Reigning queen of musical narrative, Taylor Swift, has once again created a tapestry of feelings into her album, “evermore”.

The album was released on Friday, December 1, 2020 and quite frankly, me and most of the swifties were caught off guard because it was totally unexpected.

Here are my Taylor Swift “evermore” : Explore 17 Emotional Masterpieces (of Haunting Tales and Unhappy Endings).

Taylor’s skill as a storyteller is on full show here, as she recounts tales of heartbreak and wickedness that stay with us long after the music has stopped playing.

As I sat on my bed on Thursday noon on December 10th 2020, I was not expecting a text filled with big capital letters from my friend about a new album from Taylor Swift and I was beyond excited. Compared to folklore’s gloomy black-and-white images, the warm cover art and promotional shots of “evermore“ gave me the idea that the album might be more lighthearted.

With fifteen and two bonus tracks, “evermore“ delves into the complexities of human emotions. The album also showcases Taylor’s versatility by covering multiple genres; primarily indie folk, alternative rock, and electro-folk. Some notable collaborations from this era include The National, Bon Iver, and HAIM.

In this review, we will delve more into the hauntingly beautiful allure of “evermore“, exploring its lyrical brilliance and the enormous influence it has had on the feelings of listeners everywhere.

The Many Expressions of “willow”

“willow” serves as the album’s opening track, it is a song about “intrigue, desire, and the complexity that goes into wanting someone,” to quote Taylor herself. From the very first listen, “willow” was a song that Iadored. Its ethereal and romantic mood carries the rest of the song along.

The song made me want to go dancing in a forest when I first heard it. “willow” was re-released three times with each new version all themed to witches: dancing, moonlit and lonely witch versions.

My Personal Favorites

It was obvious to me from the first listen that “ivy” and “gold rush” were my favorites. Firstly, “ivy”, the tenth song of the album stands out to me for its metaphorical depth. As a metaphor for a love that is both alluring and all- consuming, Taylor employs the image of ivy spreading out of control.

My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand,

from Taylor Swift – ivy

The lyrics, “My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand,” beautifully capture the essence of vulnerability and deep connection.

A hauntingly beautiful tune is created by blending a delicate acoustic guitar with soft rhythms in this song. Following the story, the folk-influenced music takes the audience on a delightful, almost magical journey.

I think “ivy” beautifully captures the complexity of human relationships while depicting a forbidden love story that is full of desire. The beautiful melody and lyrical content of “ivy” completely enchanted me.

The second one is “gold rush” which is the fourth track of the album. A mix of indie pop and soft rock, this song takes listeners on a mesmerizing journey of the nuances of jealousy and longing. The song opens with a hazy, almost ethereal introduction that makes way to a catchier, rhythmic chorus.

Personally, I think the song cleverly crafts a story of yearning and the dangers of becoming too idealistic. It captures the universal feeling of being completely engrossed in another person to the point when it becomes a burden.

I don’t like a gold rush, gold rush,

I don’t like anticipatin’ my face in a red flush

from Taylor Swift – gold rush

Lyrics such as “I don’t like a gold rush, gold rush / I don’t like anticipatin’ my face in a red flush” illustrate the inner conflict that arises from feeling both an overwhelming attraction and apprehension about the possible consequences.

Overall

Taylor Swift’s “evermore” offers a mesmerizing journey through 17 emotional masterpieces, each weaving haunting tales with themes of unhappy endings.

I am very much in love with “evermore“. The rich, narrative lyrics that delve into complicated emotions and stories showcase Taylor’s talent as a songwriter and highlight the depth of her songwriting.

I think the album’s introspective and melancholy theme holds the many genres together, creating a consistent tone. Taylor’s vocal performance isalso superb; warm and expressive, very fitting to the mood of the album.

The only cons of this album is that I know some listeners might find the pacing or the mood in this album is too slow and melancholy. Casual listeners also may be put off by the lyrics’ depth and complexity, which might require many listens to fully appreciate it.

Taylor’s ongoing detour from her pop origins may also disappoint fans of her previous pop music era.

But overall, I think “evermore” showcases Taylor Swift’s evolution as a musician and composer through its insightful and emotionally complex album. Although not everyone will enjoy it, the strength is in the variety of the album’s musical styles and the depth of its lyrics.

The varied musical styles are one of its strongest points, but they may turn off others who want a more consistent sound. In my opinion, “evermore” is worth 4.5 stars.

If you enjoyed “folklore” and are a fan of narrative-driven music, then you should definitely check out “evermore”.

Read other reviews here !

REVERTIFY