Telling Stories is What Taylor Swift Does Well

By Ella Stevens

   You probably know more Taylor Swift songs by heart than you’re aware of, from “You Belong With Me,” to “Shake it Off,” to “Blank Space,”to “Love Story.”Ever since her debut single in 2006 at age 17, she’s undeniably been one of the most famous and influential people of the 21st century. Throughout her career, Swift has reinvented herself in many ways, transitioning from a sweet country singer to glamorous A-list celebrity, to badass, independent woman. But now, on her most recent album, Folklore, Swift is showing a whole new side of herself:  someone sensitive, mature, and genuine. Swift wrote, produced, and released Folklore over the span of the first five months of quarantine. It may be a more raw and down-to-earth version of Swift, but her signature style remains: story-telling. She  has always been known for creating deeply emotional, engaging storylines that captivate her listeners and bring her songs to the top of the charts, and she credits all of her success to her storytelling.

   Folklore is a collection of stories, some her own, some inspired by others. The songs “Cardigan,” “August,” and “Betty” come together to form a teen love story plotline, while songs like “Exile” (featuring Bon Iver) and “Illicit Affairs” are more solemn and emotional. Once again, Swift has displayed her musical expertise, even in these trying situations: producing her music remotely, collaborating over Zoom, and doing her own hair and makeup for her magical “Cardigan” music video. Folklore already debuted on the Billboard Charts at #1 and is currently the best-selling album of 2020.  It is also projected to be a Grammy’s frontrunner.  If you haven’t already, you should definitely give this album a listen. Let yourself get whisked away by Swift’s captivating, whimsical imagery, and catch this instant classic while it's still on the rise.