Taylor Swift is the music industry: ft. a review of The Tortured Poets Department
Self explanatory, really.
Bonjour. Bonsoir.
As we all know, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, was released on April 19th. It was hypothesised that the genre would be synth-pop, indie-pop, sad-pop, or something along these lines (given the term “tortured”). The reality is, it's a fascinating blend of all these genres. It touches on the 80s, and has some synth intertwined in there. To me, it's a cross between the vibes of her former albums - 1989, Midnights, and Folklore/Evermore, which are all vastly different. For that reason, I believe it's her most versatile, mature and “caters-to-all” body of work that she has put out. Ever.
I particularly love the combination of producers that Taylor worked with on this record. We have Jack Antonoff, who is known for the upbeat pop yet melancholy sounds, and we also have Aaron Dessner who is the master of subtle woodsy-type melodies. He creates profound tunes that feature fingerpicking, allowing Taylor to seamlessly integrate poetry and unique riffs alongside them. Such an iconic trio if you ask me!
The album has been crafted to perfection in a way that is sonically cohesive, yet each track acts as a stand-alone melody and boasts a story that shines. It provides a plethora of emotion that doesn’t just cover feelings pertained to the word “tortured”, but rather, a mix of experiences from her past few years of life. Personally, I think any album should contain this structure, as it allows the listener to relate any song depending on how they are feeling mentally and emotionally. It provides an in-direct nudge to myself as an aspiring songwriter, by steering away from the pigeon-hole that writing about solely current events can subconsciously put you in. Therefore, it is key to maintain a balance of past, present and possibly future, in the context of timeframes in songs. Not only does this make it relatable, but also a historical piece that can further its legacy through years to come. How beautiful is that?
So you’ve asked the question regarding my personal favourite tracks from TTPD. Ah, how does one choose? If I had to pick just eight songs out of the generous 31 presented, these would be them. I was going to name three, but that’s kinda like choosing a favourite sibling, yes? Here we go (in no particular order).
Guilty as sin?
Fortnight
Fresh out the slammer
The black dog
The prophecy
Loml
Clara bow
I hate it here
What this album means to me, what I take from it.
This album is like a breath of fresh air, as a weight is lifted off the artist’s shoulders. As a listener, this translates really well to a sense of relief and ease. Letting go of what no longer serves, and making room for what does. I’m sure we can all take something from this.
I wanted to provide my personal insights into one particular song, which I’ll term as a segment called “Lyrical Snapshots.” In future blogs I’ll refer to this again where I delve into the ins and outs of a sequence of lyrics, digging beyond the surface of what is being said. One, because I love English, and two, because I love English, music, and the two combined. Capisce?
Let’s place an emphasis on the track “I hate it here,” track number 23. The key phrase is, “I hate it here so I will go to secret gardens in my mind.” When external chaos strikes that is out of one’s control, the only option is to create inner peace and an oasis where you feel safe and secure. I love the imagery used in this one, and think everyone can interpret something meaningful from it, amongst the stress and anxiety in today’s world. This lyric gets interchanged with; “I hate it here so I will go to lunar valleys in my mind.” It is fairly blunt and to-the-point. She could’ve used “I don’t like it here” or “I prefer elsewhere,” but instead cuts deep by throwing in a hatred toward the current environment she's in.
It's especially hard to see your own self value when in environments that no longer serve you. This could also mean relationships, workplaces or cultures you no longer align with. Having the courage to admit you legit hate it here, or despise your current situation, is quite admirable. There's a sense of gratitude woven into the song which I also applaud. It's sort of like saying, “yes, what I have is good and I’m grateful, but where I am is not where I’d like to be.” In order to portray that frustration, the only real effective way is to say you hate it. A strong word, but when used tastefully, can highlight true emotion, all in the form of anger, anxiety, grief, and sadness - all contributing to why she legitimately hates it here. Plain and simple, really.
Amongst the negative thoughts, one chooses secret gardens and lunar valleys in their mind where possible, as an outlet to their struggles. I love the internal/external contrast, where everything occurring outside the body is out of one’s control yet can have such agency over their mental state, causing both places to feel toxic. On the other hand, everything occurring inside the body and mind can affect one’s perception of the world and spirituality. So I praise Taylor’s use of the reciprocal relationship between the physical body and external environment. Above all, being in settings that serve purpose to your life, is powerful. We live internally, sure, but ultimately we are experiencing in external mediums. And so, say no to what does not align. And welcome in the things that provide peace and warmth.
To me, the mind can be a tricky labyrinth to navigate. Funny how Taylor also has a song called Labyrinth (featured on album Midnights), which touches on this very topic, where the brain is compared to a mental maze or puzzle that is trying to be decoded.
I truly admire the maturity yet curiosity that the TTPD emits. I’ll be listening to it for years on end no doubt about it! And will likely continue writing and posting about it, as there are 30+ reasons why I need to…(we were so blessed by getting the anthology istg).
What are your thoughts on the album? Did you pick up any easter eggs along the way?!
Thanks for reading :)
~ Lauren