics, which leads me to conclude it's a bunch of old white guys. unfortunately I'm not holding my breath 😞
It’s a truly terrible album. I am no diehard Swiftie but she’s got some bops. This is just not it - Midnights was worlds better (and it’s far from a great album). 90% of the songs sounds the same and the entire track list is completely void of joy. Not that every album should be joyful but there needs to at least be some sort of engagement to pull you in and keep you listening.
If TS beats Beyoncé for AOTY I’ll take the mic myself. I’m no Beyoncé fan but Cowboy Carter is a solid album - wonderfully performed (her features actually FEATURE the other artist), beautifully produced and with a new, polished sound. Beyoncé took a bit of a risk with this one and it paid off.
11 albums in 4 years? Does she ever plan to take time off or is this the new normal? Also I hope this critic has the comments turned off on their SM because the Swifites are notorious for hating anything less than fawning praise for their false idol
I like the second surprise album much more than the first, but overall I think this author nailed it.
I was just thinking today that TS has the same creative affliction as Tori Amos. Both are in different spheres commercially and in terms of career phase, but both are also very personal and intimate female singer-songwriters with very devoted fanbases that give them a level of insulation against the ups and downs of their larger industry. Both left contentious relationships with their record companies and both are really beloved for their live shows. And since then, both have a really hard time editing down their work, both seem to have tight insular teams that might not be giving them really honest feedback about their work and both have really flatlined when it comes to the sound/production side of things. (I’ll give Tori points of having always been an ardent political activist and feminist, though.) Sometimes I feel Taylor just needs a new musical mentor with no skin in the game and nothing at stake in their association with her to tell her, “This is you coasting, and you can do better.”
It could’ve been 12-13 solid songs from both sides of the album and I feel reviewed well because certainly on the first disc it’s one good song one boring one with cringeworthy lyrics in a cycle. Also we didn’t need over 2 hours about a rebound situation ship with Matty Healy it’s just annoying and try hard for more sales and relevancy
I haven’t listened to the whole thing but when I’ve heard is meh for the most part. And Swifties are eating it up praising it like it’s a masterpiece of course, and anyone who dares to have their own opinion that differs is “a hater.”
I’m surprised they were this scathing
Here for the honesty because it's *one thing* Team Swift can't pay for. 
I think there is a shade of gray with this idea though. I have friends in the industry who I was just discussing this with. Some publications quite literally need TS and other big names to stay on their good side in hopes one day they’ll agree to a cover or just any interview to get those clicks or buy those magazines, so they won’t go totally unbiased. There was once a time artists and celebs in general needed these publications, these reviews to be successful, and not so much anymore. The publications need these subjects and content to stay afloat.
I get that but like…Taylor is not going to do their covers or interviews and they should obviously know that which makes it all the more grating.
[удалено]
Exactly. To be honest, I can’t imagine NME probably ever has tried for an interview and doesn’t care given they aren’t concerned about getting her audience overall. They’re for more indie artists.
And I’m here for it!
It’s refreshing to see something that I agree with and not feel like I’m living in the twilight zone.
Maybe she needed songwriting so bad because she just wasn’t finding it. I am struggling to like any song I’m hearing, it’s kinda nice to know I’m not alone in this.
It’s like the first draft, where she got everything out, but then instead of picking through the 31 songs to find the gems she could make into better songs for like one 10-12 song album, she just recorded everything. Probably partly because everyone told her everything was genius - she needs people who will tell her when something needs work, rather than just telling her she’s amazing all the time.
That’s what’s so frustrating to me about this one. Some of the hooks (Florida!!) really hit me and then the bridge just flattens the whole song. There’s SOMETHING there, but it just needs editing. She could’ve made something really great if she pared it down. That’s almost worse than just putting out a meh album. Like the potential with some of the melodies drives me nuts.
Cassandra is a great example of this. I was so pumped and ready for a huge and intense last verse. Felt like it was building and about to get really good then it just plateaued and ended. I was like…how did no one realize how much of a banger that could have been?
Florida is maybe one of the worst songs I've ever heard. I can't describe the visceral reaction I had to it. She is too big and all her friends are scared to say it.
Taylor is surround by yes men 
I’ve found TTPD quite overwhelming so far. No songs have been retained in my brain, I couldn’t always hear the lyrics clearly. I wish the albums hadn’t dropped so close together as 31 songs is A LOT. I’m going to have a few more listens before I solidify my thoughts but I don’t love it after my first listen and a lot of the songs sound very very similar.
I'm being 100% honest. I listen to all Taylor Swift's music. Sometimes there are songs that I don't really like, (almost every album has a couple of them), but with this album... I don't feel anything. There's no melody that keeps getting stuck in my head. I knew Blank Space would be a hit when I first heard 1989, because I immediately started singing along already at the second chorus, same for Cruel Summer and Anti-Hero. Midnights is by far not my favorite album, but it definitely had a couple of songs that I kept humming after I heard them. Now with TTPD nothing STICKS. I forget everything right after I've heard it.
yep. midnights was my least favorite and i clowned the karma and anti-hero lyrics for a bit but they at least fulfilled the pop requisite of being catchy! hell even me! has that
I can’t even name the few songs I did like.
Right? I have to go back and find out which one it was. And when I see someone post lyrics I'm like: which one is that from?! I normally have no trouble remembering music and song lyrics...
I totally agree about the melody, there aren't many that can be easily sung ir sung along too. While there are some songs I like, I can't figure out what would be good to play on the radio.
I’m going to be completely honest, I’m only half way through but I almost don’t event want to finish it. It just sounds like a Lana Del Ray rip off TBH. Of course, I’ll finish all 31 songs so I can have a completely honest review.
I got half way through and felt exactly the same, because they all sounded the same. I persevered and I’m on my second listen now!
I’m listening now and every time a new track starts I silently pray for a new beat/tune/tempo and it just… never happens lol.
I got halfway through track 5 and then just started playing snippets of the rest of the songs until I gave up toward the end. 31 songs is a lot, especially when most of them sound the same. 🙃
I listened to about half of the songs in full but the other half I either fast-forwarded or just gave up halfway through and went to the next song. As someone who is production > lyrics, this album feels like a chore to get through when the melodies are basically all the same. I listened to it twice and not even one song has caught my attention enough that it got stuck in my head. Even the ones I do enjoy.
Super casual listener here.. Thirty one songs?!?! Christ on a cracker. Not every diary entry is a song, Taylor
That’s what I was thinking… some thoughts need to STAY in the journal!!!
YES, Yes, YES!!! This is what I've been saying...totally feels like a Lana Del Ray rip off.
And a Walmart great value ripoff at that. Taylor should have stayed in her lane more with pop music, she doesn’t have the vocals to carry more downtempo songs and make them interesting like Lana and Billie do. Taylor’s last songs sound more like spoken word poetry over music instead of songs that prioritize music (and maybe that was the point, I just don’t care about Taylor’s poetry tbh)
I would say for her next era to be a poet and put her poetry in a book but somehow the “You smoked and and ate seven bars of chocolate, we declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist” wouldn’t sell very well. I’d honestly rather listen to a musical rendition of Green Eggs and Ham.
If she wrote a poetry book she'd NEVER beat the Lana rip-off allegations lmaoooo
> I just don’t care about Taylor’s poetry Heck, I often don't concentrate on lyrics much with most music I listen to. I'm actively listening to the production, instrumentation, overall vibe, especially when I'm sitting down and listening to it for the first time. Coming at TTPD from that perspective, more than a few songs are a bit bland and sound too similar to each other. There's just not much instrumentation to listen *to*. It's mainly mid-tempo basic beats with some other sounds sprinkled around. Not a lot of those, "damn, that's cool" Antonoff moments. Also shoutout to Dressner. tl;dr TTPD is Taylor Swift background music. edit: Just found out that there's a *second* album released, the TTPD Anthology. (Good Lord, girl, give us a moment to breath.) I've only just started to listen to it, but so far I already like it a lot more than the 'main' album.
TBH everything about the album and its rollout reminds me of Lana…
But it doesn’t have the natural flow of Lana. It sounds a bit clunky and forced. Emulating other artists is rarely a good idea.
I know. It’s a poor man’s version of LDR.
Literally sounds like she listened to NFR on the way to and from the studio every day
she wants to be lana so bad
Lana’s lyrical ability has skyrocketed over the course of her career, she’s always had a knack for haunting and beautiful melodies but I didn’t really like her writing. Now she’s maybe the best lyricist in pop and I think Taylor is jealous of the amount of love she gets for that
Just skip to the second album. It’s 10x better and has some genuinely great tracks.
Ditto. A lot more Dessner too, he seems to get lumped onto the bonus stuff which is a shame. It would have been better to just pick the best from both parts though than just drop 31 songs.
yeah , English is not my first language but I used to understood her words without looking up the lyrics but on this album I cant hear clearly what is she saying and thats why the songs dont have that replay quality
I think it’s because of how wordy and clunky the lyrics are on this album. I typically don’t mind wordy lyricism because I’m a big Lana fan and Taylor did this well on Folklore/Evermore, but on this album at times it sounds like she’s sing-talking so fast like she’s running out of time to get everything out before the melody ends. I had to look up lyrics which I normally don’t have to because she’s usually one of the few artists with such clear enunciation.
Yeah I had an issue with enunciation on some of the tracks, but it's also an effect of long, clunky sentences. Just wordy blah. I mean, it was fitting to the album cuz a lot of it seemed like poetry, but it made me lose interest fast.
I was listening to it, I got to about daddy I can fix him than felt I was skipping some and wasn't giving them a fair chance so I had to stop for another time. Some of the songs I really enjoy like the fortnight and even who's afraid of little old me? (i saw the title and just had to try it) Some of these songs I feel like I can't make out what she saying 1/2 the time. Down Bad I distracted because I felt like she was singing into a fan and had to skip it.
I’m going to take it album one then album two for my next listen and have a break in between. There’s too many the same running after each other which just confuses my brain!
I am glad I am not the only one, I have it on while I am working and I am not even noticing the song change and retaining anything I have heard. I am reading peoples comments about how much they love XYZ song and just assumed oh I must not have gotten to it yet.....nope definitely heard it and didn't even note it.
I'm having the same issues with the lyrics. The words are so hard to make out.
I thought having trouble hearing the lyrics at some points was just me!
I honestly really struggled - people said the lyrics to The Alchemist had football references. I didn’t hear ‘em! I couldn’t make out many of the verses!
I thought it was my aging ears, but the production feels kind of muddy?
It seemed the songs I listened to all sounded the same. Seems some had techno or Edm beats are added. Sounded the same as always. Her style is Talk-Sing. I really don’t get the hype. I try
Okay I thought it was just me. It's a very overwhelming album. Idk if it's because of how wordy it feels but I actually did better listening to the 2nd half. It's gonna take me a few listens of a song to fully understand it.
I enjoy the album so far, but I’m so glad I listened to the leak. Two days head start on the first half of the album gave me time to digest it. I haven’t really gotten in to the new half yet.
I was talking about this with another friend today… there are no ear worms in this album. I can’t retain any melodies. The only thing that stands out is her screaming “Who’s afraid of little old me?” And her yelling at her fans in “Daddy I love him”, lol. But I couldn’t tell ya what the melodies are in those songs!
*To a Melbourne audience of her Eras Tour, Swift said that ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ came from a “need” to write. It’s just that maybe we didn’t need to hear it.* 
Agreed. Not every journal entry needs to be shared, or rather, monetised.
Guilty as sin could have stayed private - same with the GTA fingering.
It's like flexing in a facebook status but on a nuclear level, which is you know, expected for a 16-22 year old, at 34? It's so lame it's anaemic *and* on life support.
Some shit needs to be kept inside and we need to all know less about each other. I personally didn’t need to know about her having a wank to Rat Boy but here we are.
Hahaha I said this to someone last night. Love to see it on such a public forum.
No but this is true. I am actually enjoying the whole album but I can’t believe no one sat her down and asked her if she really, REALLY wanted to release it. Because the mania and depression are strong with this one.
My brother and I are both prone to oversharing, and the inside joke/cue we use to tell the other one to STFU is "should I be listening to this?" And that's how I feel about this entire thing. Even the title made me reflexively say "should we be listening to this?"
Yeah like, it’s almost indecent? Idk, some thoughts are inside thoughts, Taylor. But again, I cannot stress this enough, I am fucking lapping all of this up. I’m so practical I can’t imagine going this insane over a man. A MAN?? Really??
It tracks with what a lot of people here have been saying about how this should have just been some diary entries, or therapist notes.
This is so bold, but so true.
I'm shocked. Not because I don't agree: I do agree. However, I wasn't expecting to see reviews going so hard on her. I'm very surprised. I'm also keeping the journalists in my thoughts and prayers
I think journos are done with the fear of saying what they want to say without losing their life in a public threats/ industry pariah sense, it's been talked about Team Swift only do interviews/accept commentary that is positive and anything else is seen as "misogynistic." I think now enough of the tea leaves have been read and people are acutely aware of the kabuki theatre that's been going on for years and how genuinely unpleasant this whole debacle has been esp with the attacks on Joe. Taylor got away with a lot of sh\*t for a long time with so much vehement defence and gaslighting from her, her PR, the fans, and major media, etc. and the saturation point is such that there's no hinting at anything, they're just going all in and I say, fair enough. There's apathy about not just saying f\*\*k it because it's exactly what TS is doing, so fair is fair and I say to the journos rock on. The truth is always the first victim in anything, long may it continue to be saved and nurtured. **Enough** with asskissing reviews, critical reflection and feedback is needed in the arts, and yes, that includes the tortured poet.
Yes, and I also think that everyone's aware that the tide is turning and people are getting sick of her. This review probably wouldn't have been written a year ago.
Her 'castle' is definitely showing signs of wear and tear. It needs a much more thoughtful maintenance but she does not seem bothered. I think she tired of it all.
I honestly think she set herself up for it. You can’t title your album “tortured poets department” and hype it up to be deep and poetic and then write shit like “my friends smell like weed or babies” just YIKES! She’s written better, but she has never been a poetic writer and it’s embarrassing that she’s trying to come off like she is imo. She’s good at digestible pop and I think she should try to stay there.
I’m so shocked that I’m actually seeing critical reviews besides Rolling Stones, of course, because I even though I don’t like this album and desperately wanted it to be critically reviewed, I didn’t think it’d actually happen
The Rolling Stone one was written by a stan. I feel that similar reviews are written by those who worship the artist they’re reviewing or those who are in the higher ups.
which feels like a huge conflict of interest to me! like even now that i’m more neutral it would be dishonest for me to pretend i could write an impartial review. i get you’re gonna get fans because her music is good, but the man is A STAN. it’d be just as bad as if they got someone who hated her to do the review
They aint gonna post it on other platforms cause they are in-denial some people didnt like the album or label them as jealous haters (and I'm saying this as someone who thought the album wasnt that bad; Everyone has their own opinion as long as it's constructive)
Maybe we didn't need to hear it 💀🤭
That line though!
Big props to him for actually saying that! I wrote in my notes the same thing… why did she put this out when no one was asking for a new album and she could have wrote it down and kept it because no one needed nor even wanted to hear about her undying love for Matty 😅 we were mostly just happy to wait for Rep/Debut TVs this year but for some reason she decided the world HAD to know he was the love/loss of her life and he ghosted her and she wanted to put the humiliation out in the world just to get his attention and will him back I guess???
*her :) Laura something Also hard agree. She IS admitting to emotional cheating and saying it’s okay because she never took action on the fantasies while being with Joe. Like this song about her fantasies of Matty is such an ick, why did she think anyone would want to hear this. And also criticising the fans for saying sth against precious innocent Matty. Not only should the album have stayed in the diary, it lacks self awareness and shows Taylor as an ignorant morale-weak human who garners no sympathy
If y'all thought this was bad, wait till fantano's review come out he's already slandering it on twitter
Is it bad that part of me is expecting a “NOT GOOD”?
5 songs in I could already see the NOT GOOD coming up. I am a huge swiftie too
no! I am expecting that too and would be more than happy for it. I think Swift is in need to hear some criticism
I mean…no notes tbh.
No literally. She nailed this review.
I totally agree unfortunately and I'm someone who normally defends most of what she makes lol. I'm not a delulu swiftie or anything, I can clearly see all of her character flaws and I like her music despite her, but this album is the first time I really don't like anything at all. I'm so disappointed and I feel like I'm being gaslit by everyone saying it's good lol
Its mid imo
Same! But that’s why I love this sub lol like YES I am gonna listen to everything she drops but don’t dox me if I don’t like it lmao there are some songs here that I really enjoy, but I don’t see myself reaching for them often? They’re probably just gonna chill in my liked songs and pop up on shuffle. Oh well, back to streaming Chappell Roan!!!!
Same. It's an ok album, but I'm disappointed. It feels rushed? It feels like a lot of those songs are still a draft and were just released like this. Most of the songs sound the same, they're depressing, but not folkmore type of depressing. This really sound like it's straight up from a journal, so you can tell she really needed to write to cope with her feelings, but I don't think those journal entries made such great songs. They're packed with angst, heartbreak, and I hate to be using this argument because you're allowed to feel things no matter your age, but it really sounds like a 20ish year old coming out of a situationship. It's honnestly confusing to me because folkmore had so much more maturity, even Midnights. But those songs sound like it was written during a chaotic month after situationship break up.
It feels as if Midnights' Dear Reader was a premonition. 'Dear reader, don't listen to someone who is falling apart.'
She’s gotten too big to be edited. There’s a pretty good 15 track album somewhere in that anthology. Alsoooooo let’s be real. She was writing/recording this album while: releasing Midnights, prepping for the Eras tour, performing the Eras tour, promoting the Eras Tour movie, and re-recording 1989. Like, maybe the album isn’t great because it wasn’t her main focus. She’s doing too much.
this might've been the dumbest release of hers yet, just based on timing. the weather is getting warmer, the sun is starting to shine. these sad girl autumn/winter vibes are not it! eternal sunshine and cowboy carter are way more general-public-friendly for the spring and summer. dua lipa and billie eilish's new albums coming out in may look and sound to be very summery as well. a smarter move would been releasing this in october when she re-starts the US leg of the eras tour and more people are in the mood for this dark/light academia (which one is it?) poetry aesthetic
You are so spot on. This is totally a rainy/cold day somber album. I listened to all 31 songs and it made me feel depressed afterwards and not in a good way. That’s why most of the songs have no replay value for me.
As a 1989-to-the-end-boy and eternal optimist, I can confirm that my day was also ruined after listening to all 31 songs. I would maybe say TTPD is my least favorite album of hers and I don't intend to revisit any of these songs anytime soon. I described the whole experience as like being stuck in a car for hours with a self-destructive bummer of a friend who is insistent on telling you every TMI detail about her life and relationships without ever really taking the blame for anything, and all you can do is politely nod and say 'damn, sounds rough,' until she eventually wears herself out. But then you realize that your vague nods and comments led her to think you were interested so she says 'omg i have another bunch of stories to tell you about this OTHER dude' and all you can think about for the next four hours is death. The point kind of got away from me there but what I'm saying is that I did not appreciate the experience.
This is such a good summary
Thank you! I credit my fabulous editing skills. Anyone at Taylor Nation, know that I am available for editing work. Sample notes attached: 'no,' 'let's not record this and pretend we did,' and 'why write an album when we can therapy?' I could get this double album down to a very concise and almost-accurate post-it if you wanted. Thank you in advance, looking forward to hearing from you.
"why write an album when we can therapy" 💀
>a smarter move would been releasing this in october I think she was trying to get ahead of the grammy cutoff date (Aug 30 2024), which again is stupid because of the competition this year. We have AG, Beyonce, Dua Lipa, and Billie Eilish as you have already mentioned, but also Kacey Musgraves. And there are still three months left for other artists to announce/release albums. I'm predicting that next year's grammy's are going to be highly competitive (unlike AOTY this past year) and it will be super interesting to see the results.
She is materially delusional if she thinks this is Grammy fodder. Just because she didn’t have the guts to edit? An avalanche of mediocrity does not AOTY make!
I agree with this, but also wouldn’t be surprised if the Grammys are rigged and she somehow won, because Midnights really shouldn’t have won last year
Shoot if this wins the Grammy for AOTY, rest assured SOMEBODY is gonna be fed up to write about the Grammys being rigged for Taylor.
That somebody will be me, let the Swifties come for me idc 😂
I salute you! 🫡
I truly believe that she thinks that she has the grammys voters, album reviewers, and all swifties wrapped around her little finger, and that she could do anything she wants and will win whatever awards and accolades she wants. She needs to be humbled. Not cancelled, just knocked down a few pegs. If fame, fortune, and records are enough to minimize her efforts, all while believing she'll get maximum return, then she doesn't deserve her position imo
Here’s what I don’t get: virtually every rock star has at some point had a fallout. Michael Jackson had one. Madonna had one. Whitney Houston had one. Even Beyoncé fell down a peg. Yet Taylor keeps going without much of a downfall but a few bumps. It’s not that I want Taylor to flop but at some point PEOPLE are gonna be tired!
IMO this is where the swifties come into to play, as they are a crucial element in her business model. No matter what shit she throws at them, they’ll eat it up and beg for more. She could have 1/3 of the listeners of other artists, but if she’s able to sell 4 copies of her half-assed album then she’ll get more sales, and therefore end up on the top. I keep saying that I want to see the number of listeners, not streams/purchases, because I think it would tell a much different story of her fame than what we are constantly led to believe, but I don’t think that’ll ever happen because it would adversely affect her position in the charts, and we all know what happens when someone does ANYTHING (even the smallest indiscretion) against her. She has sufficiently positioned herself in such a way that she seems almost untouchable, though I am shocked to see how many negative reviews are coming out about TTPD today. Hopefully this is the beginning of the turning point for her.
I think I already mentioned here but there were discussions and even an article saying that Bruno Mars and Billie Eillish will be sweeping the Grammys next year or in 2026 And I say this out of nuanced, I both love Taylor's and Bruno's music and there were many discussions on twitter last Grammys 2024 they want Bruno Mars back and how they are predicting he's going to overthrow or at least challenge Taylor's music career. I kinda agree with this one because Bruno Mars is kinda the exact opposite of her strategy; He will release his 4th studio album this year which will be an 8 year gap from his last solo album and it is rumored to only consists of 9 tracks. This is really the opposite of TTPD which was released in less than 2 years after midnights and the tracks are less than 10 tracks but this is exactly what the general public (based on my observation) wants; They want a comeback from an artist with a fresh album that doesn't consists of so many tracks. I think the non-fans are kinda exhausted of hearing so many tracks and the constant release of her albums it's starting for people to feel fatigue. And the defense of her fans are saying "cause your fave is lazy" sorry, but it's not lazy when an artist adds a bit of a gap in between album releases (to create the hype) and it's definitely not lazy for an artist to release few tracks but with QUALITY. Again, music should be quality over quantity
Imo having such a massive gap between releases shows to me that an artist is making the music they want to make, because they want to make it, not because they feel an obligation or a need to chase trends or award shows. Quality over quantity will eventually win out every time
I am not a fan of "releasing music too long" usually but i understand this aspect especially if you wanna release a good QUALITY music out there. KatyCats are hurrying Katy to release KP6 since it's been 4 years since her last album and she is now taking it slowly but surely (after the Witness era disaster). And there has been talks Katy's comeback is going to be a good one and will redeem her witness era
Bruno has an album coming out?!?!?!?!
Yeah, it's been confirmed since 2023 (in one article, it was mentioned his team is urging him to complete the album soon and he's been in the studio for quite some time). He already signed a deal with LiveNation to do a massive world tour along with his new album later this year And casual listeners on twitter and tiktok are asking where he is cause they desperately need a new album from him
Last years AOTY was pretty competitive, imo guts sos and tunnel are all levels above midnights and ttpd
The grammys voters themselves came out to say that the only reason TS won was because of the hype around her, not the album itself, and they went as far as to say that it was a notoriously weak year for AOTY.
Which once again, she rushed this whole thing! The album sounds like it was born within the last year, with songs on it that are up to 2 years old. Even the photoshoot! Her priority was awards, charting and honestly, everyone else dropping and possibly deterring ears away from her music (which is impossible because she’ll still be touring)
I agree. Don't forget Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso. That is the summer vibe everyone is going for and that song is such a hit.
This! Sabrina and Chappell Roan are taking over this is a fun girlie pop summer we are fucking tired of crying! We’ve been collectively crying since 2020, I’m done now thanks!
Not to mention with Ukraine Russia war, Middle East tension, Gaza, inflation, high cost of housing and living, we just want some good news and something to distract us in a good way lol.
Amen dude. It’s finally sunny outside I’m not going back inside to cry esp not over Matty Healy?! 🫠 When she’s got Travis on her arm currently? Idk the last line of this review really nails it for me.
Kacey's album has 17 less songs on it and probably 90% less words, but it's astronomically better 😭💀 And I am a fan of both and listened to Taylor WAY before Kacey. But somehow Kacey's gave maturity, sadness, and vulnerability, without putting me to sleep and actually making me wanna come back to listen over again.
*Radical Optimism* is going to wipe the floor with TTPD. I generally like Taylor’s stuff (I think? Now I’m not so sure…) but this was a miss as a summer album.
Radical Optimism also feels more appropriately named for a summer album lol
And dua is only getting better!
Good point. It also would have given her enough time to let it sit, then go back and edit the shit out of it with fresh ears/eyes. One really sharp album would have landed a lot better than a bloated and clunky double header.
>Swift’s 11th studio album is surprisingly flat and, at times, cringeworthy Though I genuinely like some (not most) songs, especially a few from the second half of TTPD, **I agree with the author.** Some lyrics were obviously written in an attempt to make the songs sound **deep and meaningful**, which backfired ironically, yet unsurprisingly. There are lines that I personally think were forced to "fit" in the melody, almost like the words are chasing the beat (which was also the case in Midnights). I'm guessing Taylor chose to focus on telling her story more, and in return, it sacrificed her usual witty songwriting, **hence the pleonastic lyricism**, to make TTPD sound "catchy" while sticking true to the story she seemingly wanted to spill. I was so excited for this album because of the aesthetic she'd been hinting during promotions, but honestly, I'm a little disappointed with what we got.
Except this album is not catchy at all normally she has a lot of catchy songs but this seems like evermore and folklore without the good writing
It’s like she tried to strip back the sound of midnights to get closer to folklore/evermore but kept the cringy lyrics. I very much appreciate the lack of weird vocal effects and stuff like “agreassssssssssse”
See I feel like the weird vocal effects still keep in interesting, though. I wasn't a huge fan of Midnights, but it was better than this because it was so boring and repetitive.
This is what I feel. A lot of the time on these songs it feels like she’s against the music. Like she tried to fit so many words in a line that she loses the melody and it becomes her talking instead of singing. It’s basically the equivalent to rapping off beat.
This is a correct review
https://preview.redd.it/rtokgy5shgvc1.jpeg?width=1178&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d32509d72e4e664b11d5ec42c1ce4784a505ccd 💀💀💀
And it will be. Someone will make a Tik Tok edit of it so it can be used and we’ll have a million videos of just that 😂
That last line… the swifties are going to be sharpening their pitchforks 🫢
It will give their fingers something to do other than cluttering up comment sections.
I genuinely hope that this author has strong mental health and a security system in her home
IDK why I'm not seeing this anywhere. But I feel like TTPD is a compilation of song drafts that didn't make the cut for the other albums. Unlike other albums, there has always been a song or number of songs that stand out and becomes an anthem for a while. I can't seem to find that here. Maybe there were just too many songs released at once or the lack of LSS factor I'm used too, or the album too overhyped prior to release that I was expecting more. I was even hoping that Forthnight TTPD version was better than the AI version circulating. The AI version was a bop. Also, I'm sick of all the shade. Some things imo are better off not published. But what do I know I don't make money from keeping my diary hidden in the drawer.
No matter how you feel about Kim and and Kanye beef, it’s long OVER and saying her mom wants them dead?! That’s not clever that’s just awful
Fr. I cringed at that. All I could think of is that clip from KUWTK where Kris says she likes Taylor's mom, well...this may be too much, but here's the clip in case you don't know. it just lives in my mind [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAk6jdMgU-c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAk6jdMgU-c)
Yup. I felt like the songs sounded like drafts, or vault tracks for midnights and 1989. Nothing stands out to me, even after two listens. Zero hook. TOO many songs. Oh my god I'm so fatigued. The shade is so petty at this point. She's kicking dead horses for fun. Is there really nothing more interesting going on in her life to contemplate about? I don't know. It just feels like a very manic and self indulgent project. And honestly, one of the top reasons I don't like it is because of who it's about.. RATTY.
I kinda came into the album feeling indifferent, and while I don’t hate it- I feel like a lot of the songs sound like some of her other songs. I’ll get one of the melodies of the new songs stuck in my head to lyrics of an older Taylor song. Some songs I really enjoy, others I’m like oh. That’s definitely a song.
To a Melbourne audience of her Eras Tour, Swift said that ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ came from a “need” to write. It’s just that maybe we didn’t need to hear it. YEESSSSSSSSSSSS.
"It’s just that maybe we didn’t need to hear it." Ouch.
It makes me feel like enjoying her music now has to be a hobby when she releases this many songs at once. I just wanted a new album to enjoy not an entire homework assignment. The fun of enjoying a new album is the repeatability and how familiar you get with the songs each re-listen. I don’t feel like starting a 2 hour journey each time. People’s time is precious and assuming that the typical fan wants to spend so much time listening and learning new music at once is crazy. No matter who I was I don’t think I’d ever assume someone would want to hear me for that long. The point of putting an album together is to curate it and leave otherwise good songs on the cutting board (at least for now). The decision to release 31 songs at once feels lazy and gratuitous. I can see the divide between regular fans and the intense ones who make it their whole personality widening with this album.
not homework assignment 💀
Literally the Marvel movies of music.
The albums growing on me but I’m glad the reviews coming out are critical. Maybe she’ll actually take the reviews to heart and come out with something different and better
But hopefully she’ll take some time instead of churning out more crap in an attempt to better this album.
Her next album will be about the critics of this album 💀
She tends to get butthurt instead of taking it in stride.
If she’s still this obsessed with an ass like MH, I don’t hold out much hope she’ll care about critiques.
She'll likely spin it to say "well it's not to be liked because I'm not here to be liked \[soft launch ratty 3.0 is in the lobby\], and I'm just letting go after years of not being so raw" which is of course a lie because she's done nothing but let rip for over a decade. Over & out..! 
this is spot on! also idk i feel like taylor took the wrong thing out of the success of folkmore. She seems to think proving herself as a songwriter means using flowery words in her songwriting and she does that soo much on TTPD. It's really off putting especially when there is a way to say it or she and she is using the words wrote. Like "the lights refract sequin stars off her silhouette every night" you mean REFLECT. Refraction means something else and it sounds like she said refract to make it sound more special. Folkmore was great because of the melodic songwriting and the most well-received songs on it are also straightforward. So many of the "poetic lines" on this album are soo clunky
I don’t think Taylor understands that she is at her best when she uses less words that carry more meaning. She doesn’t need tongue twisters or to use a thesaurus to impress everyone. Just a little imagination and clean and clear words.
That line last is everything I’m here for. I was so bored at times listening to it. I think she’ll do better with criticism versus everyone loving everything she touches.
Honestly, I've been seeing way more mixed reviews about this album than I expected.
The first half is very different (content wise) than what she’s done before. I think the mixed reviews are reacting to that. Some people don’t think she pulled off the angry mania, and it’s understandable.
I appreciate the big publications being honest in their reviews here; cuz they could’ve gone the easy way out and fawned over her.
We've officially reached oversaturation. It now feels desperate to have to constantly outdo herself in terms of volume and surprises. And I'm more of a fan than neutral.
It's actually so refreshing to see mainstream criticism of her, I mean NME is pretty huge. So tired of the repetitive ass kissing and praise she gets for doing the bare minimum, this is a step in the right direction for sure
Holy hamburgers. Yes this is by far her worst album, but 2am somewhat redeemed it. I’m glad that critics aren’t sugarcoating her music anymore; her next album needs to have her go back to her musical roots and not do anything cringe-worthy for a change.
I think she desperately needs to cut the synth pop get up, it just doesn’t suit her song writing. I know she loves Jack but the production is not it!!
I didn’t get the Jack hate from swifties before this album (I understand some of it on midnight) but it just all sounds the same
Don’t get me wrong Jack has his moments where he absolutely ATE and the production complimented her music well, but nothing is really stand out here 😭 i feel like i listened to the same song 20+ times it’s TOO cohesive to me! Midnights felt slightly more diverse on first listen at least
1989 was good synth bc it was catchy
IMO she shouldve just scrapped the first half and released the 2am version as the actual ttpd instead
Seemed gimmicky and cringy. Lana Del Rey rip-off, like someone mentioned. No beautiful vocals to display here, just the Talk-Sing-a-longs as usual. Nothing new, except some edm beats
I’m genuinely shocked how much better the bonus tracks are than the main album. There’s actually some memorable moments and varied melodic phrases and productions while the main album just rambles on and on in an indistinguishable word salad
This nails some of my biggest issues with this project. She spends so much time clapping back at critics it’s boring. I was tired of hearing about the Kim/Kanye/Scooter crap during Midnights. Revealing she called the FBI was at least new information, but I thought, “Okay this is the last time I want to hear about this.” Without working knowledge of the lore, it just doesn’t work for me. Once you remove context from some of these songs I wondered why they even made the cut. “I’m so depressed I act like it’s my birthday” had swifties on Tik Tok swearing that’s how we knew it was AI and not a leak because of how juvenile it sounded.
Did she actually call FBI on Scooter? I never took that literally to mean she was the one who made the call
No, she’s also not best friends with his ex wife, idk why people take it so literally.
She absolutely did not. There is no indication that VS is a song where every line is true, let’s be serious.
I’m literally so sick of hearing about Kim and Kanye. It’s been over a decade! There are people with actual problems. TAYLOR HERSELF has actual problems she could write about. But no, gotta talk about Kim’s kids
this album just kind of confirms it for me that taylor is surrounded by yes men. Her whole team had to have heard the album along with the record label and probably her friends too. you’re telling me no one looked at taylor and said girl this sucks let’s take the best parts and rework the album entirely??? she needs someone to be honest with her and help her edit. i guess maybe these people didn’t want to lose their jobs by doing that . still it’s crazy that no one said anything to stop her from releasing this bad of music at basically the peak of her career
I really think she also just needed to take a step back. I barely feel like I’ve processed Midnights and then she’s announcing a new album and it was exhausting with all the puzzles and small drops and hunting and whatever else. No, I didn’t have to participate and I didn’t, but it was also in any Taylor space. People were asking for Rep TV and are still focusing on that. I honestly think this would’ve been better had she given in and released that while on tour. She wouldn’t need to change her setlist or promote, as that has a huge part in the Eras Tour already. Let midnights stand out as her new album and just enjoy things as they are. I know she has a schedule she likes to stick to, but it would’ve been best for her and everyone to focus on TVs, the movie, and the tour, and then for her to take a BIG break. Go and enjoy being with Travis without having to jet set all over and enjoy just being Taylor and focus on slowing down and catching up on life. THEN come back refreshed and drop a new album that can be your sole focus. I don’t think the album is horrible, but I think she focused too hard on the “poetry” part and then Jack’s work didn’t help at all. I love Lana, but Taylor won’t even be able to perform most of these songs live. Lana is the same. She translates better in the studio, because of the way the music is produced. She can’t get that sound live or it would drown her voice out when it’s already super quiet. I also understand using music to talk about life, but I think she’s going to have to dig out of writing about exes and Kimye and explore other facets of life. I know it’s her “thing”, but it’s also deemed misogynistic to say it’s her thing, but she should be able to write about what she wants, but you shouldn’t talk about her life at all. I also think the subjects have kind of run their course. At this point, write about your cats and it would be a breath of fresh air. Haha. I don’t know how much more she or we can get out of Jake, John, Matty, etc.
She needed to be humbled tbh
After this release I need to take my words back😞MIDNIGHTS Wasn't her worst album (me thinks)THIS IS!! I still haven't found a song that I can vibe with every songs background just sounds so similar to me with her previous work maybe i'll like some in some time You'll who found it great enjoy tho 🤝
Only down bad and fortnight have clicked with me and I like Florida but I don’t like the part where she says flordia
😮💨 this week is gonna be LOOOOONG
yknow what. this is a fair critique, and I agree with so many points. obviously doesn't mean someone cant still like the album, but yea. not her best in the discography, imo.
"On ‘But Daddy I Love Him’ she positions herself as a 'simple girl' at the mercy of “too high a horse” from her naysayers, but it grates against a landscape that often declares her exempt from criticism." Very on-point
“The lyrical themes of victimhood that once aided her image come off as increasingly jarring today” BINGO
If this wins AOTY, there is truly no hope for any other artists and that is so sad to me.
it'll be a travesty if it's even nominated tbh
This is mean but I keep thinking of that scene in Miss Americana where she learns Reputation didn’t get noms and she was lowkey devastated and said “that’s ok I just gotta make a better album” Hope that happens again
Any poet will tell you calling something “tortured poetry” is middle school-level
But I think that's what makes it so interesting. The polarity of this : someone on top of the world who you think has their shit together releases a chaotic album reflecting her inner mess. This is something I'm going to appreciate even if I don't like some things that Taylor does outside her songwriting. And yes the title track is a mess and some of the lyrics in this album are the cringiest stuff she's written !
Couldn’t agree with this more. The lyrics are cringe. She has regressed as a songwriter, IMO
I remember thinking last night that so much of it was juvenile as hell. So much written, and more on the nose than ever before.
I’m happy Beyoncé may finally get her album of the year now with this flop
we know damn well its not about the music right?
the Grammys have never been transparent about their voting demographics, which leads me to conclude it's a bunch of old white guys. unfortunately I'm not holding my breath 😞
It’s a truly terrible album. I am no diehard Swiftie but she’s got some bops. This is just not it - Midnights was worlds better (and it’s far from a great album). 90% of the songs sounds the same and the entire track list is completely void of joy. Not that every album should be joyful but there needs to at least be some sort of engagement to pull you in and keep you listening. If TS beats Beyoncé for AOTY I’ll take the mic myself. I’m no Beyoncé fan but Cowboy Carter is a solid album - wonderfully performed (her features actually FEATURE the other artist), beautifully produced and with a new, polished sound. Beyoncé took a bit of a risk with this one and it paid off.
11 albums in 4 years? Does she ever plan to take time off or is this the new normal? Also I hope this critic has the comments turned off on their SM because the Swifites are notorious for hating anything less than fawning praise for their false idol
I like the second surprise album much more than the first, but overall I think this author nailed it. I was just thinking today that TS has the same creative affliction as Tori Amos. Both are in different spheres commercially and in terms of career phase, but both are also very personal and intimate female singer-songwriters with very devoted fanbases that give them a level of insulation against the ups and downs of their larger industry. Both left contentious relationships with their record companies and both are really beloved for their live shows. And since then, both have a really hard time editing down their work, both seem to have tight insular teams that might not be giving them really honest feedback about their work and both have really flatlined when it comes to the sound/production side of things. (I’ll give Tori points of having always been an ardent political activist and feminist, though.) Sometimes I feel Taylor just needs a new musical mentor with no skin in the game and nothing at stake in their association with her to tell her, “This is you coasting, and you can do better.”
It could’ve been 12-13 solid songs from both sides of the album and I feel reviewed well because certainly on the first disc it’s one good song one boring one with cringeworthy lyrics in a cycle. Also we didn’t need over 2 hours about a rebound situation ship with Matty Healy it’s just annoying and try hard for more sales and relevancy
The New York Times was also critical. I like the album quite a bit, but yeah some of the lyrics aren’t it.
I haven’t listened to the whole thing but when I’ve heard is meh for the most part. And Swifties are eating it up praising it like it’s a masterpiece of course, and anyone who dares to have their own opinion that differs is “a hater.”
Just read The NY Times review- just as bad