Opinion: Swift’s new album “folklore” is ‘delicate, dreamy’

The year 2020 is truly the year no one could have predicted; Taylor Swift has released an indie album. Oh yeah, there’s the whole global pandemic thing, too.

A lot has changed since we were last on campus in March. Since the coronavirus has made itself comfortable in the United States, many Americans are desperate for stronger action to flatten the curve. Widely circulated videos of police brutality have reignited momentum for the Black Lives Matter movement, which is more important now than ever. Additionally, we’re feeling four years of political tension climax as we inch closer to the 2020 presidential election. 

After a summer of great political divide, I can’t tell you how relieved I was to hear the word “hoax” not used to describe the pandemic or climate change, but rather as the title of a new Taylor Swift song.

Swift’s eighth studio album, “folklore,” was released on July 24. Swift surprised her fans by veering outside the pop genre and serving 17 indie, cottage-core, lyrical masterpieces. Swift, who entered the industry as a country singer and rose to stardom as a mega pop star, must have decided it was time for a change of pace. As our busy world slowed down, so did Swift’s style; written and recorded in isolation, it’s no wonder the soundscape takes on a different tone.

“Folklore” strips down the barriers of commercial pop music to reveal an intimate, delicate and dreamy side of Swift that places emphasis back on her incredible storytelling skills. The first time I listened to the album, I made the mistake of thinking I could be a passive listener. While “folklore” could easily fall into the category of background music, certain lyrics and phrases catch your ear and make you realize there’s deeper meaning inside these simple, calming melodies.

Swift’s strong imagery and clever storytelling snuck up on me and demanded my full attention. They do this in a gentle way, and that’s reflected by the artistic choice to not use capitalization in the titles of the album and its songs. Many have criticized that all the tracks sound similar, but I’d argue whatever the songs lack in musical diversity, they make up for through their vast range of storytelling.

One significant difference from her previous albums is that the majority of the songs in “folklore” are not autobiographical. Even if you’re not familiar with Swift, you probably still know she often writes about her own life (specifically her love life, which wouldn’t be a big deal if she was a man—see “The Man” from Swift’s last album, “Lover,” for her thoughts on that). 

In “the last great american dynasty,” Swift sings from the perspective of the debutante Rebekah Harkness who married into the family that owned Standard Oil Company and also just so happened to previously have lived in Swift’s Rhode Island mansion. The song is oddly specific with a “Great Gatsby” vibe, evoking a sense of nostalgia that begs you to stare out the window and play it on a road trip. Another interesting perspective is shared in “mirrorball,” which is told from the point of view of a disco ball which glimmers with beauty and has the ability to bring people together under its light, but also has the potential to cause real damage if dropped.

My absolute favorite track, “invisible string,” also happens to be the only feel-good, romantic one. Swift creates beautiful imagery of lovers having a string tied between them that connects them throughout their lives and leads them to each other until they finally meet. The verses entail vivid memories that are so specific, they somehow feel relatable. The chorus reads, “And isn’t it just so pretty to think / All along there was some / Invisible string / Tying you to me?” This invisible string ties together not only the two lovers, but also the whole album. This imagery reminds us there is purpose within any battles we’re facing, whether it be heartbreak, our mental health, a deadly pandemic, civil unrest or anything else we are facing this year. I’d like to think there’s always a little string pulling us along to help us find our way.