Just 11 months after the release of Taylor Swift’s seventh studio album ‘Lover’, she surprisingly released a 16 track album. Accurately titled, ‘Folklore’ appeals to the ears of those who enjoy folk and acoustic music. Vastly different from any genre Swift has experimented with before, ‘Folklore’ perfectly compliments Swift’s songwriting style with an alternative aesthetic that she described herself as “sad, beautiful, and tragic”.

‘Cardigan’ was recognized as the first single when the album was released, along with ‘Betty’ and ‘August’. The trilogy is referred to by Swift as the “teenage love triangle” which highlights three different perspectives from the same love story. A stand out song from Swift’s fourth album, ‘All Too Well’ is thought by critics to have birthed the style of ‘Folklore’. ‘All Too Well’ showcases Swift’s ability to tell a story vividly while centering around symbolism. The song begins by providing specific details Swift remembers “all too well” after a tragic end to her relationship. This builds to the heartbreaking bridge that says, “And you call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest.”

Swift exercised that same style while writing ‘Exile’. ‘Exile’ features indie-folk band Bon Iver. Swift paints the picture of loss and disorientation of a lover that once felt like home. “You’re not my homeland anymore, so what am I defending’ now? You were my town , now I’m in exile seeing’ you out”. ‘Folklore’ has an abundance of charming writing to unpack and analyze, which makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to.