folklore is the twin to reputation, and connection to Songs Taylor Loves from 2017
When I first saw that she was dropping a new album, one that is black and white, and all lowercase, my reputation heart SCREECHED. It is impossible not to note the similarity of artwork to reputation based on those 2 things alone. To be fair, reputation has always been my favorite album PERIOD. And that era for me was everything I ever wanted. I was zoned in on absolutely everything, savoring every little thing she said and did. Right before she released reputation, she put out a playlist on Spotify called âSongs Taylor Lovesâ in the early fall of 2017 and I had that on repeat until the album dropped. I would argue that Taylor has been waiting to write folklore for YEARS, and she has known sheâs been destined for this album after she broke the glass ceiling by winning her second AOTY Grammy by converting to pop with 1989. After her first genre switch I think she gained the confidence to know she is Taylor Fucking Swift and the only person who tells her what she can and cannot do is herself. I would also S P E C U L A T E that the concept of this alternative album wouldâve actually been released right after 1989, BLEACHELLA. By bleaching her hair you KNOW that sets up PERFECTLY for the switch up to alternative. But due to 2016 she scrapped it and rewrote the most gorgeously brilliant album, reputation. The folklore album has DOZENS of Easter eggs from Songs Taylor Loves, and I will highlight them in a second. But the main point here is this 17 SONG ALBUM only took her since APRIL because she has most likely had lines and sounds and ideas SINCE 2017 OR EARLIER. And I think the fact that this album was pushed has made it a million times better (which I will also get into).
One thing you might notice when she released the playlist Songs Taylor Loves is that it is almost entirely ALTERNATIVE and SOFTâJUST LIKE FOLKLORE. The FIRST song is by The National, called Dark Side of the Gym (which parallel to a line in a folklore, âyour favorite song was playing from the FAR SIDE OF THE GYMâ). And the second song is Bad Reputation by Shawn Mendez, which is why I think this is a subtle clue as to how her alternative album should have been dropped, but she scrapped and safely returned to pop BECAUSE of her âbad reputationâ. This is immediately why I was not surprised she co-wrote and produced a majority of the songs with Aaron Dessner, because she highlights 2 of The Nationalâs songs, also Carin at the Liquor Store. So to get into a few Easter eggs here, she references âbloodstainâ in cardigan, ALSO a song higher lighted in that playlist by Wrabel. She sings âkiss it betterâ in cardigan as well, a song in that very playlist by Rihanna. She features 2 songs by Riri, the other is Close To You, another soft and lyrical masterpieceâlike folklore. The strings on Invisible Strings resemble âMaking All Things Newâ. Then we get into the sound resemblance of the album on âWe Donât Deserve Loveâ, which is another incredibly slow and alternative song along with âBetterâ, âNothingâs Gonna Hurt You Babyâ, âWe Are Starsâ, and god if I type every single song on that playlist that is alternative and soft Iâll be here all day. THE POINT IS the album references back to not only her own albums, especially reputation and Lover, but also that playlist very heavily as well. And I think since she wrote reputation, and then reminisced on everything from her childhood for Lover and to re-record her first 6 albums, she has wrote stories and tales based on her own muses and reflections of that past, which have all contributed to Taylor creating the STRONGEST alternative album. I think this album is so down to earth and so her, though she hasnât really done anything like it.
All I can say is I am THANKFUL 2016 happened because not only did it produce reputation, the greatest pop album in existence, but also has subsequently built an EMPIRE of lyrical mastery and Easter egg galore for folklore. Truly a reflective and pallet cleansing masterpiece. I cannot rave enough, this era is the best yet and like a chameleon she seamlessly morphs into whatever genre she chooses. In her words from the reputation stadium tour, no matter what production she adds on top of her songs, we care the most about her melodic and lyrical talent. It doesnât matter what genre she puts out, she is Taylor Fucking Swift and she can do whatever the fuck she wants. đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€
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