The Album of the Year

Review of Taylor Swift’s New Album “The Tortured Poets Department” 

Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash

For the past few months, Taylor Swift fans (Swifties) have been spiraling with excitement for her new album “The Tortured Poets Department,” written and produced by Swift, Jack Antonoff and Aaron Desssner. On Feb. 4, Swift announced her album would come out on April 19. Recently the superstar has been quite a hot topic for her record-breaking tour, adorable relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce and the new album. The original album with 16 new songs dropped at 12 a.m. (EST), but Swift surprised fans with a double album drop at 2 a.m. (EST), which in total is 31 new songs. In just 27 minutes since the album release, it had already charted number one on iTunes.

By far this album is a lyrical masterpiece and arguably Swift's best. “The Tortured Poets Department” compared to other albums is far more personal to Swift and presents common feelings associated with heartbreak. She expresses emotions such as rage, grief, denial, vulnerability and bitterness. “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?”  focuses on Swift twisting the hateful comments and horrible things done to her into motivation for her career, as in the following lyric: “So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street / Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream / ‘Who's afraid of little old me?’ / You should be.” When faced with hate the pop star is typically known to remain quiet and unphased. This song gives fans more insight on where she directs all that hate. Unlike many who just give up, Swift uses hate to get better: “Is it a wonder I broke? / Let's hear one morе joke / Then we could all just laugh until I cry.” Meanwhile, “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” represents how Swift continued to fake her happiness throughout “The Eras Tour” because she was struggling with the ending of her six-year-long relationship. Lots of these new songs helped many fans connect with the singer on a more personal level and understand what she has been going through. 

“Fortnight” (feat. Post Malone) was the pop sensation's leading single. This song is about a short-lived forbidden love affair. The chorus describes a love that is so dramatic it ruins your life: “I love you / It’s ruining my life.” The upbeat tunes and deep lyrics correspond well with one another, which explains why the song is such a hit. “So High School” is also quick to become popular due to speculation the song is about Kelce. Some lyrics such as “You know how to ball / I know Aristotle” caused the assumptions since Kelce is a football player. Other lyrics like “Are you gonna marry, kiss or kill me?” gave it away because in an interview a few years back Kelce was asked if he would kiss, marry or kill Swift. 

Swift has yet again broken records, shocked the world and made history with this album. Her new level of vulnerability expressed throughout the lyrics creates a great connection between her and her fans. Many Swifties were also happy to see the genuine happiness Kelce brings her, as described in many of her songs. Every beat, lyric and melody throughout the album is beautiful. “The Tortured Poets Department” might just be Swift's best album.

<Star Rating>

Lyrics: ★★★★★

Leading single: ★★★★★

Rumored meaning songs: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★★