Taylor Swift released her 11 studio album “The Tortured Poets Department” on Friday, April 19, 2024. Shortly after she dropped “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” a double album, with 31 total songs.
Taylor Swift is known worldwide for captivating post-breakup emotions and turning them into big hits. The Tortured Poets Department’ is both more mature and arguably more pissed-off then anything she has previously released. She dives into darker, more introspective themes.
The opening song “Shadows of regret” is a haunting track that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
Many themes are explored throughout the double album like feelings of longing, love, loss, heartache, and anger. Tracks like “the smallest man who ever lived” and “thanK you aIMee” portray the raw emotions of loss in Taylor Swift’s voice.
The biggest hits in the new album are “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” and “But Daddy I Love Him”. My personal favorite is “But Daddy I Love Him” because the unapologetic message is unlike any of the other songs she released.
Swift’s songs exemplify the meaning of the title of the album by using lyrics that are poetic and filled with imagery and metaphors.
The bold change shown throughout this album shows Swift’s evolution as an artist. Although the raw emotion, intimate storytelling, and haunting melodies is loved, I believe the latest album falls short of expectations.
It seems as though the new album is unfocused and disoriented. The tracks jump between different styles and themes and don’t have a clear sense of purpose.
Usually, newer Taylor Swift songs are overplayed/overheard and tend to make their way to social media quickly after release. So far this hasn’t happened – or at least not to the extent we’ve seen with other Swift albums. Instead fans are disappointed from the lack of the album leaving a lasting impression on its listeners.
Some fans praise the album, but I argue that the new album is slow/boring and the whole album sounds like one long song
“The Tortured Poets Department” presents a complex mix of emotions and showcases Taylor Swift’s exploration of darker themes. While the album has many flaws, Swifties are overall impressed and still worship their mother.
