By Conner Tighe Taylor Swift showed the world what she’s been up to mid-quarantine when she surprisingly dropped Folklore in July. Now, with what she calls the sister album Evermore, listeners return to the Folk/Indie Swift with a marginally more sanguine tone and feminist undertones. However, after having heard Evermore, fans deserve a return to Lover or something more conclusive. The album continues the fresh take on Swift’s new style and sound but lacks pacing. Maybe next year.
Letting go
Evermore sounds like part two of Folklore with the artist saying adieu to someone who greatly influenced her life but now lives in the past. Swift has invariably been remarkable in sharing her struggles in past albums, which has given her a reputation for strong womanhood and femininity. All of that is here yet again, but the artist sounds like she’s far away, hoping to return to a life she once knew. Tracks like “Happiness” speak about sad recollections and give the complete opposite feel the title insinuates. Evermore begs the question if maybe Swift is dragging out her low vibes for her fans.Haunted by the sound
Folklore’s continuation sounds nearly identical to its predecessor. Bon Iver returns for a collaboration named after the album, although Folklore’s “Exile” was better. Evermore is like an iceberg drifting on, and although Swift is a gifted singer, this new style of hers doesn’t correlate to prior albums. There’s not one song on the album that breaks up this slow trip through Swift’s past life, and with 15 songs, there was plenty of opportunity for improvement. Swift continues to go for the edgy appeal, and it’s admirable and soothing to a point. Evermore features some country aesthetic that takes fans back to her roots. The familiar guitar twang can be heard throughout “Cowboy Like Me.” Like much of the album, the track paints a picture of a modest life and a dwelling on nostalgic memories that only Swift knows about.“I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve/Takes one to know one/You’re a cowboy like me”
Gothic appeal
The slow, melancholy Swift has developed strikes originality compared to past albums. Evermore raises some confusing feelings because on the one hand, it’s done well — however heavy — but on the other hand, it’s unique from what the artist is known for. Swift is known for striking the strings of a guitar, telling an ex to shove it, or raise awareness of political issues with past tracks “Only the Young,” “You Need to Calm Down,” and “The Man.” There’s no politics in Evermore and for the better. However awful 2020 has been, Swift has blessed the world with two astounding, however gothic, albums we can treasure forever.Top tracks:
Cowboy Like Me Dorothea MarjorieRecommended if you like:
Selena Gomez Ed Sheeran Niall HoranFeatured Image: Genius
