Taylor Swift has enchanted us once more with her latest album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’. Some of Swift’s most notable albums include ‘1989’, ‘Folklore’, and ‘Lover’. Swift’s latest album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ (TTPD) is another pop album that has lived up to its name.
TTPD originally had 16 songs, but a surprise release of TTPD: The Anthology included an additional 15 songs for a whopping 31 song album. With poetic lyrics that delve into human experience and emotion as well as personal growth, struggles, and introspection, Swift has curated an album that wonderfully captures the theme of a tortured poet.
Upon the first listen the album seems repetitive with similar themes and pacing throughout. By a second or even third listen, it is much easier to differentiate the songs and appreciate the songwriting.
Essential tracks that capture the meaning of the album as a whole include ‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart’, ‘Clara Bow’, ‘So Long, London’, and, ‘Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?’.
‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart’ is a clear reference to Swift’s record breaking Eras Tour. Like many of Swift’s songs, she deceives you with an upbeat sound to disguise the heartbreaking lyrics. The song explores the demands she faces from fans and media alike as she navigates her personal and professional lives while quietly suffering from heartbreak and the pressure of it all.
‘Clara Bow’ is about the never ending cycle of comparisons and fame. The song references Clara Bow and Stevie Nicks who were both the “it girl” of their times. Despite the song being unrelatable to most people, it is still relevant as it highlights difficulties faced by people whose lives are constantly under public scrutiny, as well as the fast pace that the public can move onto its next big star while forgetting the past.
‘So Long, London’ is track five, and Swift is known for making track five the most personal and often heartbreaking song on her albums. The song begins sounding like a church choir, representing her hopes of forever with this person. However, these hopes are immediately dashed as she sings about carrying “the weight of the rift” as she tries to make their relationship work but is ultimately unsuccessful.
‘Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?’ explores the toxic music industry and the media. After stepping into the spotlight as a child star, Swift was quickly forced to toughen up to survive in the “circus life” of the music and entertainment industry. The song is about the importance of remaining resilient in the face of the unknown and those who want to put you down or control you.
In all, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, despite some repetitiveness, is a great album that is well worth a listen.
