My understanding is she had a situation w/ Matty about ten years ago... and then again last summer. Which makes the impact he has on this alum make more sense.
This is the TTPD review I didn't know I needed! 100% to every word of this. After a few more listens, I've also moved into the "coulda used an editor" and "several of these sound too similar" camps. I also have "Fortnight" playing nonstop in my head; it's my favorite song on this album. Thanks for interrupting your Substack break to bring us this masterpiece. :)
Urgh Kelly I have so many thoughts on this - but mostly, I completely agree with you! I am an OG debut swiftie and I am so disappointed. (Every time I go to the tour and hear the love story banjo bit I am GONE! Sobbing. My little heart out 😂)
I also, (hate to say this)- feel like I’m a bit over exposed to her lately? I genuinely HATE to say this as I am such a strong fan, but I just think it’s been a bit much. Like obviously she can’t help the tour / the pap photos etc, she needs to live her life! But I’ve always loved her and defended her but I am a bit… dare I say, in need of a breather?
Personally, my favourite album is 1989, with red and rep in close second place.
Dont hate me but I feel like she’s just trying to do ALL THE GENRES? And she’s so talented, she doesn’t need to do that!
I didn’t love midnights and I really wasn’t a fan of folklore / evermore (apart from exile and august - but instagram ruined august, cheers hunz).
I always thought “tolerate it” was about Rebecca by Daphne de Maurier - I swear she’s said this somewhere?
So I actually agree with the harry styles stuff, did you notice she mentioned “steal my girl” which was one of his songs in 1D??
Where are the pop bangers?! Also, so over Kim stuff! We get it! She wronged you! It’s now boring, sorry! Move on.
ohhhh I have so many thoughts! I think this album needed so much editing but also I think it was very intentionally UNedited - the word vomit she’s been wanting to get off her chest since the Joe breakup. I think wanting to cover that, the Matty situation, the eras tour, fame/people talkin’ bout her online, her feelings of worth, and falling for TK - it’s a LOT, thematically. it was always going to feel a little overstuffed. and since so much is turbulent/negative I think she wanted to get it out all there and over with so she could move on and start fresh. All that said, I find it very funny how many of my keeps you’d cut, and how many of my cuts you’d keep!
I do think the breakout bop of the album is “I can do it with a broken heart.” I also cannot believe “so high school” wasn’t on the main album but “the alchemy” was (though the symbolism in the latter clearly fits in with her narrative tropes). it’s SUCH a good bop!!! (I also think “hits different” is her best from midnights, so - hot takes all around ha).
I actually really like most of this album - the songwriting is smart and pretty scathing. It also feels confident in a way that surprised me, especially with how anxious midnights feels. basically, it feels like she’s stopped worrying about being a people pleaser, and while I think the lack of editing works with this album, I’m already excited to see where she goes next.
My first 2 thoughts after listening to Fortnight the first time was there was not nearly enough Post Malone (I expected exile level collab) and I wanted something that hit harder for a first track/single. It took until watching the video for me to love it. And my overall reaction is yeah she needs an editor. And I expected another exploration of sound. Like I don't need every album to be a sharp left turn from the previous one sonically but I like when she moves the dial.
I don't know if I think The Manuscript is specifically about John or more about all of her exes? Or just these recent two? Like it seems significant that it's the last song of the album. And she states more than once that she's done exploring this period of her life. But it would be interesting if some of the songs on this album are about each of her significant exes and then saying ok I'm done for real.
Have been having the discussion with some of my friends that this album has grown on us immensely. I initially would quickly skip Guilty as Sin and now I can’t stop listening. Then I did a Peloton ride and “who’s afraid of little old me” took me to a whole new level. Curious if any of these opinions have changed with time? Regardless, I am hereeee for posts like this!
I just came across this post (and your substack- I loved your stuff at C&C) and would love to know what you think of the album now that it has been out for a few months. I initially felt much the same as you...but now I love it and think almost the entire album is about Matty- which is so crazy, but relatable. Situationships hit hard.
I agree with you. I love Taylor's more recent work, and staunchly believe that 1989 is one of the best pop albums of the last 50 years, and is perfect from start to finish. But just because you can make lots of music doesn't mean you should - I think she needs to take a break , enjoy life and come back with a more energised sound. Overall this was a background music album for me, not memorable and not anything to get excited about which is disappointing.
Love this take!!! I kinda have this idea that she had all these thoughts (and maybe bits of lyrics) during the entire time with Joe and never felt she could fully open up and now she can do all of it and it’s spilling out all at once; I don’t hate that! I like that this album is a little unpolished and gives a lot of vulnerability. And I think all of her fans will have different takes and favorites!
Okay also I keep referencing this as I continue to re-listen to these songs!!! Your take on this in such a short time is so impressive!!! I also agree that this album seems a bit sloppy, and your report that it’s created by folklore producers makes sense because it really does sound like folklore. I think fortnight is my fave right now.
Respectfully disagree with nearly all your critiques here but I loved reading it!!! <3
My understanding is she had a situation w/ Matty about ten years ago... and then again last summer. Which makes the impact he has on this alum make more sense.
I would cut absolutely nothing. I love it. I’d take a triple album if she gave one.
This is the TTPD review I didn't know I needed! 100% to every word of this. After a few more listens, I've also moved into the "coulda used an editor" and "several of these sound too similar" camps. I also have "Fortnight" playing nonstop in my head; it's my favorite song on this album. Thanks for interrupting your Substack break to bring us this masterpiece. :)
Urgh Kelly I have so many thoughts on this - but mostly, I completely agree with you! I am an OG debut swiftie and I am so disappointed. (Every time I go to the tour and hear the love story banjo bit I am GONE! Sobbing. My little heart out 😂)
I also, (hate to say this)- feel like I’m a bit over exposed to her lately? I genuinely HATE to say this as I am such a strong fan, but I just think it’s been a bit much. Like obviously she can’t help the tour / the pap photos etc, she needs to live her life! But I’ve always loved her and defended her but I am a bit… dare I say, in need of a breather?
Personally, my favourite album is 1989, with red and rep in close second place.
Dont hate me but I feel like she’s just trying to do ALL THE GENRES? And she’s so talented, she doesn’t need to do that!
I didn’t love midnights and I really wasn’t a fan of folklore / evermore (apart from exile and august - but instagram ruined august, cheers hunz).
I always thought “tolerate it” was about Rebecca by Daphne de Maurier - I swear she’s said this somewhere?
So I actually agree with the harry styles stuff, did you notice she mentioned “steal my girl” which was one of his songs in 1D??
Where are the pop bangers?! Also, so over Kim stuff! We get it! She wronged you! It’s now boring, sorry! Move on.
Also hard agree that this trio are tired.
#BringBackMax
Loved this take?
ohhhh I have so many thoughts! I think this album needed so much editing but also I think it was very intentionally UNedited - the word vomit she’s been wanting to get off her chest since the Joe breakup. I think wanting to cover that, the Matty situation, the eras tour, fame/people talkin’ bout her online, her feelings of worth, and falling for TK - it’s a LOT, thematically. it was always going to feel a little overstuffed. and since so much is turbulent/negative I think she wanted to get it out all there and over with so she could move on and start fresh. All that said, I find it very funny how many of my keeps you’d cut, and how many of my cuts you’d keep!
I do think the breakout bop of the album is “I can do it with a broken heart.” I also cannot believe “so high school” wasn’t on the main album but “the alchemy” was (though the symbolism in the latter clearly fits in with her narrative tropes). it’s SUCH a good bop!!! (I also think “hits different” is her best from midnights, so - hot takes all around ha).
I actually really like most of this album - the songwriting is smart and pretty scathing. It also feels confident in a way that surprised me, especially with how anxious midnights feels. basically, it feels like she’s stopped worrying about being a people pleaser, and while I think the lack of editing works with this album, I’m already excited to see where she goes next.
My first 2 thoughts after listening to Fortnight the first time was there was not nearly enough Post Malone (I expected exile level collab) and I wanted something that hit harder for a first track/single. It took until watching the video for me to love it. And my overall reaction is yeah she needs an editor. And I expected another exploration of sound. Like I don't need every album to be a sharp left turn from the previous one sonically but I like when she moves the dial.
I don't know if I think The Manuscript is specifically about John or more about all of her exes? Or just these recent two? Like it seems significant that it's the last song of the album. And she states more than once that she's done exploring this period of her life. But it would be interesting if some of the songs on this album are about each of her significant exes and then saying ok I'm done for real.
Have been having the discussion with some of my friends that this album has grown on us immensely. I initially would quickly skip Guilty as Sin and now I can’t stop listening. Then I did a Peloton ride and “who’s afraid of little old me” took me to a whole new level. Curious if any of these opinions have changed with time? Regardless, I am hereeee for posts like this!
I just came across this post (and your substack- I loved your stuff at C&C) and would love to know what you think of the album now that it has been out for a few months. I initially felt much the same as you...but now I love it and think almost the entire album is about Matty- which is so crazy, but relatable. Situationships hit hard.
Also this; https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/22/arts/music/taylor-swift-album-fatigue.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb
I agree with you. I love Taylor's more recent work, and staunchly believe that 1989 is one of the best pop albums of the last 50 years, and is perfect from start to finish. But just because you can make lots of music doesn't mean you should - I think she needs to take a break , enjoy life and come back with a more energised sound. Overall this was a background music album for me, not memorable and not anything to get excited about which is disappointing.
Love this take!!! I kinda have this idea that she had all these thoughts (and maybe bits of lyrics) during the entire time with Joe and never felt she could fully open up and now she can do all of it and it’s spilling out all at once; I don’t hate that! I like that this album is a little unpolished and gives a lot of vulnerability. And I think all of her fans will have different takes and favorites!
The songs that slap, slap. The songs that don't all sound the same 😅
LOVEDDD this take, thank you for sharing your thoughts!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Okay also I keep referencing this as I continue to re-listen to these songs!!! Your take on this in such a short time is so impressive!!! I also agree that this album seems a bit sloppy, and your report that it’s created by folklore producers makes sense because it really does sound like folklore. I think fortnight is my fave right now.
PPS I made a Spotify album called TTPD Kelly’s Version lol. And I listen to that mainly 😄