Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)
A melodious duet with Post Malone and a song apparently about a two-week affair. The slow and electronic rhythms set the tone at the beginning.
The Department of Tortured Poets
Another shimmering melody, and lyrics that suggest that Taylor, modestly, doesn’t see herself at the table of tortured poets: ‘You’re not Dylan Thomas, and I’m not Patti Smith.’
My boy only breaks his favorite toys
Written solely by Swift, this song’s dense electronic hum adds powerful notes. “Once I fix myself, he’s going to miss me,” she swears.
Down bad
“It’s all about teenage petulance,” Taylor sings as she bitterly examines the fallout from a former relationship.
Goodbye, London
The first track written with Aaron Dessner of The National brings a change of pace, with a beautiful choral intro. “Goodbye, London, you’ll find someone,” Taylor sings.
It’s her first new album since ending her six-year relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn and, although she doesn’t mention Alwyn by name, speculation is rife that tracks such as So Long, London talk about him. Photographed together in 2019
But dad, I love him
“I know he’s crazy, but he’s the one I want,” Swift sings, displaying wry humor as she admits to falling for the wrong boys. Produced, with real luminosity, by Dessner.
Fresh out of Slammer
Finger-picked acoustic guitar adds folk notes reminiscent of lockdown albums Folklore and Evermore.
Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)
A highlight of the album, this theatrical duet with London singer Florence Welch is an exhilarating escape song – of small town life and bad romance.
Guilty as sin?
A story of unrequited love and a superb slice of 1980s-style soft rock. It even mentions The Downtown Lights, a 1989 single by Scottish band The Blue Nile.
Who’s afraid of little old me?
Big drums, a dramatic arrangement and drier humor in another song written solely by Swift. “You wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised me,” she growls.
I can fix it (not really I can)
A moody, stripped-down number, worthy of Lana Del Rey, who also worked extensively with the song’s producer, Jack Antonoff.
The Alchemy: Many sports metaphors suggest a track inspired by the singer’s current boyfriend, American football star Travis Kelce. Photographed at Coachella this week
loml
“You said I was the love of your life,” Taylor sings in this warm, resonant piano ballad. In a clever twist, the “loml” eventually becomes “the waste of my life.”
I can do it with a broken heart
More 1980s influences on an electronic pop track in which Taylor promises to remain a trouper, despite any romantic conflict.
The smallest man who ever lived
“You have in no way lived up to a man,” Swift sings disdainfully in a melodramatic ballad.
Alchemy
Many sports metaphors suggest a track inspired by the singer’s current boyfriend, American football star Travis Kelce. “When I land, call the amateurs and kick them off the team,” she sings.
Clara Arc
It’s tempting to think that Taylor sees something of herself in a closing piece inspired by a 1920s American actress who lived her life in the goldfish bowl of Hollywood.
The black dog
Taylor is referring to a bar in Vauxhall, London, The Black Dog, where she notices her ex going one night after forgetting to stop sharing his location.
She suggests to her ex that they go there to meet a new woman and sings: “I go through the world with a broken heart.” My desires remain unexpressed and I may never open up like I did to you.
Imgonnagetyouback
Taylor is torn between calling things off for good or reconnecting with an imgonnagetyouback ex.
Emotions are clearly running high as she sings: “Whether I’m your wife / Or break your bike / I haven’t decided yet.”
The Albatross
Taylor takes no prisoners on this trail, describing himself as one of the largest seabirds on the planet, famous for his giant wingspan and ability to glide without issue.
She sings about revenge with the lyrics: “She’s here to destroy you/The devils you know/Raise worse hell than a stranger.”
Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus
Taylor is referring to a partner who abuses drugs.
She sings, “You said things I can’t unabsorb/You turned me into some kind of idea/And I couldn’t watch it happen.”
How did it end?
Taylor appears to be referencing speculation about her relationship with Joe Alwyn as she details in the chorus:
“Come on everyone, it’s happening again / The empathic hunger is coming down We won’t tell anyone / “Except all our friends / We need to know How did it end? ”
dailymail us
