Like many artists, the coronavirus pandemic has been the time where they have had the chance to take a break from their busy music schedules, and focus on living their lives. Just like what Taylor Swift has been doing in her home, but while relaxing, Taylor has been working on her eighth studio album in quarantine, Folklore, which was announced on July 23rd and was then released the day after. 

At the beginning of this year, Taylor was hard at work on releasing her Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, based on her life and music career. And since 11 months from her last album, Lovers, she has now released Folklore, which is unique from what we are used to hearing from Swift’s music. 

Having the first glimpse of the Folklore album cover art, already we could tell this will be different, as the album cover presented a greyscale picture of woods, looking very mysterious and mystical.

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Most of the things I had planned this summer didn’t end up happening, but there is something I hadn’t planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise 🤗Tonight at midnight I’ll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. I wrote and recorded this music in isolation but got to collaborate with some musical heroes of mine; @aarondessner (who has co-written or produced 11 of the 16 songs), @boniver (who co-wrote and was kind enough to sing on one with me), William Bowery (who co-wrote two with me) and @jackantonoff (who is basically musical family at this point). Engineered by Laura Sisk and Jon Low, mixed by Serban Ghenea & Jon Low. The album photos were shot by the amazing @bethgarrabrant. Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed. My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with. Love you guys so much ♥️

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 23, 2020 at 5:00am PDT

Taylor shared how she poured out all her whims, fears, dreams and musings into her album. Following on from this, she said how she co-wrote Folklore with Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver and Jack Antonoff.

Throughout the album, Taylor expresses her songs through the various perspectives of love and relationships. We may have seen her sing about these before, but this time Taylor alters her music style and embraces into a music genre of alternative-folk pop which is sweet-sounding to the ear.

In Folklore, the lyrics are evocatively powerful, songs such as ‘The 1’, ‘Exile’ and ‘Seven’ describe the experiences of past relationships and how young love is always special. They talk about the memories, regrets and moments people can treasure in their past loves. 

I guess you never know, never know

And if you wanted me, you really should’ve showed

And if you never bleed, you’re never gonna grow

And it’s alright now

The 1 by Taylor Swift

There are also tracks on the album that describe a story which is very emotive and expressive. When Taylor wrote the album, she created a trilogy of songs which were ‘August’, ‘Cardigan’ and ‘Betty’, these told a story about a teenage girl called Betty and what happened in her summer of love. 

And when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone’s bed
You put me on and said I was your favourite
A friend to all is a friend to none
Chase two girls, lose the one
When you are young, they assume you know nothing

Cardigan by Taylor Swift

Overall Folklore is a melancholy gothic rock album that reminisces about love magically and expressively. A triumph album indeed!

Why not listen to Folklore now?