Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department ALBUM REVIEW

theneedledrop

22 Apr 202415:21

Summary

TLDRIn this video script, music critic Anthony Fantano reviews Taylor Swift's new album, 'The Tortured Poet's Department.' He notes that while Swift is at a pinnacle of stardom, the album falls short in several areas. Fantano criticizes the album's pacing, song structures, and excessive length, as well as the lack of a fresh sound or evolution in Swift's music. He also mentions the album's derivative nature and the overuse of metaphors that don't resonate. Furthermore, he points out the album's uncharacteristic sloppiness and the mismatched production from Jack Antonoff. Despite these shortcomings, Fantano does highlight a few tracks that stand out, such as 'Love of My Life,' which he praises for its simplicity and emotional impact. Overall, he concludes that the album is more for those deeply invested in Swift's personal narrative rather than for those seeking musical innovation or performance.

Takeaways

🎵 The script is a review of Taylor Swift's new album, 'The Tortured Poet's Department', by Anthony Fantano, a well-known music critic.
📚 The album is Taylor Swift's 11th full-length album, following her indie folk albums 'folklore' and 'Evermore', and her return to pop with 'Midnights'.
💰 Taylor Swift is currently at a high level of stardom and financial success, with a global tour and film generating millions in revenue.
🔄 The review suggests that Swift's current emotional state is reflected in her work, similar to her past albums where her personal experiences were central to the music.
🔁 The album is criticized for having tracks with tedious pacing and flabby song structures, with some songs being unnecessarily long.
📉 The lyrics are described as filled with metaphors and similes that fall flat, and the writing quality makes it difficult for the listener to empathize with Swift's heartbreak.
📈 The review points out a lack of new sound or evolution in Swift's music, with the album sounding derivative and uninspired compared to her previous work.
🚫 The script mentions that Swift seems to be copying her contemporaries, with examples given of how her songs mirror those of Ariana Grande and Olivia Rodrigo.
🤔 The reviewer feels that Swift's collaboration with producer Jack Antonoff is not yielding the results it used to, suggesting a need for a break or change in their creative partnership.
🎶 'Love of My Life' is highlighted as one of the best ballads on the album, praised for its simplicity and emotional delivery.
❌ The album is criticized for being unedited and unchallenged, with some tracks feeling more like gossip or spilling tea rather than crafted songs.
😔 The final takeaway is that while there are elements of the album that can be appreciated for their vulnerability, the overall impression is that it misses the mark.

Q & A

Who is the reviewer in this transcript?
-The reviewer in this transcript is Anthony Fantano, described as the internet's busiest music nerd.
What is the title of Taylor Swift's album being reviewed?
-The title of Taylor Swift's album being reviewed is 'The Tortured Poet's Department'.
What are the two indie folk sister albums by Taylor Swift that received critical acclaim?
-The two indie folk sister albums by Taylor Swift that received critical acclaim are 'folklore' and 'Evermore'.
What is the 'Taylor's Version' series?
-The 'Taylor's Version' series is a project where Taylor Swift is re-recording all of her older albums on her past label to own the masters of them.
What is the main criticism regarding the pacing and structure of the songs on 'The Tortured Poet's Department'?
-The main criticism is that numerous tracks on the album have tedious pacing, flabby song structures, and are overly indulgent in length.
What is the issue with the lyrics on 'The Tortured Poet's Department'?
-The issue with the lyrics is that they contain endless strings of metaphors and similes that fall flat, making it difficult to feel for Taylor amidst her heartbreak.
Why does the reviewer think Taylor Swift's latest album sounds derivative in the broader pop landscape?
-The reviewer believes the album sounds derivative because Taylor hasn't formulated a new sound, direction, or evolution to coincide with the latest album cycle, and it seems she is copying her contemporaries.
What is the reviewer's opinion on the collaboration between Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff on this album?
-The reviewer thinks that their creative partnership on this record is not yielding the results it used to and suggests they should either stop working together or take a break.
Which song is mentioned as one of the better tracks on the album?
-The song 'I Can Do It with a Broken Heart' is mentioned as one of the better tracks on the album.
What is the reviewer's stance on the album's length and how it affects the listener's experience?
-The reviewer finds the 2-hour length of the deluxe version of the record daunting and believes it negatively impacts the listening experience.
What is the reviewer's final verdict on 'The Tortured Poet's Department'?
-The reviewer's final verdict is that 'The Tortured Poet's Department' is a miss, citing uncharacteristic sloppiness, lack of fresh ideas, and a mismatched collaboration with Jack Antonoff as key reasons.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 The Tortured Poet's Department: A Review of Taylor Swift's New Album

Anthony Fantano, known as the internet's busiest music nerd, begins his review of Taylor Swift's 11th album, 'The Tortured Poet's Department.' He discusses Swift's recent success, including her critically acclaimed indie folk albums 'Folklore' and 'Evermore,' her commercially successful pop album 'Midnights,' and her 'Taylor's Version' series where she re-records her older albums. Fantano also touches on Swift's current level of stardom and how her personal state often reflects in her work. He expresses his concerns about the album's pacing, song structures, and excessive length, as well as the lack of a new sound or evolution in Swift's music.

05:00

😕 Lyrical and Conceptual Shortcomings in Swift's Latest Work

The second paragraph delves into the criticisms of the album's lyrical content, which Fantano finds to be filled with tedious metaphors and similes that don't resonate well. He points out the album's derivative nature within the pop landscape and the lack of a new direction in Swift's music. Fantano also discusses the album's themes of heartbreak and how they come across as forced and overindulgent. He criticizes the writing quality, stating that it's difficult to empathize with Swift's emotional state due to the awkwardness of the lyrics. Furthermore, he mentions the album's unoriginality, suggesting that Swift is copying her contemporaries rather than innovating.

10:01

😞 Disconnected Collaborations and Lackluster Production

In the third paragraph, Fantano addresses the production aspects of the album, particularly the work of Jack Antonoff. He feels that the collaboration has become stale and suggests that they either need a break or that Swift should stop working with Antonoff altogether. He criticizes the album's production for being 'boring toothless synth-pop' and for sounding dated. Fantano also comments on the mismatch between the country core of some songs and the pop-heavy production. He singles out 'Love of My Life' as a standout ballad, praising its simplicity and emotional delivery, while criticizing other tracks for their lack of musical coherence and narrative strength.

15:04

🤔 A Missed Opportunity: The Album's Unfulfilled Potential

The final paragraph of the script seems to be a disruption, possibly indicating an error in the recording process. It does not provide a coherent continuation of the review but suggests an abrupt end with a cryptic message. Fantano does not return to summarize his thoughts or provide a final verdict on the album, leaving the review unfinished and the audience without a clear conclusion to his critique.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tortured Poet's Department

This is the title of Taylor Swift's new album being reviewed in the video. It symbolizes the emotional turmoil and artistic expression that Swift is known for. The term 'tortured poet' is often used to describe an artist who pours their personal pain and struggles into their work. In the script, it is mentioned that Swift is 'drinking from that well harder than ever,' indicating that the album is deeply personal and potentially darker in tone than her previous work.

💡Heartbreak

Heartbreak is a central theme in the album, as it often is in Swift's music. It refers to the emotional pain that comes from the end of a romantic relationship. The script mentions that Swift 'has a reputation for dropping a breakup song or two,' which highlights her tendency to write about her personal experiences with love and loss. In the album, she is said to be 'going to new lengths' in expressing her heartbreak.

💡Metaphors and Similes

These are literary devices used to make comparisons and create vivid imagery in language. The script criticizes the album for having 'endless strings of metaphors and similes across the lyrics that just fall flat,' suggesting that the lyrical content may be overly complex or forced, detracting from the emotional impact of the songs.

💡Derivative

Derivative, in the context of the video, refers to the idea that the music on the album sounds like it's copying or imitating other artists' work rather than being original. The reviewer states that the album 'sounds derivative,' 'sounds redundant,' and 'sounds uninspired,' indicating a lack of innovation or freshness in Swift's latest work compared to her previous albums.

💡Jack Antonoff

Jack Antonoff is a producer and songwriter who has worked with Taylor Swift on this album. The script suggests that the collaboration between Swift and Antonoff is not as successful on this album as it has been in the past, with the reviewer stating that 'their creative partnership on this record is not yielding the results it used to.' This points to a perceived decline in the quality of their collaborative work.

💡Pacing

Pacing refers to the speed or tempo at which a song or album progresses. The script criticizes the album for having 'tedious pacing' and 'flabby song structures,' implying that the songs may drag on for longer than necessary or fail to maintain a compelling rhythm or flow, which can affect the listener's engagement with the music.

💡Indulgent

Indulgent, in this context, suggests that the album or specific songs are excessively self-focused or self-serving. The reviewer mentions that some tracks are 'very indulgent as far as length goes,' suggesting that they are longer than necessary and may not contribute to a satisfying listening experience.

💡Concept Album

A concept album is a collection of songs that are unified by a central theme, narrative, or idea. The script implies that the album lacks a clear concept or direction, stating that Swift 'hasn't really taken the time conceptually or sonically to formulate a new sound.' This suggests that the album may not have a cohesive identity or overarching narrative that ties the songs together.

💡Self-Sabotaging Artsy Boy

This term from the script refers to a specific type of character or archetype that Swift is said to portray in her songs. It relates to the personal and emotional content of the album, where Swift explores her relationship with a particular individual who is described as having a polarizing personality and past struggles with drugs. The term illustrates the deeply personal and potentially self-destructive nature of the relationships explored in the album.

💡Narcissistic

Narcissistic refers to an excessive interest in oneself or one's own emotions. The script uses this term to criticize the album's lyrical content, suggesting that Swift's focus on her own feelings and experiences comes across as self-obsessed. The reviewer cites lines from the songs that they interpret as examples of narcissism, indicating a perceived lack of self-awareness or humility in the songwriting.

💡Simplicity

Simplicity in the context of the album refers to the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of some songs, which the reviewer appreciates. The script contrasts the simplicity of a song like 'Love of My Life' with the more complex and convoluted narratives in other tracks. Simplicity is praised as allowing the emotional core of the song to shine through without being obscured by overwrought production or lyrics.

Highlights

Anthony Fantano reviews Taylor Swift's new album, 'The Tortured Poet's Department'.

The album is Taylor Swift's 11th full-length album, following her indie folk albums 'folklore' and 'Evermore'.

Swift is also re-recording her older albums in the 'Taylor's Version' series to own the masters.

The 'AAS' tour and film have generated billions in revenue, showcasing Swift's unmatched stardom.

The album reflects Swift's current emotional state, similar to her previous works.

Fantano criticizes the album for its tedious pacing and flabby song structures.

The album's 2-hour deluxe version is considered daunting.

Lyricism is criticized for being filled with flat metaphors and similes.

Fantano finds the writing quality makes it difficult to empathize with Swift's heartbreak.

The album lacks a new sound or evolution from Swift's previous work.

Swift's songwriting is described as derivative and uninspired in the current pop landscape.

The album is accused of copying from contemporaries like Ariana Grande and Olivia Rodrigo.

Fantano feels Swift is ripping off Lana Del Rey lyrically, vocally, and melodically.

The production by Jack Antonoff is criticized as being past its prime and not refreshing.

The album is considered uncharacteristically sloppy in terms of songwriting execution.

Swift's personal life and relationships heavily influence the album's content.

Fantano believes the album will appeal more to those deeply entrenched in the 'Taylorverse' rather than general music fans.

Despite its flaws, 'Love of My Life' is praised as one of the best ballads on the album.

The album is seen as very unedited and unchallenged, with some tracks lacking hit potential.