Deep in the process of churning out the first 20K words of a new novel after listening to TTPD, I feel this, Soman, so deeply. Thank you for giving voice to my thoughts exactly. That being said, I have listened to the album twice. Just for the poetry. And Fortnite is stuck in my head these days, hard. I’m grateful for her. Grateful for you. Grateful for every artist who tries, even when the final product may not be the leanest, best version of the story. At least it exists.
Brilliant as always. Gets me thinking also about what an artists releases when... Also, have you heard the AI version of Fortnight on Tiktok that's all over the place??? It'll blow your mind.
I really admire Taylor as an artist and a writer for saying the things that of lot of artist may not have the courage to say. In my opinion, there are very few artist who have been as vulnerable with their music, expressing how she felt insane in this relationship with Joe in who's afraid of little old me and the extreme amount of pressure and mental strain she experienced and still is experiencing with I can do it with a broken heart. Like others have said, I am grateful for artists like you and Taylor who can be so vulnerable and honest with there art. That's what makes her a success, her honesty. Other celebrities who may feel this way would never express how they feel like there are breaking and feel that they are going insane. The title also is perfection. I'm glad she finally recognized that she is a true poet. My favorite songs are who's afraid of little old me and I can do it with a broken heart, what are yours?
I'm a long time fan and I completely agree with your take on the album. One of her greatest strengths as a songwriter is being able to craft songs crammed with vivid details but still have a song that is universally accessible and relatable to a reader. For fans who were along with the ride for the media cycle of the past few years, this accessibility was gone - there was no ambiguity as to who the songs were about, and as a result I really struggled to connect with any of the songs. This is the first time I've listened to one of her albums on release day and felt that I probably wouldn't relisten, which as a fan was kind of a lot to grapple with! Thank you for sharing <3 also - REPUTATION GANG rise up :)
I think it's making even the die-hard fans like us feel exhausted... because we're not sure how to process all this. We just kind of look at it and go back to playing the old stuff.
I feel somewhat the same way. I don't think TTPD will become my most-listened to Taylor album. That is mainly because I think she's been heading through a similar era for a while now, from folklore and evermore to Midnights and now TTPD. I think they're all beautiful, heart-breaking albums, and they're wonderful when I need that feeling captured in a song. But I too am waiting for when she emerges onto the other side, the side of healing and energy and newness and excitement.
For now though, I am content to appreciate her honesty and songwriting genius, listen to TTPD sporadically, and continue my journey as a Swiftie while also listening to other music that does fulfill what I need right now.
Out of curiosity, do you have a favorite Taylor album? :)
Yes! TTPD feels like quiet anger while Reputation is loud anger. Both are fine, but for me Rep is better at leading to resolution and catharsis and letting go.
Hi! I think your thoughts on her new album are interesting, and I don't think it's her best album, but I also respectfully disagree over a few of the details you've mentioned. For one thing, you mention that part of the lack of draw for you is knowing precisely who the songs are about, but as a fan, I think there's a certain amount of knowing that belongs to you. As a fan of hers, I didn't even know who Matt Healy was until yesterday, when I actively sought out the information. Sure, there's a certain amount of information that you're likely to come across just by being a fan, but I don't think you're doomed to knowing everything about her love life unless you're looking for that, and if you want to disengage from that so you can enjoy future albums more, I think you could.
Also, I think it's a little dismissive to break down her album in percentages based on the men who influenced her. I've listened to the full album twice so far (I'm busy because I'm in grad school and working) and from that there are several songs that don't feel like they're about a specific man at all, like The Prophecy and Clara Bow.
All that said, I started this off by saying I also don't think this album is her best. I think there are ways in which it doesn't really feel fresh, and a lot of the songs have a similar feeling and sound to each other. I like the album, but I don't love it yet. I hope we can both learn to enjoy it a little more after sitting with it a bit.
Thanks for doing these! I'm trying to write a novel as well, and it's interesting to see what goes into the building of one.
Such valid points! This was the first album that I went in knowing SO MUCH personal info, and I keep wondering why that is. Something to certainly think about. And it's very true -- the measure of a piece of art usually isn't known until years after the fact when you look at it and have real perspective. In the end, it if lasts... these are all soliloquies no one will listen to!! Lol.
I agree. And I find myself satiating the craving for hope by re-listening to the Travis Kelce tracks. Like the more I listen to them the faster we (she) can move into the next chapter.
I wonder how it feels like for artists and writers publishing a diary as a form of art? To exhibit creative art like the typical songs and writing is common, but a diary sounds like the most raw and vulnerable kind of art that requires both creativity and courage to release to your audience.
ABSOLUTELY. Which is why I note it's so bold and fearless as a strategy. It just doesn't make for much repeat listening. You experience it... and it feels like you're surrounded by first draft musings and stream of consciousness. Not much to do with it in terms of really sinking in and finding all the facets of it, like you do with well-polished work.
I remember listening to TTPD (some songs) and yeah I think it is a more personal album for Swift!
I can relate to having to cut stuff I didn't want to but I had to for plot.
Why did you need to cut those hundreds of pages? And did you have to cut out a bunch of stuff after the first book of SGE, from the second book to Fall?
Those hundreds of pages just didn't really get at the story. They were circling around it to give me a sense of the world... but it just wasn't good enough. And absolutely! I've had to cut from every single book I've written.
Deep in the process of churning out the first 20K words of a new novel after listening to TTPD, I feel this, Soman, so deeply. Thank you for giving voice to my thoughts exactly. That being said, I have listened to the album twice. Just for the poetry. And Fortnite is stuck in my head these days, hard. I’m grateful for her. Grateful for you. Grateful for every artist who tries, even when the final product may not be the leanest, best version of the story. At least it exists.
Brilliant as always. Gets me thinking also about what an artists releases when... Also, have you heard the AI version of Fortnight on Tiktok that's all over the place??? It'll blow your mind.
No! I will go seek it out before TikTok is banned.
I really admire Taylor as an artist and a writer for saying the things that of lot of artist may not have the courage to say. In my opinion, there are very few artist who have been as vulnerable with their music, expressing how she felt insane in this relationship with Joe in who's afraid of little old me and the extreme amount of pressure and mental strain she experienced and still is experiencing with I can do it with a broken heart. Like others have said, I am grateful for artists like you and Taylor who can be so vulnerable and honest with there art. That's what makes her a success, her honesty. Other celebrities who may feel this way would never express how they feel like there are breaking and feel that they are going insane. The title also is perfection. I'm glad she finally recognized that she is a true poet. My favorite songs are who's afraid of little old me and I can do it with a broken heart, what are yours?
I'm a long time fan and I completely agree with your take on the album. One of her greatest strengths as a songwriter is being able to craft songs crammed with vivid details but still have a song that is universally accessible and relatable to a reader. For fans who were along with the ride for the media cycle of the past few years, this accessibility was gone - there was no ambiguity as to who the songs were about, and as a result I really struggled to connect with any of the songs. This is the first time I've listened to one of her albums on release day and felt that I probably wouldn't relisten, which as a fan was kind of a lot to grapple with! Thank you for sharing <3 also - REPUTATION GANG rise up :)
I think it's making even the die-hard fans like us feel exhausted... because we're not sure how to process all this. We just kind of look at it and go back to playing the old stuff.
I feel somewhat the same way. I don't think TTPD will become my most-listened to Taylor album. That is mainly because I think she's been heading through a similar era for a while now, from folklore and evermore to Midnights and now TTPD. I think they're all beautiful, heart-breaking albums, and they're wonderful when I need that feeling captured in a song. But I too am waiting for when she emerges onto the other side, the side of healing and energy and newness and excitement.
For now though, I am content to appreciate her honesty and songwriting genius, listen to TTPD sporadically, and continue my journey as a Swiftie while also listening to other music that does fulfill what I need right now.
Out of curiosity, do you have a favorite Taylor album? :)
This will not surprise you at all....... Reputation.
Lmao.
Ahh same!!! It is just too iconic :)
Turns pain into power. I think that's where I had trouble with TTPD. It's pain with no alchemy.
Yes! TTPD feels like quiet anger while Reputation is loud anger. Both are fine, but for me Rep is better at leading to resolution and catharsis and letting go.
Hi! I think your thoughts on her new album are interesting, and I don't think it's her best album, but I also respectfully disagree over a few of the details you've mentioned. For one thing, you mention that part of the lack of draw for you is knowing precisely who the songs are about, but as a fan, I think there's a certain amount of knowing that belongs to you. As a fan of hers, I didn't even know who Matt Healy was until yesterday, when I actively sought out the information. Sure, there's a certain amount of information that you're likely to come across just by being a fan, but I don't think you're doomed to knowing everything about her love life unless you're looking for that, and if you want to disengage from that so you can enjoy future albums more, I think you could.
Also, I think it's a little dismissive to break down her album in percentages based on the men who influenced her. I've listened to the full album twice so far (I'm busy because I'm in grad school and working) and from that there are several songs that don't feel like they're about a specific man at all, like The Prophecy and Clara Bow.
All that said, I started this off by saying I also don't think this album is her best. I think there are ways in which it doesn't really feel fresh, and a lot of the songs have a similar feeling and sound to each other. I like the album, but I don't love it yet. I hope we can both learn to enjoy it a little more after sitting with it a bit.
Thanks for doing these! I'm trying to write a novel as well, and it's interesting to see what goes into the building of one.
Such valid points! This was the first album that I went in knowing SO MUCH personal info, and I keep wondering why that is. Something to certainly think about. And it's very true -- the measure of a piece of art usually isn't known until years after the fact when you look at it and have real perspective. In the end, it if lasts... these are all soliloquies no one will listen to!! Lol.
I agree. And I find myself satiating the craving for hope by re-listening to the Travis Kelce tracks. Like the more I listen to them the faster we (she) can move into the next chapter.
It's time for a dance album!!!
I wonder how it feels like for artists and writers publishing a diary as a form of art? To exhibit creative art like the typical songs and writing is common, but a diary sounds like the most raw and vulnerable kind of art that requires both creativity and courage to release to your audience.
It's inspiring in a different way!
ABSOLUTELY. Which is why I note it's so bold and fearless as a strategy. It just doesn't make for much repeat listening. You experience it... and it feels like you're surrounded by first draft musings and stream of consciousness. Not much to do with it in terms of really sinking in and finding all the facets of it, like you do with well-polished work.
I remember listening to TTPD (some songs) and yeah I think it is a more personal album for Swift!
I can relate to having to cut stuff I didn't want to but I had to for plot.
Why did you need to cut those hundreds of pages? And did you have to cut out a bunch of stuff after the first book of SGE, from the second book to Fall?
Those hundreds of pages just didn't really get at the story. They were circling around it to give me a sense of the world... but it just wasn't good enough. And absolutely! I've had to cut from every single book I've written.