I agree with most of what you have said here BUT I was so happy that Aaron Dessner worked on this album with her since my favorite album is Evermore. Thank you Aaron. "I can kiss him on the mouth with tongue" as Madeleine said. Also, I have the feeling that this album along with her Era's tour finishing up this year, will be the last for a while (besides Rep and Taylor Swift remakes). I can see her winding down to try and lead a so called "normal life". She is now contracted to make at least one movie so she may be taking a break for awhile from her music? We'll see.
Wow! I really love the way you analysed and explained this album. As a Swiftie, I was not fully satisfied with this album. Your video clarifies many many unclear thoughts I had about this album. I also thought some songs were similar to that of the folkevermore era. Loved so long London and fortnight. Thank you so much for this video. I really appreciate this. ❤
you literally can't find this type of content and work elsewhere online, the most clear, centered and objective analysis on taylor and her work all whilst balancing being a swiftie and a reasonable critic
Seriously. Even as a whole, each of the albums says something intentional about writing (hence the title of the album). The first is about raw emotion and being “in it” and making raw, gut-punching work. The second part is about getting some distance and using experiences as inspiration and healing. The albums are “during” and “after” and how that lends itself to creativity, reflection, meaning. It’s brilliant. Everything is intentional at this point, even the lyrics on the title track, Taylor has just gotten so good that she has the capacity for that level of intentionality in that many lyrics.
And like Rep and Cruel Summer, these songs may be more widely appreciated a few years from now. Especially "Who's afraid of little old me", I get it and it is a very liberating experience.
Probably only for swifites tho. That’s because we love the lore. The Matty healy plot twist had us all gagged. We’re going to remember that. If Matty responds with another album just as juicy, we’re all going to be losing our minds too.
I respect your ability to differentiate between your feelings and opinions as a fan and as a critic SO MUCH, it’s something I need to work on myself and think a lot of other swifties would benefit from tbh
I agree! His critical thinking skills is what makes him interesting to listen to. I can't deal with the delusion, projection and defensiveness from most of the other TS critics.
For real! I feel like in twitter everything is black and white. but i have learned with him more about being critic and objective, and i think that makes me a better fan:)
Red was my favorite from the start and I’m just now finding out people didn’t like it as much?? And that critics didn’t find it cohesive? How?? Some of her best most fun songs IMO.
Red is one her best albums with the every other song being a different genre than the last. But people don’t appreciate for what it is because they understand that that’s what made Taylor Swift Taylor Swift. And what also makes me sad is that people don’t talk about the non-singles on the album like State of Grace, Treacherous, etc.
@@rebymunsterit's not cohesive but that is the point of the album. She explained that it resembled a heartbroken person, a mosaic of different emotions so it makes sense
The criticism to TTPD to me is really wild because imo it’s stronger than Midnights, both lyrically and instrumentally. Midnights’ lyrics were so vague and lacked true confessional songwriting that Taylor is know for (probably to not invite gossip into her and Joe’s troubled relationship) while TTPD harkens back to Fearless and Red’s very emotional and diaristic writing, as well as having strong unique Western and Country genre shifts. I just don’t get the criticism it’s very solid to me.
Yes exactly! Midnights did not feel like vintage Taylor swift where as this album totally does. A return to form. Her being slightly unhinged and extremely vulnerable plus giving us soo much references to piece together
this album is MILES better than midnights and it’s astonishing to see people disagree. the writing is objectively so much stronger and it brings back that storytelling aspect that taylor is so well known for
This album is overwhelming and this can make the first few listens difficult for Swifties (not to mention non-Swifties). I keep appreciating the album more and more. Some of this may not have been possible if I were not such a huge fan. I have no doubt non Swifties would have a more difficult time relating to the music and getting it.
i‘m also so annoyed by some people who just joined the fandom at midnights…because it shows. not saying that you had to be fan forever in order to understand the album but i just can’t stand people searching for songs about travis, being bored by her adapting her folklore/evermore writing style again (especially for the anthology) and being bored by her just being honest about her feelings and giving us an insight on a topic we may not have expected (the ratty situation) or the worst thing - not accepting any other criticism you can still be fan even if you criticise her - may i say you’re maybe even more of a fan if you’re honest and reflect on her work instead of always praising it?
I’ve been a fan since 1989, and I highly disagree that this album is her folklore/evermore writing style... Taylor and I are the same age, I was also born in 1989. I was afraid that I’d grown out of her music after Lover came out, but then Folklore/Evermore turned it around for me. I thought her writing was finally maturing along with her, I really enjoyed those albums. I loved some songs on Midnights. But this album felt like a huge step backwards in writing skills for Taylor. I feel like she had better written songs on her first 3 albums, and I wasn’t a huge fan of those. The only way I could see The Anthology being compared to Folklore/Evermore, is if you’re referring to the slower tempo songs. That’s about where the similarities end.
I don't even think it's because of the recent fandoms. It's because the production on this album just does not hit for a lot of people. In fact, I think people who like midnights are not the ones who dislike this album. Midnight's production was sparse imo.TTPD is much more interesting, but I feel like the production caters to the aesthetic of the album at the expense of musicality.
I just joined at her relationship with Travis... I seen all the hate and the hype and went down that rabbit hole and came out 🕳️ a fan of Taylor. I am a survivor of abuse from a relationship with a narcissist and I have never felt more seen then with this album... this album I needed 6 years ago when I left him ❤️🩹 not all new fans. The sad thing about how people are taking apart her lyrics and making them about a dude instead of processing this album as she is in pain emotionally and psychologically. She needs swifties to see this and just say we are here for you. It's like they didn't listen to Down Bad or I can do it with a broken heart 💔
I actually love all the alien stuff in down bad. She’s using it as a metaphor for love bombing and the juxtaposition of the unreality to the reality is kind of the point. You feel swept up and otherworldly when you’re being treated like the chosen one but then you come crashing down and realize it was never true. I love how unbiased and critical you and be of our HBIC though ❤
Yes! The verse where she talks about being left naked in a field and saying people will say she’s nuts if she tried to talk about “the existence of you” kills me because it’s just like that in a lot of those situations. The person who hurt you (usually) has a reputation for being kind and charming, so a lot of people don’t believe they would ever be so hurtful, so you must just be nuts. They don’t believe that you experienced what you experienced. It’s such a layered song.
Yes, the contrast between a glittering spaceship and sweaty gym is jarring, but I feel like that’s the point. It feels out of place because she’s describing feeling out of place after a sudden and intense life event. The songs could use some editing for sure, but I like that Down Bad is all over the place, because that’s what it feels like in that situation.
I will say though, it’s extremely difficult to understand on first listen because of the way it’s structured. The most obvious parts of the metaphor are at the beginning so if you missed it, the rest doesn’t work. It makes sense that casual listeners and critics don’t tend to get it.
As an old married lady of 21 years, I actually also feel like this song is even relatable in a long term relationship. There are times you’re doing so well together and then something can come up to make you be on two different pages and it’s that same feeling. Maybe not as intense a feeling, not as devastating obviously, but still. In a relationship that is stable and includes kids, jobs, a house, pets, & all kind of responsibilities, you might have a weekend away that feels magical and then… you’re back to your real life. You get in a stupid fight and then wonder where did that cosmic love feeling go?
I feel like she had to go to the alien route. Because the only other thing to reference is fairy tales. And if she did that, the criticism would be oh another fairy tale song?
Might sound unrelated, but stick with me here: I work in the TV space and TV writing specifically and there is an interesting thing that happens when watching people write TV for network and TV for streaming. When you write for a show like The Office or Seinfeld, you only get 22 minutes and you can’t say everything you wanna say (re: cursing, sexual language, etc). And so as a result, you have to chop off some really funny shit to make sure you fit those 22 minutes and executive criteria. But what happens with Netflix or HBO Max shows is that there aren’t those time constraints and you can kinda just say or show anything, and boy does it show. Writers get so excited that they can say and write as much as their writer hearts desire, that the end result is a bit messy to say the least. If you ever watch the Office Fan Edition it’s basically just The Office episodes with deleted (often worse) scenes. Fans eat it up, cause isn’t it so cool to get more content from your favorite show, but man, if that’s what The Office was putting out in 2006, it would not have the reputation and legecy it has now. So, I agree with your assessment of her hyper productivity. I think she must be a little resentful and bitter about the restraints of her first 6 albums, especially cause she had a falling out with the main guy in charge, and she can be mad at Scott Bourchetta but that doesn’t mean she has to also disregard all his methods. She started swinging the pendulum the other way as early as with Lover, when we see her in the board room saying she wants this to be a long 18-20 song album. She then felt the gradification and vindication of putting out more through the re-recordings. She must have had a real “I told you so” moment when All 10 Well and Is It Over Now went #1. But that shouldn’t be her sign to throw spaghetti (no matter how yummy the spaghetti is) at the wall. I would love her next album to be a super tight Melodrama type album. 11-12 songs, one sound, tight as hell tracklist, one story, maybe even an interlude. She can clearly make great songs, but she has it in her to make a great album, which is arguably harder.
This is exactly how I feel about this album! I think she still has some great ideas and good lines but they all get so watered down with bland production and plainly bad lyrics... I was super disappointed tbh. Yeah, it might've felt cathartic for her to write this, but that doesn't mean it's gonna be a great product. And sure, she's big enough to not care I guess but that doesn't mean we need to be delusional about the quality of her work. If you need to have a master's degree in swiftology to "get" an album, maybe the album just isn't good at conveying a message and having an impact. I hope she takes her time with the next album to truly work out the good stuff.
Exactly, like someone else said, “Taylor felt that she needed to write this album (as a form of therapy) but did we, the fans, really NEED to hear every single thing she wrote?” No…
I never thought about it that way. What a cool perspective. The funny thing is, Taylor's got a movie script in the works. It'll be exciting to see if the constraints of a limited runtime will make her a better screenwriter
@@SWINDISA literally cannot wait to see what she'll cook up. Maybe she'll have 3 versions, 10 remixes of the soundtrack, be 3 hours long, with her as the writer, director, lead actress, editor, cinematographer, wardrobe consultant, hair and make up person. lol. Our girl likes to do everything.
One thing that’s really pissing me off is everyone complaining that she’s swearing. Don’t like the swearing? Easy solution - listen to the clean version!!! Like my god people just complain about anything.
The clean version of I can do it with a broken heart is so much better than the OG. The clean version of Down Bad is almost better if it wasn't for the sloppy gap in the replaced lines. Taylor's lack of swearing and ability to articulate emotion without it was a USP. Sad that she gave that up but oh well!
Oh - also the Bolter! Many lives >>> fucking lives. Especially. In. This. Song - it's so innocent and country, the swearing simply doesn't fit the aesthetic.
yeah and they dislike taylor swift enough to take it seriously and assume this is what she means instead of bothering to do any research and use their brains 😭
critiquing a previously pretty- politically silent pop star for a lyric evoking the time of American Slavery in a romantic sense, on an album largely about Matty...an AntiBlack racist is certainly something i'd say is fair. Honestly.
Every time I say that I love this album someone always says, “doesn’t she say that lyric about wanting to be in the 1800’s without racists or something?” Everyone just wants to intentionally miss the point of the album and it drives me INSANEEEE
This is some of the frustrating part about being a fan right now. Non fans want to give their hot take about how she’s soooo problematic without even knowing what is being spoken about. Like no one is going to give you a medal for being the most empathetic thoughtful person because you have a half baked opinion on a song you haven’t heard!
@@dotcom3015 The point is that people take a lyric out of context to bash her. It's extremely odd to say to least as some people love to use that lyric to hate on Taylor for "trying too hard to be poetic" and then they bring up the So High School GTA lyric to hate on her for being childish. She can't win with these people. Media literacy has died and the entire discourse around her lyricism shows. She literally says how she would've hated the 1830s if she were there and how nostalgia is bullshit in the very next line
@@bad_revecula she can’t win cause it’s a mid album. Can you blame people for misinterpreting her when they probably lost consciousness when they got to that lyric? There’s no interesting production keeping people awake, so they need to create drama to engage with all these filler songs.
@@dotcom3015 yes, you can blame people for interpreting something in bad faith without listening to the whole thing first. Sure, you can find the song/album boring, but it's just dumb to draw conclusions without looking at the entirety of the thing. It shows lack of critical thinking.
Thank you SO MUCH for bringing up Paste Magazine. As a former journalism student and Swiftie, I was incredulous at their hit piece under the guise of an album review. It was infuriating.
The entire Paste article was an absolute circus. It was clearly pre-written and they added in a few sentences about the lyrics last minute. So much of it was objectively false, and the rest was targeting Taylor personally and her fans strictly to get attention. It was pure bait -- the tweet alone about why they didn't include a byline proves it -- and so many other media outlets ate it up. There are plenty of objective critical takes on the album, but this was not one.
I agree with you 95% of the time but hard disagree on who’s afraid of little old me? It’s VERY clear to me. It’s dripping in sarcasm used as a coping mechanism. The overall feel and message to me is, “look this is the person I’ve had to become because life has molded me into this but it’s not how I see myself. I’m trying to balance being on the offense to protect myself but not so much that it plays into the lies people say about me” The “but what if it is?” And “but what if they did?” I think plays into the “I don’t want to be this way but this is what I’ve become.” Anxious, biting, paranoid- and for good reason. I don’t think she has to say more than that. We all know everything is about her and people constantly try to hurt her. So people telling her not to feel that way seems like gaslighting, honestly. What in her power is to try not care about those things being true. Which I cannot imagine how difficult that would be. The mixed metaphors are a general call to the various ways people treat her and/or she feels like a monster (explicitly stated back in Anti-Hero). Also, a witch is jumping from the gallows and scaring people only happens because she was PUT in the gallows to begin with. A tiger has lost its teeth in the circus because it was PUT into the circus. Both examples are the consequences of a situation they didn’t ask to be in. This is not me going against the “but she chose her life” comments, yea she did. I’m not saying you say that, but plenty of people do. But she chose it as a child. I imagine being truly famous is like becoming a parent. You see other people doing it everyday and think you understand, but you never will until it happens to you and there’s no true way to prepare for it no matter how hard you try. And once you’re in it, you’re in it. There’s no going back to who you were before. I also personally don’t think it’s too long. I think the dynamics are perfect and move the song along and keep me interested and entertained. But ANYHOO, love your channel!!!!!
agree. I love Who’s Afraid. I also think it’s universal in a strange way. It’s about female rage. I think about my super conservative family who drove me insane then looked at me like I was a monster for leaving. Like yeah bitch you should be afraid of me. Boo.
Agree - Swiftologist's turn-around on WAOLOM (he correctly named it a "career highlight" in the reaction video) has baffled me. It's extremely clear and cogent in message and execution.
I've been reading a lot and listening to a lot of songs about female rage and I feel a lot of it in this song. There is so much anxiety and paranoia here and it fits well with other art made on this topic. The emotions are raw, and its set to this fantastical, witchy production that makes it seem like a theatre production. Like her pain is all on show. I also think the lines "they say they didn't do it to hurt me, but what if they did" and "they say its not all about me, but what if it is" as a woman, and a mother being judged by others, I have felt similarly to this before.
As a over 50 swiftie, i picked up on the intentional use of OLD me as opposed to the usual 'ol me. She is personifying the VAMPIRE that olivia rod called her. Leaping and levitating...she paved the way for the youngsters like olivia, etc with her bare hands. She addresses her suing for stepping on her lawn (had to give writing cred for 'stealing' cruel summer sound) & then cried boo hoo feels bad. @@andrewtilsley
I do feel like the chorus of down bad sounding more realistic is an obvious reference to now they left her behind the aliens dropped her back down and she wants them to come pick her back up again. so those parts are down to earth and realistic because she's literally down bad as in they dropped her back down to earth.
I am older than Taylor and I confess I had difficulty connecting with her earlier music although I do appreciate it. This album reflects a more mature attitude, and her unvarnished thoughts on the double-edged sword of fame are a refreshing departure. The Prophecy in particular is a song I connect with. Beautifully written and relatable. I think this critical reception may be a bit of overexposure backlash, but this does not diminish the merit of the work.
I’m gonna 100% agree with this. I’m younger than Taylor, but not my much, and I’ve been listening to her since justttt before Fearless came out. I loved her albums in real time, but the older I get, I’m realizing that I, too, am struggling to connect with many songs pre-Red anymore. They’re beautiful and classics, of course, but I grew up and can’t closely relate anymore to the girl I was when I resonated with her older music back in the day. That’s the whole reason why I appreciate and adore the raw honesty from this album. It’s not vague like Midnights. It’s so honest. And you can feel her maturity progression in these songs, even if I also agree some of it is over saturated. It doesn’t take away the deep connection I feel to what she’s feeling today. The only reason it took a few listens for me to “get it” is because I also agree that the production and sound are lacking something new and refreshing.
@@jenniferschoewe9078 That's where I am too - I like her older songs but I never go out of my way to listen to them because I just can't relate anymore
I'm 10 years younger than Taylor and I still can connect to Red (as Taylor was only a few years younger back then than me right now) but I can't really connect to the albums before that anymore. I think it'll be interesting to see how that changes for me as I get older. I love her first albums but I listen to them for nostalgia and not really to connect with the lyrics. And I really admire how I can still connect with the lyrics on TTPD even though I never experienced most of it (as probably not many people have since a lot of it is about fame). The lyrics are sometimes very obviously about fame but at some points still vague enough to apply them to different situations (and I think most people can connect to the love songs on different levels).
Time? people nowadays have the attention span of a gerbil. I am taking my time with this album. Love your content and your calm discourse about this new project. Social media is a train wreck of histrionics and over reactions about everything.
Yes it's slowly growing on me daily when I first listened I couldn't get on board I think this is one that I'll fall in love slowly I hated Rep for years then fell in love with it a few years ago I think it could happen the same way.
I agree and that’s what I love about finding so many thoughtful creators in the midst of so much ridiculousness. I actually think it might make us better as a society over all in the end, because the people who want more nuance will become even more intentional about finding each other ❤
i know you already broke down ttpd in your podcast but id love for you to do a more produced and traditional breakdown. the podcast just feels like two friends talking about ttpd which i love but honestly i prefer a video in the standard style with just you, your camera and your mic
Happy to read this comment. Absolutely agreed. I appreciate the off the bat reaction but I’d love your commentary in a month or later, when this album has sat with us for a while
I’m hoping we get one as well. The other person on his podcast cuts him off so frequently and she can be louder when Zach is more quiet so I end up turning up and turning down the volume so often and this is just me personally but I don’t like how much she swears and so I can’t consume their podcast much but I like his individual break downs and hope we get a more TTPD break down as time goes on❤❤
@@kkrb1212I so agree with you. I love listening to Zach. She surely is a nice person I just don’t like her part in the podcast, it’s so exhausting listening to her. She doesn’t make the podcast better and I would prefer if she would just be a guest from time to time.
@@theswiftologist I will def be interested to hear if any of your views shifted after having the songs around for longer! :D I know even this past week and a half mine have!
I've been wondering why no review I've read so far on TPD has seemed genuine. Thanks for putting words to this. I wish more people would sit with a work longer before publishing their opinions, good or bad
One of the big points that clicked for me and that I haven't seen discussed much is this: people don't seem to like that so much of the album is (seamingly) about Matty. But for all the accusation of retreading old grounds here, there is one confession that very few speculated about pre-release: how important Matty had been to her. As the podcast pointed out before, for the fandom, Matty was "not enough". Not handsome enough. Not accomplished enough. And not enough to live in their self-insert fantasies (as opposed to Travis). This album reveals that FOR YEARS, she had been yearning for that guy, flaws and all, and when she got him, the fandom said "He's not good enough FOR US." So people were hyping up the album thinking she would give them tea on the end of a six years relationship; not because they really cared, but because it's salacious AF (How Did It End?). And most of all, they wanted to ignore that blip that was so unpalatable to them. So what did she do, she did a whole album almost exclusively about that very dude; super sexual, revealing even worst stuff about him, making herself look bad, making him look bad, and saying to her public: fuck you if I can't have him. And then she even wraps up with what she knows will be the blokback; she just exposed a huge, previously unknown part of her inner life that she hid for years, and the crowd just yells for MORE (i.e. do something different, do something better, reinvent yourself again, etc.)
you are so right, so well said. i was pretty shocked at how important this relationship was to her, it was clearly not just a rebound, she clearly wasn’t just having a bit of a summer fling with a loose-cannon type guy. she thought they had a really deep connection for a long time (and that feeling may have been mutual) and during the time we saw them together they were talking about a very serious level of commitment already. she was obviously dealing with her feelings throughout this time through songwriting, and the result was a series of songs that chronicle that absolute rollercoaster of a relationship from start to crashing finish.
I think people don’t like Matty (at least time around I can’t speak about why during 1989 era) because of some of problematic stuff has said recently. i.e. what he said about Ice Spice
@@AthenaMinerva03 Who cares, half of those people didn’t even watch the interviews, they were hating him for… She loved him, her fans hated him-they don’t know, who she really is and they don’t care what she wants!
As a historic Taylor swift fan, most of the fun about her new albums is speculating about meanings, discussing how there can be more than one meaning depending on what lenses you apply, and then settling on the meaning you enjoy, which allows you to feel the songs in a more personal way according to how you’ve landed on this. I agree that some of these songs are very clear about their muse(s), some less so. The aggressive messaging since a lot of younger and newer fans have joined is the problem. Not all fans, but the toxic social media type in particular. It no longer feels like the open minded discussion amongst fans who share a mutual love of someone they’ve grown with over the years. I’m in my 30s and it all feels like an immature speculative fandom since the shift during folkmore.
Yes, my dad introduced me to Taylor in my early 30’s, well now, I’ve been a Swifty for well over a decade and I see the evolution and how the world has changed. And yes, the young swiftifties grew up with smart phones in their hands and not enough life experience yet, not to mention real time (not online from the past) knowledge of Taylor’s life and art.
I believe the muses can be a feeling aswell, something you felt in more than one relationship. Therefor it gets messy when you try and pin it down to one person or muse. No, Harry Styles wasn't 25 when he was going out with Taylor but nor has Matty Healy had it easier than Taylor. I have concluded Peter is to her "lost boys", plural.
Peter was arguably the best song on both albums. (In my opinion) Peter is about Matty Healy “you said you’d come get me but you were 25” they met when he was 25, also at the end she changes the chorus from “you said you were gonna grow up, then you were gonna come find me” to just “you said you were gonna grow up”…. As in he came back but did not grow up, so to me, that makes sense to be on this album. Also with the Peter losing Wendy line from cardigan & her doing that weird ass “this is about you” thing before it on the Eras tour the same way he did… leaves me to think MAYBE he was also the muse for Cardigan. Idk, just some food for thought and why i definitely see Peter as a great song on this album.
As a 60 year old lady, I loved the entire albumn. Is it for everyone? Nope!!! This project was from a period in time that hopefully not many ever have to experience themselves but if you did, you get it completely. There are some songs everyone will like and others that will fly right over their heads. I’m not a swifty but I have enjoyed Taylor’s music since she started. Just like any artist I like, not every song resonates with me, but this double albumn did.
Exactly! Who gets it, gets it. I'm so thankful that a song like "the smallest man who ever lived" exists because it expresses some feelings I couldn't really put into words after experiencing a relationship with a narcissist.
Hi, thanks for the video. Loved it as usual. I was watching the 1975’s oh Caroline video and there are direct visual references to Taylor’e Delicate video. I gather that these people were writing songs that referred to each other’s work for quite some time. I would love it if you talk about that a little bit when you are in the mood to. This secret communication between two great artists absolutely blows my mind. I know they are at odds now. I do look forward to Matty’s take on what went down as you asked in the last Evolution of a Snake podcast: “what did you do to him?” There’s a part of the story we don’t know yet. Maybe it was the media circus/ the pressure of being a controversial person that Sarahs and Hannahs were quick to villainise or maybe he actually couldn’t cope with the whole guarded way in which one is to behave at that level of fame like Taylor. Or, he just chickened out. But his song Fallingforyou and Iamgonnagetyouback have direct parallels. He is an atheist and Taylor says she will choose them Religiously- all these contradictions it seems are very fundamental to the way Tay created TTPD. Almost to show her rage and hurt but also to show how inspiring his art has been for her. He is inspired by Peter Pan and those references to Peter. And, he has lyrics about putting things on the shelf and so does Tay. I just find this so intriguing. And I trust your take on everything Swift. I really wonder what your thoughts would be on this, Zach.
YES i am not familiar with the 1975 outside of a couple of songs, so I would love to see a deep dive roundup of all the little nods to each other they have have done since they first started interacting!!
Zach, phenomenal intro. I'm seated for Tay's messiness, frustration and anger; & annoyed at "hot takes" who don't know the lore, are poking for click bait, and not doing analysis. Meanwhile, this albums are GREAT but has half a dozen skips. Maddy's recommendation to have split it into two separate drops (by a fortenight) is a great idea. Edited to make shorter within 15 minutes of posting.
She said on her Director on Director talk interview “you don't have to belabor it [art] and polish the doorknob so long you forget to open the door,” and I think she’s been using that philosophy and she’s found success with that philosophy with the re-recording vault tracks, sister folkevermore albums, and the length of the eras tour, but it’s kinda run its course. Like, why not polish the doorknob? If you have the money, time, and resources to do so (and Taylor definitely does) why not have a polished doorknob, song, album, etc. I also think she doesn’t have anyone around her telling her this anymore whether that be her team or her fans. It’s all “you go, Taylor.” When maybe it should be “you go edit, Taylor.” Rules, and limitations, and challenges are good for creativity. Beyonce is a good example of that. She could have wasily seatled in her original style and you go girl pop anthems, but she always is challenging herself. Taylor can do it too and it doesn’t have to be externally enforced rules or limitations, she can give herself the challange. She just needs to stop hearing the crowd saying “more.”
Taylor hit the depth of her mid 30s. you start becoming truly self-aware because you stopped caring about what other people think. It’s raw and real. I’m 41 and I felt this album to my core.
15:04 I interpreted “daddy” in BDILH as the “righteous fandom”, the Speak Up Now folks. Still ridiculous, not because of her age, but because people thought they had any say in who she loves.
Yes, taking your time with the album and replaying it all the way through has made me fall in love with so many songs. It also made me go back and watch old music videos of hers to see her progression. I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift since Tim McGraw. Knowing what we know now and going back to watch her while she was sick and then become healthy, but also people pleasing…. I saw a lot of that with ‘you need to calm down’. This album feels very much like hey I can’t do that anymore. I’m going to tell you the truth regardless of how you feel about it.
Loved your analysis. I hope all the criticism and mixed reviews lead to something great. I trust in her words: “People greatly underestimate how much I’ll inconvenience myself to prove a point”. That’s how Speak Now, 1989, Reputation and Folklore were born.
I agree! in a couple hundred years when people are reading or listening to her work in a critical historical sense, there are some timeless pieces of master level poetry in this album 🥹 missy really is one of the great poets and I’m so lucky to get to watch her work in real time
YES thank you, I’ve been a Taylor Swift fan since debut but recently I’ve felt completely alienated by most of the fandom just because I don’t care to talk about her current boyfriends and exes beyond what’s in the music. I find it funny that it used to be that fans focused more on the music and the general media focused more on her boyfriends and now it almost feels flipped.
I agree with you, I see swifties criticising the media for always talking about her love life BUT most of the time now online its always the swifties who immediately speculate.
Would you ever consider doing a video about your favorite lyrics in her discography? & what makes them so great? I found your commentary on show not tell really insightful as a fellow writer (not songs, novels). Would love to get some content diving into her writing style & what sets her apart from her peers.
Zack, you deserve to get PAID for this kind of content, truly. If I weren't already a patron, I'd be rushing over to sign up now, b/ c this is the kind of quality journalism I want to consume! I don't agree with all of your points, but you are def. making me think, and I can tell you didn't rush to any of these assertions quickly or lightly. Bravo!
I feel like I have had to literally be the one swiftie who is basically saying you just don’t get the album. So many new swifties are saying they like her because she has individual eras and her story telling yet their favorite albums are always her pop albums with catchy songs.
I didn't mean people shouldn't like her catchy songs and whatnot, I just meant people say they love when she branches out to try new things but when she does it is often met with skepticism. The sound of this album is definitely very interesting and not for everyone.
@@notcxle2663 one of my favorite songs is look what you made me do. Totally stepped outside her boundary but genius. There's just something about this album. I wouldn't really call any of the songs genius. She's honestly recycled a lot of her sayings and themes to a track that often over powers her vocals
@@krystademilio1256interesting - that’s the song I least liked on Rep. but that album was my introduction to her music and I got hooked on to going through her discography . I love all her eras. But tastes vary and can change so someone not being crazy about this album does not mean they are not a fan. If u ask me I feel she did this album for herself - to get through a really bad period in her life as it is now evident more than anything else. A bit self indulgent which is why there r mixed reviews. Personally I love it and the more I listen the better it gets
I can see what people are saying about editing and condensing to create a perfect album like 1989 or Fearless, or even maybe folklore (minus epiphany). However, I don't really care how it's perceived by the masses. I am willing to put up with a couple of superfluous songs to get a more free and uninhibited Taylor. Some of the lyrics on TTPD were actually jaw-dropping to me because I couldn't believe she would say something so honest. I respect it so much. She's unprecedented levels of famous and the most scrutinised person alive, which would probably cause most people to censor themselves heavily and craft a prettier narrative. She instead wrote her most uninhibited and honest album yet, diving into the deeper and more rageful parts of herself for all of us to pick apart. And the result is fucking incredible. This is my favourite album because I just feel like I believe every single thing she is singing on here. While I've always seen her as an honest and confessional writer, I have found a couple of songs on her last few albums kind of hollow or wrote, almost like she didn't believe what she was actually singing. She was withholding. I truly felt like I could see straight through her in this album, and I loved it. I cried so much, which I haven't done with another album. I could palpably feel her emotions. It was truly a life altering experience for me. Not since hearing ATW for the first time did I feel this much rawness from her. It's got Red vibes all over it for me, but waaaay darker and more angry. And I truly love almost every song, with my only unnecessary ones being thanK you aIMee and Robin. Maybe Florida!!! as well, but it's okay and not an actual skip. All the others are giving me a large look into her mind right now, which is the most fascinating thing to see.
YESSS to all of this! (Except maybe your last paragraph)! I also kind of feel like Zach and critics are overlooking her goals with this album. It's not to put out the best most concise and biting album ever. She said she never needed songwriting more than with this album. I think that was really to let it all out to process her emotions and move on (the story isn't mine anymore). And not to mention her grammys speech, she just wants to keep making music. I know she's been very motivated by awards and acclaim throughout her career, but I really think she is moving beyond that. She doesn't need more acclaim, frankly her latest AOTY just attracted backlash. She's Taylor Swift and this album is for her and her fans who want to listen to and understand her.
I personally love TTPD, but I'm very aware that I'm a big swiftie, I'm familiar with the lore and have had time to sit with the album. I completely agree with you on most of your points. Is this a bad album? NO, absolutely not!! But, I don't think it's her best album. That is partly because Taylor has set a very high bar with her discography, but also, I think that Taylor had so much to say and is obviously very talented that sometimes the message didn't always land the way she wanted. The Paste article was actually ridiculous and, like you said, your words lose their merit when you don't put your name on it. That being said, no one should receive death threads and the fact that people go to the length of (verbal) violence is absurd. I do think that Taylor receives more criticism than most artists about having a similar sound on multiple albums, given the fact that most artists stick to one genre of music, but we should want her to keep challenging herself to be great/better/BEST.
Love your videos, Zack! I am an online lurker and rarely comment on anything. I really appreciate your knowledge and perspective. I’m two years older than Taylor and have been a fan since the very beginning with her debut album. I do definitely see where newer fans have “lost the plot”. Like you said, Taylor has always been very messy in her dating life. I vividly remember the Calvin Harris, Tom Hiddleston, Joe Alwyn drama. This current drama reminds me of that time period. The obsession with Travis Kelce is odd with a lot of fan projection. I have also been thinking about purpose of TTPD from a legacy standpoint. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Taylor decided to reveal Matty Healy as a longtime muse on the same album she name drops Stevie Nicks. The cover is even a bit reminiscent to Rumours. What narrative is more interesting: a pop star in love with an unproblematic B-list actor or a pop star in a tumultuous romance with a troubled rock star? I know which of those options I find more compelling and memorable. But Daddy I Love Him and The Black Dog are really great songs. Looking forward to further breakdowns from you.
I can’t believe that this isn’t in people’s top 5 albums! This is one of the most raw and honest albums made in recent years. There are so many bops (MBOBHFT, Down Bad, imgonnagetyouback) and heartbreaking ballads or poetic moments (loml, Chloe et al., and The Manuscipt) Overall a 9/10 album.
It's raw and honest lyrically but the sonic palette is boring. The verbosity and bloated nature of the album also doesn't help its case. She can do better. Otherwise for now we're stuck in an era of diminishing returns😢
@@henrywayne5724 While I do agree with that statement (I think she did this exact same format in red, which is way better than ttpd), I want you to keep in mind that this album was made for the more diehard lore swifties like the theorists, and so the lyrics should definitely outshine the sonic palette in this situation
I love so much what you say about the Alchemy not being about Travis, as I thought it could also be about her re-finding the love and magic of performing live the Eras Tour as she spend the 1st part internally miserable and heartbroken. I also don’t care about who she’s dating and Tavis fans need to stop thinking they have a say in who she will end up with. Plus, her dating him doesn’t make him a stand up guy and perfect boyfriend (ask his exes about that) who deserves all the fame and acclaim he, and all his family and friends, are getting (like the podcast he cohosts with his brother, or selling out his jersey). Swifties used to love that Joe was private and helping Taylor being less over exposed, and no one is saying anything at how much Travis, and his family and friends, are using her name for their personal gains and hyper over exposing her. My social feeds are filled with quotes from Kelce and his relatives and buddies all saying their favorite Taylor songs is either “Shake it off” or “Bad Blood”, or other comment on Taylor no one cares or asked for, Dads proud to say they’re paying attention to their daughters now that they watch football with them, boy Moms transforming their son into mini Kelce… and other stuff i don’t care about, just because I’m a Swiftie… Plus So High School isn’t that flattering IMO, unless you’re into 34 year old frat boys who watches 1990s-2000s comedies and if you like to spend your evenings watching him play video games with his bros…😅. This song really takes me back to high school romances and it wasn’t my favorite era, but it can also mean that their relationship is still young and a bit superficial, which doesn’t mean it’s forever. Stop putting so much pressure on Taylor and entertaining this weird parasocial relationship… she’s going to do what she wants as she should since it’s her life and you dont get a say!
the swiftologist single-handedly saving the taylor swift discourse. I either see mindless haters or swifties who worship taylor. you are one of the very few sane swifties around here.
honestly the way that online fandoms are now compared to how they used to be is really disheartening. i'm sure there have been thinkpieces about it, but the general inability to have a conversation online about ANYTHING has really driven me off a lot of platforms and out of fandom spaces generally. i'm not saying we didn't have discourse - og tumblr is literally famous for being feral - but it never felt like the conversation STARTED with someone telling you to unalive yourself the way it does now. everyone is just so mad for no reason. anyway great video as usual!!! thanks for churning out content like this, YOU are one of the writers/critics i consistently come back to for good, earnest takes
I was waiting for this video! I still have trouble articulating my feelings about this album. After my first listen I felt so overwhelmed because there is just SO MUCH going on on this album, and those big, messy lyrics you have pointed out don't really help. I still have trouble remembering which lyrics belong to which song, which made me feel a bit stupid. But 'but daddy I love him'? I've already remembered that because it's so catchy!
I eat up everything you put out but these critical video essays are my favorite. It’s such a breath of fresh air in the Swiftie space and I really value your opinion. I think my biggest thing with this project is how immense it is, and especially dropping the second album on the same night. I think it would have heightened my experience if we had been given a week or two to digest TTPD before The Anthology. And as much as I do love all the songs for different reasons, I agree that there were some that probably could have been left off to make it a cleaner product. Part of what makes The Vaults so special is getting access to something we didn’t have for years. But they were vaults for a reason, and we would look at them differently if they were all there from the start. I’d be perfectly happy if she just continued that idea and dropped vault tracks of albums she owns maybe in a period where she’s slowed down a bit. Having distance from the original work will make them more special, imo. As for Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, I’m super content with them continuing to work with her and I understand the comfort and trust she has is super important in her collaborations, but I would also love to see her branch out with new sounds from other production styles. Doesn’t have to be an entire album, but just to see her stretch herself. I also love the idea of her working with Liz Rose again or someone similar.
I have been loving your takes lately. This video hits the nail on the head for how I have been feeling about the response to the album and my personal feelings about the album. Also, I have laughed out loud at the last few episodes of Evolution of a Snake.
the I hate it here controvery is dumb imo, yes its an odd lyric, but the amount of hate she would’ve gotten had she NOT mentioned “without the racists” would’ve been worse. It’s a clunky lyric and I think it could’ve been said better but i don’t see it as offensive.
I also interpreted that line as her not being able to keep her mouth shut and ruining the fun of the game for everyone and then later in the song she talks about loneliness so there are two kinds of disconnect between her and other people going on so it makes sense to me? It's not that bad of a line, it's just a little clunky like you said
Wow, what a well thought out, organized, and well articulated response to TTPD. I appreciated your insight into certain songs, considering they were contrary to how I had interpreted their meaning/poetics upon first listen. But I really appreciate your critique because it doesn't disparage her or her character, but instead looks at what the music or lyrics are missing and how they can be improved. Great video ❤
I love Taylor's music and have all the lyrics memorized but I couldn't care less about her "lore". So to me Down Bad was a contrast between the sort of ethereal, "cosmic", feeling you feel when you're in love vs. the "down", grounded, more realistic version of it when it all comes crashing "down". Hence bringing up staring at the sky, yearning for that "heavenly" feeling again. ---- From my perspective the difference in the vibe of the verses vs. the chorus makes sense. Hopefully my comment does too lmaoooo
I don’t understand the disturbing obsession people have with Taylor and Travis, it’s so creepy. I can’t imagine it being healthy for a relationship either when people are out here planning their wedding and if they’re gonna have kids. Just beyond disturbing and para social
If you consider Taylor’s last two years, her relationship with Joe coming to an end, the conception of the Era’s tour and the extreme hard work, being lonely, being somewhat isolated for a while, the whole Ratie thing, being vulnerable, the new relationship with Travis and her mom’s ongoing illness. These songs seem like Throwing up her emotional pain. I can always find songs I like on her albums. I think this was a risk for her to put out as she often does not portray well. Good video.
When the album was announced, people were outraged because they expected it to be a brutal grilling of Joe, a relatively small public person. That didn't happen, so now they need a quick excuse to villainize her and all this crap is the result. Sure, the lyrics are up for debate, but that should be a fun discussion, not a cross to bear.
You always have so much to bring to the table Zach! Thank u for another amazing video with so many thoughtful takes and new perspectives to the conversation. Just wanna say that I’m a big fan of yours and hope you keep doing what you’re doing and reaching more and more people. Sending love from Brazil 💚
This is hands down your best analysis yet, Zach. Every point is clear, well supported, and elegantly phrased. Your unconditional sympathy for Taylor mixed with your willingness to objectively critique the changes to her recent writing make you completely unique among people talking about her work right now, and a breath of fresh air in a world of nuance-less stan culture. As a writer, it’s cathartic to hear a non-hater give a technical breakdown of all the things that irritate me about TTPD. I feel like I can stop brooding about them now because another fair-minded person agrees with me.
Loved this! Zach, I always appreciate how much of a balanced perspective you bring. As someone who has followed Taylor from the very beginning, I appreciate the depth of insight you bring. I feel often feel frustrated with critics who just don’t get it because they do not take the time or careful insight to review the magic of her writing AND focus on the damn music not their opinion of who she is as a person! As a former literature teacher, I absolutely love her writing and I have used her songs in my classes to teach literary devices. I mean… “ you call me up again just to break me like a promise so casually cruel in the name of being honest. I’m a crumpled up piece of paper lying there because I remember it all too well”-it just doesn’t get much better than that! At the same time, I agree with you that it would be made better by having someone like Liz Rose who would really help her hone her skills yet again. Good writing is always made better by engaging collaboration- “ iron sharpening iron” and a good editor! Thanks so much for your content. I also really enjoy your writing and I’m grateful for the kind of journalistic integrity that you bring to your work 😊
Love your hot takes Zack. I love that you’re not a brain dead swiftie as many other youtubers are. You constantly challenge the status quo and broaden the conversations to be had! I wish Taylor’s writing was more consistently great (looking at you, So High School😐). She’s got the artistry and the brains to do it, but seems bogged down. She and Jack can do some serious sonically different music like Fresh Out The Slammer and Guilty As Sin as you mentioned (both my faves from this album and her discography). I love Aaron’s work too and would like to see him being challenged more as well. My gripe with the Anthology is that I expected it to have a different sonical sound like the main album (debatable but I love the country elements without going truly back to her roots). What we got was folklore and evermore which had been done back to back. Like in your podcast yesterday, the second album wasnt needed and couldve easily been combined to the main whilst continuing the story and not diluting the material.
Well written and insightful analysis! Thank you! Although I would add that I personally love Anthology, but agree that it seems out of place with TTPD. I wish it had been released more than 2 hours later. I don't think it's getting the slow, thoughtful attention it deserves because people can only get through the first 15 songs on TTPD before they are overwhelmed. Maybe her missive about closing the chapter truly is the reason why she released it all at once. It's a purge. I hear a woman who held a secret obsession in her heart for 10 years, only to come face to face with the reality of an addict. But that dream had been her secret hope of rescue from "the prophecy." Imagine the heartbreak-- but also the world-shaking range of emotions-- disappointment, anger, hurt, hollowness, etc. If that secret fantasy had been holding her up for years...Now that it's gone she may have experienced an existential schism and certainly felt an aching hole. No wonder the album is long and sometimes chaotic, and definitely inconsistent. The release seems hasty because it's an emotional purge. Editors be damned! She's ready to move on. I love it, and see greatness, but am still processing the fallout.
Hello Zach! Although I love the Madeline content, I've missed your solo analyses! I know you are still so busy, but when things calm down, I would love a video essay on the life and times of Jack Antanoff!
loved the video Zach, and I'd love to see more of this specific topic (music criticism on taylor, or general artist). I didn't connect too much with that idea that some songs were "unnacessery'', etc. But hearing it here, with more context, made me understand. Would you like to do a video about the ''internal" coherence and cohesion in an album? Loved this concept. I don't know if you have that feeling, but have you ever thought about the idea that Taylor doesn't have an album that is THE album? her unarguably best, like a really remarkable album in music history (for me a comparison would be Melodrama, Lemonade, Norman Fucking Rockwell, for recent albuns, and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Rumors, The Hounds of Love, or other albuns that i don't know, but I'd expect they are of artists like Fiona Apple, Joni Mitchel, Stevie Wonder, Bjork, etc). Have you ever thought about it in a similar way? I'd definitely watch a video about this!! Are you going to do a video (would love to see it featuring Madeleine) reorganizing the tracklist? i found it very confusing with the addition of The Anthology. Waiting anxiously for this!! Sorry for my mistakes, english is not my mother language, but i really love to watch your content, and it helps me a lot to expandmy knowledge of vocabulary and, ofc, Taylor Swift haha. thanks for your work, it's actually very necessary considering the level of swifities currently!!
Tell them. Also re: Liz Rose, i absolutely agree. I think part of the magic of that collaboration was that Taylor was working with a woman. I’d love to see her work with female producers because (and I love the Jack and Dessner collabs) it would inevitably bring something different out of Taylor. Jack is a talented and capable producer who has been able to work with many different artists and is very able to produce for those artists in vastly different ways. But I think it is undeniable that working with a female producer or producers of color would absolutely bring something different to the table and perhaps help Taylor elevate her artistry.
Fr though, in six years they’ll love this album; reputation was not very well received and the critics I have seen love it now, they call it underrated but when it was released it was a lukewarm reception.
As usual Zachary you’ve provided a balanced meal of food for thought. I’m in total agreement about The Anthology, it would have been better served a full fortnight later as a mini-album/bonus tracks or addendum without all the tracks. You touched on a point here that I’ve been harping for years - much of Taylor’s motivation to share specific details and entire songs are part of her “message delivery” and only the most well versed Swifties will understand this. Personally I believe she’s reached the point in her career and life that there are probably tons of flags she waves in her work that are specific call-outs to people/situations we aren’t even aware of! She almost cops to this in ThanK you aIMee - but there’s more than even the die hards realize and we may never be privy to some of the score settling (and quite frankly I love this about her), I would like to respectfully disagree about Down Bad, while it’s not one of my faves from the album - I think it is design is deliberate. From the otherworldly scene set of being abducted by some kind of alien invasion of love, the narrator speaks of cosmic love and clouds of sparkling dust only to be now - metaphorically and physically slammed down, in the gym, working and sweating in the most worldly human way, pining for the experience of being carried away and experimented on by her captor. Even the sonic shift is brilliant from one sketch to the next…. dreamy and galactic while abducted, to a basic and thumping heartbeat workout rhythm. We’ve all worked on ourselves after a breakup “he will want me again after I fix myself” - she touches on this again in the toy metaphor so clearly that was in her mind. She’s referenced working out for hours at a time to prepare for the Eras Tour and I think this expands on the idea and serves as “lore enrichment”. Lastly, referencing the alien leaving her naked and safe after the abduction- she was metaphorically naked yet safe in the bubble of her celebrity over the last year. I’ve sat with the album for ten days now and I think every song is packed with specific messages - even in a small passage - she wants someone to catch. Would I have left Florida!!!, Robin, Peter and a couple of others off the list? Sure? But in her hyperproductive era, Taylor is afforded the luxury of folding one tiny note into a paper plane and thrusting it in the direction of her unsuspecting recipients - we have no idea who they are. The ultimate cryptic Facebook status update, if you will.
Thanks for mentioning how weird people are with the Travis thing! I see so many disgusting comments about them that are mostly a projection of what they want: the marriage, the kids, the picture perfect life without an actual interest on the artistry of Taylor
The weirdest part is people think she’s going to retire just because of Travis and finding her happy ending. If she wasn’t going to do it for Joe, who she thought was her happy ending for a long time, why would she for anyone else? Especially when, as things currently stand, it seems Travis is totally cool with her career, as she is his (we’ll see how sustainable the relationship is as it progresses). It’s like they don’t listen to the things she says at all. I can see the argument that is vaguely connected that she needs a break from the massive exposure and hyper-productivity, but that doesn’t mean TTPD or Rep or Debut TV is going to be her last release before she runs off into the sunset.
I am SO confused about this and my only conclusion is - American teenagers projecting their own aspirations on her (perhaps happy that the tall blonde beautiful high school girl is nice and could be them?). I do think it’s mostly teenagers (therefore also new swifties)
Clever and insightful analysis as always. You're the true voice of the TS cinematic universe and you sum up many of the points I have about TTPD. And I can't tell you how many people come up to me saying that this album is the beginning of the end for Taylor, like girl what??? 😂😂
I absolutely agree with you that a visit to Liz would benefit Taylor lol I enjoy your videos, even when you are critiquing my favorite tracks. I love this album. There are some soul crushing songs on here. There are some tragic bops. Who’s Afraid…is my favorite and I don’t care if it’s too long-she does put narcotics in her songs 😅 I completely get the Travis stuff is creeping you out, it’s so weird how obsessed people are with who Taylor dates. It’s not newsworthy when they hold hands or he opens a car door. This album has turned everyone into music critics- when political commentators give a full review, while completely missing all of the meaning, it’s really just a hate bandwagon. Thank you for your honest reviews from a writer that is a fan perspective. You always give me something to think about 😊
Love your takes, you have an incredibly rational, balanced view. I don’t always agree with you, but that’s ok. Keep up the high quality work! For me, TTPD is a career highlight, nuanced, ironic, clever and gut wrenching in places. Themes of love/heart break, fame and some nostalgia are covered so well. People just don’t get it😂 and like you said, don’t give it time to digest it properly.
This video was necessary. You made a lot of valid arguments that I don’t all agree with (like for instance, I love all the metaphors in the album as it is poetry after all), but most, since I really love and vibe with TTPD.
THANK YOU for being sane. I mean, you're typically saner than the average Swiftie, but after the last week and a half this video is a breath of fresh air.
As for her future: WORK WITH A WOMAN PRODUCER FFS TAYLOR! St. Vincent's new album was self-produced and it's fantastic, I would LOVE to see them work together again. There are plenty of other women producers but those two made magic with "Cruel Summer" and it would be fascinating to see what else they could come up with. Also dying to hear you talk about Chappell Roan. I've been listening to her obsessively lately.
I’ve been a fan since Fearless and this new album had left me a bit cold upon the first hearing. While I I could pinpoint the faults of the album very early on it was harder for me to see its virtues. Watching your reaction and the videos with Madeline has helped me a lot with that. It takes a while to digest and I enjoy it a lot more after a few days. But even though I see its brilliance now there is still something off. Your critical approach while still being a hardcore fan is fantastic and refreshing. I LOVED this video.
I agree with you that Who's Afraid is unfocused, though very visceral, but I think the song is absolutely leveraging deliberate exaggeration and humor--at least as much as Look What You Made Me Do, which is another song where Taylor both Makes Points™, taking a wounded but triumphant posture, and simultaneously winks at her audience. The "what if it is/what if they did" lyrics on Who's Afraid, in my opinion, function like the Right Said Fred sample--those lines are extremely common distorted thought patterns that people with anxiety deal with, and I think they highlight both the extent of her paranoia and the absurdity of it. Great video overall, thanks for your honesty and your insight!
Strikes me as a somewhat rhetorical sarcastic song that is a reaction to something genuinely felt in the moment. Its not trying to analyse and make conclusive statements its her way of dialing up the absurdity on something that people have dismissed her on in the past. Also I really don't know how you can't just infer what she means when she mentions the circus and the teeth its not rocket science lol
The crazed sycophants need to realize that no one is perfect - not even Taylor. I believe this album is going to be debated for a quite a while. However, I am taking my time with this one because I live for the lyrics. So Long, London - totally made me cry. Was I expecting that? Hell no...but that was my experience. Others might not feel the same, but that's okay, too. Your take on all of this is so on point that I sometimes feel like you're in my head! You are a true fan who can also give an honest critique and that is why I love this channel.
Zach, I’m new to your channel…and new to Swiftiehood (got into her when my 17 year old daughter started listening in summer 2022) BUT, I just had to comment that I love your insight and your lectures and your points. Excellently done. I’ll be eagerly awaiting new thoughts and perspective from you.
Yeah, the best parts of her lyricism are completely and clearly understandable without a dictionary. I'm remembering a saying that goes - the smartest people can explain the most complex topics with simple words. And she can, she chooses not to. Something I loved on this record, unlike the previous few, is that there were some of these clear image creating lines, that she's so good at. ... I guess what I'm saying is no notes to you on the video 😂 good job
Dude, I don't get it how Zach can be able to NOT see how _The Alchemy_ is indeed about Travis 😂 I know it's just our _interpretations_ of it, but I will entertain your thoughts on it, on the LIGHTER side of the conversation (please, everybody, no frenzie, it's just an opinion): My definite proofs it's about him are 1) it's at the end of the standard edition, so she concludes narrating her double break up at track #14 and then she spares a bone to her current labrador, because why not, and then proceeds to a bigger issue of discussing fame at the final track, _Clara Bow_ ; 2) there are several lines in the song where she didn't _have to_ use a football metaphor, there were things that not only rhyme, but would also make a cleaner cut for the song, like you point out yourself; everything is always so intentional with her, I can't help thinking it was not a comparison, but a signature; 3) this one is even more ridiculously speculative 😂 but maybe because I'm kinda psychic (kind of, it's a long story 😅) I can literally **SEE HIM DOING THR JOKE**, I can totally see him moving his head mockingly in that very Travis-way and saying "but this time with an E", i can hear his voice saying that LoLoLoL he is a professional jokes man, my friend... The fact that most people deem Kelce incapable of making a her0inE spelling joke is frankly a little dehumanizing and not nice to him at all, I mean, he is not an English professor at Harvard, but he is not illiterate as well; much instead, he has a very specific and endearing type of intelligence, which makes him capable of talking to ANYONE and make them comfortable, and that's probably what drew Taylor towards him in the first place, so.... AGAIN, before responding, everybody in the fandom, just remind this is SUBJECTIVE, and we all might as well be wrong and the song is about someone named Peter from 17 years ago 😂 so feel free to speculate in a FUN way and disagree POLITELY on the matter, because that's the sole motivation behind love songs like these, to be fun and light, not to open a case with the FBI 😉 Edit: typos, my screen is lagging a little
I really appreciate how articulate and knowledgeable you are. You’re the only Taylor swift commentary I can listen to because you are balanced and grounded. Thank you for your content!
I absolutely think this album went over a lot of ppls(even some fellow swifties) heads. I have literally gone and relistened to her catalog. Let's just say it all hits different after TTPD. Love your videos!!
One thing, not to be delusional: the Alchemy literally references trophies, (British) “blokes” sitting the bench, them being on a winning streak (back to back Grammys and Super Bowl, etc.), and the lyrics video has football stadium lights as an art piece 😅
Thank you for your well thought out response. I love watching all your videos and trust what you are saying because you put in the research. This is by far my favorite album so I am not able to read the critics reviews because it hurts too much. I didn’t like Lover or Midnights at all, so I’m not a Swiftie that just likes ALL her work but this album is something else.
the best word i have to describe what this albums makes me feel is _unsettled._ it's the kind of feeling i get when i experience art that is so raw and visceral that i kind of feel like i shouldn't be looking at it. like, "did this person mean to release this?" i mean that as a full hearted compliment btw. it takes a lot to bare yourself like that, especially if you're taylor swift at her literal highest level of fame and you know everyone is going to be hearing this album. it's definitely an album that necessitates for you to sit with it and the truth is that casual listeners just aren't going to do that. ttpd reminds me of weezer's pinkerton. both of these albums are raw and uncomfortable and were not initially received well by critics. pinkerton went on to become a cult classic and is considered the band's best album. ttpd is going to be that for her. not necessarily be considered her best album but it will be appreciated differently ten years from now once the distance has given people time to digest it. i do think it's not perfect and wish it was tighter but there's so many emotions in this record that i truly do think the anthology was necessary for me to digest ttpd. in many ways, to me ttpd is her sitting me down and saying, "here's what i did and I'm not perfect" and obviously as a lifelong fan of her that is going to cause reactions in me that make me uncomfortable. but then the anthology is her telling me, "and here's _why_ i did those things, i hope you understand. i am human." I can't help but admire her for that, even if the record isn't technically or critically perfect.
My individualistic opinion is, I’m enjoying this non-edited version of albums. The scathing, vulnerable, tyrannical, forever heartbroken raw version of an artist. All the scribbles and legit art pieces combined in a double album. I believe this album is the closest that we will ever get to know our favourite artist Taylor Swift personally.
exactly! i think she’ll find a middle ground eventually, but it’s fun and fine to have a brutally honest album that’s not completely concise or cohesive, she doesn’t need to worry about the numbers anymore
Zack can you do a video on Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? The song is vague and also feels like so many things: a a genuine reflection on how fame treats young women as Taylor said; Taylor actually threatening and warning everyone not to mess with her, kind of owning her reputation for draconian control and retaliation; and sometimes reads as a justification for her behavior, even maybe referencing punching down at Olivia. Just analyzing it. Can you do a video on TTPD addition to Taylor talking about fame?
In my opinion, The Alchemy is about Travis but it’s more about her. She spends the album likening her situation with Joe to prison and the manic situation with Matty to an insane asylum, so starting the song with “The hospital was a drag, worst sleep I ever had” alludes to recovery. She’s leaving the hospital and coming back into herself, which is a theme that continues throughout the rest of the song as well- she’s cutting people out of her life (cutting people from the team), ignoring the people on the bench (us/the negativity), and so on. So as a whole, the song is very much about her coming back into herself- and that’s when she begins to give herself permission to give into the alchemy. Alchemy is a fated concept, it’s “this wasn’t in my plans, it’s unexpected, but I happened upon it.” Taking that into account, you come to the line “the sign on your heart says it’s still reserved for me” and I know so many people are taking that to mean rekindling, but it isn’t. It’s right time, right place, maybe the universe didn’t let you find the one because I am supposed to be the one. It’s happenstance. Going from there, “he jokes that it’s heroine but this time with an E” can have a handful of meanings, but my interpretation is that “the alchemy” aligns with their admiration for each other, rather than past relationships likening their connection to a drug. None of that is about Matty. Moreover, the song is mostly about Taylor herself and her healing, but it also brings in Travis with that concept of giving herself permission to fall in love again. That and it being at the end of the album, followed by Clara Bow which is essentially her accepting the fate bestowed upon famous women, shows the progression toward where she is now.
This album has a lot of satire and irony, starting from the title, which is so obviously sarcastic, that’s the point!! The Problem is that people expect it to be another Folklore and it’s not! TTPD is almost ruining that image, burning it down, if you will… 🔥 Taylor is mocking the idea of being a picture perfect good girl, the sage archetype that Folklore/ Evermore was catering to… TTPD, centered around forbidden romance delivered through unhinged exaggerated emotions, is a story of breaking free from social norms and people’s expectations. It is filled with dark humor, satire, even mockery. She is in her Harley Queen Era!! 😈 The undergoing narration of this album is what Reputation pretends to be…A True Female Rage 😡 It’s interesting that Reputation despite its dark aesthetic is a love album. Meanwhile, in TTPD she is dressed like a bride or a Disney princess, Ariel herself, all white, the undergoing theme is dark and wretched…
@@urvenicebitch bullying in general. But I was also thinking about who the swifties are all bullying. Ever since TTPD came out, any sort of criticism isn’t allowed. Edit: actually, ever since ttpd is announced.
Yeah wish all the swifties would. I love a lot of Taylor's songs, but my god the bullying of the swifties to her critics, her ex's, her boyfriend's ex's (Travis's ex Does not deserve that), and other female artists is exactly what turns me off from Taylor and her fan base. It's a cult like MAGA.
its why I don't like associating with Swifties anymore. only they can make a 45 minute long video moaning and bitching about something thats 95% subjective
Check out Rocket Money for free: RocketMoney.com/swiftologist #rocketmoney #personalfinance
Ttý😊
I agree with most of what you have said here BUT I was so happy that Aaron Dessner worked on this album with her since my favorite album is Evermore. Thank you Aaron. "I can kiss him on the mouth with tongue" as Madeleine said. Also, I have the feeling that this album along with her Era's tour finishing up this year, will be the last for a while (besides Rep and Taylor Swift remakes). I can see her winding down to try and lead a so called "normal life". She is now contracted to make at least one movie so she may be taking a break for awhile from her music? We'll see.
Wow! I really love the way you analysed and explained this album. As a Swiftie, I was not fully satisfied with this album. Your video clarifies many many unclear thoughts I had about this album. I also thought some songs were similar to that of the folkevermore era. Loved so long London and fortnight. Thank you so much for this video. I really appreciate this. ❤
"I won't even address the gaylors, because I don't negotiate with terrorists" I'M FLYING
💀
LITERALLY
Someone needs to give an envelope about them to the FBI 🕵🏻👮🏻
I KEEP SEEING THEM CLUTCHING AT STRAWS
That was a good one Zach.
you literally can't find this type of content and work elsewhere online, the most clear, centered and objective analysis on taylor and her work all whilst balancing being a swiftie and a reasonable critic
Zach is a literal gem.
no exactly. i’ve genuinely learned so much about how to look at her music both as a fan and objectively from watching zach’s videos lol
exactly! it feels so rare to find someone that loves her work but isn't afraid to criticize her (fairly)
Being a swiftie and being a reasonable critic are like night and day. The cracks show.
Yes. I wish more people would watch his videos to see plenty of swifties aren't crazy cult members.
Critics completely misunderstood Red and Rep as well and those are fan favorites. I think TTPD is going to become a classic for Swifties.
Those are two of my favorite swift albums haha
Seriously. Even as a whole, each of the albums says something intentional about writing (hence the title of the album). The first is about raw emotion and being “in it” and making raw, gut-punching work. The second part is about getting some distance and using experiences as inspiration and healing. The albums are “during” and “after” and how that lends itself to creativity, reflection, meaning. It’s brilliant. Everything is intentional at this point, even the lyrics on the title track, Taylor has just gotten so good that she has the capacity for that level of intentionality in that many lyrics.
And like Rep and Cruel Summer, these songs may be more widely appreciated a few years from now. Especially "Who's afraid of little old me", I get it and it is a very liberating experience.
Probably only for swifites tho. That’s because we love the lore. The Matty healy plot twist had us all gagged. We’re going to remember that. If Matty responds with another album just as juicy, we’re all going to be losing our minds too.
Rep is my favorite
I respect your ability to differentiate between your feelings and opinions as a fan and as a critic SO MUCH, it’s something I need to work on myself and think a lot of other swifties would benefit from tbh
Same❤❤
I agree! His critical thinking skills is what makes him interesting to listen to. I can't deal with the delusion, projection and defensiveness from most of the other TS critics.
For real! I feel like in twitter everything is black and white. but i have learned with him more about being critic and objective, and i think that makes me a better fan:)
It’s funny because they said the same thing about red and now red is considered one of her best albums
Red was my favorite from the start and I’m just now finding out people didn’t like it as much?? And that critics didn’t find it cohesive? How?? Some of her best most fun songs IMO.
Red не скучно унылая овердраматизация
Red is one her best albums with the every other song being a different genre than the last. But people don’t appreciate for what it is because they understand that that’s what made Taylor Swift Taylor Swift. And what also makes me sad is that people don’t talk about the non-singles on the album like State of Grace, Treacherous, etc.
@@rebymunsterit's not cohesive but that is the point of the album. She explained that it resembled a heartbroken person, a mosaic of different emotions so it makes sense
Girl RED was a GENRE shift. This is a boring album.
The criticism to TTPD to me is really wild because imo it’s stronger than Midnights, both lyrically and instrumentally. Midnights’ lyrics were so vague and lacked true confessional songwriting that Taylor is know for (probably to not invite gossip into her and Joe’s troubled relationship) while TTPD harkens back to Fearless and Red’s very emotional and diaristic writing, as well as having strong unique Western and Country genre shifts. I just don’t get the criticism it’s very solid to me.
Absolutely it's stronger musically. This is some of my favourite work that Jack Antonoff, in particular, has done with her
Yes exactly! Midnights did not feel like vintage Taylor swift where as this album totally does. A return to form. Her being slightly unhinged and extremely vulnerable plus giving us soo much references to piece together
this album is MILES better than midnights and it’s astonishing to see people disagree. the writing is objectively so much stronger and it brings back that storytelling aspect that taylor is so well known for
This album is overwhelming and this can make the first few listens difficult for Swifties (not to mention non-Swifties). I keep appreciating the album more and more. Some of this may not have been possible if I were not such a huge fan. I have no doubt non Swifties would have a more difficult time relating to the music and getting it.
@@tjc4085yes!! especially with the western sounding songs
Ngl, sometimes being a swiftie is embarrassing....and it's not because of Taylor.
i‘m also so annoyed by some people who just joined the fandom at midnights…because it shows. not saying that you had to be fan forever in order to understand the album but i just can’t stand people searching for songs about travis, being bored by her adapting her folklore/evermore writing style again (especially for the anthology) and being bored by her just being honest about her feelings and giving us an insight on a topic we may not have expected (the ratty situation)
or the worst thing - not accepting any other criticism
you can still be fan even if you criticise her - may i say you’re maybe even more of a fan if you’re honest and reflect on her work instead of always praising it?
I’ve been a fan since 1989, and I highly disagree that this album is her folklore/evermore writing style...
Taylor and I are the same age, I was also born in 1989. I was afraid that I’d grown out of her music after Lover came out, but then Folklore/Evermore turned it around for me. I thought her writing was finally maturing along with her, I really enjoyed those albums. I loved some songs on Midnights. But this album felt like a huge step backwards in writing skills for Taylor. I feel like she had better written songs on her first 3 albums, and I wasn’t a huge fan of those.
The only way I could see The Anthology being compared to Folklore/Evermore, is if you’re referring to the slower tempo songs. That’s about where the similarities end.
I actually been here just since midnights and I still love and understand the view in this album
I don't even think it's because of the recent fandoms. It's because the production on this album just does not hit for a lot of people. In fact, I think people who like midnights are not the ones who dislike this album. Midnight's production was sparse imo.TTPD is much more interesting, but I feel like the production caters to the aesthetic of the album at the expense of musicality.
I'm annoyed by people who tell other people how to be fans.
I just joined at her relationship with Travis... I seen all the hate and the hype and went down that rabbit hole and came out 🕳️ a fan of Taylor. I am a survivor of abuse from a relationship with a narcissist and I have never felt more seen then with this album... this album I needed 6 years ago when I left him ❤️🩹 not all new fans. The sad thing about how people are taking apart her lyrics and making them about a dude instead of processing this album as she is in pain emotionally and psychologically. She needs swifties to see this and just say we are here for you. It's like they didn't listen to Down Bad or I can do it with a broken heart 💔
I actually love all the alien stuff in down bad. She’s using it as a metaphor for love bombing and the juxtaposition of the unreality to the reality is kind of the point. You feel swept up and otherworldly when you’re being treated like the chosen one but then you come crashing down and realize it was never true. I love how unbiased and critical you and be of our HBIC though ❤
Yes! The verse where she talks about being left naked in a field and saying people will say she’s nuts if she tried to talk about “the existence of you” kills me because it’s just like that in a lot of those situations. The person who hurt you (usually) has a reputation for being kind and charming, so a lot of people don’t believe they would ever be so hurtful, so you must just be nuts. They don’t believe that you experienced what you experienced. It’s such a layered song.
Yes, the contrast between a glittering spaceship and sweaty gym is jarring, but I feel like that’s the point. It feels out of place because she’s describing feeling out of place after a sudden and intense life event. The songs could use some editing for sure, but I like that Down Bad is all over the place, because that’s what it feels like in that situation.
I will say though, it’s extremely difficult to understand on first listen because of the way it’s structured. The most obvious parts of the metaphor are at the beginning so if you missed it, the rest doesn’t work. It makes sense that casual listeners and critics don’t tend to get it.
As an old married lady of 21 years, I actually also feel like this song is even relatable in a long term relationship. There are times you’re doing so well together and then something can come up to make you be on two different pages and it’s that same feeling. Maybe not as intense a feeling, not as devastating obviously, but still. In a relationship that is stable and includes kids, jobs, a house, pets, & all kind of responsibilities, you might have a weekend away that feels magical and then… you’re back to your real life. You get in a stupid fight and then wonder where did that cosmic love feeling go?
I feel like she had to go to the alien route. Because the only other thing to reference is fairy tales. And if she did that, the criticism would be oh another fairy tale song?
Might sound unrelated, but stick with me here: I work in the TV space and TV writing specifically and there is an interesting thing that happens when watching people write TV for network and TV for streaming. When you write for a show like The Office or Seinfeld, you only get 22 minutes and you can’t say everything you wanna say (re: cursing, sexual language, etc). And so as a result, you have to chop off some really funny shit to make sure you fit those 22 minutes and executive criteria. But what happens with Netflix or HBO Max shows is that there aren’t those time constraints and you can kinda just say or show anything, and boy does it show. Writers get so excited that they can say and write as much as their writer hearts desire, that the end result is a bit messy to say the least. If you ever watch the Office Fan Edition it’s basically just The Office episodes with deleted (often worse) scenes. Fans eat it up, cause isn’t it so cool to get more content from your favorite show, but man, if that’s what The Office was putting out in 2006, it would not have the reputation and legecy it has now. So, I agree with your assessment of her hyper productivity. I think she must be a little resentful and bitter about the restraints of her first 6 albums, especially cause she had a falling out with the main guy in charge, and she can be mad at Scott Bourchetta but that doesn’t mean she has to also disregard all his methods. She started swinging the pendulum the other way as early as with Lover, when we see her in the board room saying she wants this to be a long 18-20 song album. She then felt the gradification and vindication of putting out more through the re-recordings. She must have had a real “I told you so” moment when All 10 Well and Is It Over Now went #1. But that shouldn’t be her sign to throw spaghetti (no matter how yummy the spaghetti is) at the wall. I would love her next album to be a super tight Melodrama type album. 11-12 songs, one sound, tight as hell tracklist, one story, maybe even an interlude. She can clearly make great songs, but she has it in her to make a great album, which is arguably harder.
This is exactly how I feel about this album! I think she still has some great ideas and good lines but they all get so watered down with bland production and plainly bad lyrics...
I was super disappointed tbh.
Yeah, it might've felt cathartic for her to write this, but that doesn't mean it's gonna be a great product. And sure, she's big enough to not care I guess but that doesn't mean we need to be delusional about the quality of her work. If you need to have a master's degree in swiftology to "get" an album, maybe the album just isn't good at conveying a message and having an impact.
I hope she takes her time with the next album to truly work out the good stuff.
Absolutely love this take! Totally makes sense why so much TV just isn't as good as what we got 10+ years ago
Exactly, like someone else said, “Taylor felt that she needed to write this album (as a form of therapy) but did we, the fans, really NEED to hear every single thing she wrote?” No…
I never thought about it that way. What a cool perspective. The funny thing is, Taylor's got a movie script in the works. It'll be exciting to see if the constraints of a limited runtime will make her a better screenwriter
@@SWINDISA literally cannot wait to see what she'll cook up. Maybe she'll have 3 versions, 10 remixes of the soundtrack, be 3 hours long, with her as the writer, director, lead actress, editor, cinematographer, wardrobe consultant, hair and make up person. lol. Our girl likes to do everything.
One thing that’s really pissing me off is everyone complaining that she’s swearing. Don’t like the swearing? Easy solution - listen to the clean version!!! Like my god people just complain about anything.
facts
The clean version of I can do it with a broken heart is so much better than the OG. The clean version of Down Bad is almost better if it wasn't for the sloppy gap in the replaced lines. Taylor's lack of swearing and ability to articulate emotion without it was a USP. Sad that she gave that up but oh well!
Oh - also the Bolter! Many lives >>> fucking lives. Especially. In. This. Song - it's so innocent and country, the swearing simply doesn't fit the aesthetic.
And she's grown up! Can't she swear like chill. When Ariana, Demi, Cardi and Nicki does.. that's okay?
They literally, but they (whiners and moaners) literally have never read a Romantism poetry book EVER, like, they were so dirty plants grew on them
The 1830s controversy is soooo strange and weird…
People with much more free time than comprehension skills strike again.
I think that’s 90% people who just saw the line cut out of context without the whole “you made it not fun, it wasn’t fun even then” thing
yeah and they dislike taylor swift enough to take it seriously and assume this is what she means instead of bothering to do any research and use their brains 😭
Seriously! I do love that it has opened a conversation around critical thinking!
critiquing a previously pretty- politically silent pop star for a lyric evoking the time of American Slavery in a romantic sense, on an album largely about Matty...an AntiBlack racist is certainly something i'd say is fair. Honestly.
Every time I say that I love this album someone always says, “doesn’t she say that lyric about wanting to be in the 1800’s without racists or something?” Everyone just wants to intentionally miss the point of the album and it drives me INSANEEEE
This is some of the frustrating part about being a fan right now. Non fans want to give their hot take about how she’s soooo problematic without even knowing what is being spoken about. Like no one is going to give you a medal for being the most empathetic thoughtful person because you have a half baked opinion on a song you haven’t heard!
It’s not like it’s a great lyric to begin with
@@dotcom3015 The point is that people take a lyric out of context to bash her. It's extremely odd to say to least as some people love to use that lyric to hate on Taylor for "trying too hard to be poetic" and then they bring up the So High School GTA lyric to hate on her for being childish. She can't win with these people. Media literacy has died and the entire discourse around her lyricism shows. She literally says how she would've hated the 1830s if she were there and how nostalgia is bullshit in the very next line
@@bad_revecula she can’t win cause it’s a mid album. Can you blame people for misinterpreting her when they probably lost consciousness when they got to that lyric? There’s no interesting production keeping people awake, so they need to create drama to engage with all these filler songs.
@@dotcom3015 yes, you can blame people for interpreting something in bad faith without listening to the whole thing first. Sure, you can find the song/album boring, but it's just dumb to draw conclusions without looking at the entirety of the thing. It shows lack of critical thinking.
Thank you SO MUCH for bringing up Paste Magazine. As a former journalism student and Swiftie, I was incredulous at their hit piece under the guise of an album review. It was infuriating.
@mrj8644I💀💀💀
@mrj8644real
The entire Paste article was an absolute circus. It was clearly pre-written and they added in a few sentences about the lyrics last minute. So much of it was objectively false, and the rest was targeting Taylor personally and her fans strictly to get attention. It was pure bait -- the tweet alone about why they didn't include a byline proves it -- and so many other media outlets ate it up.
There are plenty of objective critical takes on the album, but this was not one.
@mrj8644did not find their suicide joke about a real woman who really did kill herself funny at all personally
I have only heard about Paste from the Swifties… what a great way to appear relevant - get a fan base talking about you
I agree with you 95% of the time but hard disagree on who’s afraid of little old me? It’s VERY clear to me.
It’s dripping in sarcasm used as a coping mechanism. The overall feel and message to me is, “look this is the person I’ve had to become because life has molded me into this but it’s not how I see myself. I’m trying to balance being on the offense to protect myself but not so much that it plays into the lies people say about me”
The “but what if it is?” And “but what if they did?” I think plays into the “I don’t want to be this way but this is what I’ve become.” Anxious, biting, paranoid- and for good reason. I don’t think she has to say more than that. We all know everything is about her and people constantly try to hurt her. So people telling her not to feel that way seems like gaslighting, honestly. What in her power is to try not care about those things being true. Which I cannot imagine how difficult that would be.
The mixed metaphors are a general call to the various ways people treat her and/or she feels like a monster (explicitly stated back in Anti-Hero).
Also, a witch is jumping from the gallows and scaring people only happens because she was PUT in the gallows to begin with. A tiger has lost its teeth in the circus because it was PUT into the circus. Both examples are the consequences of a situation they didn’t ask to be in.
This is not me going against the “but she chose her life” comments, yea she did. I’m not saying you say that, but plenty of people do. But she chose it as a child. I imagine being truly famous is like becoming a parent. You see other people doing it everyday and think you understand, but you never will until it happens to you and there’s no true way to prepare for it no matter how hard you try. And once you’re in it, you’re in it. There’s no going back to who you were before.
I also personally don’t think it’s too long. I think the dynamics are perfect and move the song along and keep me interested and entertained.
But ANYHOO, love your channel!!!!!
Agreed
agree. I love Who’s Afraid. I also think it’s universal in a strange way. It’s about female rage. I think about my super conservative family who drove me insane then looked at me like I was a monster for leaving. Like yeah bitch you should be afraid of me. Boo.
Agree - Swiftologist's turn-around on WAOLOM (he correctly named it a "career highlight" in the reaction video) has baffled me. It's extremely clear and cogent in message and execution.
I've been reading a lot and listening to a lot of songs about female rage and I feel a lot of it in this song. There is so much anxiety and paranoia here and it fits well with other art made on this topic. The emotions are raw, and its set to this fantastical, witchy production that makes it seem like a theatre production. Like her pain is all on show. I also think the lines "they say they didn't do it to hurt me, but what if they did" and "they say its not all about me, but what if it is" as a woman, and a mother being judged by others, I have felt similarly to this before.
As a over 50 swiftie, i picked up on the intentional use of OLD me as opposed to the usual 'ol me. She is personifying the VAMPIRE that olivia rod called her. Leaping and levitating...she paved the way for the youngsters like olivia, etc with her bare hands. She addresses her suing for stepping on her lawn (had to give writing cred for 'stealing' cruel summer sound) & then cried boo hoo feels bad. @@andrewtilsley
I do feel like the chorus of down bad sounding more realistic is an obvious reference to now they left her behind the aliens dropped her back down and she wants them to come pick her back up again.
so those parts are down to earth and realistic because she's literally down bad as in they dropped her back down to earth.
I am older than Taylor and I confess I had difficulty connecting with her earlier music although I do appreciate it. This album reflects a more mature attitude, and her unvarnished thoughts on the double-edged sword of fame are a refreshing departure. The Prophecy in particular is a song I connect with. Beautifully written and relatable. I think this critical reception may be a bit of overexposure backlash, but this does not diminish the merit of the work.
I’m gonna 100% agree with this. I’m younger than Taylor, but not my much, and I’ve been listening to her since justttt before Fearless came out. I loved her albums in real time, but the older I get, I’m realizing that I, too, am struggling to connect with many songs pre-Red anymore. They’re beautiful and classics, of course, but I grew up and can’t closely relate anymore to the girl I was when I resonated with her older music back in the day. That’s the whole reason why I appreciate and adore the raw honesty from this album. It’s not vague like Midnights. It’s so honest. And you can feel her maturity progression in these songs, even if I also agree some of it is over saturated. It doesn’t take away the deep connection I feel to what she’s feeling today. The only reason it took a few listens for me to “get it” is because I also agree that the production and sound are lacking something new and refreshing.
@@jenniferschoewe9078 That's where I am too - I like her older songs but I never go out of my way to listen to them because I just can't relate anymore
I'm 10 years younger than Taylor and I still can connect to Red (as Taylor was only a few years younger back then than me right now) but I can't really connect to the albums before that anymore. I think it'll be interesting to see how that changes for me as I get older. I love her first albums but I listen to them for nostalgia and not really to connect with the lyrics.
And I really admire how I can still connect with the lyrics on TTPD even though I never experienced most of it (as probably not many people have since a lot of it is about fame). The lyrics are sometimes very obviously about fame but at some points still vague enough to apply them to different situations (and I think most people can connect to the love songs on different levels).
I’m 41 and agree 100%
one thing I really admire about this album is how mature yet immature and vulnerable it is, and I mean that in the best way
Time? people nowadays have the attention span of a gerbil. I am taking my time with this album. Love your content and your calm discourse about this new project. Social media is a train wreck of histrionics and over reactions about everything.
YEP this
💯💯💯
Yes it's slowly growing on me daily when I first listened I couldn't get on board I think this is one that I'll fall in love slowly I hated Rep for years then fell in love with it a few years ago I think it could happen the same way.
I agree and that’s what I love about finding so many thoughtful creators in the midst of so much ridiculousness. I actually think it might make us better as a society over all in the end, because the people who want more nuance will become even more intentional about finding each other ❤
i know you already broke down ttpd in your podcast but id love for you to do a more produced and traditional breakdown. the podcast just feels like two friends talking about ttpd which i love but honestly i prefer a video in the standard style with just you, your camera and your mic
def on the list when i've had more time with the record!
Happy to read this comment. Absolutely agreed. I appreciate the off the bat reaction but I’d love your commentary in a month or later, when this album has sat with us for a while
I’m hoping we get one as well. The other person on his podcast cuts him off so frequently and she can be louder when Zach is more quiet so I end up turning up and turning down the volume so often and this is just me personally but I don’t like how much she swears and so I can’t consume their podcast much but I like his individual break downs and hope we get a more TTPD break down as time goes on❤❤
@@kkrb1212I so agree with you. I love listening to Zach. She surely is a nice person I just don’t like her part in the podcast, it’s so exhausting listening to her. She doesn’t make the podcast better and I would prefer if she would just be a guest from time to time.
@@theswiftologist I will def be interested to hear if any of your views shifted after having the songs around for longer! :D I know even this past week and a half mine have!
I've been wondering why no review I've read so far on TPD has seemed genuine. Thanks for putting words to this. I wish more people would sit with a work longer before publishing their opinions, good or bad
People are racing to catch the views and clicks wave.
One of the big points that clicked for me and that I haven't seen discussed much is this: people don't seem to like that so much of the album is (seamingly) about Matty. But for all the accusation of retreading old grounds here, there is one confession that very few speculated about pre-release: how important Matty had been to her. As the podcast pointed out before, for the fandom, Matty was "not enough". Not handsome enough. Not accomplished enough. And not enough to live in their self-insert fantasies (as opposed to Travis). This album reveals that FOR YEARS, she had been yearning for that guy, flaws and all, and when she got him, the fandom said "He's not good enough FOR US." So people were hyping up the album thinking she would give them tea on the end of a six years relationship; not because they really cared, but because it's salacious AF (How Did It End?). And most of all, they wanted to ignore that blip that was so unpalatable to them. So what did she do, she did a whole album almost exclusively about that very dude; super sexual, revealing even worst stuff about him, making herself look bad, making him look bad, and saying to her public: fuck you if I can't have him. And then she even wraps up with what she knows will be the blokback; she just exposed a huge, previously unknown part of her inner life that she hid for years, and the crowd just yells for MORE (i.e. do something different, do something better, reinvent yourself again, etc.)
A thousand times YES…”the empathetic hunger descends…” 🎯
So accurate !!
you are so right, so well said. i was pretty shocked at how important this relationship was to her, it was clearly not just a rebound, she clearly wasn’t just having a bit of a summer fling with a loose-cannon type guy. she thought they had a really deep connection for a long time (and that feeling may have been mutual) and during the time we saw them together they were talking about a very serious level of commitment already. she was obviously dealing with her feelings throughout this time through songwriting, and the result was a series of songs that chronicle that absolute rollercoaster of a relationship from start to crashing finish.
I think people don’t like Matty (at least time around I can’t speak about why during 1989 era) because of some of problematic stuff has said recently. i.e. what he said about Ice Spice
@@AthenaMinerva03 Who cares, half of those people didn’t even watch the interviews, they were hating him for… She loved him, her fans hated him-they don’t know, who she really is and they don’t care what she wants!
As a historic Taylor swift fan, most of the fun about her new albums is speculating about meanings, discussing how there can be more than one meaning depending on what lenses you apply, and then settling on the meaning you enjoy, which allows you to feel the songs in a more personal way according to how you’ve landed on this.
I agree that some of these songs are very clear about their muse(s), some less so. The aggressive messaging since a lot of younger and newer fans have joined is the problem. Not all fans, but the toxic social media type in particular. It no longer feels like the open minded discussion amongst fans who share a mutual love of someone they’ve grown with over the years. I’m in my 30s and it all feels like an immature speculative fandom since the shift during folkmore.
Yes, my dad introduced me to Taylor in my early 30’s, well now, I’ve been a Swifty for well over a decade and I see the evolution and how the world has changed. And yes, the young swiftifties grew up with smart phones in their hands and not enough life experience yet, not to mention real time (not online from the past) knowledge of Taylor’s life and art.
I believe the muses can be a feeling aswell, something you felt in more than one relationship. Therefor it gets messy when you try and pin it down to one person or muse. No, Harry Styles wasn't 25 when he was going out with Taylor but nor has Matty Healy had it easier than Taylor. I have concluded Peter is to her "lost boys", plural.
Peter was arguably the best song on both albums. (In my opinion) Peter is about Matty Healy “you said you’d come get me but you were 25” they met when he was 25, also at the end she changes the chorus from “you said you were gonna grow up, then you were gonna come find me” to just “you said you were gonna grow up”…. As in he came back but did not grow up, so to me, that makes sense to be on this album. Also with the Peter losing Wendy line from cardigan & her doing that weird ass “this is about you” thing before it on the Eras tour the same way he did… leaves me to think MAYBE he was also the muse for Cardigan. Idk, just some food for thought and why i definitely see Peter as a great song on this album.
EXACTLY! Peter is a great song and is one of my favorites
Yes! The Peter Pan theme linked between Cardigan and Peter... makes Peter so necessary I think. Matty you never grew up to love your Wendy 😢
I think you're spot on but also that makes her guilty as sin.
I never join anything but I literally joined Patreon because you deserve to be paid for the amount of high quality content you pump out consistently
Sameeeee
So agree!
As a 60 year old lady, I loved the entire albumn. Is it for everyone? Nope!!! This project was from a period in time that hopefully not many ever have to experience themselves but if you did, you get it completely. There are some songs everyone will like and others that will fly right over their heads. I’m not a swifty but I have enjoyed Taylor’s music since she started. Just like any artist I like, not every song resonates with me, but this double albumn did.
Same sentiments here!
Exactly! Who gets it, gets it. I'm so thankful that a song like "the smallest man who ever lived" exists because it expresses some feelings I couldn't really put into words after experiencing a relationship with a narcissist.
Hi, thanks for the video. Loved it as usual. I was watching the 1975’s oh Caroline video and there are direct visual references to Taylor’e Delicate video. I gather that these people were writing songs that referred to each other’s work for quite some time. I would love it if you talk about that a little bit when you are in the mood to. This secret communication between two great artists absolutely blows my mind. I know they are at odds now. I do look forward to Matty’s take on what went down as you asked in the last Evolution of a Snake podcast: “what did you do to him?” There’s a part of the story we don’t know yet. Maybe it was the media circus/ the pressure of being a controversial person that Sarahs and Hannahs were quick to villainise or maybe he actually couldn’t cope with the whole guarded way in which one is to behave at that level of fame like Taylor. Or, he just chickened out. But his song Fallingforyou and Iamgonnagetyouback have direct parallels. He is an atheist and Taylor says she will choose them Religiously- all these contradictions it seems are very fundamental to the way Tay created TTPD. Almost to show her rage and hurt but also to show how inspiring his art has been for her. He is inspired by Peter Pan and those references to Peter. And, he has lyrics about putting things on the shelf and so does Tay. I just find this so intriguing. And I trust your take on everything Swift. I really wonder what your thoughts would be on this, Zach.
YES i am not familiar with the 1975 outside of a couple of songs, so I would love to see a deep dive roundup of all the little nods to each other they have have done since they first started interacting!!
You've been busy babe. We appreciate it! ❤
Zach, phenomenal intro. I'm seated for Tay's messiness, frustration and anger; & annoyed at "hot takes" who don't know the lore, are poking for click bait, and not doing analysis. Meanwhile, this albums are GREAT but has half a dozen skips. Maddy's recommendation to have split it into two separate drops (by a fortenight) is a great idea.
Edited to make shorter within 15 minutes of posting.
She said on her Director on Director talk interview “you don't have to belabor it [art] and polish the doorknob so long you forget to open the door,” and I think she’s been using that philosophy and she’s found success with that philosophy with the re-recording vault tracks, sister folkevermore albums, and the length of the eras tour, but it’s kinda run its course. Like, why not polish the doorknob? If you have the money, time, and resources to do so (and Taylor definitely does) why not have a polished doorknob, song, album, etc. I also think she doesn’t have anyone around her telling her this anymore whether that be her team or her fans. It’s all “you go, Taylor.” When maybe it should be “you go edit, Taylor.” Rules, and limitations, and challenges are good for creativity. Beyonce is a good example of that. She could have wasily seatled in her original style and you go girl pop anthems, but she always is challenging herself. Taylor can do it too and it doesn’t have to be externally enforced rules or limitations, she can give herself the challange. She just needs to stop hearing the crowd saying “more.”
Taylor hit the depth of her mid 30s. you start becoming truly self-aware because you stopped caring about what other people think. It’s raw and real. I’m 41 and I felt this album to my core.
15:04 I interpreted “daddy” in BDILH as the “righteous fandom”, the Speak Up Now folks. Still ridiculous, not because of her age, but because people thought they had any say in who she loves.
It's definitely about them
I see the chorus of Down Bad as a crash back to reality. A stark juxtaposition to the cosmic love.
Omg yes!
Yes, taking your time with the album and replaying it all the way through has made me fall in love with so many songs. It also made me go back and watch old music videos of hers to see her progression. I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift since Tim McGraw. Knowing what we know now and going back to watch her while she was sick and then become healthy, but also people pleasing…. I saw a lot of that with ‘you need to calm down’. This album feels very much like hey I can’t do that anymore. I’m going to tell you the truth regardless of how you feel about it.
Loved your analysis. I hope all the criticism and mixed reviews lead to something great. I trust in her words: “People greatly underestimate how much I’ll inconvenience myself to prove a point”.
That’s how Speak Now, 1989, Reputation and Folklore were born.
mark my words, TTPD will age like fine wine✨
Yes I said this too. There’s already been an “oops I was big wrong” reviewer article, it was CNN I believe
I agree! in a couple hundred years when people are reading or listening to her work in a critical historical sense, there are some timeless pieces of master level poetry in this album 🥹 missy really is one of the great poets and I’m so lucky to get to watch her work in real time
It hits me like a whiteeeee wineeeeeee.
After multiple relistens, it’s truly a grower!!!
I don’t recall my relistening (of when Midnights first came out) to be this evolving and interesting and reinviting and “addictive”
YES thank you, I’ve been a Taylor Swift fan since debut but recently I’ve felt completely alienated by most of the fandom just because I don’t care to talk about her current boyfriends and exes beyond what’s in the music. I find it funny that it used to be that fans focused more on the music and the general media focused more on her boyfriends and now it almost feels flipped.
I agree with you, I see swifties criticising the media for always talking about her love life BUT most of the time now online its always the swifties who immediately speculate.
Would you ever consider doing a video about your favorite lyrics in her discography? & what makes them so great? I found your commentary on show not tell really insightful as a fellow writer (not songs, novels). Would love to get some content diving into her writing style & what sets her apart from her peers.
definitely!!!
Zack, you deserve to get PAID for this kind of content, truly. If I weren't already a patron, I'd be rushing over to sign up now, b/ c this is the kind of quality journalism I want to consume! I don't agree with all of your points, but you are def. making me think, and I can tell you didn't rush to any of these assertions quickly or lightly. Bravo!
he does get paid! as he should :)
I feel like I have had to literally be the one swiftie who is basically saying you just don’t get the album. So many new swifties are saying they like her because she has individual eras and her story telling yet their favorite albums are always her pop albums with catchy songs.
Как люди посмели любить запоминающийся песни, 😂
Or they just don't like it....This is a very different sound and definitely not for me. Not into it :( :(
I didn't mean people shouldn't like her catchy songs and whatnot, I just meant people say they love when she branches out to try new things but when she does it is often met with skepticism. The sound of this album is definitely very interesting and not for everyone.
@@notcxle2663 one of my favorite songs is look what you made me do. Totally stepped outside her boundary but genius. There's just something about this album. I wouldn't really call any of the songs genius. She's honestly recycled a lot of her sayings and themes to a track that often over powers her vocals
@@krystademilio1256interesting - that’s the song I least liked on Rep. but that album was my introduction to her music and I got hooked on to going through her discography . I love all her eras. But tastes vary and can change so someone not being crazy about this album does not mean they are not a fan. If u ask me I feel she did this album for herself - to get through a really bad period in her life as it is now evident more than anything else. A bit self indulgent which is why there r mixed reviews. Personally I love it and the more I listen the better it gets
I can see what people are saying about editing and condensing to create a perfect album like 1989 or Fearless, or even maybe folklore (minus epiphany). However, I don't really care how it's perceived by the masses. I am willing to put up with a couple of superfluous songs to get a more free and uninhibited Taylor. Some of the lyrics on TTPD were actually jaw-dropping to me because I couldn't believe she would say something so honest. I respect it so much.
She's unprecedented levels of famous and the most scrutinised person alive, which would probably cause most people to censor themselves heavily and craft a prettier narrative. She instead wrote her most uninhibited and honest album yet, diving into the deeper and more rageful parts of herself for all of us to pick apart. And the result is fucking incredible.
This is my favourite album because I just feel like I believe every single thing she is singing on here. While I've always seen her as an honest and confessional writer, I have found a couple of songs on her last few albums kind of hollow or wrote, almost like she didn't believe what she was actually singing. She was withholding. I truly felt like I could see straight through her in this album, and I loved it. I cried so much, which I haven't done with another album. I could palpably feel her emotions. It was truly a life altering experience for me. Not since hearing ATW for the first time did I feel this much rawness from her. It's got Red vibes all over it for me, but waaaay darker and more angry.
And I truly love almost every song, with my only unnecessary ones being thanK you aIMee and Robin. Maybe Florida!!! as well, but it's okay and not an actual skip. All the others are giving me a large look into her mind right now, which is the most fascinating thing to see.
THIS ^^ brilliant! I’ve been saying all week DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS
I can’t believe I’ve finally found someone who feels the same way as me!!! YAY!
YESSS to all of this! (Except maybe your last paragraph)! I also kind of feel like Zach and critics are overlooking her goals with this album. It's not to put out the best most concise and biting album ever. She said she never needed songwriting more than with this album. I think that was really to let it all out to process her emotions and move on (the story isn't mine anymore). And not to mention her grammys speech, she just wants to keep making music. I know she's been very motivated by awards and acclaim throughout her career, but I really think she is moving beyond that. She doesn't need more acclaim, frankly her latest AOTY just attracted backlash. She's Taylor Swift and this album is for her and her fans who want to listen to and understand her.
I personally love TTPD, but I'm very aware that I'm a big swiftie, I'm familiar with the lore and have had time to sit with the album. I completely agree with you on most of your points. Is this a bad album? NO, absolutely not!! But, I don't think it's her best album. That is partly because Taylor has set a very high bar with her discography, but also, I think that Taylor had so much to say and is obviously very talented that sometimes the message didn't always land the way she wanted. The Paste article was actually ridiculous and, like you said, your words lose their merit when you don't put your name on it. That being said, no one should receive death threads and the fact that people go to the length of (verbal) violence is absurd. I do think that Taylor receives more criticism than most artists about having a similar sound on multiple albums, given the fact that most artists stick to one genre of music, but we should want her to keep challenging herself to be great/better/BEST.
Yes please please make a video about Chappel Roan, her story is so interesting! Also.. Amy Winehouse? Please!
yes yes yes chappell roan is so good
A video on Chappell Roan would be great, I’ve been a huge fan of hers for a couple of years
A fourth for Chappell!
Also Raye she does similar confessional style songwriting but much darker
Love your videos, Zack! I am an online lurker and rarely comment on anything. I really appreciate your knowledge and perspective. I’m two years older than Taylor and have been a fan since the very beginning with her debut album. I do definitely see where newer fans have “lost the plot”. Like you said, Taylor has always been very messy in her dating life. I vividly remember the Calvin Harris, Tom Hiddleston, Joe Alwyn drama. This current drama reminds me of that time period. The obsession with Travis Kelce is odd with a lot of fan projection.
I have also been thinking about purpose of TTPD from a legacy standpoint. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Taylor decided to reveal Matty Healy as a longtime muse on the same album she name drops Stevie Nicks. The cover is even a bit reminiscent to Rumours.
What narrative is more interesting: a pop star in love with an unproblematic B-list actor or a pop star in a tumultuous romance with a troubled rock star? I know which of those options I find more compelling and memorable.
But Daddy I Love Him and The Black Dog are really great songs. Looking forward to further breakdowns from you.
I can’t believe that this isn’t in people’s top 5 albums! This is one of the most raw and honest albums made in recent years. There are so many bops (MBOBHFT, Down Bad, imgonnagetyouback) and heartbreaking ballads or poetic moments (loml, Chloe et al., and The Manuscipt) Overall a 9/10 album.
agree 100%! it really reminds me of red in this way - which has always been my favorite album. love the usage "et al." here 😅
It's raw and honest lyrically but the sonic palette is boring. The verbosity and bloated nature of the album also doesn't help its case. She can do better. Otherwise for now we're stuck in an era of diminishing returns😢
@@henrywayne5724I love the songs and the music. These are the songs I want sing in my car when I’m sad. This is the music she’s best at.
@@henrywayne5724 While I do agree with that statement (I think she did this exact same format in red, which is way better than ttpd), I want you to keep in mind that this album was made for the more diehard lore swifties like the theorists, and so the lyrics should definitely outshine the sonic palette in this situation
I'm so here for the "et al." 😂
I love so much what you say about the Alchemy not being about Travis, as I thought it could also be about her re-finding the love and magic of performing live the Eras Tour as she spend the 1st part internally miserable and heartbroken. I also don’t care about who she’s dating and Tavis fans need to stop thinking they have a say in who she will end up with. Plus, her dating him doesn’t make him a stand up guy and perfect boyfriend (ask his exes about that) who deserves all the fame and acclaim he, and all his family and friends, are getting (like the podcast he cohosts with his brother, or selling out his jersey). Swifties used to love that Joe was private and helping Taylor being less over exposed, and no one is saying anything at how much Travis, and his family and friends, are using her name for their personal gains and hyper over exposing her. My social feeds are filled with quotes from Kelce and his relatives and buddies all saying their favorite Taylor songs is either “Shake it off” or “Bad Blood”, or other comment on Taylor no one cares or asked for, Dads proud to say they’re paying attention to their daughters now that they watch football with them, boy Moms transforming their son into mini Kelce… and other stuff i don’t care about, just because I’m a Swiftie… Plus So High School isn’t that flattering IMO, unless you’re into 34 year old frat boys who watches 1990s-2000s comedies and if you like to spend your evenings watching him play video games with his bros…😅. This song really takes me back to high school romances and it wasn’t my favorite era, but it can also mean that their relationship is still young and a bit superficial, which doesn’t mean it’s forever. Stop putting so much pressure on Taylor and entertaining this weird parasocial relationship… she’s going to do what she wants as she should since it’s her life and you dont get a say!
the swiftologist single-handedly saving the taylor swift discourse. I either see mindless haters or swifties who worship taylor. you are one of the very few sane swifties around here.
honestly the way that online fandoms are now compared to how they used to be is really disheartening. i'm sure there have been thinkpieces about it, but the general inability to have a conversation online about ANYTHING has really driven me off a lot of platforms and out of fandom spaces generally. i'm not saying we didn't have discourse - og tumblr is literally famous for being feral - but it never felt like the conversation STARTED with someone telling you to unalive yourself the way it does now. everyone is just so mad for no reason.
anyway great video as usual!!! thanks for churning out content like this, YOU are one of the writers/critics i consistently come back to for good, earnest takes
Thanks for the content zacky i was hungry 💀
I was waiting for this video! I still have trouble articulating my feelings about this album. After my first listen I felt so overwhelmed because there is just SO MUCH going on on this album, and those big, messy lyrics you have pointed out don't really help. I still have trouble remembering which lyrics belong to which song, which made me feel a bit stupid. But 'but daddy I love him'? I've already remembered that because it's so catchy!
I eat up everything you put out but these critical video essays are my favorite. It’s such a breath of fresh air in the Swiftie space and I really value your opinion.
I think my biggest thing with this project is how immense it is, and especially dropping the second album on the same night. I think it would have heightened my experience if we had been given a week or two to digest TTPD before The Anthology. And as much as I do love all the songs for different reasons, I agree that there were some that probably could have been left off to make it a cleaner product. Part of what makes The Vaults so special is getting access to something we didn’t have for years. But they were vaults for a reason, and we would look at them differently if they were all there from the start. I’d be perfectly happy if she just continued that idea and dropped vault tracks of albums she owns maybe in a period where she’s slowed down a bit. Having distance from the original work will make them more special, imo.
As for Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, I’m super content with them continuing to work with her and I understand the comfort and trust she has is super important in her collaborations, but I would also love to see her branch out with new sounds from other production styles. Doesn’t have to be an entire album, but just to see her stretch herself. I also love the idea of her working with Liz Rose again or someone similar.
I have been loving your takes lately. This video hits the nail on the head for how I have been feeling about the response to the album and my personal feelings about the album. Also, I have laughed out loud at the last few episodes of Evolution of a Snake.
the I hate it here controvery is dumb imo, yes its an odd lyric, but the amount of hate she would’ve gotten had she NOT mentioned “without the racists” would’ve been worse. It’s a clunky lyric and I think it could’ve been said better but i don’t see it as offensive.
It isn’t offensive people just want something to be upset about.
I also interpreted that line as her not being able to keep her mouth shut and ruining the fun of the game for everyone and then later in the song she talks about loneliness so there are two kinds of disconnect between her and other people going on so it makes sense to me? It's not that bad of a line, it's just a little clunky like you said
I don't even find it clunky tbh it makes perfect sense to me, the whole verse not just that line.
@@priiifrg Agreed. It makes perfect sense to me too
@@lilaboxxoooh i love that! i think ur totally right, i didnt even think of that!
Swiftologist they could never make me hate you.
Wow, what a well thought out, organized, and well articulated response to TTPD. I appreciated your insight into certain songs, considering they were contrary to how I had interpreted their meaning/poetics upon first listen. But I really appreciate your critique because it doesn't disparage her or her character, but instead looks at what the music or lyrics are missing and how they can be improved. Great video ❤
I love Taylor's music and have all the lyrics memorized but I couldn't care less about her "lore". So to me Down Bad was a contrast between the sort of ethereal, "cosmic", feeling you feel when you're in love vs. the "down", grounded, more realistic version of it when it all comes crashing "down". Hence bringing up staring at the sky, yearning for that "heavenly" feeling again. ---- From my perspective the difference in the vibe of the verses vs. the chorus makes sense. Hopefully my comment does too lmaoooo
I agree. I don’t fell that ii was too much imagery.
I don’t understand the disturbing obsession people have with Taylor and Travis, it’s so creepy.
I can’t imagine it being healthy for a relationship either when people are out here planning their wedding and if they’re gonna have kids. Just beyond disturbing and para social
This why Joe said the media is incredibly invasive
If you consider Taylor’s last two years, her relationship with Joe coming to an end, the conception of the Era’s tour and the extreme hard work, being lonely, being somewhat isolated for a while, the whole Ratie thing, being vulnerable, the new relationship with Travis and her mom’s ongoing illness. These songs seem like Throwing up her emotional pain. I can always find songs I like on her albums. I think this was a risk for her to put out as she often does not portray well. Good video.
When the album was announced, people were outraged because they expected it to be a brutal grilling of Joe, a relatively small public person. That didn't happen, so now they need a quick excuse to villainize her and all this crap is the result. Sure, the lyrics are up for debate, but that should be a fun discussion, not a cross to bear.
A Gaylors theory I saw on TikTok was that the whole album is about Karlie kloss 😂
Whenever I think I'm being delusional about something, I remember those people exist😶🌫️
You always have so much to bring to the table Zach! Thank u for another amazing video with so many thoughtful takes and new perspectives to the conversation. Just wanna say that I’m a big fan of yours and hope you keep doing what you’re doing and reaching more and more people. Sending love from Brazil 💚
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
I love watching your videos- it's SO refreshing seeing a swiftie who isn't afraid to offer criticism, which is a very welcome break!
also i feel like the dad in “but daddy i love him” is her fighting against her fans and the media
This is hands down your best analysis yet, Zach. Every point is clear, well supported, and elegantly phrased. Your unconditional sympathy for Taylor mixed with your willingness to objectively critique the changes to her recent writing make you completely unique among people talking about her work right now, and a breath of fresh air in a world of nuance-less stan culture.
As a writer, it’s cathartic to hear a non-hater give a technical breakdown of all the things that irritate me about TTPD. I feel like I can stop brooding about them now because another fair-minded person agrees with me.
Loved this!
Zach, I always appreciate how much of a balanced perspective you bring. As someone who has followed Taylor from the very beginning, I appreciate the depth of insight you bring. I feel often feel frustrated with critics who just don’t get it because they do not take the time or careful insight to review the magic of her writing AND focus on the damn music not their opinion of who she is as a person! As a former literature teacher, I absolutely love her writing and I have used her songs in my classes to teach literary devices.
I mean… “ you call me up again just to break me like a promise so casually cruel in the name of being honest. I’m a crumpled up piece of paper lying there because I remember it all too well”-it just doesn’t get much better than that! At the same time, I agree with you that it would be made better by having someone like Liz Rose who would really help her hone her skills yet again. Good writing is always made better by engaging collaboration- “ iron sharpening iron” and a good editor!
Thanks so much for your content. I also really enjoy your writing and I’m grateful for the kind of journalistic integrity that you bring to your work 😊
Love your hot takes Zack. I love that you’re not a brain dead swiftie as many other youtubers are. You constantly challenge the status quo and broaden the conversations to be had!
I wish Taylor’s writing was more consistently great (looking at you, So High School😐). She’s got the artistry and the brains to do it, but seems bogged down. She and Jack can do some serious sonically different music like Fresh Out The Slammer and Guilty As Sin as you mentioned (both my faves from this album and her discography). I love Aaron’s work too and would like to see him being challenged more as well.
My gripe with the Anthology is that I expected it to have a different sonical sound like the main album (debatable but I love the country elements without going truly back to her roots). What we got was folklore and evermore which had been done back to back. Like in your podcast yesterday, the second album wasnt needed and couldve easily been combined to the main whilst continuing the story and not diluting the material.
Well written and insightful analysis! Thank you! Although I would add that I personally love Anthology, but agree that it seems out of place with TTPD. I wish it had been released more than 2 hours later. I don't think it's getting the slow, thoughtful attention it deserves because people can only get through the first 15 songs on TTPD before they are overwhelmed. Maybe her missive about closing the chapter truly is the reason why she released it all at once. It's a purge. I hear a woman who held a secret obsession in her heart for 10 years, only to come face to face with the reality of an addict. But that dream had been her secret hope of rescue from "the prophecy." Imagine the heartbreak-- but also the world-shaking range of emotions-- disappointment, anger, hurt, hollowness, etc. If that secret fantasy had been holding her up for years...Now that it's gone she may have experienced an existential schism and certainly felt an aching hole. No wonder the album is long and sometimes chaotic, and definitely inconsistent. The release seems hasty because it's an emotional purge. Editors be damned! She's ready to move on. I love it, and see greatness, but am still processing the fallout.
Hello Zach! Although I love the Madeline content, I've missed your solo analyses! I know you are still so busy, but when things calm down, I would love a video essay on the life and times of Jack Antanoff!
I’m loving the amount of content u r giving us!! And the QUALITY ‼️‼️
loved the video Zach, and I'd love to see more of this specific topic (music criticism on taylor, or general artist). I didn't connect too much with that idea that some songs were "unnacessery'', etc. But hearing it here, with more context, made me understand. Would you like to do a video about the ''internal" coherence and cohesion in an album? Loved this concept.
I don't know if you have that feeling, but have you ever thought about the idea that Taylor doesn't have an album that is THE album? her unarguably best, like a really remarkable album in music history (for me a comparison would be Melodrama, Lemonade, Norman Fucking Rockwell, for recent albuns, and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Rumors, The Hounds of Love, or other albuns that i don't know, but I'd expect they are of artists like Fiona Apple, Joni Mitchel, Stevie Wonder, Bjork, etc). Have you ever thought about it in a similar way? I'd definitely watch a video about this!!
Are you going to do a video (would love to see it featuring Madeleine) reorganizing the tracklist? i found it very confusing with the addition of The Anthology. Waiting anxiously for this!!
Sorry for my mistakes, english is not my mother language, but i really love to watch your content, and it helps me a lot to expandmy knowledge of vocabulary and, ofc, Taylor Swift haha. thanks for your work, it's actually very necessary considering the level of swifities currently!!
Tell them.
Also re: Liz Rose, i absolutely agree. I think part of the magic of that collaboration was that Taylor was working with a woman. I’d love to see her work with female producers because (and I love the Jack and Dessner collabs) it would inevitably bring something different out of Taylor. Jack is a talented and capable producer who has been able to work with many different artists and is very able to produce for those artists in vastly different ways. But I think it is undeniable that working with a female producer or producers of color would absolutely bring something different to the table and perhaps help Taylor elevate her artistry.
Fr though, in six years they’ll love this album; reputation was not very well received and the critics I have seen love it now, they call it underrated but when it was released it was a lukewarm reception.
As usual Zachary you’ve provided a balanced meal of food for thought. I’m in total agreement about The Anthology, it would have been better served a full fortnight later as a mini-album/bonus tracks or addendum without all the tracks. You touched on a point here that I’ve been harping for years - much of Taylor’s motivation to share specific details and entire songs are part of her “message delivery” and only the most well versed Swifties will understand this. Personally I believe she’s reached the point in her career and life that there are probably tons of flags she waves in her work that are specific call-outs to people/situations we aren’t even aware of! She almost cops to this in ThanK you aIMee - but there’s more than even the die hards realize and we may never be privy to some of the score settling (and quite frankly I love this about her),
I would like to respectfully disagree about Down Bad, while it’s not one of my faves from the album - I think it is design is deliberate. From the otherworldly scene set of being abducted by some kind of alien invasion of love, the narrator speaks of cosmic love and clouds of sparkling dust only to be now - metaphorically and physically slammed down, in the gym, working and sweating in the most worldly human way, pining for the experience of being carried away and experimented on by her captor. Even the sonic shift is brilliant from one sketch to the next…. dreamy and galactic while abducted, to a basic and thumping heartbeat workout rhythm. We’ve all worked on ourselves after a breakup “he will want me again after I fix myself” - she touches on this again in the toy metaphor so clearly that was in her mind. She’s referenced working out for hours at a time to prepare for the Eras Tour and I think this expands on the idea and serves as “lore enrichment”. Lastly, referencing the alien leaving her naked and safe after the abduction- she was metaphorically naked yet safe in the bubble of her celebrity over the last year.
I’ve sat with the album for ten days now and I think every song is packed with specific messages - even in a small passage - she wants someone to catch. Would I have left Florida!!!, Robin, Peter and a couple of others off the list? Sure? But in her hyperproductive era, Taylor is afforded the luxury of folding one tiny note into a paper plane and thrusting it in the direction of her unsuspecting recipients - we have no idea who they are. The ultimate cryptic Facebook status update, if you will.
Thanks for mentioning how weird people are with the Travis thing! I see so many disgusting comments about them that are mostly a projection of what they want: the marriage, the kids, the picture perfect life without an actual interest on the artistry of Taylor
💯 anytime I see pics of them, I'm like, aww, cute, and move on. Then, you look at the comments and yikes😶🌫️.
@@ilv2269it’s super weird!!! All these soccer moms trying to live vicariously through her. Her relationship isn’t your personality trait. It’s gross
The weirdest part is people think she’s going to retire just because of Travis and finding her happy ending. If she wasn’t going to do it for Joe, who she thought was her happy ending for a long time, why would she for anyone else? Especially when, as things currently stand, it seems Travis is totally cool with her career, as she is his (we’ll see how sustainable the relationship is as it progresses). It’s like they don’t listen to the things she says at all. I can see the argument that is vaguely connected that she needs a break from the massive exposure and hyper-productivity, but that doesn’t mean TTPD or Rep or Debut TV is going to be her last release before she runs off into the sunset.
I agree it’s bizarre
I am SO confused about this and my only conclusion is - American teenagers projecting their own aspirations on her (perhaps happy that the tall blonde beautiful high school girl is nice and could be them?). I do think it’s mostly teenagers (therefore also new swifties)
I think she should work with Finneas next for her production, and it will give her such a new fresh challenge that she desperately needs.
Clever and insightful analysis as always. You're the true voice of the TS cinematic universe and you sum up many of the points I have about TTPD. And I can't tell you how many people come up to me saying that this album is the beginning of the end for Taylor, like girl what??? 😂😂
I absolutely agree with you that a visit to Liz would benefit Taylor lol I enjoy your videos, even when you are critiquing my favorite tracks. I love this album. There are some soul crushing songs on here. There are some tragic bops. Who’s Afraid…is my favorite and I don’t care if it’s too long-she does put narcotics in her songs 😅 I completely get the Travis stuff is creeping you out, it’s so weird how obsessed people are with who Taylor dates. It’s not newsworthy when they hold hands or he opens a car door. This album has turned everyone into music critics- when political commentators give a full review, while completely missing all of the meaning, it’s really just a hate bandwagon. Thank you for your honest reviews from a writer that is a fan perspective. You always give me something to think about 😊
Love your takes, you have an incredibly rational, balanced view. I don’t always agree with you, but that’s ok. Keep up the high quality work! For me, TTPD is a career highlight, nuanced, ironic, clever and gut wrenching in places. Themes of love/heart break, fame and some nostalgia are covered so well. People just don’t get it😂 and like you said, don’t give it time to digest it properly.
That last line 👏🏽 This was spectacular as all your analysis videos tend to be. So well spoken, so fair. Take care!
As usual, you’re pretty much spot on. It’s possible to enjoy the record while also acknowledging that it could have been better. Thank you!
SO pretty much "It's not that good, lol"
You cooked with the Travis thing king, everyone is way too invested with the most vanilla relationship!!!
I was WAITING for you to post an “in defense of TTPD” video!!!
This video was necessary. You made a lot of valid arguments that I don’t all agree with (like for instance, I love all the metaphors in the album as it is poetry after all), but most, since I really love and vibe with TTPD.
THANK YOU for being sane. I mean, you're typically saner than the average Swiftie, but after the last week and a half this video is a breath of fresh air.
As for her future: WORK WITH A WOMAN PRODUCER FFS TAYLOR! St. Vincent's new album was self-produced and it's fantastic, I would LOVE to see them work together again. There are plenty of other women producers but those two made magic with "Cruel Summer" and it would be fascinating to see what else they could come up with.
Also dying to hear you talk about Chappell Roan. I've been listening to her obsessively lately.
I’ve been a fan since Fearless and this new album had left me a bit cold upon the first hearing. While I I could pinpoint the faults of the album very early on it was harder for me to see its virtues. Watching your reaction and the videos with Madeline has helped me a lot with that. It takes a while to digest and I enjoy it a lot more after a few days. But even though I see its brilliance now there is still something off. Your critical approach while still being a hardcore fan is fantastic and refreshing. I LOVED this video.
I agree with you that Who's Afraid is unfocused, though very visceral, but I think the song is absolutely leveraging deliberate exaggeration and humor--at least as much as Look What You Made Me Do, which is another song where Taylor both Makes Points™, taking a wounded but triumphant posture, and simultaneously winks at her audience. The "what if it is/what if they did" lyrics on Who's Afraid, in my opinion, function like the Right Said Fred sample--those lines are extremely common distorted thought patterns that people with anxiety deal with, and I think they highlight both the extent of her paranoia and the absurdity of it. Great video overall, thanks for your honesty and your insight!
Strikes me as a somewhat rhetorical sarcastic song that is a reaction to something genuinely felt in the moment. Its not trying to analyse and make conclusive statements its her way of dialing up the absurdity on something that people have dismissed her on in the past. Also I really don't know how you can't just infer what she means when she mentions the circus and the teeth its not rocket science lol
The crazed sycophants need to realize that no one is perfect - not even Taylor. I believe this album is going to be debated for a quite a while. However, I am taking my time with this one because I live for the lyrics. So Long, London - totally made me cry. Was I expecting that? Hell no...but that was my experience. Others might not feel the same, but that's okay, too. Your take on all of this is so on point that I sometimes feel like you're in my head! You are a true fan who can also give an honest critique and that is why I love this channel.
Zach, I’m new to your channel…and new to Swiftiehood (got into her when my 17 year old daughter started listening in summer 2022) BUT, I just had to comment that I love your insight and your lectures and your points. Excellently done. I’ll be eagerly awaiting new thoughts and perspective from you.
Yeah, the best parts of her lyricism are completely and clearly understandable without a dictionary. I'm remembering a saying that goes - the smartest people can explain the most complex topics with simple words. And she can, she chooses not to. Something I loved on this record, unlike the previous few, is that there were some of these clear image creating lines, that she's so good at.
... I guess what I'm saying is no notes to you on the video 😂 good job
Looking forward to your review when it has sat with you long enough.
Dude, I don't get it how Zach can be able to NOT see how _The Alchemy_ is indeed about Travis 😂
I know it's just our _interpretations_ of it, but I will entertain your thoughts on it, on the LIGHTER side of the conversation (please, everybody, no frenzie, it's just an opinion):
My definite proofs it's about him are
1) it's at the end of the standard edition, so she concludes narrating her double break up at track #14 and then she spares a bone to her current labrador, because why not, and then proceeds to a bigger issue of discussing fame at the final track, _Clara Bow_ ;
2) there are several lines in the song where she didn't _have to_ use a football metaphor, there were things that not only rhyme, but would also make a cleaner cut for the song, like you point out yourself; everything is always so intentional with her, I can't help thinking it was not a comparison, but a signature;
3) this one is even more ridiculously speculative 😂 but maybe because I'm kinda psychic (kind of, it's a long story 😅) I can literally **SEE HIM DOING THR JOKE**, I can totally see him moving his head mockingly in that very Travis-way and saying "but this time with an E", i can hear his voice saying that LoLoLoL he is a professional jokes man, my friend...
The fact that most people deem Kelce incapable of making a her0inE spelling joke is frankly a little dehumanizing and not nice to him at all, I mean, he is not an English professor at Harvard, but he is not illiterate as well; much instead, he has a very specific and endearing type of intelligence, which makes him capable of talking to ANYONE and make them comfortable, and that's probably what drew Taylor towards him in the first place, so....
AGAIN, before responding, everybody in the fandom, just remind this is SUBJECTIVE, and we all might as well be wrong and the song is about someone named Peter from 17 years ago 😂 so feel free to speculate in a FUN way and disagree POLITELY on the matter, because that's the sole motivation behind love songs like these, to be fun and light, not to open a case with the FBI 😉
Edit: typos, my screen is lagging a little
a football metaphor does not a Travis make🙄
I really appreciate how articulate and knowledgeable you are. You’re the only Taylor swift commentary I can listen to because you are balanced and grounded. Thank you for your content!
I absolutely think this album went over a lot of ppls(even some fellow swifties) heads. I have literally gone and relistened to her catalog. Let's just say it all hits different after TTPD. Love your videos!!
One thing, not to be delusional: the Alchemy literally references trophies, (British) “blokes” sitting the bench, them being on a winning streak (back to back Grammys and Super Bowl, etc.), and the lyrics video has football stadium lights as an art piece 😅
Thank you for your well thought out response. I love watching all your videos and trust what you are saying because you put in the research. This is by far my favorite album so I am not able to read the critics reviews because it hurts too much. I didn’t like Lover or Midnights at all, so I’m not a Swiftie that just likes ALL her work but this album is something else.
the best word i have to describe what this albums makes me feel is _unsettled._ it's the kind of feeling i get when i experience art that is so raw and visceral that i kind of feel like i shouldn't be looking at it. like, "did this person mean to release this?" i mean that as a full hearted compliment btw. it takes a lot to bare yourself like that, especially if you're taylor swift at her literal highest level of fame and you know everyone is going to be hearing this album. it's definitely an album that necessitates for you to sit with it and the truth is that casual listeners just aren't going to do that. ttpd reminds me of weezer's pinkerton. both of these albums are raw and uncomfortable and were not initially received well by critics. pinkerton went on to become a cult classic and is considered the band's best album. ttpd is going to be that for her. not necessarily be considered her best album but it will be appreciated differently ten years from now once the distance has given people time to digest it.
i do think it's not perfect and wish it was tighter but there's so many emotions in this record that i truly do think the anthology was necessary for me to digest ttpd. in many ways, to me ttpd is her sitting me down and saying, "here's what i did and I'm not perfect" and obviously as a lifelong fan of her that is going to cause reactions in me that make me uncomfortable. but then the anthology is her telling me, "and here's _why_ i did those things, i hope you understand. i am human." I can't help but admire her for that, even if the record isn't technically or critically perfect.
My individualistic opinion is, I’m enjoying this non-edited version of albums. The scathing, vulnerable, tyrannical, forever heartbroken raw version of an artist. All the scribbles and legit art pieces combined in a double album.
I believe this album is the closest that we will ever get to know our favourite artist Taylor Swift personally.
exactly! i think she’ll find a middle ground eventually, but it’s fun and fine to have a brutally honest album that’s not completely concise or cohesive, she doesn’t need to worry about the numbers anymore
Zack can you do a video on Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? The song is vague and also feels like so many things: a a genuine reflection on how fame treats young women as Taylor said; Taylor actually threatening and warning everyone not to mess with her, kind of owning her reputation for draconian control and retaliation; and sometimes reads as a justification for her behavior, even maybe referencing punching down at Olivia.
Just analyzing it. Can you do a video on TTPD addition to Taylor talking about fame?
In my opinion, The Alchemy is about Travis but it’s more about her. She spends the album likening her situation with Joe to prison and the manic situation with Matty to an insane asylum, so starting the song with “The hospital was a drag, worst sleep I ever had” alludes to recovery. She’s leaving the hospital and coming back into herself, which is a theme that continues throughout the rest of the song as well- she’s cutting people out of her life (cutting people from the team), ignoring the people on the bench (us/the negativity), and so on. So as a whole, the song is very much about her coming back into herself- and that’s when she begins to give herself permission to give into the alchemy. Alchemy is a fated concept, it’s “this wasn’t in my plans, it’s unexpected, but I happened upon it.” Taking that into account, you come to the line “the sign on your heart says it’s still reserved for me” and I know so many people are taking that to mean rekindling, but it isn’t. It’s right time, right place, maybe the universe didn’t let you find the one because I am supposed to be the one. It’s happenstance. Going from there, “he jokes that it’s heroine but this time with an E” can have a handful of meanings, but my interpretation is that “the alchemy” aligns with their admiration for each other, rather than past relationships likening their connection to a drug. None of that is about Matty. Moreover, the song is mostly about Taylor herself and her healing, but it also brings in Travis with that concept of giving herself permission to fall in love again. That and it being at the end of the album, followed by Clara Bow which is essentially her accepting the fate bestowed upon famous women, shows the progression toward where she is now.
This album has a lot of satire and irony, starting from the title, which is so obviously sarcastic, that’s the point!! The Problem is that people expect it to be another Folklore and it’s not! TTPD is almost ruining that image, burning it down, if you will… 🔥 Taylor is mocking the idea of being a picture perfect good girl, the sage archetype that Folklore/ Evermore was catering to… TTPD, centered around forbidden romance delivered through unhinged exaggerated emotions, is a story of breaking free from social norms and people’s expectations. It is filled with dark humor, satire, even mockery. She is in her Harley Queen Era!! 😈 The undergoing narration of this album is what Reputation pretends to be…A True Female Rage 😡 It’s interesting that Reputation despite its dark aesthetic is a love album. Meanwhile, in TTPD she is dressed like a bride or a Disney princess, Ariel herself, all white, the undergoing theme is dark and wretched…
Stop with the online bullying in general. It’s so uncalled for
online bullying a billionaire?
@@urvenicebitch bullying in general. But I was also thinking about who the swifties are all bullying. Ever since TTPD came out, any sort of criticism isn’t allowed.
Edit: actually, ever since ttpd is announced.
Yeah wish all the swifties would. I love a lot of Taylor's songs, but my god the bullying of the swifties to her critics, her ex's, her boyfriend's ex's (Travis's ex Does not deserve that), and other female artists is exactly what turns me off from Taylor and her fan base. It's a cult like MAGA.
over a freaking album!!!!! it’s insane
its why I don't like associating with Swifties anymore. only they can make a 45 minute long video moaning and bitching about something thats 95% subjective