Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department ALBUM REVIEW
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
- π΅ The script is a review of Taylor Swift's new album, 'The Tortured Poet's Department', by Anthony Fantano, a well-known music critic.
- π 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'.
- π° Taylor Swift is currently at a high level of stardom and financial success, with a global tour and film generating millions in revenue.
- π 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.
- π The album is criticized for having tracks with tedious pacing and flabby song structures, with some songs being unnecessarily long.
- π 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.
- π 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.
- π« 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.
- π€ 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.
- πΆ 'Love of My Life' is highlighted as one of the best ballads on the album, praised for its simplicity and emotional delivery.
- β The album is criticized for being unedited and unchallenged, with some tracks feeling more like gossip or spilling tea rather than crafted songs.
- π 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
πΆ 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.
π 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.
π 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.
π€ 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
π‘Tortured Poet's Department
π‘Heartbreak
π‘Metaphors and Similes
π‘Derivative
π‘Jack Antonoff
π‘Pacing
π‘Indulgent
π‘Concept Album
π‘Self-Sabotaging Artsy Boy
π‘Narcissistic
π‘Simplicity
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.
Transcripts
poetry hi everyone Anthony fantano here
the internet's busiest music nerd and
it's time for a review of the new Taylor
Swift album The tortured poet's
Department oh my gosh can you believe it
I got accepted I'm in I don't even want
to know your buddy Kell's going to
college on a full scholarship to the
tortured poets Department I just want to
do this review but I have to leave today
do not care anony you know this is
always been a dream of mine and you
can't change my mind please leave you
make a compelling case but my fate as a
tortured poet awaits okay well this is
the latest and 11th fulllength album
from singer and songwriter Miss Taylor
Swift who has been on a massive run over
the last several years of her career
between her indie folk sister albums
folklore and Evermore uh which received
a bounty of critical Acclaim to her
commercially triumphant return to pop on
the following album midnights not too
long ago Taylor is also currently kneed
deep in her Taylor's version Series
where uh she is re-recording all of her
older albums on her past label so she
owns the masters of them which is just
more money in her pocket and speaking of
money there's also the AAS tour and AAS
tour film which globally uh has
generated billions milons of dollars in
Revenue Taylor is currently at a level
of stardom that in today's music
industry is just unmatched and
Untouchable and I went into this new
record here uh wondering how that would
be reflected in her work because
historically Taylor is an artist whose
current state very much shows up in her
work whether we want it to or not
whether it's through the versatility and
creative freedom that she was exploring
on lover her first record when she kind
of came off of her label big machine and
I'm sure many of us remember just how
bitter and Petty and incensed she was
over her Public Image on reputation
presumed to be the next record she'll
take on in her Taylor's version series
which would be fitting if true because I
feel like Taylor is in a similar Place
emotionally with this record now the
tortured poet's Department would not be
the first time Taylor has taken on the
role as a woman scorned heartbroken torn
apart but now that we are there again
Taylor is drinking from that well
harder than ever like a dehydrated camel
which is saying something because she
has a reputation for dropping a breakup
song or two but this time I would say
it's different she's going to new
lengths because in the abstract of
course there's nothing wrong with
Penning musical screeds about your exes
even multiple times over especially when
you are provably great at it I mean
Taylor is just in her bag creatively
when there is an ex to be mad at which
is why the tortured poets Department
should be be great but it's not and
there's a laundry list of reasons why
firstly there are numerous tracks on
this thing with tedious pacing flabby
song structures uh very indulgent as far
as length goes like why make who's
afraid of little old me 5 minutes when
you get the point across in half the
time not to mention that the 2hour
length of the deluxe version of this
record is a bit daunting and I usually
do like long albums secondly the endless
strings of metaphors and similes across
the lyrics on this record that just fall
flat I mean for example the worst part
of down bad isn't the soon to be dated
lingo that the title is based on no it's
the fact that this scenario for whatever
reason drove Taylor to tie in all of
these uh themes of alien abduction she's
really just forcing it thirdly the
writing quality on these tracks really
makes it difficult to feel for Taylor in
the midst of all of this heartbreak
because some of the most telling moments
on the record actually come across like
inadvertent self- owns even on one track
I actually enjoy the smallest man who
ever lived uh Taylor sings you said
normal girls were boring but you were
gone by the morning kind of seems like
he was admitting something there why why
is it not clicking fourth reason this
record is really falling short is that
uh Taylor hasn't really taken the time
conceptually or sonically to formulate a
new sound a new Direction a new
Evolution to coincide with this latest
album cycle which she usually does with
her new albums and as a result the
material on this record in the broader
pop landscape sounds derivative sounds
redundant sounds uninspired she clearly
has not had enough downtime in between
re-recording records writing new stuff
touring to actually formulate something
refreshing and I think she's closing
those creative gaps by copying her
contemporaries homework or or just not
worrying about how uh common what she's
saying and what she's singing what she's
writing is like with but daddy I love
him Ariana Grande kind of already wrote
the angry at my audience for dragging me
over my boyfriend anthem of the year
with the yes and and what Taylor has
delivered over here is a much more
Awkward experience the song I'm going to
get you back that is on the deluxe
version of this record Olivia Rodrigo
literally did this same word Play Con
cep on get him back with her latest
record did Taylor not think we were
going to notice or that figure out that
Olivia did it better the lyrics on the
title track read like an attempt at some
chaotic Slice of Life situation
storytelling that you might get out of a
Phoebe Bridger song something along
those lines just spilling out all these
internal thoughts like who uses
typewriters anyway and oh you smoked and
ate seven bars of chocolate and we
declared Charlie poth should be a bigger
arti artist I can't imagine being this
vapid on a song and then in the same
track declaring that you have uh the
foresight and the awareness to uh know
what is better for your ex and that
nobody is going to love them in the way
that you love them there's also Florida
as well as who's afraid of little old me
where Taylor cannot help herself from
ripping off Lana Del re again and again
and again not only lyrically but vocally
and melodically and this time thanks
Jack an off she's having him pull
together these uh big orchestral hits of
guitars and whatever other layers he's
stringing together too I can kind of see
why Taylor is daring her contemporaries
to come for her job at the very end of I
can do it with a broken heart because if
I was this uh lacking in new fresh ideas
I would feel paranoid too what number
reason am I on for why this album stinks
another thing about this record is that
it is uncharacteristically sloppy for
Taylor in terms of songwriting execution
and what I mean by that is the tracks
we're hearing on this record feel not so
much like songs as much as it feels like
Taylor is just spilling tea I mean for
sure it's true that Taylor is one of the
most obsessed over stars on the planet
uh I know way more things about her than
I would like to from her dating history
to her flight itinerary but this is like
the general information that's floating
around about her online on any given day
and look chances are our fans were going
to uh regardless of the content on this
album put two and two together and
figure out that a great deal of the
songs on this LP are in fact about
singer songwriter Maddie Healey of the
1975 and the very shortlived public
relationship that he and Taylor shared
not too long ago that was going to come
out regardless but what reads as weird
is that she's not even trying to hide it
from the tattoos to me of his polarizing
personality to this sad
self-sabotaging artsy boy archetype that
is portrayed on this record uh she even
makes mention of his past struggles with
drugs including uh heroin which in that
instance she paraphrases him on the
track the Alchemy in a way that kind of
makes him worthy of a writer's credit uh
he jokes that it's heroin but this time
with an E genuinely Wittier than most of
Taylor's attempts at word play on this
record the point is Taylor is so
desperate to make these connections for
her fans that she's forgotten that
sometimes there is strength in subtlety
and if you think I'm lying or making
things up here just look at the fact
that she capitalized the letters k i and
m in the title of the song about Kim
Kardashian a bam guess who this song's
about so at this point despite Taylor
constantly portraying the world as being
very much against her the biggest threat
to her Public Image at this point is
actually her she clearly wants the world
to know how deeply obsessed she is with
a man and a relationship that seemed
doomed from the start and also led to
some of the biggest PR nightmares of her
career and she also seems to want her
haters to have a point when they talk
about her being drunk on her own Tears
by writing and releasing some of her
most narcissistic songs to date if you
wanted me dead you should have just said
I was gentle till the circus life made
me mean let's not forget lines about her
coming down from Gallows and being
raised in an asylum oh and also so tell
me everything is not about me but what
if it is which I have not had a heartier
laugh at an album uh in 2024 than right
there with that line I think the final
reason as to why this record for me is
such a Miss is the production from Jack
antinoff who I think to put it bluntly
she needs to stop working with him or
they just need to take a break because
their creative partnership on this
record is not yielding the results it
used to I mean it wasn't enough that we
got smothered in boring toothless syth
pop uh that was so damn washed out with
overcooked vocals to on midnights but
we're now getting multiple instrumentals
on this record here that feel like
Midnight's leftovers but worse or it's
just Jack forcing some awful 80s pasti
onto Taylor songs that make them sound
dated upon impact and it's a mismatch
too because I feel like at their core
there are so many songs on this record
that are just dying or Screaming to be
country songs or at least have uh some
bright guitars and Punchy drums backing
instrumentation that sounds Lively and
Youthful uh like that of an album such
as Fearless I'm thinking about guilty of
sin or Clara Bow or fresh out the
slammer which already has the twangy
guitars at the start or even but daddy I
love him which would absolutely work uh
given just how Brash and immature and
playful the writing on that track is the
fact of the matter is Jack's work with
Taylor is just not as refreshing as it
used to be whether it's the random
bloopy bleepy synth bits at the start of
so long London or the dance beats that
break into I can do it with a broken
heart that sound like the fraking Blue
Man Group which is a shame because that
truly is one of the better songs on this
record so I don't think Jack is bringing
his best work and I don't think Taylor
is bringing her best work either and
while I understand there of course will
be fans who will defend This Record
until the death admiring how vulnerable
and unfiltered it is that's also the
problem because this album is also very
unedited it's also very unchallenged the
opening track fortnite for example I
think is one of the best picks you could
get off this record for a single but
post Malone feels like he's just kind of
filling a void performance-wise there
are any number of dudes you could put
into this song and you would get roughly
the same uh experience as out of it
maybe Charlie poth should have been on
it my boy only breaks his favorite toys
has one of the clunkiest choruses and
titles on the entire record it's like
Taylor is trying to shoot her own song
in the foot here by packing it with so
much verbiage that it's not likely to
have any hit potential there's also so
long London which I'm sitting here
scratching my head thinking what is this
the track is just constant tension and
escalation without any release it really
goes nowhere fast we also have Florida
which there is no musical idea on this
record more hairbrained than putting
Taylor on the same song as Florence
Welch which I love her voice and I like
Taylor's voice as well I enjoy both
their vocal styles respectively but they
don't mix together it's like oil and
water or hearing a tricked out new age
synthesizer rig U fighting against cello
not to mention the song reads like a bad
tourism ad or just something that you
had to be there for at at a time share
in Destin Jesus meanwhile I can fix him
reads more like a whisper quiet diet
tribe than a song and the track sticks
out for all the wrong reasons given
lyrics about being able to handle a
dangerous man which narratively that's
clearly not how the album pans out and
the song does little to explain exactly
how silly and I guess futile this kind
of mindset is love of my life though in
my opinion is one of the best clear-cut
ballads on the entire record even if the
piano parts are a little basic but it is
really the most moving and compelling
song on the entire album about a
relationship not really working out as
there's something very beautiful about
its Simplicity its starkness it's a
breathy dramatic vocal delivery images
of dancing Phantoms on the Terrace uh
being secondhand embarrassed clearly
they are reacting to every other moment
on the album not this one but at least
on this track in the lyrics Taylor is
also mature enough to admit that the
relationship this track is about is dead
and it was kind of counterfeit and fake
uh anyway not likely to work out I mean
to me moments like this is really where
Taylor proves her worth as a songwriter
not when she's giving us messy playby
plays about how she's venting to Jack
and venting to Lucy I mean I think
there's a difference between enjoying
Taylor's albums for their music and
their performances and their narratives
or enjoying them because you're deeply
entrenched in the tayor verse and you're
obsessively combing through the lyrics
on each song like the convoluted plot of
the 30th Marvel sequel the tortured
poets Department very much appeals in
the latter fashion here which is why I'm
feeling uh okay I'm
going okay I'm
going okay I'm going okay leave I'm
going to miss you so much too anney and
you guys as well you wouldn't last an
hour in the Asylum I was raised in
remember blu's po prints will be on the
clu what the [Β __Β ] look Annie you're just
going to have to accept this change it's
going to be a hard transition have you
given this album a listen this this
isn't how the review is supposed to end
this what is going on what is happening
forever
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)