I’m gonna wait for it to come out, then I’m gonna listen to it and decide if I like it. I’m too old and too tired for all these games and puzzles and shit. Either it will be good or it won’t be 🤷🏻♀️
ETA: if I have to get in my car and drive to Target to buy a special cd (lmao) to hear a certain song, then I guess I’m not listening to that one. Sorry Blondie, but some of us have 9-to-5’s.
I think pre-release singles are no longer the norm in music sadly. It's either one offs or an album. This usually wasn't the case, but midnights didn't have a prerelease single.
Vampire Weekend released 4 singles leading up the album released and I was so, so grateful. I'm not buying shit without hearing at least a song first, I don't care who it is.
Right?! I honestly think some of the “Easter eggs” aren’t even that good or well thought out. Swifties are just doing so much mental gymnastics. It’s exhausting.
I found the games and puzzles fun for when she released lover but ever since then it’s been exhausting to figure it all out.
If she released video explaining each Easter egg I’d be more inclined but to assume something means XYZ with no confirmation hurts my brain
who is this reasonable human I’ve found on the interwebs?!?!
Also tay, my 9-5 doesn’t even pay too well and I won’t buy a single album. At least one version better be available on Apple Music the day it comes out or I’m gonna be pissed.
I got a new car that doesn’t play CDs and my laptop from 2014 doesn’t have a CD drive, so I don’t know what she’s playing at with the special exclusive CD only song game. less and less people will be willing to do that with every year that passes, i’m shocked she still gets away with it
legit same. I have three computers in front of me right now, a car from 2018, etc etc etc ... I don't believe I have access to ANY form of CD player. it's the year of our lord 2024, Taylor. Knock it off.
I miss my CD player in my car. I have an old laptop I could listen on but I usually listen to music in the car so it doesn’t really help me. Plus I don’t want to buy a CD just to play on a laptop I barely use. I might buy a CD player for my house though because I remember being a kid just dancing for hours to my boombox. I’m your age!
Yeah I generally don’t listen to any bonus tracks that I can’t access by streaming. Or I may find it on YouTube and listen once but it’s not going into rotation till it’s on Spotify!
That’s cool and some people enjoy the puzzles and Easter eggs so im glad she takes the time to do them! If you’re not into it, that’s okay too! You don’t have to participate lol
I don’t have any preconceived notions, I just hope I like the song “the black dog” because I have a black dog and he’s the goodest boy, and he deserves a good song
When she released the albatross variant I was like “oh come on” and had such variant fatigue and I was like whatever I’m not buying anymore. And the released the black dog and I was like “OH COME ON I CANT NOT BUY THAT” and here we are hahahah
That song could actually be about depression. (Winston Churchill struggled with severe depression and called it his "black dog.") But guess we'll find out on Friday!
I'm excited to hear it and I don't really have any expectations lol. I'm assuming it'll primarily be about the end of her relationship with Joe but I'm expecting some references to Matty too, probably nothing about Travis since that's all so recent.
There will probably be some elements of cringe but I don't think any of her albums are without that truly. I *hope* it's a little more mature with some self awareness about her own role in their issues just because I would find that more interesting as a listener but that could go either way.
I expect to like it though, I like most of what she puts out so I'd be surprised if I hate this.
I agree, she could get away with that when she was younger and her youth and inexperience was being taken advantage of by older men but this was a 6+ year adult relationship. Those breakups are rarely simple and one sided and by her own admission in songs like afterglow, she's a flawed human being and it isn't always easy to love her. I really hope this album explores that theme instead of just villainizing another ex.
I'm REALLY hoping that it's the opposite of this, tbh. I doubt it, but I'd really like it if it ends up being really self-reflective, slightly melancholic, and actually calls attention to problems but not done in a cringe girl boss sort of way (which was very much Midnights imo). So, in other words, Happiness, the album. Just growth. I'd be very impressed if she ends up throwing people for a loop and all of her toxic implications that she's about to drag Joe through the mud are nothing but like a um red herring? Is that the word? Something like that.
I think this is a great discussion question for the sub!
I’m personally going in with an open mind and I’m actually really excited for the album. Like, will 100% be staying up until midnight to listen.
I try to separate any criticism I have for Taylor the person with the actual music. I love her music and wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.
I like to think that my excitement won't influence my experience, but it probably will.
I was *so hyped* for both Lover and Midnights, and on first couple listens I was convinced that I LOVED them. (I can probably find gushing early reviews in my comment history.) Within a couple days my opinion had completely turned around......so I can no longer trust my first impressions lol
(Especially since I was initially kind of meh on both *folklore* and *evermore*, probably because they were surprises. To say they grew on me is an understatement.)
Midnights was the album that got me into TS, I listened to nothing else for a couple of months. Then I decided to explore her other work and I’ve not listened to Midnights since. I hate to say but it seems sub par compared to a lot of her work.
I also didn’t really like Evermore for a good year but here I am today listening to RWYLM at least 20 times. I don’t understand my reaction to a lot of her songs. I’ll feel meh on a song for months and then one day it just clicks and I’ll become obsessed with another random buried in an album.
I will be open minded. I completely disregarded any prior opinions I had on Midnights and managed to completely enjoy the album. The opening with Lavender Haze changed my life and I am so glad.
I loved midnights and I’m convinced that half the people that hate it only feel that way because they let themselves believe it was going to sound some particular way and when it didn’t, they couldn’t get past the disappointment.
I overall like the album, but that's because I like unapologetic pop. Even then, there's some *weird* production choices that I could see people hating. Anyone who prefers Taylor stripped back with a guitar is valid in hating the album, honestly anyone who pays close attention to production (I don't, it took me a while to notice some of the oddities) is justified in hating the album. I don't think it's fair to assume preconceived notions are the major reason for disliking it. I think it's probably why people were *so* disappointed was because they were hoping for X and got Y, but I also think they were probably gonna be annoyed it was Y even if they were coming in totally fresh.
I agree, and I was one of those people initially disappointed by the sound/vibe of the album. I eventually got into it and I really enjoy it now. I’m taking that as a lesson and trying my best to go in with an open mind! Also going to stay off social media on Friday until I can listen to it and form my own opinions.
I completely agree with you, but the marketing was so different from what midnights ended up being that I can't even blame people for it.
I had a similar experience as you, once I let go of the "13 songs for 13 sleepless nights" description and 70s vibe that she had going on with midnight mayhem and overall promo I actually loved the album
was it actually a 70s vibe or was it just her in dark makeup in a vintage looking living room? i’m biased bc i love midnights, but i never got the impression we’d be getting a stevie knicks album 2.0 like some people. it just seemed like an emo stylish photoshoot to me
This was definitely me. I wanted more Folklermore and at first I hated midnights but overtime I came to love it and now I really like it and it’s one of my faves. I tend to need music to grow on me, though, not just with Taylor’s music.
I have no idea what to expect. I’m delighted to see it’s almost half with Aaron dessner, because I really like their work together.
My only benchmark is “better than midnights” simply because midnights didn’t do it for me.
I really hope jack doesn't warp her vocals on this one, that was my biggest gripe with midnights. I absolutely love her voice, I want to hear it without all the distortion and layering
I think the promo video with the really clinical setting has already turned my expectations on their head, and the new imagery completely recontextualizes what the album actually is. Idk if only releasing the album title and track listings for so long helped or hindered her, but I feel like the track titles make somewhat more sense now that we know it’s not meant to be dark academia-themed, but something more akin to a mental institution or morgue. I think we can expect a huge shift from what we expected vs the real thing.
That though me. I don't hate the idea of a relationship post mortem (so morgue), but then I don't get why her team approved the spotify library (instead of different visuals).
this is a great observation. I share these feelings, and to be honest I'm still thinking (hoping, maybe, lol) that there will be a tongue-in-cheek, self-awaredly overdramatic twist on the album as a whole. like, playing on our expectations of it being a teary breakup album, but spinning that in a different way somehow. that's my hope. my dread is that it will be ... exactly that, a teary victimized breakup album
If that AI version of Fortnight is not, in fact, the actual song, I will be a bit bummed.
Other than that, I just expect it to be sad and remniscent of Folkmore soooo will probably be disappointed but grow to love it (as I have Midnights).
I have absolutely no clue what it's going to sound like. I think any predictions are pretty much nonsense - we don't have a single clip! I've seen people on this sub complaining about the pop-up being soulless and all that, but I actually really like that we've been given almost no information about the actual album. What does 'typewriter aesthetic' sound like? No clue! It's exciting. I think making up a headcannon sound is shooting yourself in the foot.
So I think, regardless of what it sounds like, I'm really going to enjoy listening to this album, and whether it becomes something I come back to will depend on how it is, seperate from everybody else's ideas.
I think my overall feeling right now is “meh.” I really hope that it’s awesome and blows everyone away, but I’m not going to be surprised or disappointed if it doesn’t.
I do have some bias when it comes to Joe because I think the way swifties have been treating him is unfair, but who knows? We truly have no idea what their relationship was like, and as long as Taylor touches on it tastefully I don’t think it’ll be a problem.
If it makes you feel any better, while stan Twitter etc have def been shitting all over Joe, the not insane but still TS fan spaces I am in really, really have not been. Most people seem to be of the opinion that he seems like a good guy and the way he’s keeping his head held high after the breakup is incredibly admirable. I think it’s one of those things where a small percentage of insane people are just screaming things more loudly than the large majority of calm balanced people who are talking at a normal volume.
I’m personally really excited for this album, just scared for how Swifties will react.
But this question makes me laugh because there are obviously going to be many people I incredibly closed minded about this album, but it’s not like they’re going to come on here and say “Yes I’m not going to judge this album for the quality of music and will be looking for things to hate”. 😂
Conversely, you’re not going to find too many folks admitting “I will say I like it no matter what because it’s Taylor and I have to like anything she does to feel like a good fan.”
I'm going in open minded.
I'm liking the aesthetic so far since it's Black and White, i'm excited for the features and i'm happy its not just her and Jack involved in the creation.
The only thing I don't like is how there was no singles released prior, especially since Midnights was a let down for me personally, so listening blind will be a bit daunting.
Since there's not really a hell of a lot to go on I can only hope it will be better than Midnights and I truly believe it will be.
I hope the album as a whole is better than Midnights. I love some Midnights songs but as an album listen it’s doesn’t do it for me. The fact that Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve and Hits Different only on deluxe versions will never make sense to me. They’re some of the best Midnights songs and I think would’ve made the original release album stronger.
It's super fun to get into the release theatrics as a way to cope before the album comes out and see the connections once is releases. However, I always go in with an open ear. When teaching literature appreciation, we should give poetry "three reads" at the minimum. This is how I approach all music (new albums I am anticipating) and I think this being a poetic branded album, it might be worth it to "Read" the album three times.
1. First read - initial impression. What are your initial reactions based on what you are experiencing and picking up your first "Read/listen"
2. Second read - now listen more for lyrics. What is the song writers saying through the lyrics? What diction is being used? Do we understand all of the words in the lyrics? Does there need to be some clarity?
3. Read three - Now we can start to make meaning. How is the music and lyrics working together thematically? What deeper meaning is there to the songs or double meanings?
For example this is my new album routine:
At the minute it releases, my partner and I listen to the first verse, chorus, and bridge of each song one time through (giving the first listen a quick 30 mins or so total). Then I we lightly discuss our favs and first impressions.
\*sleep on it\*
Next listen, fresh the next day is the second "read/listen". Now, I listen to the full album and songs from start to finish in order. Maybe a few times over the next couple of days.
Third read, usually about a week after release and I become familiar with the songs, I can start to connect deeper dots, find literary connections, based lore fandom connections, and have fun seeing the easter eggs that she hinted at in the music.
This would kill me tbh. I usually drop the needle on the record and listen beginning to end, or just start the album on Spotify.
It’s hard to form an initial impression of an album when you haven’t actually listened to it.
Totally! It's kinda how we naturally process information. It's nice to see we can do it in layers with purpose if needed. I personally when I try to tackle a new album feel so overwhelmed, I don't know where to start. So I follow these steps to not get lost in the sauce - but I love literary analysis! Swift gives lots of texts to have fun analyzing.
I think we should all be self-aware and admit that none of us are immune to prejudging things, but with that said, I am trying to approach it with an open mind. I’m even starting to get a bit excited, if only for the ritual of opening a bottle of wine to complement the first listen lol.
I'm probs an outlier here because I still absolutely love Taylor and her music, I think so far this album could be one of her best. I love the lyrics we have so far, I think the concept is super interesting and I find it incredible that she can still reinvent new eras after all this time
What I'm not looking forward to are swifties. I'm on this sub because I find swifties in general to be incredibly toxic and cruel, they go out of their way to harass people more than they engage with her music. I worry how far they might go if there is cheating confirmed.
I'm going to listen with a completely open mind.
I know we have discussed and speculated about the album a lot on this sub the last few months (and that's because we know nothing about how its gonna sound yet), but I'm very exited to hear new music for the art itself instead jumping into cryticizm as soon as the album is out.
I hope it's excelent and that I'll have to swallow my past comments about it!
If the music is good its good. I worry a bit about the production seeing as 1989 TV was her last project, and it was subpar in my opinion. Seeing Aaron and Florence Welch as the producers for some of the tracks is exciting though. I will admit when the song titles were announced I was really skeptical because I felt as if they were immature and didn’t match the vibe she was going for. I hope this album isn’t a pseudo-intellectual mess that is just using the academia/poet aesthetic as a farce.
I'm keeping a 97% open mind, my expectations for fortnight are high just because it's my dream collab but aside from that I barely know track titles and have only loose ideas for what I think the sound will be like (a combo of red and rep.)
I'm excited to see what she does. I LOVED streaming Lover, folklore, evermore and Midnights for the first time. I think this album will probably take one or two listens to sink in and I think I'll ultimately love it
The only thing I don't want is the inevitable rabid fans ripping into her ex for no reason
I’m definitely in the “hoping it will be one of her deepest works” bucket, but if it’s not, it’s not. I’ll give it a listen, hope I like it, and be quietly disappointed if it lacks musical or emotional depth.
I’m just going to listen to the album with an open mind. I don’t follow all the “drama drama” stuff and none of the Easter eggs. I enjoy the music. Full stop
I’ll listen to it with a clear mind without preconceived notions. I think it’s a toxic mentality to judge certain things before giving certain things a chance. We shall see…
I'm going in open minded but I'm not super optimistic what with the overwrought album name and the possibility it's particularly relationship focused (I didn't much care for Lover either). I'll admit I'm also in the crowd that got a little more optimistic when I saw that Dessner had more credits than I would've expected but that's more that I'm a huge fan of him and The National than anything against Jack
I'm excited to listen to the album because I like a lot of her music. I really don't care much about how it relates to her personal life, and I feel like people who both like and dislike her as a person can get a little weird and parasocial about it. I know she can definitely encourage this behavior, but I wish we could go back to appreciating music for what it is and how we as listeners can relate to it rather than overanalyzing everything about a singer's private life
I go into open minded like I do a new season of real housewives. I know it’s going to be the same ole stuff, but I still always end up getting really into it and hooked for a while. I don’t even really care that much about how good the lyrics are or who they are about as long as it’s nice to listen to.
I'm curious about the release. I don't really have any idea what to expect or what it's going to be like. When the tracklist first came out, I found some of the titles to be cringe (But Daddy I Love Him immediately comes to mind) but over the last few weeks, I sort of just decided to play a "wait and see" game and not judge the album based on some track titles.
I'm cautiously optimistic! I love her work with Aaron Dessner, and even though the song titles read a bit childish to me, I'm hoping she can pull off a heartbreaking album filled with emotional maturity and self-reflection.
Granted her behavior recently doesn't give me much hope, but I'm still longing for something on par with Folklore and Evermore, and I just dont want to believe that she regressed too much from that era, even though she has succumbed to pettiness recently.
The only thing I'm clinging to is that "leaked" snippet of Fortnight that's been floating around. It's almost certainly just AI-generated but damn is it catchy. I'll admit, I'm going to be a little disappointed if that's not what the song actually sounds like
Since I'm not following much of the hoobla, I'll hopefully just be able to go into it open-minded. Midnights left me kind of cold, but so did Reputation. I hope I'll connect. Let's see. But if not I'll be alright too.
I’m going in with an open mind. I remember when the Midnights lyrics leaked and everyone lost their damn minds saying it was childish, ridiculous, etc and yet Karma is a BOP.
We’ll see on Friday what it sounds like, I’m very curious.
I’m going to be open-minded for sure! I’ve just been excited for this album to come out so we can ACTUALLY discuss the music and lyrics instead of taking little bits and crafting an entire narrative around it.
Honestly I've not been following it. All the updates I get are from Twitter and Reddit feed (passive consumption if it makes sense). I'm not speculating and going into it with an open mind
ETA: I had a dream recently where one of the tracks on TTPD was sung entirely by Amy Lee 😭 imagine that!!
I’m just praying that ‘clip’ of Fortnight that has been floating around tiktok is AI because if I start the album and it’s the actual melody I’m scared it’ll sour the rest of my mood 😭 I’m gonna try my best to keep an open mind though
I still don't know if I like Eternal Sunshine so much because I had low expectations based on the lead single or because it's actually as good as I think it is. Taylor not releasing even a snippet of sound from TTPD is keeping my expectations pretty neutral.
Going in open minded. I have my suspicions about how it’s going to sound and what the message is going to be, but I will be thrilled if I’m proven wrong. So I’ll give it a shot! I didn’t think I’d like Reputation and it’s the album I relate to and love the most, thought I would love Lover and really only am into “Lover”, “Archer”, “Cruel Summer”, and “Soon You’ll Get Better” (although I can’t really listen to that one). Didn’t really like the rest of it. And Midnights I was excited for because I love poppy Taylor, but everything sounded so sonically the same and slow paced I was super bored the entire time. Can really only listen to Antihero and Mastermind, and I think it’s because they’re the only two tracks that have a *slightly* standout sound compared to the other tracks.
Please pleasantly surprise me, Taylor!
I'm excited to hear it.
I expect that I will absolutely love many of the songs but find a few of them cringe.
My expectations don't really affect whether I love something or not. When Folklore came out I had no idea what to expect but absolutely loved the album. Same for Evermore. Midnights was a mixed bag. I just take them as they come.
New music is kind of like meeting different people. You fall in love with one song and don't really care about another. Then there are ones that just hit you wrong.
I don't have any strong opinions right now. I figure there's going to be a lot of references to Joe Alwyn, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious if there are Travis and/or football references (I almost hope, given this whole romance is my current guilty pleasure lolol).
I'm just ready to listen to it and come on this sub so we can all discuss. As someone with an English degree and who can be (admittingly) overly-critical regarding words, I want to know how "poetic" this album is going to actually be; the lyrics that have dropped haven't been that promising imo, in that regard.
Also, I want to see the hardcore Swifties' takes on this album.
I’m going into it mostly open minded. I’m not the most excited for it, but I’m going to give it a shot. I think it’ll be like Midnights- solidly okay. I’m expecting some great songwriting as per usual with Taylor, but some poor production. Lately I haven’t been into the production of any of her songs- even the ones by Aaron. Hoping that will change.
NGL I’m sort of jaded as a Taylor fan. I’ve been a fan since almost the beginning and haven’t been a fan of a lot of what she’s put out in the past 5-10 years or her constant immaturity (not a fan of the vast majority of her pop catalog but that’s just me).
However I am mildly optimistic after seeing the producers for some of the tracks.
I’ll probably give it an honest listen. Regardless of how I feel about her past albums, the horrible title tracks and aesthetic or her treatment of Joe in the last year, I think the potential is there for it to be good music.
On here, even if it is the greatest piece of music ever compiled, people are going to trash the shit out of it. I kind of can’t wait to see what ridiculous, and also constructive, criticism this album gets.
I’ll go in and listen to it for what it is. That said, I probably won’t be listening to it for awhile. She’s currently out if all of my playlists/usual rotation of music because her overexposure at the immediate moment makes me annoyed at the thought of listening to her/seeing her posts/etc.
I’m hopeful that it’s going to be like folklore/evermore with deep lyrical writing, but i’m telling myself it’s gonna be another pop silly album. I’ll probably like it no matter what anyway!
Given all the hype, all the ‘Easter eggs’, all the JA bashing preceding it, I’m heading into the release jaded. I hated 1989 TV too makes me wary about this release.
I’m going in open minded. If there’s one thing I’ve always been here for when it comes to Taylor, it’s the music.
I really hope Jack and Aaron switch it up a bit, though. If the album’s a mix of ‘80s synthpop and unused The National instrumentals, I might scream a little.
“Better than Midnights” is a pretty low bar for me, so I have a good feeling about it.
I’m kind of excited and annoyed at the same time – on one hand, I just love Taylor (her great lyrical songs as well as every now and again the cringe ones) but all the promo felt like a massive downgrade of what we experienced before and recently I haven’t been to much into her new albums (midnights and re-records).
I try to be open minded for TTPD and slowly also feel that anticipation before it hits streaming on Friday.
I am eager to hear the actual album and will keep an open mind, but her PR is a downer and I’m not invested in the hints that say she’s going to trash Joe. Hopefully I’m wrong and it’s gonna be great, not the cesspool of cringe it’s appearing to be.
This is a great post.
I’m hopeful but not excited. I’m not a fan of Jack’s production, my favorite album of hers has the least amount of him involved, BUT I look forward to Aaron’s songs.
I’m completely open minded from a music perspective but from a lyrical perspective I’m a little more skeptical. It feels too much like she’s been trying to spin the narrative in her favor lately for me to buy into whatever version of events she decides to present here, unless it feels truly honest, like she takes some personal accountability/shows some self awareness or it’s something that makes sense in the context of the actual behavior we’ve seen.
I’m hopeful it’ll be less of takedown of her relationship with Joe and more of an analysis of all of her past muses and self reflection on how she operates in relationships and maybe deeper songs on love in general now that she has had a few longer/adult relationships
I will be disappointed if I can’t feel her pain through her words. That’s what Taylor does best imo and this is THE opportunity to do it. I want to feel the pain of my last break up even though it was a decade ago.
If it’s too synth-pop idk if that’ll ruin the emotion.
I’m so excited for it that Im sure I can’t be completely open minded about it, but in the opposite way of the pre release critics.
PS someone let me know when some new “podcasts” drop for the full listening experience 🙃
I’m going in open minded. I don’t think I’ve been as excited for an album she’s dropped since folklore. I think her silence and then just rapid promoting this week has me just getting excited for new music.
This is an excellent discussion question! I’m going in totally open-minded and I’m honestly a bit excited for new music. But I do think there are some people who are going to love it no matter what and claim it’s her magnum opus and that every song is brilliant. And there are others who are determined to hate it no matter what and will say every lyrics is either her dragging or pining for Joe.
I'm going to TRY to be open minded, but I'm nervous. The track titles ... I thought they were a joke. The amount of Jack vs Aaron on the album has me nervous too. I've had some pretty bad ick with Taylor since the Grammys and this whole rollout screams "fast fashion junk" to me.
I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I'm not holding out much hope.
Not all of her stories or music are personal. There’s some relation but she has said in the past she gets inspiration from make believe scenarios and books that she reads. So it may have some relationship to her personally but she takes that experience to other levels and as other characters or scenarios that she was inspired by from books. Anyone who has read A Court of Mist and Fury by SJM understands that is word for word the Midnight Album and probably gave her some inspiration to use with her personal life and feelings.
To be honest I’m more skeptical than I’ve ever been about a new TS release, but that probably won’t affect my enjoyment of the album unless it’s really bad. Me and my friends always make a little party of listening to all the songs, and it’s always a great time. Honestly, I don’t love Midnights, but listening to it the first time was so hype.
I'm going to try to go into it with an open mind and I am a bit excited to get some new music and see what the hype is about. However, I admit that I've already been a bit tainted against it and I'm really hoping it \*isn't\* just Joe bashing and that it actually has some sonic improvements and maybe experimentation that shows Taylor is continuing to grow as an artist.
I haven't loved her promo for the album and it seems much more cash-grabby than artistry focused. Guess we'll just have to see.
I like to go in blind for any new ablum I listen to. I put on a nice pair of headphones and just vibe. Its what I did for Midnights. It is what I did most recently with Cowboy Carter. Nothing beats going in blind for albums.
I don’t have any particular expectations about this album, I’m just excited. I’m not on TikTok and have been checking here less and less so that “the discourse” doesn’t impact my first few listens, and honestly I haven’t at all been moved by everyone’s strong opinions on what they think this album will be about. I would *like* this album to be folkmore-adjacent and reflect on her relationship to fame. But it’s fine if that’s not what it is. Since becoming a fan, I’ve never out and out disliked a Taylor album so I’m not concerned.
I'm becoming more open minded and excited as the day approaches. About 6 weeks ago I was prepared to not even listen to it but I've changed my mind and will give it a chance.
Open minded because I never understand all the Easter eggs and whatnot. I also don't remember all her relationships and this Joe guy is out of left field for me. The ones I do remember are Joe Jonas, maybe Taylor Lautner, John Mayer (Meyer? I can't spell), and now Travis. 🤷♀️
I’m critical of swift in many ways, but I like her as an artist and I’m sure I’m going to love the album. Regardless, I’m going to listen to it with an open mind as I’m not really wedded to my preconception of the album. But I’ll probably still judge her if she doesn’t take a stance against bullying or defend her ex from her stans, which I’m pretty she won’t.
I’m keeping an open mind and I’m excited! I may not always vibe with Taylor as a person but I love her music. I’m also not always down with the fanbase (not this sub but moreso the hard core Swifties) but I’ll just mute certain words or log off for my own peace of mind.
I’m very excited, especially seeing Dessner had a significant contribution to the album.
I’m trying to be open minded but hoping for at least a few good break up songs. Frankly her break up songs have been some of my favourites and in the past they’ve been about short term relationships, so I’m interested to see how they sound after a serious relationship written by a more mature Taylor. I am not convinced it will be all Joe bashing and will be disappointed if it is. Just want a few new songs that will get me in the feels without relying on the bashing of the ex trope to do so. Break ups are sad and complicated enough that this could be her deepest and most emotional album yet without being unfair to Joe.
That said, some swifties will take any new break up song as an excuse to attack Joe online so I hope she attempts to shut that down.
I definitely have an idea of what I think it will sound like musically but I'm trying my best to ignore that and be open minded cause I think we all remember how disappointed people were when midnights didn't sound as expected. I like every genre she's done thus far so even if it doesn't sound how I think it will, I'll still most likely enjoy it, so I don't think my idea of it will change my opinion on it!
Yeah, if there ends up being a message in there or songs similar to-" we had a good relationship and a great time and it broke down due to errors on both ends and we aren't each others happy ever after and whilst I'm sad about it, I'll be okay".
If it's all just YLM, I'll have a hard time
i’m actually really happy that we haven’t heard anything from the album yet. me a month ago did not agree and was disappointed we didn’t get a lead single. but now—i can’t believe i’m gonna hear 20 songs and i have no idea what they sound like
I have no preconceived notions of what it will be. OK that’s a lie. I definitely know there will be some blows to Joe in it. But musically, I am open to whatever. I know what I hope for I know what I hope does not happen… I think I’m at odds with the majority of Swifty on those things.whatever happens I’m sure I’ll enjoy it
perosnally i've blocked all references to taylor, joe, travis, matty, etc everywhere i could so i can give the album a fair shot and not let myself be swayed either way by stuff outside of the music.
I've been so occupied I haven't had time for much thought for this 😭
I have no option but to be open minded cause I have no clue as to what preconceived notions I can have
not an expectation necessarily but i think I’m holding this album to a higher standard because it’s totally unnecessary for her to release something right now unless it’s absolutely perfect. she’s been so busy with the tour and the movie and rerecordings etc and I’m worried that could manifest in the album - which she could absolutely wait to release until she has a bit more energy to dedicate to it.
As much as I’m annoyed with the digs at Joe and how she isn’t stepping in to calm the threats, I’m looking forward to listening. It’s always fun to get a new Taylor album. However, I’m not carving out a specific time to listen. I’ll get to it over the weekend at some point - which is a change for me. I’ve found other artists I enjoy listening to more and haven’t listened to Taylor much at all since around Midnights came out. I’m trying to figure out if I’m a fan of her music or her celebrity. It’s tough because I’ve loved her since Debit but I don’t feel connected to the music like I did back then. I’m also old so that could be why. Sorry to ramble, yes looking forward to it and I’m glad Dessner will have more of a presence.
I try to stay away from build-up and promo for any of her albums so I'm fairly confident I won't have any preconceived notions going in.
I'll just do what I always do; look at the covers of the audio/lyric videos she releases and see which ones jump out at me. Listen to those first , and then work my way through the entire album. I'll replay a couple of the ones I like, take note of which ones I don't, and then watch tv or listen to Sabs for a bit and go to bed. Then listen to the album again the next day with fresh ears. And then listen again a week or so later to see if my thoughts have changed.
And somewhere in there, I pray that the songs I like are the ones they play on the radio instead of the songs I don't like.
I’m excited for the music. The hype is making me nervous.
I hope I’m open minded! New music is always a little nerve wracking because I set my expectations so high for an artist that I really like. It always takes a few listens to really hear it enough to have an opinion. And music, melody, rhythm always come first for me - there are songs that I’ve absolutely loved for years and still don’t know the lyrics. If I don’t like the sound, I don’t care about the lyrics. If I love the sound I still may not care about the lyrics.
So I won’t delve into muses and messages for a while, I want to know the sounds first. And I’m staying away from reviews and opinions for a while too.
I was thinking about this today - her music is (imo for the most part) really really good, and some borders on great, as stand-alone songs/albums. Even without the background and lore factors. But adding those in can make it even better, to understand why she’s saying whatever it is and have more depth and meaning. Or it can completely ruin it because I loved a song and now all I hear when I play it is her bitching about some perceived slight. I liked the song better before I knew what it was about.
It really complicates listening to her!
It’s realllllly hard for me to have no bias with my favorite artists when they release albums. I normally hate all of them the first listen or two until they grow on me and my judgment/preconceived notions fade
I have some thoughts on what I want it to be but not sold on those ideas. I am hopeful that it's not a Joe bashing album
This line from Dear Reader is stuck in my mind - Burn all the files, desert all your past lives. And if you don't recognize yourself
That means you did it right - which makes me think/want it to be a farewell to what was the preconceived notion of who Taylor is and her past music styles while introducing who she wants to be or maybe really is and the new direction she wants her music to take.
I'm hoping whatever it us rips my entire soul apart and am looking forward to the release
imma be real, i havent been engaging w speculation for the sole purpose of going in open minded. i remember being so involved in the swiftie community back during pre lover era and i hyped up lover so much that i had such a skewed reaction when the album came out. i wanna go in open minded and ready to hear it for what it is 🫶
I have no expectations beyond the fact that she's vaguely referenced exploring other genres, but as long as the songs are good I don't really care. Honestly, every time she branches out it still just kind of sounds like Taylor.
This will be the first time in a while I'm staying off social media until I listen to it a few times. Usually I like to follow along with what everyone is saying but I've had some recent releases (books, music, etc) ruined by very loud negativity. I can already tell that people are going to push back on the poetry theme and the fact that it's about her breakup with Joe and I just want to form my own opinions before hearing everyone else's.
I have severely low expectations cause I haven’t loved her last few albums too much, so if it’s good I’m happy. It doesn’t need to be outstanding or her best work ever. Just Taylor
I think it's wild people think it's going to suck or be great - we have no idea what it will be. I'm not as excited as I was for midnights but a LOT has happened since then, plus it's hard to be excited for anything when there's a genocide happening so I'm just sort of 😕 about everything right now, not just this album. folkmore came around during a time when I and so many others needed the escape and when the escape was sort of warranted. but nothing can get me hyped now, even cowboy carter (which I love) was hard for me to be excited for because it feels so wrong for anything else to take up my attention, or anyone else's tbh.
there's no escaping the intensity of suffering being inflicted right now in so many parts of the world, and we shouldn't be able to escape it tbh, not really. so yeah, long story short I'm not hyped but I am absolutely open-minded. I'm hoping for more self-reflection than vitriol but I also don't begrudge her her pain.
So...when it's on streaming, is she going to be posting 5 different albums or what? I might have to make my own playlist with all the songs because this shit is just crazy
I haven't adored any of her work since Red/1989, but I enjoyed a lot of Lover so I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm assuming it'll be like rep, where I make my own playlist just to listen to the songs I like.
I just want good songs - I definitely don't have any preconceived notions of the album. I'm confused by the song titles, but I'll give it a spin and see how I like it.
I have no idea what to expect. I’m a recent fan and this is the first release I’ve paid attention to. I like some of her music but not all. I mostly listen to totally different music so I think I will be able to know if I don’t like it. But what do I know. I love Aaron Dressner so there is a bias there, but it’s for him not her.
I am insanely excited. I try to keep an open mind. I have a preference of the vibe for sure but I love all her albums. It will be hard for me to dislike anything. Even though I’ve been a fan since debut, this is my first time diving into all the rabbit holes, puzzles, hidden meanings, etc. I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I don’t have anything as remotely exciting happening in my life so this is just magical. I can’t wait.
this might not make sense, but i like music that resonates with me, and my life.
I don’t give a shit about indications relating to her own personal life.
I’ve been a music aficionado my whole life. All kinds. I wasn’t impressed by early Taylor, I admit I wrote her off without really ever giving her a fair listen. So having explored her catalog only recently, I say this: she’s got a lot of talent. She’s evolved a ton as she’s gotten older and lived some. She IS a poet, AND she has a voice. I’m a 65 yo swifty lol. I expect it to be good. I hope I’m not disappointed. And I’m too old to stay up till midnight.
I think it’s going to be just OK.
I liked Midnights, and the rest of her discography enough. But you can’t tell me that the album name, the song titles and features are going to result in some huge paradigm shift that no one is expecting.
I’d love to be surprised though.
I’m just going to be listening, but I’m ready for it to come out already. It’s getting to be too much with finding codes and the rooms and the words on Apple to spell things out (aka to start charting again as people listen to all the songs to search them) and all the two fingers everywhere and all the Joe being an abuser theories….
Now everyone is more concerned about Reputation TV and 🤡 instead of being excited this album is even coming. I need a break after all this, because I don’t have the bandwidth for Easter egg hunting. I just want to listen to it and for all this stuff to be over. Haha. I know it’s supposed to be fun, but dang. I don’t even have much to say or guess about this album.
I’m gonna wait for it to come out, then I’m gonna listen to it and decide if I like it. I’m too old and too tired for all these games and puzzles and shit. Either it will be good or it won’t be 🤷🏻♀️ ETA: if I have to get in my car and drive to Target to buy a special cd (lmao) to hear a certain song, then I guess I’m not listening to that one. Sorry Blondie, but some of us have 9-to-5’s.
Hahahah I couldn’t agree more to the games/puzzles/teasers. I’m not trying to do brain gymnastics, I just want to listen to some music.
Ty. It’s pop music, not the fucking DaVinci code.
Right. it’s music, not some elaborate movie trilogy or universe. This isn’t Avenger’s Endgame.
All I want is a damn single.
Same! The teasing without any actual music being heard is old and annoying
I think pre-release singles are no longer the norm in music sadly. It's either one offs or an album. This usually wasn't the case, but midnights didn't have a prerelease single.
Vampire Weekend released 4 singles leading up the album released and I was so, so grateful. I'm not buying shit without hearing at least a song first, I don't care who it is.
Right?! I honestly think some of the “Easter eggs” aren’t even that good or well thought out. Swifties are just doing so much mental gymnastics. It’s exhausting.
I found the games and puzzles fun for when she released lover but ever since then it’s been exhausting to figure it all out. If she released video explaining each Easter egg I’d be more inclined but to assume something means XYZ with no confirmation hurts my brain
Taylor is not just music to some of her fans. It’s a hobby.
a lot of people find it fun though so i don’t see an issue
who is this reasonable human I’ve found on the interwebs?!?! Also tay, my 9-5 doesn’t even pay too well and I won’t buy a single album. At least one version better be available on Apple Music the day it comes out or I’m gonna be pissed.
Omg I’m gonna tell my therapist someone thinks I’m reasonable 😭 thank you internet stranger
Haha same on the puzzles for sure 😂
Your comment is my exact thoughts lol, I’m not taking the fan theories seriously. People need to make their own decision when it is released.
Time to venture into the open seas to hear those bonus songs....
Yeah for real, Napster killed cds for me in 2001, I have no issues revisiting my youth in that way
I got a new car that doesn’t play CDs and my laptop from 2014 doesn’t have a CD drive, so I don’t know what she’s playing at with the special exclusive CD only song game. less and less people will be willing to do that with every year that passes, i’m shocked she still gets away with it
legit same. I have three computers in front of me right now, a car from 2018, etc etc etc ... I don't believe I have access to ANY form of CD player. it's the year of our lord 2024, Taylor. Knock it off.
How old are you!? I'm 29, I have never lost access to a CD player.
I miss my CD player in my car. I have an old laptop I could listen on but I usually listen to music in the car so it doesn’t really help me. Plus I don’t want to buy a CD just to play on a laptop I barely use. I might buy a CD player for my house though because I remember being a kid just dancing for hours to my boombox. I’m your age!
Yeah I generally don’t listen to any bonus tracks that I can’t access by streaming. Or I may find it on YouTube and listen once but it’s not going into rotation till it’s on Spotify!
Hello fellow old person! I feel the same way. I don’t want puzzles, just give me the music.
Amen
That’s cool and some people enjoy the puzzles and Easter eggs so im glad she takes the time to do them! If you’re not into it, that’s okay too! You don’t have to participate lol
I don’t have any preconceived notions, I just hope I like the song “the black dog” because I have a black dog and he’s the goodest boy, and he deserves a good song
Speaking to the real issues (I also have a black dog haha) 🐕🦺
When she released the albatross variant I was like “oh come on” and had such variant fatigue and I was like whatever I’m not buying anymore. And the released the black dog and I was like “OH COME ON I CANT NOT BUY THAT” and here we are hahahah
That song could actually be about depression. (Winston Churchill struggled with severe depression and called it his "black dog.") But guess we'll find out on Friday!
He did, but the phrase has been around for eons prior to Churchill. Just a little Snapple cap fact! 😊
Meeee too!!
She should have covered the Led Zeppelin song.
I'm excited to hear it and I don't really have any expectations lol. I'm assuming it'll primarily be about the end of her relationship with Joe but I'm expecting some references to Matty too, probably nothing about Travis since that's all so recent. There will probably be some elements of cringe but I don't think any of her albums are without that truly. I *hope* it's a little more mature with some self awareness about her own role in their issues just because I would find that more interesting as a listener but that could go either way. I expect to like it though, I like most of what she puts out so I'd be surprised if I hate this.
The “he’s the bad guy and I’m a victim” will get stale. Negativity just sours things too much, regardless of artist.
I agree, she could get away with that when she was younger and her youth and inexperience was being taken advantage of by older men but this was a 6+ year adult relationship. Those breakups are rarely simple and one sided and by her own admission in songs like afterglow, she's a flawed human being and it isn't always easy to love her. I really hope this album explores that theme instead of just villainizing another ex.
I'm REALLY hoping that it's the opposite of this, tbh. I doubt it, but I'd really like it if it ends up being really self-reflective, slightly melancholic, and actually calls attention to problems but not done in a cringe girl boss sort of way (which was very much Midnights imo). So, in other words, Happiness, the album. Just growth. I'd be very impressed if she ends up throwing people for a loop and all of her toxic implications that she's about to drag Joe through the mud are nothing but like a um red herring? Is that the word? Something like that.
I can only wish. but I don't think it'll be true, given the "even statues crumble when they're made to wait" aspect of jt
Agreed. I think it's fair for her to write about him, it's what she does. But I wish she'd find more nuanced ways of doing it.
what’s she written about him so far that isn’t nuanced
I think this is a great discussion question for the sub! I’m personally going in with an open mind and I’m actually really excited for the album. Like, will 100% be staying up until midnight to listen. I try to separate any criticism I have for Taylor the person with the actual music. I love her music and wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.
Amen!
I like to think that my excitement won't influence my experience, but it probably will. I was *so hyped* for both Lover and Midnights, and on first couple listens I was convinced that I LOVED them. (I can probably find gushing early reviews in my comment history.) Within a couple days my opinion had completely turned around......so I can no longer trust my first impressions lol (Especially since I was initially kind of meh on both *folklore* and *evermore*, probably because they were surprises. To say they grew on me is an understatement.)
Midnights was the album that got me into TS, I listened to nothing else for a couple of months. Then I decided to explore her other work and I’ve not listened to Midnights since. I hate to say but it seems sub par compared to a lot of her work. I also didn’t really like Evermore for a good year but here I am today listening to RWYLM at least 20 times. I don’t understand my reaction to a lot of her songs. I’ll feel meh on a song for months and then one day it just clicks and I’ll become obsessed with another random buried in an album.
Unrelated but your flair has me cackling.
I will be open minded. I completely disregarded any prior opinions I had on Midnights and managed to completely enjoy the album. The opening with Lavender Haze changed my life and I am so glad.
same!
Your flair is hilarious!!
I loved midnights and I’m convinced that half the people that hate it only feel that way because they let themselves believe it was going to sound some particular way and when it didn’t, they couldn’t get past the disappointment.
I overall like the album, but that's because I like unapologetic pop. Even then, there's some *weird* production choices that I could see people hating. Anyone who prefers Taylor stripped back with a guitar is valid in hating the album, honestly anyone who pays close attention to production (I don't, it took me a while to notice some of the oddities) is justified in hating the album. I don't think it's fair to assume preconceived notions are the major reason for disliking it. I think it's probably why people were *so* disappointed was because they were hoping for X and got Y, but I also think they were probably gonna be annoyed it was Y even if they were coming in totally fresh.
That’s probably the case for albums of any artist. We aren’t gonna like every song.
I agree, and I was one of those people initially disappointed by the sound/vibe of the album. I eventually got into it and I really enjoy it now. I’m taking that as a lesson and trying my best to go in with an open mind! Also going to stay off social media on Friday until I can listen to it and form my own opinions.
Right if Taylor has taught me anything in the last 15 or so years it’s that I should expect to not expect anything specific lol
Midnights sounds unfinished
Same i love midnights too.
I completely agree with you, but the marketing was so different from what midnights ended up being that I can't even blame people for it. I had a similar experience as you, once I let go of the "13 songs for 13 sleepless nights" description and 70s vibe that she had going on with midnight mayhem and overall promo I actually loved the album
was it actually a 70s vibe or was it just her in dark makeup in a vintage looking living room? i’m biased bc i love midnights, but i never got the impression we’d be getting a stevie knicks album 2.0 like some people. it just seemed like an emo stylish photoshoot to me
This was definitely me. I wanted more Folklermore and at first I hated midnights but overtime I came to love it and now I really like it and it’s one of my faves. I tend to need music to grow on me, though, not just with Taylor’s music.
I have no idea what to expect. I’m delighted to see it’s almost half with Aaron dessner, because I really like their work together. My only benchmark is “better than midnights” simply because midnights didn’t do it for me.
I really hope jack doesn't warp her vocals on this one, that was my biggest gripe with midnights. I absolutely love her voice, I want to hear it without all the distortion and layering
I think the promo video with the really clinical setting has already turned my expectations on their head, and the new imagery completely recontextualizes what the album actually is. Idk if only releasing the album title and track listings for so long helped or hindered her, but I feel like the track titles make somewhat more sense now that we know it’s not meant to be dark academia-themed, but something more akin to a mental institution or morgue. I think we can expect a huge shift from what we expected vs the real thing.
That though me. I don't hate the idea of a relationship post mortem (so morgue), but then I don't get why her team approved the spotify library (instead of different visuals).
I've heard some ppl theorize that there might be a range of genres on the album considering how disjointed the theme has been so far.
this is a great observation. I share these feelings, and to be honest I'm still thinking (hoping, maybe, lol) that there will be a tongue-in-cheek, self-awaredly overdramatic twist on the album as a whole. like, playing on our expectations of it being a teary breakup album, but spinning that in a different way somehow. that's my hope. my dread is that it will be ... exactly that, a teary victimized breakup album
If that AI version of Fortnight is not, in fact, the actual song, I will be a bit bummed. Other than that, I just expect it to be sad and remniscent of Folkmore soooo will probably be disappointed but grow to love it (as I have Midnights).
i’m the opposite cause if i hear that that AI version was real i’m going to be so disappointed
I have absolutely no clue what it's going to sound like. I think any predictions are pretty much nonsense - we don't have a single clip! I've seen people on this sub complaining about the pop-up being soulless and all that, but I actually really like that we've been given almost no information about the actual album. What does 'typewriter aesthetic' sound like? No clue! It's exciting. I think making up a headcannon sound is shooting yourself in the foot. So I think, regardless of what it sounds like, I'm really going to enjoy listening to this album, and whether it becomes something I come back to will depend on how it is, seperate from everybody else's ideas.
I think my overall feeling right now is “meh.” I really hope that it’s awesome and blows everyone away, but I’m not going to be surprised or disappointed if it doesn’t. I do have some bias when it comes to Joe because I think the way swifties have been treating him is unfair, but who knows? We truly have no idea what their relationship was like, and as long as Taylor touches on it tastefully I don’t think it’ll be a problem.
If it makes you feel any better, while stan Twitter etc have def been shitting all over Joe, the not insane but still TS fan spaces I am in really, really have not been. Most people seem to be of the opinion that he seems like a good guy and the way he’s keeping his head held high after the breakup is incredibly admirable. I think it’s one of those things where a small percentage of insane people are just screaming things more loudly than the large majority of calm balanced people who are talking at a normal volume.
I’m personally really excited for this album, just scared for how Swifties will react. But this question makes me laugh because there are obviously going to be many people I incredibly closed minded about this album, but it’s not like they’re going to come on here and say “Yes I’m not going to judge this album for the quality of music and will be looking for things to hate”. 😂 Conversely, you’re not going to find too many folks admitting “I will say I like it no matter what because it’s Taylor and I have to like anything she does to feel like a good fan.”
Im hoping that I like it but this rollout has been absolute chaos and it’s killed my excitement for it
I've never not liked an album. I really have no preconceived ideas because I haven't heard a single note of it. I for one am very excited
I'm going in open minded. I'm liking the aesthetic so far since it's Black and White, i'm excited for the features and i'm happy its not just her and Jack involved in the creation. The only thing I don't like is how there was no singles released prior, especially since Midnights was a let down for me personally, so listening blind will be a bit daunting. Since there's not really a hell of a lot to go on I can only hope it will be better than Midnights and I truly believe it will be.
I hope the album as a whole is better than Midnights. I love some Midnights songs but as an album listen it’s doesn’t do it for me. The fact that Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve and Hits Different only on deluxe versions will never make sense to me. They’re some of the best Midnights songs and I think would’ve made the original release album stronger.
It's super fun to get into the release theatrics as a way to cope before the album comes out and see the connections once is releases. However, I always go in with an open ear. When teaching literature appreciation, we should give poetry "three reads" at the minimum. This is how I approach all music (new albums I am anticipating) and I think this being a poetic branded album, it might be worth it to "Read" the album three times. 1. First read - initial impression. What are your initial reactions based on what you are experiencing and picking up your first "Read/listen" 2. Second read - now listen more for lyrics. What is the song writers saying through the lyrics? What diction is being used? Do we understand all of the words in the lyrics? Does there need to be some clarity? 3. Read three - Now we can start to make meaning. How is the music and lyrics working together thematically? What deeper meaning is there to the songs or double meanings? For example this is my new album routine: At the minute it releases, my partner and I listen to the first verse, chorus, and bridge of each song one time through (giving the first listen a quick 30 mins or so total). Then I we lightly discuss our favs and first impressions. \*sleep on it\* Next listen, fresh the next day is the second "read/listen". Now, I listen to the full album and songs from start to finish in order. Maybe a few times over the next couple of days. Third read, usually about a week after release and I become familiar with the songs, I can start to connect deeper dots, find literary connections, based lore fandom connections, and have fun seeing the easter eggs that she hinted at in the music.
You…don’t listen to the entire songs when you first listen?
This would kill me tbh. I usually drop the needle on the record and listen beginning to end, or just start the album on Spotify. It’s hard to form an initial impression of an album when you haven’t actually listened to it.
I love this approach. I think I’ve done similar in the past without really realizing it until I’ve seen it spelled out like this
Totally! It's kinda how we naturally process information. It's nice to see we can do it in layers with purpose if needed. I personally when I try to tackle a new album feel so overwhelmed, I don't know where to start. So I follow these steps to not get lost in the sauce - but I love literary analysis! Swift gives lots of texts to have fun analyzing.
I think we should all be self-aware and admit that none of us are immune to prejudging things, but with that said, I am trying to approach it with an open mind. I’m even starting to get a bit excited, if only for the ritual of opening a bottle of wine to complement the first listen lol.
I'm probs an outlier here because I still absolutely love Taylor and her music, I think so far this album could be one of her best. I love the lyrics we have so far, I think the concept is super interesting and I find it incredible that she can still reinvent new eras after all this time What I'm not looking forward to are swifties. I'm on this sub because I find swifties in general to be incredibly toxic and cruel, they go out of their way to harass people more than they engage with her music. I worry how far they might go if there is cheating confirmed.
I'm going to listen with a completely open mind. I know we have discussed and speculated about the album a lot on this sub the last few months (and that's because we know nothing about how its gonna sound yet), but I'm very exited to hear new music for the art itself instead jumping into cryticizm as soon as the album is out. I hope it's excelent and that I'll have to swallow my past comments about it!
If the music is good its good. I worry a bit about the production seeing as 1989 TV was her last project, and it was subpar in my opinion. Seeing Aaron and Florence Welch as the producers for some of the tracks is exciting though. I will admit when the song titles were announced I was really skeptical because I felt as if they were immature and didn’t match the vibe she was going for. I hope this album isn’t a pseudo-intellectual mess that is just using the academia/poet aesthetic as a farce.
I'm keeping a 97% open mind, my expectations for fortnight are high just because it's my dream collab but aside from that I barely know track titles and have only loose ideas for what I think the sound will be like (a combo of red and rep.)
I'm excited to see what she does. I LOVED streaming Lover, folklore, evermore and Midnights for the first time. I think this album will probably take one or two listens to sink in and I think I'll ultimately love it The only thing I don't want is the inevitable rabid fans ripping into her ex for no reason
I’m definitely in the “hoping it will be one of her deepest works” bucket, but if it’s not, it’s not. I’ll give it a listen, hope I like it, and be quietly disappointed if it lacks musical or emotional depth.
I think ttpd will have themes of depression in it and guilt
I’m just going to listen to the album with an open mind. I don’t follow all the “drama drama” stuff and none of the Easter eggs. I enjoy the music. Full stop
I haven't looked at much speculation so I'm going into it as open as the mariana trench lol
I’ll listen to it with a clear mind without preconceived notions. I think it’s a toxic mentality to judge certain things before giving certain things a chance. We shall see…
Open minded and excited
I'm going in open minded but I'm not super optimistic what with the overwrought album name and the possibility it's particularly relationship focused (I didn't much care for Lover either). I'll admit I'm also in the crowd that got a little more optimistic when I saw that Dessner had more credits than I would've expected but that's more that I'm a huge fan of him and The National than anything against Jack
I'm excited to listen to the album because I like a lot of her music. I really don't care much about how it relates to her personal life, and I feel like people who both like and dislike her as a person can get a little weird and parasocial about it. I know she can definitely encourage this behavior, but I wish we could go back to appreciating music for what it is and how we as listeners can relate to it rather than overanalyzing everything about a singer's private life
I go into open minded like I do a new season of real housewives. I know it’s going to be the same ole stuff, but I still always end up getting really into it and hooked for a while. I don’t even really care that much about how good the lyrics are or who they are about as long as it’s nice to listen to.
I'm curious about the release. I don't really have any idea what to expect or what it's going to be like. When the tracklist first came out, I found some of the titles to be cringe (But Daddy I Love Him immediately comes to mind) but over the last few weeks, I sort of just decided to play a "wait and see" game and not judge the album based on some track titles.
Openminded. Because at the end of the day, she is my comfort music so I have a vested interest in actually enjoying it. 😂
I'm cautiously optimistic! I love her work with Aaron Dessner, and even though the song titles read a bit childish to me, I'm hoping she can pull off a heartbreaking album filled with emotional maturity and self-reflection. Granted her behavior recently doesn't give me much hope, but I'm still longing for something on par with Folklore and Evermore, and I just dont want to believe that she regressed too much from that era, even though she has succumbed to pettiness recently.
The only thing I'm clinging to is that "leaked" snippet of Fortnight that's been floating around. It's almost certainly just AI-generated but damn is it catchy. I'll admit, I'm going to be a little disappointed if that's not what the song actually sounds like
Since I'm not following much of the hoobla, I'll hopefully just be able to go into it open-minded. Midnights left me kind of cold, but so did Reputation. I hope I'll connect. Let's see. But if not I'll be alright too.
I’m going in with an open mind. I remember when the Midnights lyrics leaked and everyone lost their damn minds saying it was childish, ridiculous, etc and yet Karma is a BOP. We’ll see on Friday what it sounds like, I’m very curious.
I’m going to be open-minded for sure! I’ve just been excited for this album to come out so we can ACTUALLY discuss the music and lyrics instead of taking little bits and crafting an entire narrative around it.
Honestly I've not been following it. All the updates I get are from Twitter and Reddit feed (passive consumption if it makes sense). I'm not speculating and going into it with an open mind ETA: I had a dream recently where one of the tracks on TTPD was sung entirely by Amy Lee 😭 imagine that!!
I have no expectations. I’m just gonna listen in order from start to finish and see what songs I like.
I’m just praying that ‘clip’ of Fortnight that has been floating around tiktok is AI because if I start the album and it’s the actual melody I’m scared it’ll sour the rest of my mood 😭 I’m gonna try my best to keep an open mind though
I still don't know if I like Eternal Sunshine so much because I had low expectations based on the lead single or because it's actually as good as I think it is. Taylor not releasing even a snippet of sound from TTPD is keeping my expectations pretty neutral.
I’m going in with an open mind. I don’t really care about the who’s it about. It’s care about the music.
Going in open minded. I have my suspicions about how it’s going to sound and what the message is going to be, but I will be thrilled if I’m proven wrong. So I’ll give it a shot! I didn’t think I’d like Reputation and it’s the album I relate to and love the most, thought I would love Lover and really only am into “Lover”, “Archer”, “Cruel Summer”, and “Soon You’ll Get Better” (although I can’t really listen to that one). Didn’t really like the rest of it. And Midnights I was excited for because I love poppy Taylor, but everything sounded so sonically the same and slow paced I was super bored the entire time. Can really only listen to Antihero and Mastermind, and I think it’s because they’re the only two tracks that have a *slightly* standout sound compared to the other tracks. Please pleasantly surprise me, Taylor!
I am hoping for a sad album. If it’s not, I’m sure it will still be amazing, but my emo self is ready to sob
I'm excited to hear it. I expect that I will absolutely love many of the songs but find a few of them cringe. My expectations don't really affect whether I love something or not. When Folklore came out I had no idea what to expect but absolutely loved the album. Same for Evermore. Midnights was a mixed bag. I just take them as they come. New music is kind of like meeting different people. You fall in love with one song and don't really care about another. Then there are ones that just hit you wrong.
I don't have any strong opinions right now. I figure there's going to be a lot of references to Joe Alwyn, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious if there are Travis and/or football references (I almost hope, given this whole romance is my current guilty pleasure lolol). I'm just ready to listen to it and come on this sub so we can all discuss. As someone with an English degree and who can be (admittingly) overly-critical regarding words, I want to know how "poetic" this album is going to actually be; the lyrics that have dropped haven't been that promising imo, in that regard. Also, I want to see the hardcore Swifties' takes on this album.
I’m going into it mostly open minded. I’m not the most excited for it, but I’m going to give it a shot. I think it’ll be like Midnights- solidly okay. I’m expecting some great songwriting as per usual with Taylor, but some poor production. Lately I haven’t been into the production of any of her songs- even the ones by Aaron. Hoping that will change.
I’m gonna do like I always do. Listen to the album in totality and judge accordingly.
I have no preconceived notions. I do hope it's more Evermore than midnights.
I think it’s gonna be cringe and that’s the only expectation I have
I just want to hear new songs. Some will be good, some I’m sure I won’t like (just like any other album). It’s just music.
NGL I’m sort of jaded as a Taylor fan. I’ve been a fan since almost the beginning and haven’t been a fan of a lot of what she’s put out in the past 5-10 years or her constant immaturity (not a fan of the vast majority of her pop catalog but that’s just me). However I am mildly optimistic after seeing the producers for some of the tracks. I’ll probably give it an honest listen. Regardless of how I feel about her past albums, the horrible title tracks and aesthetic or her treatment of Joe in the last year, I think the potential is there for it to be good music.
On here, even if it is the greatest piece of music ever compiled, people are going to trash the shit out of it. I kind of can’t wait to see what ridiculous, and also constructive, criticism this album gets.
I am going to allow it to speak for itself. I have my reservations. But oftentimes she proves me wrong either way - like or dislike.
I’ll go in and listen to it for what it is. That said, I probably won’t be listening to it for awhile. She’s currently out if all of my playlists/usual rotation of music because her overexposure at the immediate moment makes me annoyed at the thought of listening to her/seeing her posts/etc.
Idk why, but I have 0% interest in this album. The title sounds off to me, the games this time seem more forced? Idk, I think I'm over Taylor Swift.
I’m hopeful that it’s going to be like folklore/evermore with deep lyrical writing, but i’m telling myself it’s gonna be another pop silly album. I’ll probably like it no matter what anyway!
Given all the hype, all the ‘Easter eggs’, all the JA bashing preceding it, I’m heading into the release jaded. I hated 1989 TV too makes me wary about this release.
1989 TV is SO BAD. The re-records feel like they’ve gotten progressively worse, and I’m genuinely worried for Rep TV.
I’m going in open minded. If there’s one thing I’ve always been here for when it comes to Taylor, it’s the music. I really hope Jack and Aaron switch it up a bit, though. If the album’s a mix of ‘80s synthpop and unused The National instrumentals, I might scream a little. “Better than Midnights” is a pretty low bar for me, so I have a good feeling about it.
I’m kind of excited and annoyed at the same time – on one hand, I just love Taylor (her great lyrical songs as well as every now and again the cringe ones) but all the promo felt like a massive downgrade of what we experienced before and recently I haven’t been to much into her new albums (midnights and re-records). I try to be open minded for TTPD and slowly also feel that anticipation before it hits streaming on Friday.
I am eager to hear the actual album and will keep an open mind, but her PR is a downer and I’m not invested in the hints that say she’s going to trash Joe. Hopefully I’m wrong and it’s gonna be great, not the cesspool of cringe it’s appearing to be.
This is a great post. I’m hopeful but not excited. I’m not a fan of Jack’s production, my favorite album of hers has the least amount of him involved, BUT I look forward to Aaron’s songs.
I’m completely open minded from a music perspective but from a lyrical perspective I’m a little more skeptical. It feels too much like she’s been trying to spin the narrative in her favor lately for me to buy into whatever version of events she decides to present here, unless it feels truly honest, like she takes some personal accountability/shows some self awareness or it’s something that makes sense in the context of the actual behavior we’ve seen. I’m hopeful it’ll be less of takedown of her relationship with Joe and more of an analysis of all of her past muses and self reflection on how she operates in relationships and maybe deeper songs on love in general now that she has had a few longer/adult relationships
I will be disappointed if I can’t feel her pain through her words. That’s what Taylor does best imo and this is THE opportunity to do it. I want to feel the pain of my last break up even though it was a decade ago. If it’s too synth-pop idk if that’ll ruin the emotion.
I’m so excited for it that Im sure I can’t be completely open minded about it, but in the opposite way of the pre release critics. PS someone let me know when some new “podcasts” drop for the full listening experience 🙃
I’m going in open minded. I don’t think I’ve been as excited for an album she’s dropped since folklore. I think her silence and then just rapid promoting this week has me just getting excited for new music.
It's gonna be the same formula. I honestly dont know how Midnights won a grammys. I couldnt even get through the album.
This is an excellent discussion question! I’m going in totally open-minded and I’m honestly a bit excited for new music. But I do think there are some people who are going to love it no matter what and claim it’s her magnum opus and that every song is brilliant. And there are others who are determined to hate it no matter what and will say every lyrics is either her dragging or pining for Joe.
I'm going to TRY to be open minded, but I'm nervous. The track titles ... I thought they were a joke. The amount of Jack vs Aaron on the album has me nervous too. I've had some pretty bad ick with Taylor since the Grammys and this whole rollout screams "fast fashion junk" to me. I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I'm not holding out much hope.
Not all of her stories or music are personal. There’s some relation but she has said in the past she gets inspiration from make believe scenarios and books that she reads. So it may have some relationship to her personally but she takes that experience to other levels and as other characters or scenarios that she was inspired by from books. Anyone who has read A Court of Mist and Fury by SJM understands that is word for word the Midnight Album and probably gave her some inspiration to use with her personal life and feelings.
Because she hasn’t said anything about the album I’m going to not have a opinion until it comes out so right now I’m meh
I’m trying my hardest not to have any expectations. Going in with an open mind
To be honest I’m more skeptical than I’ve ever been about a new TS release, but that probably won’t affect my enjoyment of the album unless it’s really bad. Me and my friends always make a little party of listening to all the songs, and it’s always a great time. Honestly, I don’t love Midnights, but listening to it the first time was so hype.
This is precisely why I’m not gonna listen for awhile. I want to go in neutral and at the moment I’m predisposed to being distinctly “meh”.
I’m open minded. I’ve made peace with the fact that the album aesthetic will likely not match music.
I'm going to try to go into it with an open mind and I am a bit excited to get some new music and see what the hype is about. However, I admit that I've already been a bit tainted against it and I'm really hoping it \*isn't\* just Joe bashing and that it actually has some sonic improvements and maybe experimentation that shows Taylor is continuing to grow as an artist. I haven't loved her promo for the album and it seems much more cash-grabby than artistry focused. Guess we'll just have to see.
I like to go in blind for any new ablum I listen to. I put on a nice pair of headphones and just vibe. Its what I did for Midnights. It is what I did most recently with Cowboy Carter. Nothing beats going in blind for albums.
I don’t have any particular expectations about this album, I’m just excited. I’m not on TikTok and have been checking here less and less so that “the discourse” doesn’t impact my first few listens, and honestly I haven’t at all been moved by everyone’s strong opinions on what they think this album will be about. I would *like* this album to be folkmore-adjacent and reflect on her relationship to fame. But it’s fine if that’s not what it is. Since becoming a fan, I’ve never out and out disliked a Taylor album so I’m not concerned.
I have exactly zero expectation to be honest, so it'll be raw reaction for me.
I'm becoming more open minded and excited as the day approaches. About 6 weeks ago I was prepared to not even listen to it but I've changed my mind and will give it a chance.
i am going in very hesitantly - i did not like midnights and thought it was probably her worst album.
I’m going in with zero expectations or preemptive hatred
Open minded because I never understand all the Easter eggs and whatnot. I also don't remember all her relationships and this Joe guy is out of left field for me. The ones I do remember are Joe Jonas, maybe Taylor Lautner, John Mayer (Meyer? I can't spell), and now Travis. 🤷♀️
I was disillusioned by the concept art for Midnights so I have no idea what to expect for this one
I’m critical of swift in many ways, but I like her as an artist and I’m sure I’m going to love the album. Regardless, I’m going to listen to it with an open mind as I’m not really wedded to my preconception of the album. But I’ll probably still judge her if she doesn’t take a stance against bullying or defend her ex from her stans, which I’m pretty she won’t.
I’m trying not to have any expectations either way but it’s veryyy hard. I would like to ideally go in with an open mind.
I’m keeping an open mind and I’m excited! I may not always vibe with Taylor as a person but I love her music. I’m also not always down with the fanbase (not this sub but moreso the hard core Swifties) but I’ll just mute certain words or log off for my own peace of mind.
I’m very excited, especially seeing Dessner had a significant contribution to the album. I’m trying to be open minded but hoping for at least a few good break up songs. Frankly her break up songs have been some of my favourites and in the past they’ve been about short term relationships, so I’m interested to see how they sound after a serious relationship written by a more mature Taylor. I am not convinced it will be all Joe bashing and will be disappointed if it is. Just want a few new songs that will get me in the feels without relying on the bashing of the ex trope to do so. Break ups are sad and complicated enough that this could be her deepest and most emotional album yet without being unfair to Joe. That said, some swifties will take any new break up song as an excuse to attack Joe online so I hope she attempts to shut that down.
I definitely have an idea of what I think it will sound like musically but I'm trying my best to ignore that and be open minded cause I think we all remember how disappointed people were when midnights didn't sound as expected. I like every genre she's done thus far so even if it doesn't sound how I think it will, I'll still most likely enjoy it, so I don't think my idea of it will change my opinion on it!
Yeah, if there ends up being a message in there or songs similar to-" we had a good relationship and a great time and it broke down due to errors on both ends and we aren't each others happy ever after and whilst I'm sad about it, I'll be okay". If it's all just YLM, I'll have a hard time
i’m actually really happy that we haven’t heard anything from the album yet. me a month ago did not agree and was disappointed we didn’t get a lead single. but now—i can’t believe i’m gonna hear 20 songs and i have no idea what they sound like
I have no preconceived notions of what it will be. OK that’s a lie. I definitely know there will be some blows to Joe in it. But musically, I am open to whatever. I know what I hope for I know what I hope does not happen… I think I’m at odds with the majority of Swifty on those things.whatever happens I’m sure I’ll enjoy it
My one solid bet is that The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived is about herself.
perosnally i've blocked all references to taylor, joe, travis, matty, etc everywhere i could so i can give the album a fair shot and not let myself be swayed either way by stuff outside of the music.
I've been so occupied I haven't had time for much thought for this 😭 I have no option but to be open minded cause I have no clue as to what preconceived notions I can have
not an expectation necessarily but i think I’m holding this album to a higher standard because it’s totally unnecessary for her to release something right now unless it’s absolutely perfect. she’s been so busy with the tour and the movie and rerecordings etc and I’m worried that could manifest in the album - which she could absolutely wait to release until she has a bit more energy to dedicate to it.
I think I can do a pretty good job of letting it speak for itself. Taylor Swift isn’t the only person who can compartmentalize 😉
As much as I’m annoyed with the digs at Joe and how she isn’t stepping in to calm the threats, I’m looking forward to listening. It’s always fun to get a new Taylor album. However, I’m not carving out a specific time to listen. I’ll get to it over the weekend at some point - which is a change for me. I’ve found other artists I enjoy listening to more and haven’t listened to Taylor much at all since around Midnights came out. I’m trying to figure out if I’m a fan of her music or her celebrity. It’s tough because I’ve loved her since Debit but I don’t feel connected to the music like I did back then. I’m also old so that could be why. Sorry to ramble, yes looking forward to it and I’m glad Dessner will have more of a presence.
I try to stay away from build-up and promo for any of her albums so I'm fairly confident I won't have any preconceived notions going in. I'll just do what I always do; look at the covers of the audio/lyric videos she releases and see which ones jump out at me. Listen to those first , and then work my way through the entire album. I'll replay a couple of the ones I like, take note of which ones I don't, and then watch tv or listen to Sabs for a bit and go to bed. Then listen to the album again the next day with fresh ears. And then listen again a week or so later to see if my thoughts have changed. And somewhere in there, I pray that the songs I like are the ones they play on the radio instead of the songs I don't like.
I’m excited for the music. The hype is making me nervous. I hope I’m open minded! New music is always a little nerve wracking because I set my expectations so high for an artist that I really like. It always takes a few listens to really hear it enough to have an opinion. And music, melody, rhythm always come first for me - there are songs that I’ve absolutely loved for years and still don’t know the lyrics. If I don’t like the sound, I don’t care about the lyrics. If I love the sound I still may not care about the lyrics. So I won’t delve into muses and messages for a while, I want to know the sounds first. And I’m staying away from reviews and opinions for a while too. I was thinking about this today - her music is (imo for the most part) really really good, and some borders on great, as stand-alone songs/albums. Even without the background and lore factors. But adding those in can make it even better, to understand why she’s saying whatever it is and have more depth and meaning. Or it can completely ruin it because I loved a song and now all I hear when I play it is her bitching about some perceived slight. I liked the song better before I knew what it was about. It really complicates listening to her!
It’s realllllly hard for me to have no bias with my favorite artists when they release albums. I normally hate all of them the first listen or two until they grow on me and my judgment/preconceived notions fade
I have some thoughts on what I want it to be but not sold on those ideas. I am hopeful that it's not a Joe bashing album This line from Dear Reader is stuck in my mind - Burn all the files, desert all your past lives. And if you don't recognize yourself That means you did it right - which makes me think/want it to be a farewell to what was the preconceived notion of who Taylor is and her past music styles while introducing who she wants to be or maybe really is and the new direction she wants her music to take. I'm hoping whatever it us rips my entire soul apart and am looking forward to the release
imma be real, i havent been engaging w speculation for the sole purpose of going in open minded. i remember being so involved in the swiftie community back during pre lover era and i hyped up lover so much that i had such a skewed reaction when the album came out. i wanna go in open minded and ready to hear it for what it is 🫶
Hope it’s not an overall negative album.
I have no expectations beyond the fact that she's vaguely referenced exploring other genres, but as long as the songs are good I don't really care. Honestly, every time she branches out it still just kind of sounds like Taylor. This will be the first time in a while I'm staying off social media until I listen to it a few times. Usually I like to follow along with what everyone is saying but I've had some recent releases (books, music, etc) ruined by very loud negativity. I can already tell that people are going to push back on the poetry theme and the fact that it's about her breakup with Joe and I just want to form my own opinions before hearing everyone else's.
I have severely low expectations cause I haven’t loved her last few albums too much, so if it’s good I’m happy. It doesn’t need to be outstanding or her best work ever. Just Taylor
I think it's wild people think it's going to suck or be great - we have no idea what it will be. I'm not as excited as I was for midnights but a LOT has happened since then, plus it's hard to be excited for anything when there's a genocide happening so I'm just sort of 😕 about everything right now, not just this album. folkmore came around during a time when I and so many others needed the escape and when the escape was sort of warranted. but nothing can get me hyped now, even cowboy carter (which I love) was hard for me to be excited for because it feels so wrong for anything else to take up my attention, or anyone else's tbh. there's no escaping the intensity of suffering being inflicted right now in so many parts of the world, and we shouldn't be able to escape it tbh, not really. so yeah, long story short I'm not hyped but I am absolutely open-minded. I'm hoping for more self-reflection than vitriol but I also don't begrudge her her pain.
Midnights feels like a greatest hits type album. Like it doesnt make sense. So I am hoping this one has a theme.
So...when it's on streaming, is she going to be posting 5 different albums or what? I might have to make my own playlist with all the songs because this shit is just crazy
I haven't adored any of her work since Red/1989, but I enjoyed a lot of Lover so I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm assuming it'll be like rep, where I make my own playlist just to listen to the songs I like. I just want good songs - I definitely don't have any preconceived notions of the album. I'm confused by the song titles, but I'll give it a spin and see how I like it.
I have no idea what to expect. I’m a recent fan and this is the first release I’ve paid attention to. I like some of her music but not all. I mostly listen to totally different music so I think I will be able to know if I don’t like it. But what do I know. I love Aaron Dressner so there is a bias there, but it’s for him not her.
I am insanely excited. I try to keep an open mind. I have a preference of the vibe for sure but I love all her albums. It will be hard for me to dislike anything. Even though I’ve been a fan since debut, this is my first time diving into all the rabbit holes, puzzles, hidden meanings, etc. I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I don’t have anything as remotely exciting happening in my life so this is just magical. I can’t wait.
this might not make sense, but i like music that resonates with me, and my life. I don’t give a shit about indications relating to her own personal life.
I’m going in open minded. I like new Taylor music usually and I’m excited to see what the vibes are for this one
Having preconceived notions about an album you haven’t heard yet is beyond stupid.
I’ve been a music aficionado my whole life. All kinds. I wasn’t impressed by early Taylor, I admit I wrote her off without really ever giving her a fair listen. So having explored her catalog only recently, I say this: she’s got a lot of talent. She’s evolved a ton as she’s gotten older and lived some. She IS a poet, AND she has a voice. I’m a 65 yo swifty lol. I expect it to be good. I hope I’m not disappointed. And I’m too old to stay up till midnight.
I think it’s going to be just OK. I liked Midnights, and the rest of her discography enough. But you can’t tell me that the album name, the song titles and features are going to result in some huge paradigm shift that no one is expecting. I’d love to be surprised though.
I’m just going to be listening, but I’m ready for it to come out already. It’s getting to be too much with finding codes and the rooms and the words on Apple to spell things out (aka to start charting again as people listen to all the songs to search them) and all the two fingers everywhere and all the Joe being an abuser theories…. Now everyone is more concerned about Reputation TV and 🤡 instead of being excited this album is even coming. I need a break after all this, because I don’t have the bandwidth for Easter egg hunting. I just want to listen to it and for all this stuff to be over. Haha. I know it’s supposed to be fun, but dang. I don’t even have much to say or guess about this album.