In the midst of what seems to be the cruelest summer to ever endure, Taylor Swift revealed via social media on July twenty-third that she had been curating her surprise eighth studio album titled folklore, in quarantine during the Corona-virus pandemic and would be publishing it at midnight. Swifties–including myself were left stunned after receiving the news; our universe would be gifted yet another masterpiece by the queen of pop in less than twenty-four hours. This is an unusual matter coming from Taylor, as she is known to tease her fans regarding new music for months leading up to a release. However, that was not the only factor to sweep swifties off their feet. Showcasing remarkable versatility, Taylor would also finally be establishing herself within the indie-folk/alternative-rock genre with this record. She sparked curious conversations and unrestrained questions around the world, as we all waited for our clocks to strike midnight.

       Delivered to us with overnight shipping, was a spontaneous album by one of the most successful artists of all-time which has seventeen tracks, including the one from its deluxe version. Folklore arrived loaded with alluring folk-stories to digest, lyrics that could ultimately cut glass, and beautifully haunting vocals alongside production that lingers in your mind for ages after absorbing. Swift described her creative process as “in isolation, my imagination has run wild and this album is the result, a collection of songs and stories that flowed like a stream of consciousness. Picking up a pen was my way of escaping into fantasy, history, and memory.” In addition, she made a statement on why this body of work appeared out of thin air. “Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed. My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world.” Here at Avina, we could not agree more with the legend herself, as we have launched during this profoundly calamitous year. Anyways, the time has come for a song by song review of Taylor Swift’s highly-acclaimed eighth studio album folklore, by yours truly.

       “I’m doing good, I’m on some new sh*t,” is the first line we hear from folklore’s title track, “the 1.” Some bold and confident words coming from Taylor Swift that are ever so fresh to hear in her music. She is happy and matured, swearing effortlessly throughout one of the more upbeat and poppy songs of the collection that undeniably holds substantial lyrical content such as “you know the greatest films of all time were never made.” Personally, I would rank “the 1” as a four out of five stars; it’s truly a solid introduction to the record.

       Next up on the queue is “cardigan,” folklore’s lead single, although I thought “august” would’ve been a bit more appealing to the general public. Don’t get me wrong, I still adore this song! As a darker, deeper, reminiscent single, the melody will definitely keep you swaying to lines such as “you drew stars around my scars, but now I’m bleeding” and “chasing shadows in the grocery line.” “Cardigan” is another exquisite four out of five stars for me.

       Taylor’s immaculate talent for writing bridges is embodied on the third track of folklore, “the last great american dynasty.” An anarchic story is chronicled, all about the life of Rebekah Harkness, or the past owner of Taylor's American home which is located in Rhode Island. A connection is made in this song between the former occupier and artist, relating the similarities in their lives. As I’ve recently affirmed, the bridge is insurmountable with a rhythm deemed preposterous to not nod your head to. Can you guess what my rating out of five stars is for “the last great american dynasty?” Surprise surprise, I give out another four.

       The ballad comparable to Swift’s indescribably praised “All Too Well” is the fourth serenade of folklore. “Exile” is the name and it’s the only collaboration on this body of work. It reminds me of hushed rooms during autumn, with fire seeping from the wick of a candle, producing a cozy, crackling yell. The combination of Taylor Swift and Justin Vernon’s voices are harmonious, yet immensely diverse. Peculiarly perfect is how I would describe the offbeat singing during the beginning of this ballad’s bridge; it’s one of my favorite parts of this track. Also, the final chorus of the song’s melody is extremely breathy and intensely thrilling to me. It sounds as if it’s matching the rise and fall of a cart on a rollercoaster. Up and down, up and down. At last, we have reached the first masterpiece of folklore. I give “exile” my five out of five stars. *Chef’s kiss.*

       Then comes “my tears ricochet.” Amid my first listen of folklore, this was one of my favorites. Now as I have discovered the dusty corners and hidden magic through my seemingly endless streaming of this album, I have found others to favor besides this track. Whenever I say something like that concerning this album though, the songs are still spectacular and I want to emphasize that. They just have to compete with the tracks of a no skip record, and that’s difficult. However, I genuinely treasure the conspicuous message of this song. It refers to how Taylor lost her masters recently, and is evident in powerful lyrics such as “I can go anywhere I want, anywhere I want, just not home” and “when you can’t sleep at night, you hear my stolen lullabies.” A sad, beautiful, and tragic piece of music that I award four out of five stars.

       “Mirrorball,” is defined as a revolving ball covered with small mirrored facets used to provide lighting effects at discos or dances. I will forever be ashamed that I thought this song was marginally monotonous incipiently. Now, I vibe universally to its lyrics, music, and glory. “I’m still on that trapeze, I’m still trying everything to keep you looking at me” is a line I scream alone in my bedroom. Watch me put my clown shoes on as I give this classic a five out of five stars despite my initial doubt.

       It is not a surprise Taylor made a song for her inner child, she has a Cancer Moon, and as a Cancer Sun myself, the seventh track on folklore, rightfully named “seven” has a soft spot in my heart. Swift sings about soaring in her childhood tree-swing, sweet tea in the summertime, and loving people to the moon and back, where all of which give off a nostalgic tone. I may be biased as my favorite number is seven and I have the tendency to always claim Taylor’s seventh track in an album, but I love songs about childhood, as it’s a time in my life I crave to get back, so “seven” is another five out of five stars to me.

       Have you listened to folklore and caught on to the tale with the affair yet? In case you haven’t, I can help you out. Essentially, “cardigan,” “august,” and “betty” portrays the fictional love triangle narrative in folklore. It begins with “august,” the eighth song on the record that I referred to earlier in this article. It’s the summer before Betty and James’ senior year of high school and they are in a passionate relationship. That is until James has an affair with an unnamed mistress on “august.” A few instances from the lyrics that suggest this include, “whispers of are you sure,” and “so much for summer love and saying ‘us,’ ‘cause you weren’t mine to lose.” The incredible storytelling on “august” accompanies catchy melodies and the most mainstream production on folklore. In addition, this track was my first all-time favorite song from Taylor’s eighth studio album; therefore it unequivocally deserves a five out of five stars. Regarding the excess details of the love triangle, don’t fret. I’ll conclude it once we get to “betty.”

       If you ever need a good cry, there’s always “this is me trying” by Taylor Swift to commence your tears. In the song, Taylor sings “pulled the car off the road to the lookout, could’ve followed my fears all the way down.” Arguably one of the darkest themes she has written about before. Hard-hitting lyrics are served throughout the entirety of this alluring piece of music, which can be relatable to many audiences; therefore I must share more from “this is me trying.” There’s “they told me all of my cages were mental, so I got wasted like all my potential,” and “you’re a flashback on a film reel, on the one screen in my town.” Indescribable. I love, love, love this song and it never fails to hit me in my feels. Here’s to another five out of five stars!

       A story of unrequited love is shared on the vulnerable tenth track, “illicit affairs.” The simplicity of this song’s production is perfect for listeners to dive into its drama. Another astonishing quality is the build of “illicit affairs.” The music is at a constant acceleration, as well as Taylor’s singing until everything crescendos after the bridge. “You showed me colors you know I can't see with anyone else,” and “you taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else” are two exceptionally compelling lines from the song. Although it's the shortest track of folklore, “illicit affairs” persists to be a four out of five stars according to my judgment.

       “Invisible string” is undoubtedly a wholesome and sentimental song to Taylor Swift and her lover, Joe Alwyn. As another upbeat track from folklore, Taylor sings about the legend of ultimately being tied to your soulmate with an invisible string all your life preceding them. From Joe eating at her favorite spot for dinner before they found each other, to Taylor thinking about her future partner at her local park before later showing Joe around there; the two seemed to always be each other's destiny. The closing line of this song’s bridge reads, “one single thread of gold tied me to you” before trickling back into the dainty, delicate music. “Invisible string” is a sweet and charming five out of five stars on Swift’s folklore in my opinion.

       “You’ll poke that bear ‘til her claws come out,” is one of the best lines on this album and it is from “mad woman,” folklore’s feminist anthem. Observing as a young woman myself, I find that whenever women make an anger-related action equivalent to men, it is seen as ten times more ridiculous, and that’s the very reason I admire this song. It embraces a women’s shadow side that is often overlooked as more harsh than intended. From the wise words of Taylor, she once said in an iconic interview that “a man is allowed to ‘react’; a woman can only ‘over-react” and that sticks with me like cotton candy on damp fingers through this infatuating four out of five stars track.

       Both of my parents were medical front-line workers during the global pandemic, so Taylor Swift’s thirteenth track on folklore, “epiphany” strikes me hard. A creepy and eerie song indeed with themes of war and casualties, and lyrics such as “something med school did not cover, someone’s daughter, someone’s mother. Holds your hand through plastic now, doc I think she’s crashing out,” which obviously points towards the saddening reality of COVID-19. Due to its message alone, “epiphany” is a well-earned five out of five stars. Here’s a reminder to everyone about staying safe!

       At last, we have reached my all-time favorite track off folklore, “betty!” Trust me, it is even mysterious to me, an avid country skeptic, to crown the country song with such a title, but I whole-heartedly mean it. The storyline is indescribable! It’s extremely rich as it paints an entire image in your mind as you tune in to all of its complexity, and as I promised, I will conclude the love triangle’s fate here. We left off at James having the affair. What happens next? He is about to show up to Betty’s party to right his wrongs and he has wandering thoughts on if she’ll tell him to go “f*ck” himself or lead him to the garden where she will trust him that it was “just a summer thing” and how he’s “only seventeen” and doesn’t know anything, but he knows he misses her. James confesses his apology to Betty, but it turns out through “cardigan” swifties discover that Betty unbearably never forgives her lost love. An evident five out of five stars goes to “betty,” the premier song on all of folklore. Congratulations on this undeniable masterpiece, Taylor! You have the natural ability to write songs.

       Unlike anything Swift has put out before, I would recount folklore’s “peace” to be a one-of-a-kind bop although she seems to subtly diss Kanye West yet again in bars like “but there’s robbers to the east, clowns to the west” on this track–but we love to hear it. Overall, an exceptionally cool piece of music where intriguing production and melodies lie. Taylor uses her breathy register too, that at no time ceases to amaze me. A moment worthy of serious conversations is how she delivers the beginning of the song’s chorus, “but I’m a fire and I’ll keep your brittle heart warm.” No wonder the words mention “fire” as that is how I would describe this piece of the song to be. I genuinely applaud this track. “Peace” is one more peaceful and satisfying four out of five stars.

       The closing of folklore’s standard version is “hoax.” This track conveys a tale of Swift’s inability to release a lethal relationship where she seemingly whisper-sings “your faithless love’s the only hoax I believe in. Don’t want no other shade of blue, but you. No other sadness in the world would do." “Hoax” is the four out of five starred, melancholy end of folklore’s folk-stories. The type of song to leave you cold on your bedroom floor, contemplating what you just endured once the album is over.

       You’ve made it to “the lakes.” The last and final song off folklore, the monumental seventeenth track that was mysteriously only available physically rather than digitally, for a while after this record’s release. A romantic ambiance is expressed that prompts my visual brain to imagine pools filled with rose petals and adorable swan soulmates trailing through them as I listen. Also, on this song, Taylor rightfully flexes her unthinkable vocabulary. Mind as well put it to great use on “the lakes,” a cottage-core-esque track where I bestow my culmination of five out of five stars.

       Folklore, Taylor Swift’s record of nothing less than four out of five stars on each of its impressive seventeen songs. Where the complex folk-stories and lyrical content are disguised in its simple, yet effective production. It's the unexpected gift to music-enthusiasts where we underestimated its vitality to us. An indescribably acclaimed album that was notably crafted covertly under one of modern history’s biggest pandemics. Here’s a toast to you Taylor, as you can now sit back and reap in your achievements after offering the universe one of your best works to date; you deserve it all!