Taylor Swift's latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, just dropped—and I can't wait to dive into my first reaction! Taylor has been crushing it lately, becoming one of the most notable women in pop culture.
Now, before I dive in, let me make something clear—full transparency—I used to be a hater of Miss Swift. Maybe it was my embarrassing need to be different at the time because, for good reason, everyone seemed to be a fan.
Anyway, I've grown and learned; since then, I have embraced the incredible talent and fantastic music she's brought us! folklore and evermore, in particular, really impressed me and made me a big fan. They're my favorite albums of hers. Since allowing myself to be completely entranced by these albums and the talents she has showcased on them, I've gone back to revisit other music of hers, which I've sincerely enjoyed. I will say, even in my hater days, there were songs of hers I would admit I enjoyed ("Love Story" and "Blank Space," for example, were songs I loved despite disliking her at the time). So, my love for Taylor is a relatively new development.
I've been excited about The Tortured Poets Department but nervous about how it would sound. The initial reveal hit me with how corny the name sounded, and many people (from what I've seen on the internet) agreed. I did, however, enjoy the album cover. Her most recent album (excluding the re-records), Midnights, wasn't as impactful for me, so I've been hoping this one would hit more. Despite not being my favorite, Midnights still has some great songs.
Anyway, let's get into the new album. I will discuss each song on The Tortured Poets Department and my first thoughts. Of course, this is just my first reaction, so my opinions will likely change and develop over time. Let's get into it!
A Breakdown of All 31 Songs in The Tortured Poets Department
Initially, I planned to listen right when it dropped at 10 p.m. MT (midnight ET), but then I decided to do it the following day. I woke up around 6 a.m. on Friday and listened to the album before heading to my 7:30 a.m. yoga class. Before listening to the album myself, I had avoided as much content as possible about the potential leaks before the album release and people's opinions. I wanted this to be as fresh and new to me as possible!
While listening to the first song, my boyfriend called me from the other room to ask if I was listening to the one with 31 songs; I was not. I didn't even realize she had dropped not one but two albums: one called The Tortured Poets Department and the other, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. The Anthology album had the entirety of the original but with 15 extra songs! So, at that point, I ensured I was listening to The Anthology album 'cause if you're going to experience a new Taylor Swift album, you've got to listen to every bit of it.
"Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)"
We're off to a good start with "Fortnight"! The song is vibey and trancey, almost reminiscent of Midnights. It's boppy but not in the most upbeat way, if that makes sense. Post Malone fits this song well, and I love the background music I noticed during his part. One of my favorite things about the songs from folklore and evermore is the ambiance created by the background arrangements, which gave me the same thing I get from "Fortnight." The ending note was perfect! (Editor’s note: the “Fortnight” music video is as whimsical and weird as one expects!)
"The Tortured Poets Department"
This song continues the ethereal vibes right off the bat, which I love. She also hits a gorgeous high note throughout. The mention of Charlie Puth took me out of it a bit, but Charlie gives me a weird vibe, so that could be part of it. There's also some good stuff in the background of this song. Now, it does come off like a "desperation," "in-denial type" of song, which I'm pretty sure is part of what she was going for—mainly based on those Apple Music playlists about the Five Stages of Grief. So, maybe that was already in my head. I'm not immediately in love with this song, but I'm not mad about it.
"My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys"
I'll be honest. I'm not feeling this one right away, as it doesn't draw me in or "wow" me for most of it. I do enjoy the part after Taylor says, "toys," when she says, "Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh," and the little part that comes after.
"Down Bad"
There's an interesting squeaky sound that starts it off and continues a bit during the song. There are some more lovely high notes from her and that airy quality to her voice, which is so beautiful. This one is definitely slower. Based on the title, I thought it'd be a more upbeat song, but it's actually slow and seemingly sad. (Seemingly ranch, anyone?) I'm happy with it! Once again, I love what she has going on in the background.
"So Long, London"
The way it starts feels almost like going to church or Christmastime. Then we get some funky music, and then we get into it. This fast-paced beat in the background feels like a heartbeat after exerting yourself or when you're in a stressful situation, and it contrasts with her voice and singing. It adds a stressful element to the song. "So Long, London" reminds me of "Closure" on evermore, when it had that noise that sounded like pans clanging at the beginning and was almost off-putting. It makes the song interesting. I enjoy the way she's describing her heartbreak and failing relationship. She's such a talented writer.
"But Daddy I Love Him"
It's fun and pretty. It sets a nice scene and tells a story well. It very much feels like a 2024 version of "Love Story."
"Fresh Out The Slammer"
This song was a little boring to me on the first listen. It's slow and solemn, especially initially, and mainly has deeper sounds. We get some lightness from her going into higher notes, which helps break it up a bit. Overall, it's not captivating me right away.
"Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)"
"My friends all smell like weed or little babies" is a funny line. You can really see Florence's style in the chorus before we even hear her solo part. She was a great addition to this song and album. I'm here for "Florida!!!"
**Intermission**
I then had to take a break and go to morning yoga. Once I returned, ate breakfast, and picked up my mom's birthday cake, I got cozy on the couch, made a cup of tea, and returned to The Tortured Poets Department!
"Guilty as Sin?"
Okay, I'm into it. This song feels like something that belongs in a romance movie montage where a couple of sorts is driving around with the top down. Not in a "road-trip-bubblegum-pop-girly" way (which I also love), but in more of an airy, ethereal way—a theme that is apparent throughout this album and a win for me! There are fun references I also picked up on, such as "vault," which references herself, and then some religious references. I'm a sucker for using religious themes and words in music, like in another one of my favorite Taylor songs, "False God."
"Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?"
I'm sorry, but the title is so silly to me. The song has a darker, witchy feel, which is fun. This one has elements that make it feel like it should be in a fantasy movie. I'm not sure I like the part where she says, "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" but again, it just feels like a bit of a corny thing to say. I like when she says, "You should be." I love that energy.
"I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)"
This has old country-western energy, and I really like it! It's slow and moody. I imagine her drinking a glass of whiskey at a saloon in the middle of a western town (where tumbleweeds are probably blowing past).
"loml"
Once again, there's a song that's giving me something unexpected based on the name. Despite using a classic text abbreviation (very millennial of her), it's already coming off as a more profound and beautiful piano ballad-style song at about 19 seconds in. Of course, it also turns out to be a sad song. Wow, that last line, too. (I like what you did there, Taylor.) It's not my favorite, but I like parts of it.
"I Can Do It With a Broken Heart"
What sort of event is going on in the background? Is it supposed to be football? Or maybe her concert? Or some sports? (Editor's note: this is actually the backing track Taylor hears in her inner ear monitors during The Eras Tour! Pretty cool!) But, okay, this song is fun! I love a song with an upbeat bubblegum pop sound, but the lyrics are sad. The chorus is like that in this, but the verses are slower. It's giving, "I'm so sad✨ 💕" (I hope she's okay, though!)
"The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived"
Oof, the first line. This may be a little too slow and boring for me. (Is this the one people think is about M*tty?) "If rusting my sparkling summer was the goal?" is a great line. The bridge is a little more exciting! But yeah, scathing stuff here.
"The Alchemy"
Is this about Travis? I don't think this one is really entrancing me right away, but it has the potential to after a few listens. We will see!
"Clara Bow"
I don't hate it, but I'm glad it's not the final song. The last line feels like her song "Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)," where she's threatened by another young artist, who most people speculate is Olivia Rodrigo. I say we can appreciate both artists. You're both very talented ladies!
**Second Intermission**
After listening to the initial 16 songs, I needed to take another break to load the dishwasher before diving into what is essentially a second album. And while I could have continued listening to it while I did so, that's not how I wanted to do my first listen to this album.
"The Black Dog"
It's a sad and pretty song. The "old habits die screaming part" is a little intense and scary.
"imgonnagetyouback"
The chorus is fun, and I love toward the end of it when she hits the higher, more dreamy notes. That makes me feel like I'm floating around. I'm just a girly who loves an ethereal vibe. I like the part in the last chorus when the background music stops momentarily, and it's just her singing. Of course, I can't help but think about how similar it is to "get him back!" by Olivia Rodrigo, which is... interesting if you know about the whole alleged drama between them. But, like I said, they are both very talented women!
"The Albatross"
This one has a similar vibe to "I Can Fix Him (No Really, I Can)," in that I picture her in some old Western scene. It's less moody, however. This time, I imagine her telling a story to a gathering of people somewhere outside.
"Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus"
She referenced "Maroon," I see! The name was interesting, and I wasn't sure where she was going with it before listening. I liked how it was used in the song, and it was only actually said once, so it's interesting that it ended up being the name, but I like that.
"How Did It End?"
This one is sad and slow. It's commenting on how people who don't know her are very curious about her business and her love life, but she also shares a bit, as she often does her music. I understand what she says, but I find the song boring. I'm not obsessed with it at this point.
"So High School"
I don't know if the title influences me, but the background beat, particularly, makes it feel like something from an early 2000s high school movie. The song is sweet, cute, and fun.
"I Hate It Here"
I like the line, "I hate it here, so I will go to secret gardens in my mind." This song is another example of her using a pop culture phrase, but it comes across as more... poetic. The song is cute and magical, even though it's sad. It feels very whimsical.
"thanK you aIMee"
I didn't expect Aimee to be a bully based on the title. It's funny how she admits in the song that she changed the name. However, Taylor seems to be telling us that Aimee's name is Kim, based on the capitalization. (Note: I had to put this here because I'm so embarrassed I didn't immediately realize what Kim she was talking about. I should've picked up on that before scrolling Twitter/X once I had gotten all my thoughts out.)
"I Look in People's Windows"
I wish I had more thoughts on this right away, but I don't.
"The Prophecy"
I like how, in this song, she's begging some higher power to make things better and to allow her to have love in her life. However, I'm unsure if I like the beat in this one.
"Cassandra"
This one starts pretty. I love the piano and the way her voice sounds. This one seems to be about some witch hunt, which feels very Taylor.
"Peter"
This one also has a beautiful opening. “Peter," as in Peter Pan, yes, that's a fun way to tell the story. And it's not the first time she's referenced it. She also did it with "Cardigan" when she said, "Peter is losing Wendy."
"The Bolter"
The chorus and the beat are cute. I also like the storytelling here.
"Robin"
This is another one that feels a bit slow and boring to me at first listen, and I'm not sure if I can see it growing on me. Sorry, "Robin"!
"The Manuscript"
I like the way it starts with the higher piano notes. Oh boy, this seems to be about an inappropriate age gap situation. There's some interesting commentary on using life to create art and how it becomes something else when you move on from the situation.
Songs I saved after my first listen to the album:
- "Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)"
- "Down Bad"
- "But Daddy I Love Him"
- "Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)"
- "Guilty as Sin?"
- "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?"
- "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)"
- "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart"
- "So High School"
- "I Hate It Here"
Final Thoughts on The Tortured Poets Department
I'm obviously not a music expert, but I am a Taylor fan. It can also be tricky to listen to a full album, which is basically two albums, and have thorough thoughts immediately. I enjoyed diving into this album and look forward to listening to it over time to develop my opinions further. I expect at least some of the songs that didn't hit first will grow on me after more listens. Maybe I'll even decide that some of the ones I liked initially, I don't enjoy as much. Of course, I want to love the album. It's not my favorite of hers, and I don't know that anything will make me feel the way folklore and evermore do, but there's some good stuff here.
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