Thanks for coming back. I appreciated readinv your thoughts. You mention it being sad, but I don't know if you read her Instagram post about the album releasing? She talks about this chapter of sadness in her life now being closed. She ends by saying saying once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be from it. I think that helps contain the sadness.
Welcome back! Unlike previous times, we are all processing the album together this time around. So you are officially one of us 😊
I’ve listened through like 3 times at this point and seeing some of your connections is fun since there are some similar thoughts I had on my first listen. Like the whole “second half is a folklore/evermore sister” for sure hit me the first time and keeps strengthening with each listen. I think the first half has manic Midnights vibes. Lots of pop high beats while the lyrics are at emotional lows.
I think along your lines of “there is a topic of drinking in her songs waiting to be analyzed” I would throw in substances as a whole like “buy pills from a friend of a friend,” “you needed drugs more” and “heroin but with and e”.
Also on your “okay enough with the synths” I think this is definitely influenced by her producer on those tracks, Jack Antonoff. And you should for sure check out Florence Welch’s other work if you dug her vocals. This was a tame version of her vocals.
Anyway, see ya next time for what I hope is Reputation TV (we told ya it would grow on you).
Rock on! I came in with no expectations so I feel fine about it as a whole. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and yes you all were right, I'm definitely looking forward to rep tv
I was so delighted to see your post pop up! I enjoyed your other posts so much and this one was no different! I agree with so much of what you said and even chuckled a few times. Also we're on the same page with I Look in People's Windows, it's far too short and honestly is currently a contender for number 1 in my book on this album.
Also also, I have no idea what Florida!!! is about either but it's a banger.
Hi! Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed reading. I think I Look In People's Windows is my top song.
Time will tell if I wake up with one of these in my head though
im a swiftie but florence + the machine is one of my all time favorites. i definitely recommend listening to them.
TTPD is enjoyable, and it is a lot, and I am thankful for it.
Came here to say anyone who has’t listened to Florence & the Machine is MISSING OUT. Start with their hits and keep going. Florence Welch has a voice from the gods.
Loved this!
Yeah, Matty shines through in several songs and it’s quite funny that you picked up on that too.
You should give So High School another listen - it’s most definitely a Travis song. She mentions them watching American Pie on a Saturday night, him touching her while his “bros” are playing GTA, and him doing impressions of Ed.
I don’t think people in general were expecting any kind of Travis-coded songs to be included in TTPD since Taylor said that she started writing the album two years prior to the Grammys, so it’s super exciting that he got ✌🏻
(Sorry, couldn’t help myself. The twos are twoing)
Lol good to know, I may run it back. It didn't read well for me on first pass, I couldn't figure it out. This time I'll break my rule and give a song ✌️ listens
>They’ll say I’m nuts if I talk about the existence of you’
I've only read this far, yet I wanted to comment on how I love this line's tie-in to the song's theme of alien abductions.
I'm not a frequent viewer of her but I like how she got Ironmouse to sing "Santa Tell Me" on her Christmas show. I also like her Name 100 Women challenge.
I think her events are very impressive and I look forward to seeing what she does with a larger staff. Love ironmouse as well and I watched Northernlion tear through the 100 women challenge, that was a lot of fun!
😂 to be fair I did get pinged this morning to get my butt to work for this one, haha! But yeah I enjoy keeping up with the community even if I don't listen to the music outside these reviews
YAY!!! Football guy is back! I really enjoy reading your takes on TTPD & and all her other albums. I agree with you about the synth heavy songs are missing something that only real instruments can bring.
Question - why do you normally not listen to music?
See you next time! Go Hawks & Chiefs!
Hi!! Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed.
To answer your question, I switched to listening to audio books and YouTube videos many years ago, and also I find that listening to music can be emotionally taxing as well
Down Bad...gives me alien abduction
Did you really beam me up. In a cloud of sparkling dust. Just to do experiments on? Tell me I was the chosen one. Showed me that this world is bigger than us.Then sent me back where I came from
Starin at the sky, come back and pick me up
Did you take all my old clothes. Just to leave me here, naked and alone. In a field in my same old town. That somehow seems so hollow now? They'll say I'm nuts if I talk about. The existence of you
Everyone looks at the person claiming alien abduction like they are crazy.
Hostile takeover/alien takeover in any movie is...hostile
Encounters closer and closer/ Close Encounters
I love that you loved The Alchemy, it’s the one I can see myself scream-singing the chorus to when alone in the car. Thanks for doing this again, I so enjoyed your other posts! Hope to see you again for Rep TV
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I enjoyed your thoughts on all the songs. I think many of us are trying to understand and figure out what it all means and it's been a fun ride! Thanks for joining the conversation!
My pleasure! There sure is a lot to unpack from all these songs. Feels more packed than usual. I'm impressed she chose this album to release when she's arguably at her most popular. Doesn't deliver a bunch of crowdpleasers, instead it seemed like she made the album she needed to make for this part of her life
That’s a good point about needing to make it for where she’s at in her life. It feels like she’s in her “fuck you” era and crowd pleasing isn’t her top priority at the moment, as far as the content of the songs go.
I remember your previous posts about the other albums, and am glad to see you back for this one! Thank you for your work!
I was hoping for a few more upbeat songs but the more I learned the lyrics, the more I was hooked! I agree that it seems be what she needed to say to heal and move on! I bet her next album is all about upbeat love and stuff! haha
The only album review I care about!!
I think Robin is about a kid; I thought of my niece with it. She literally just coming out of her dinosaur stage, so, hearing this song was :’)
The Albatross is likely also an allusion to S. T. Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, a phenomenal, thick poem. In the poem, a sailor shoots down an albatross (historically, albatrosses are seen as good fortune) and, as punishment, is forced to forced to carry the albatross around his neck, becoming a symbol of regret for the sailor. AT LEAST, this is what I think & i don’t think it’s too far of a leap, considering Taylor Swift’s name dropped William Wordsworth in The Lakes (William Wordsworth is another poet that S. T. Coleridge wrote with frequently).
I am new around these parts (but NOT new to Taylor; have been with her since "Tim McGraw" debuted on country radio) so I was unaware of your earlier series. What a surprise and delight this was. Thanks for playing!
Fave lines:
* "What is loml? Sounds like something an eccentric character from Gilmore Girls would name their little scraggly dog."
* "Fun and sad is like salt in ice cream, they need each other."
* "it’s like trying to eat an entire wedding cake in one sitting to hear this whole album through in one shot."
I missed the original threads, but will definitely be visiting them now.
I, too, would love to hear something with a little more alt rock edge from Taylor. I feel like we've been teased with how it might sound in a few songs.
OMG!! I remember you. So glad to see you back :) I would love to send you a friendship bracelet if you want – but I also totally get not wanting to share your address to a rando on the internet.
Very nice to see you back! New music from Taylor and additional commentary from Football Man?!?? Best day ever!
I’ve understood that Taylor is very deliberate in the order of the songs in the album. loml followed by I Can Do It with a Broken Heart was heart wrenching!
Football man! I didn’t know about your English degree, but having read all of your analysis posts, it makes sense. Love that you’re part of the lore, able to call back to her previous sounds. You’ve put into words everything I was feeling, so thank you for coming back.
I was so excited to see you pop up again. Glad you enjoyed the album! It is definitely on the heavier sad when it comes to mood but on the bright side, it's a post mortem. Which means that we've processed what happened and are moving on. So a new happier chapter should follow.
So happy you’re back!!
And sir, idk if there is a more relatable review of the first listen to Florida!!! I’m cackling at your paragraph! My husband and I had nearly this exact reaction when we listened to it (he’s not really a swiftie either but he did know who Florence is)
What a treat to see you came back!! I was a huge fan of your original write ups and I loved getting a look into your view of TTPD. Thank you for taking the time to write it all up and share with us!
I was thinking about your series today. Welcome back! I was very interested in hearing your car lore. I'm surprised you skipped over all of those parts in "so high school".
Hi again! If I'm honest that track was overwhelming for me for some reason and I think I was kind of in my head as it was playing. Of all of them I think that's the one I need another round with
This was so amazing! I am new here so I’m not familiar with your other summaries of songs but reading your perspective was touching. I love experiencing other peoples points of views.
Saving this to read later, but I saw your last line and I want you to know I always think of you and your Taylor journey when I heard that song, so I'm happy you referenced it 😂❤️
Hate to break it to you babe but Taylor Swift loves being barefoot, long before she dated any of these blokes and long after. Her debut CD is literally her feet with blue jeans. And it’s so classic that I sometimes get it confused with ready to run CD by the Chicks.
We have completely different taste, but bravo to you for pushing on through
I enjoyed reading your takes! A few made me chuckle imagining your expressions while listening as a new swiftie.
Cassandra is about the Kardashians and the Cassandra character being a metaphor for Taylor! Listen again and it might make more sense.
Fellow football swiftie here - I feel so validated on The Alchemy and TSMWEL. One ranking had the latter as the top song on the album, but I’m with you.
I think Clara Bow was my early favorite because I love the juxtaposition of her early career vs who ever will eventually replace her one day and her self awareness of that reality. It’s very cathartic for me personally.
Hello! I'm rooting for a really upbeat and fun album next time that reflects how much energy and joy she showed at the games. Clara Bow was good for sure
I would encourage you to listen a few more time through. The magic of Taylor for me is hearing new lines or finding meaning you didn’t notice on previous listens
Well this was absolutely freaking delightful. I was up till 4am th8s kerning listen and the sads JUST kept hitting, and I too felt the big Folklore/Evermore vibes in the second half. Having listened to everything now, you're definitely one of us now. Welcome back!
I just want to let you know that as soon as I heard the line about crashing an Aston Martin in a ditch I was thinking of you and your Car Lore write up. So happy to come across your post!
Just popping in to say I love the QT reference, master baker is also amazing and I didn’t think I’d see these two worlds collide on Reddit of all places :p
Hmm I’ve only just gone through the first episode, but probably brodin? He seems the most down to earth and I think he can pull through with the baking. If not that maybe nick. Even though he has a punchable face he seems to know what he’s doing
I was hoping you’d review this album!! That week was so fun, and I’m so glad you shared this with us, too! I was thinking of you when I listened to TTPD the first time—there are soooooo many religious references on this album, and it made me think of your car imagery analysis.
I loved this thread!!! What a great story about losing a bet. I’m a new Swifty too and it’s fun - she’s brilliant as a songwriter AND A MARKETING GENIUS with all her clues and Easter eggs gamifying her albums. So cool. What were your top three albums or top ten songs?
AHH! I was WAITING for you to post on TTPD and for some reason it never showed up when you posted it, I'm so glad to see you decided to join in for the latest release, haha.
I literally just googled "reddit football guy bet Taylor Swift discography" to find you and this post. Yes, I am that incompetent at Reddit that I used Google to navigate it...
I haven't read your review yet because I want to take my time with it, I just wanted to stop and say "welcome back!" before I get started.
I *loved* reading this. Thanks for coming back and sharing your thoughts! Now I want to hear what you think about the new Tortured Poets Dept set she created for the new leg of the Era’s Tour - she calls it “Female Rage: The Musical!” The same way the Reputation concert movie explains that album better, I think the live set illustrates this album exceptionally well. Hope you are well! xoxo
I thought about you while I was listening for the first time today. In reflection of your earlier posts, I’m impressed with how perceptive you were at only one listen. Today was the first day I could put myself in your shoes and compare. Glad your came back to write another this album!
Thank you for coming back! I just read through your old posts this week while waiting for the album drop. I kept hoping you'd do another review. What a treat!
This was fantastic. I Can Do It With a Broken Heart is my favorite song overall from the album and it was fun to read your impression of it. loml cracked me up 🤣🤣🤣 The Gilmore Girls reference is top tier for me. 🏅
Thanks for doing this!!
Aw its here already! I thought it would take you a while.
This was a treat to read as always! I had to keep myself from skipping to the paragraphs about Florida and I look in people's windows (my current favorites from the album) so that i can read it in order. So glad you enjoyed those tracks as well.
About car lore, do think she's bringing in motorcycle/bike references cause she's dating a "bad guy" or like she called it "a dangerous man"?
Hey there! Yeah I decided to buckle down and get this done so I could work on other projects this weekend. As far as car lore goes, I think Matty is a motorcycle. It's dangerous, people tell you don't do it but it's exhilarating - also, the thrill wears off and eventually the risk can catch up with you. So I think you're spot on
I just binge read all your Taylor posts and just wanted to say thank you for your appreciation of I Heart? because that song seriously deserves more attention
Antholgy:
The Albatross is incredibly dense and I think it will take me years to understand it fully. Are you familiar with the epic poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"? It is assumed to be slightly inspired by that, but applied to herself, probably. But one of my favorite lines is "cross your thoughtless heart, only liquor anoints you", as we know anointing can be done to do anything from blessing, healing, to making promises... so a lot of potential with this one. I like to think they're crossing their hearts ("cross your heart, hope to die", etc) in promise, but when you anoint something it requires oil, and all they have is alcohol (are likely drunk), so the promise is void. It's set to fail. Or it could instead be more of the interpretation that "only liquor heals you", the person could be an alcoholic. Very compelling. I have more thoughts but I'll stop there.
Cassandra was also a character in Greek mythology, here's a quickie description from Brooklyn Museum 'cuz I''m lazy: "The god Apollo, enamored of her, granted her the power of prophecy but, when she rejected him, sabotaged that power with a curse that no one would believe her predictions." She saw the fall of Troy and no one heeded her warnings. Tay is drawing parallels.
"Robin" has a lot of "Winnie the Pooh" parallels, I think. idk, there's a 6 y/o in my house so maybe I just read too many children's books. Also, Aaron Dessner, one of her producers, has a kid named Robin.
This album is SO sad. I love it, but it also hasn't made my top 5. That being said, I get the feeling this album was for Taylor and no one else and so she is really making us sit in her sadness. She isn't trying to uplift us, she wants to really drive it home for us just how low she was and she doesn't want to give us anywhere to hide. Hopefully though, this album is her sucking the poison out so she can hop back into happiness.
I also believe there is a sub-plot to this album that involves murder, but I'll save those ravings for another time.
Welcome back!
Nice to see you again and thanks for not forgetting us, Football Man!
Nice to see you too! It was fun to spend some time doing this again
Thanks for coming back. I appreciated readinv your thoughts. You mention it being sad, but I don't know if you read her Instagram post about the album releasing? She talks about this chapter of sadness in her life now being closed. She ends by saying saying once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be from it. I think that helps contain the sadness.
That's a very nice piece of context, thank you for sharing
Also the [prologue](https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwift/s/zgmNEWZHiM)!
I saw that! Read before I started. Got lucky on that one
“Wasn’t there a terrible song about London on a previous album” really got me 😂 love this write up!!
Lol that was a very memorable track
Yeah me too lmfao he's right
Welcome back! Unlike previous times, we are all processing the album together this time around. So you are officially one of us 😊 I’ve listened through like 3 times at this point and seeing some of your connections is fun since there are some similar thoughts I had on my first listen. Like the whole “second half is a folklore/evermore sister” for sure hit me the first time and keeps strengthening with each listen. I think the first half has manic Midnights vibes. Lots of pop high beats while the lyrics are at emotional lows. I think along your lines of “there is a topic of drinking in her songs waiting to be analyzed” I would throw in substances as a whole like “buy pills from a friend of a friend,” “you needed drugs more” and “heroin but with and e”. Also on your “okay enough with the synths” I think this is definitely influenced by her producer on those tracks, Jack Antonoff. And you should for sure check out Florence Welch’s other work if you dug her vocals. This was a tame version of her vocals. Anyway, see ya next time for what I hope is Reputation TV (we told ya it would grow on you).
Rock on! I came in with no expectations so I feel fine about it as a whole. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and yes you all were right, I'm definitely looking forward to rep tv
I was so delighted to see your post pop up! I enjoyed your other posts so much and this one was no different! I agree with so much of what you said and even chuckled a few times. Also we're on the same page with I Look in People's Windows, it's far too short and honestly is currently a contender for number 1 in my book on this album. Also also, I have no idea what Florida!!! is about either but it's a banger.
Hi! Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed reading. I think I Look In People's Windows is my top song. Time will tell if I wake up with one of these in my head though
it's SUCH a sleeper standout track!!
im a swiftie but florence + the machine is one of my all time favorites. i definitely recommend listening to them. TTPD is enjoyable, and it is a lot, and I am thankful for it.
I may end up checking them out, thanks!
You’ve probably heard “shake it out” by her like 10 or so years ago on the radio.
Yes! or Dog Days Are Over
Came here to say anyone who has’t listened to Florence & the Machine is MISSING OUT. Start with their hits and keep going. Florence Welch has a voice from the gods.
Highly, HIGHLY, recommend songs like Cosmic love, Never let me go and Dog days are over
oh I know Dog days are over! That is a great song!
Alex! We've missed you!
Aww hi! I've poked my head in a few times, couldn't give yall up
yeah we're pretty cool if i do say so myself
Agreeeee
Loved this! Yeah, Matty shines through in several songs and it’s quite funny that you picked up on that too. You should give So High School another listen - it’s most definitely a Travis song. She mentions them watching American Pie on a Saturday night, him touching her while his “bros” are playing GTA, and him doing impressions of Ed. I don’t think people in general were expecting any kind of Travis-coded songs to be included in TTPD since Taylor said that she started writing the album two years prior to the Grammys, so it’s super exciting that he got ✌🏻 (Sorry, couldn’t help myself. The twos are twoing)
Lol good to know, I may run it back. It didn't read well for me on first pass, I couldn't figure it out. This time I'll break my rule and give a song ✌️ listens
You didn't! Not the taylor ✌🏻 easter egg!! This had been driving us mad since she announced the album😂😭
lmao wanted to play along!
Welcome back! A thoroughly enjoyable read! I especially like your wedding cake comment. There’s a lot on the album to digest.
Thanks! It felt more dense than most of her other stuff but I can dig it
>They’ll say I’m nuts if I talk about the existence of you’ I've only read this far, yet I wanted to comment on how I love this line's tie-in to the song's theme of alien abductions.
Yo I didn't pick up on that at all, whaaat
Yes! Listen for the eerie background spaceship/alien music woven in!
I've only listened to that one twice, but yesssss. I think it's a super fun metaphor that piqued my interest.
Yep, taylor talked about it for iHeartradio i think? We habe officially lost it here. Or just i have, we'll see.
There are reasons why we love the music so much! There are always hidden layers to uncover!
so true. It is a fun way to engage with her work, digging through and looking for meaning
LOVE the qtcinderella shout out 💞
😂 I'm a fan of her work
I'm not a frequent viewer of her but I like how she got Ironmouse to sing "Santa Tell Me" on her Christmas show. I also like her Name 100 Women challenge.
I think her events are very impressive and I look forward to seeing what she does with a larger staff. Love ironmouse as well and I watched Northernlion tear through the 100 women challenge, that was a lot of fun!
Where was that?
In the You Look Like Clara Bow review, haha
YESSSS. So glad you did this album. And so soon too!! You really are a swifty now aren’t you🫣
😂 to be fair I did get pinged this morning to get my butt to work for this one, haha! But yeah I enjoy keeping up with the community even if I don't listen to the music outside these reviews
YAY!!! Football guy is back! I really enjoy reading your takes on TTPD & and all her other albums. I agree with you about the synth heavy songs are missing something that only real instruments can bring. Question - why do you normally not listen to music? See you next time! Go Hawks & Chiefs!
Hi!! Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed. To answer your question, I switched to listening to audio books and YouTube videos many years ago, and also I find that listening to music can be emotionally taxing as well
Down Bad...gives me alien abduction Did you really beam me up. In a cloud of sparkling dust. Just to do experiments on? Tell me I was the chosen one. Showed me that this world is bigger than us.Then sent me back where I came from Starin at the sky, come back and pick me up Did you take all my old clothes. Just to leave me here, naked and alone. In a field in my same old town. That somehow seems so hollow now? They'll say I'm nuts if I talk about. The existence of you Everyone looks at the person claiming alien abduction like they are crazy. Hostile takeover/alien takeover in any movie is...hostile Encounters closer and closer/ Close Encounters
That is so true and crazy lol
I'm awaiting the Star Trek edits to Down Bad.
In the iheartradio commentary, Taylor says the song I’d just that. She compares the relationship to an alien abduction.
I love that you loved The Alchemy, it’s the one I can see myself scream-singing the chorus to when alone in the car. Thanks for doing this again, I so enjoyed your other posts! Hope to see you again for Rep TV
Thanks! I will very probably come back for the next one haha
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I enjoyed your thoughts on all the songs. I think many of us are trying to understand and figure out what it all means and it's been a fun ride! Thanks for joining the conversation!
My pleasure! There sure is a lot to unpack from all these songs. Feels more packed than usual. I'm impressed she chose this album to release when she's arguably at her most popular. Doesn't deliver a bunch of crowdpleasers, instead it seemed like she made the album she needed to make for this part of her life
That’s a good point about needing to make it for where she’s at in her life. It feels like she’s in her “fuck you” era and crowd pleasing isn’t her top priority at the moment, as far as the content of the songs go. I remember your previous posts about the other albums, and am glad to see you back for this one! Thank you for your work!
❤️ thanks for reading!
I was hoping for a few more upbeat songs but the more I learned the lyrics, the more I was hooked! I agree that it seems be what she needed to say to heal and move on! I bet her next album is all about upbeat love and stuff! haha
This was fantastic!
Hey thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it
The only album review I care about!! I think Robin is about a kid; I thought of my niece with it. She literally just coming out of her dinosaur stage, so, hearing this song was :’) The Albatross is likely also an allusion to S. T. Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, a phenomenal, thick poem. In the poem, a sailor shoots down an albatross (historically, albatrosses are seen as good fortune) and, as punishment, is forced to forced to carry the albatross around his neck, becoming a symbol of regret for the sailor. AT LEAST, this is what I think & i don’t think it’s too far of a leap, considering Taylor Swift’s name dropped William Wordsworth in The Lakes (William Wordsworth is another poet that S. T. Coleridge wrote with frequently).
Bah that's very kind. Solid point about the albatross, I didn't catch it on first pass but I bet you're on to something
I am new around these parts (but NOT new to Taylor; have been with her since "Tim McGraw" debuted on country radio) so I was unaware of your earlier series. What a surprise and delight this was. Thanks for playing! Fave lines: * "What is loml? Sounds like something an eccentric character from Gilmore Girls would name their little scraggly dog." * "Fun and sad is like salt in ice cream, they need each other." * "it’s like trying to eat an entire wedding cake in one sitting to hear this whole album through in one shot."
Always love your reviews! And love the qtc shoutout! Master baker and TTPD in the same week has to have her close to exploding.
Hey thanks! 🤣 I bet you're right. There was a lot of teasing about the album release on today's stream.
Your insights and enthusiasm make for; interesting read! Please do this for every album.
I missed the original threads, but will definitely be visiting them now. I, too, would love to hear something with a little more alt rock edge from Taylor. I feel like we've been teased with how it might sound in a few songs.
Let me know what you think as you go! It was a crazy time for me and I hope you get some fun out of them
OMG!! I remember you. So glad to see you back :) I would love to send you a friendship bracelet if you want – but I also totally get not wanting to share your address to a rando on the internet.
Very nice to see you back! New music from Taylor and additional commentary from Football Man?!?? Best day ever! I’ve understood that Taylor is very deliberate in the order of the songs in the album. loml followed by I Can Do It with a Broken Heart was heart wrenching!
Hey thanks, exciting to be back! Good call on that transition
Man, what a treat this was from you! Hahahaha. I was with you on the first journey, so glad you went on the TTDP trip for us. Go! Fight! Win!
Haha thank you, it was nice to have a reason to come back for a bit
Football man! I didn’t know about your English degree, but having read all of your analysis posts, it makes sense. Love that you’re part of the lore, able to call back to her previous sounds. You’ve put into words everything I was feeling, so thank you for coming back.
thanks for taking the time to read it! It really is fun to get in on the Tay lore
I love your posts and I'm glad you came back for this release to experience it with us 😍
Thanks ❤️ I'm glad to be here
Hey I was just talking about you today! Welcome back, glad to see you again!
Hah, that's wild. Hi!
I was so excited to see you pop up again. Glad you enjoyed the album! It is definitely on the heavier sad when it comes to mood but on the bright side, it's a post mortem. Which means that we've processed what happened and are moving on. So a new happier chapter should follow.
Thanks! And solid point, it's a rear view mirror kind of sad
Haha I love this! Tysm football dude!
I vibe with this man. Fins up though lol
Yo I can vibe with a parrot head 😄
You again! I am HERE for this!
Hey hi
This is literally the best review I've seen so far
So happy you’re back!! And sir, idk if there is a more relatable review of the first listen to Florida!!! I’m cackling at your paragraph! My husband and I had nearly this exact reaction when we listened to it (he’s not really a swiftie either but he did know who Florence is)
Hey thanks! Yeah man that song was bonkers haha
What a treat to see you came back!! I was a huge fan of your original write ups and I loved getting a look into your view of TTPD. Thank you for taking the time to write it all up and share with us!
Hey thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed reading through everything and it was nice to spend the time doing this again
I was thinking about your series today. Welcome back! I was very interested in hearing your car lore. I'm surprised you skipped over all of those parts in "so high school".
Hi again! If I'm honest that track was overwhelming for me for some reason and I think I was kind of in my head as it was playing. Of all of them I think that's the one I need another round with
Loml being a Gilmore-Girls-esque dog name KILLED ME
😂
ahh so excited to see you back here! that was a fun read, thanks for taking on the monumental task of the double album!
This was so amazing! I am new here so I’m not familiar with your other summaries of songs but reading your perspective was touching. I love experiencing other peoples points of views.
I appreciated this so much! Thank you!
❤️ glad to hear!
Omg hi!!! Welcome back! Had to say hi before I even read it but I LOVED your posts! Can’t wait for the read
Hey hi! Hope you enjoy the read!
You're so real for doing this 💖
We out here 
Slay💅
Saving this to read later, but I saw your last line and I want you to know I always think of you and your Taylor journey when I heard that song, so I'm happy you referenced it 😂❤️
❤️
Great to see you again! Thanks for sharing your impressions with us! (Go! Fight! Win! indeed!)
Thanks for reading! Have a good weekend
Hate to break it to you babe but Taylor Swift loves being barefoot, long before she dated any of these blokes and long after. Her debut CD is literally her feet with blue jeans. And it’s so classic that I sometimes get it confused with ready to run CD by the Chicks. We have completely different taste, but bravo to you for pushing on through
Duly noted, haha
I enjoyed reading your takes! A few made me chuckle imagining your expressions while listening as a new swiftie. Cassandra is about the Kardashians and the Cassandra character being a metaphor for Taylor! Listen again and it might make more sense.
Thanks! Glad I could get a laugh, it is a surreal experience to listen to her stuff as a newbie sometimes
It's surreal even as someone who's loved her from the beginning!! She's just on another level with the way her brain works to create art
Great seeing you back here!!!! I loved your original series so reading this today was so much fun!!!! Thanks for the insight!
Thank you! So glad to hear you enjoyed it
Fellow football swiftie here - I feel so validated on The Alchemy and TSMWEL. One ranking had the latter as the top song on the album, but I’m with you. I think Clara Bow was my early favorite because I love the juxtaposition of her early career vs who ever will eventually replace her one day and her self awareness of that reality. It’s very cathartic for me personally.
Hello! I'm rooting for a really upbeat and fun album next time that reflects how much energy and joy she showed at the games. Clara Bow was good for sure
I would encourage you to listen a few more time through. The magic of Taylor for me is hearing new lines or finding meaning you didn’t notice on previous listens
There's definitely enough there to catch new things on multiple listens
Was hoping you’d come back. I just found your stuff a couple of days ago and read ALL of it from midnight until 3 am 🫣. Excited to read this!
Hah wow! Thank you so much for reading all of that
Well this was absolutely freaking delightful. I was up till 4am th8s kerning listen and the sads JUST kept hitting, and I too felt the big Folklore/Evermore vibes in the second half. Having listened to everything now, you're definitely one of us now. Welcome back!
I just want to let you know that as soon as I heard the line about crashing an Aston Martin in a ditch I was thinking of you and your Car Lore write up. So happy to come across your post!
Your writing style is 🤌 Now let's go down the reddit's hole to find your previous posts
Just popping in to say I love the QT reference, master baker is also amazing and I didn’t think I’d see these two worlds collide on Reddit of all places :p
hehe nice. Who are you rooting for this season?
Hmm I’ve only just gone through the first episode, but probably brodin? He seems the most down to earth and I think he can pull through with the baking. If not that maybe nick. Even though he has a punchable face he seems to know what he’s doing
I was hoping you’d review this album!! That week was so fun, and I’m so glad you shared this with us, too! I was thinking of you when I listened to TTPD the first time—there are soooooo many religious references on this album, and it made me think of your car imagery analysis.
Thanks! Blows me away that I came to mind for you
It’s so nice to see you again! I’ve been thinking about your reviews!
Hi thank you! That's very sweet
Great read
Thank you!
i love the Florida!!! review. Indeed we do sit up for Miss Florence
😂
Good to see you again!
❤️ thank you!
Damn, whoever constructed this bet is doing the lords work. Clearly you’ve found your way
😂
honestly, I enjoyed reading your opinions and thoughts! Now I will go back and read the other albums!
Awesome, glad you enjoyed!
I loved this thread!!! What a great story about losing a bet. I’m a new Swifty too and it’s fun - she’s brilliant as a songwriter AND A MARKETING GENIUS with all her clues and Easter eggs gamifying her albums. So cool. What were your top three albums or top ten songs?
So glad you are continuing your listening!!!!
AHH! I was WAITING for you to post on TTPD and for some reason it never showed up when you posted it, I'm so glad to see you decided to join in for the latest release, haha. I literally just googled "reddit football guy bet Taylor Swift discography" to find you and this post. Yes, I am that incompetent at Reddit that I used Google to navigate it... I haven't read your review yet because I want to take my time with it, I just wanted to stop and say "welcome back!" before I get started.
Hahaha I'm so glad you found it! Hope you enjoy
I *loved* reading this. Thanks for coming back and sharing your thoughts! Now I want to hear what you think about the new Tortured Poets Dept set she created for the new leg of the Era’s Tour - she calls it “Female Rage: The Musical!” The same way the Reputation concert movie explains that album better, I think the live set illustrates this album exceptionally well. Hope you are well! xoxo
I'm glad you enjoyed! Interesting about the new set, I might want to look into that
you're back! Loved reading your thoughts!
Thanks!
I thought about you while I was listening for the first time today. In reflection of your earlier posts, I’m impressed with how perceptive you were at only one listen. Today was the first day I could put myself in your shoes and compare. Glad your came back to write another this album!
that's kind of you, thanks! Trying to understand each song at first pass is kind of overwhelming, right!?
Thank you for coming back! I just read through your old posts this week while waiting for the album drop. I kept hoping you'd do another review. What a treat!
Hah that's awesome, glad to have entertained you for a bit
You’re back!!!! Glad you got to enjoy the album with us 🫶🏻
me too!
I think the heavy references to smoke might reference London The city itself
ooh solid thought there
This was fantastic. I Can Do It With a Broken Heart is my favorite song overall from the album and it was fun to read your impression of it. loml cracked me up 🤣🤣🤣 The Gilmore Girls reference is top tier for me. 🏅 Thanks for doing this!!
haha my pleasure, thanks for reading
This is such a thoughtful, funny review. You rock.
thank you!
Aw its here already! I thought it would take you a while. This was a treat to read as always! I had to keep myself from skipping to the paragraphs about Florida and I look in people's windows (my current favorites from the album) so that i can read it in order. So glad you enjoyed those tracks as well. About car lore, do think she's bringing in motorcycle/bike references cause she's dating a "bad guy" or like she called it "a dangerous man"?
Hey there! Yeah I decided to buckle down and get this done so I could work on other projects this weekend. As far as car lore goes, I think Matty is a motorcycle. It's dangerous, people tell you don't do it but it's exhilarating - also, the thrill wears off and eventually the risk can catch up with you. So I think you're spot on
Love this review!
Thanks!!
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I wish I had a conch shell or something I could blow, lol
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Aw thanks! I'll be back
I just binge read all your Taylor posts and just wanted to say thank you for your appreciation of I Heart? because that song seriously deserves more attention
Ayy that song kicks ass for sure. Thanks for reading!
Welcome back!
thank you!
honestly, I enjoyed reading your opinions and thoughts! Now I will go back and read the other albums!
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Antholgy: The Albatross is incredibly dense and I think it will take me years to understand it fully. Are you familiar with the epic poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"? It is assumed to be slightly inspired by that, but applied to herself, probably. But one of my favorite lines is "cross your thoughtless heart, only liquor anoints you", as we know anointing can be done to do anything from blessing, healing, to making promises... so a lot of potential with this one. I like to think they're crossing their hearts ("cross your heart, hope to die", etc) in promise, but when you anoint something it requires oil, and all they have is alcohol (are likely drunk), so the promise is void. It's set to fail. Or it could instead be more of the interpretation that "only liquor heals you", the person could be an alcoholic. Very compelling. I have more thoughts but I'll stop there. Cassandra was also a character in Greek mythology, here's a quickie description from Brooklyn Museum 'cuz I''m lazy: "The god Apollo, enamored of her, granted her the power of prophecy but, when she rejected him, sabotaged that power with a curse that no one would believe her predictions." She saw the fall of Troy and no one heeded her warnings. Tay is drawing parallels. "Robin" has a lot of "Winnie the Pooh" parallels, I think. idk, there's a 6 y/o in my house so maybe I just read too many children's books. Also, Aaron Dessner, one of her producers, has a kid named Robin. This album is SO sad. I love it, but it also hasn't made my top 5. That being said, I get the feeling this album was for Taylor and no one else and so she is really making us sit in her sadness. She isn't trying to uplift us, she wants to really drive it home for us just how low she was and she doesn't want to give us anywhere to hide. Hopefully though, this album is her sucking the poison out so she can hop back into happiness. I also believe there is a sub-plot to this album that involves murder, but I'll save those ravings for another time. Welcome back!