Taylor Swift Debuts Her Latest Album, folklore

By Maria Tedesco ('21)

On July 24, 2020, Taylor Swift released her eighth studio album, folklore. Ms. Swift only gave fans a 24 hour warning as opposed to her usual month build up before she drops an album, which usually includes song title hints, Easter eggs and extravagant photo shoots.

Even more unexpected than the understated release is the album genre change for Ms. Swift. While her albums from 2006-2012 embodied country and from 2014 forward embodied pop, folklore is categorized as alternative. The album also has an indie feel and upbeat pop productions are missing from the track list.

But I don’t mind; I’ve listened to the album on repeat for months. I love how the album is able to explore multiple story lines. 

Ms. Swift has confirmed that three of the songs--august, betty, and cardigan--reveal a love triangle story. However, I believe every single song on the album fits into this story. I have a vivid imagination and I see the album in live and living color. I imagine the album as a movie with multiple character tropes. 

The song august describes a summer love between the character James and another girl, “August.” August demonstrates her insecurities with herself and her relationship with James; she is afraid she is James’ second choice compared to James’ girlfriend from the school year, Betty. 

August is characterized by its soft feel, mellow guitar strumming and light percussion in the background. Produced by Jack Antonoff, a stand out on the track is a build up about mid-way through that is resolved with an electric guitar beat drop.

Continuing with the story, James then attempts to apologize for spending the summer with August to Betty in the song betty. Betty is graced with the harmonica, which gives the track a country feel. The song is distinguished by a conclusion that comes with a key change, where James confronts Betty about regretting his time with August. 

Betty’s reaction to James and August unfolds in the album’s lead single cardigan. Cardigan contains deep synthesized piano with heavier lyrics: “you drew stars around my scars, but now I’m bleeding.”