Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' album and 'Cardigan' video earn praises for her poetic imagery and gorgeous sets
Taylor Swift's album 'Folklore' is now out, featuring 16 tracks and plenty of hidden treats for Swifties to enjoy. As the beaming singer revealed on Twitter, she had written and recorded these songs during the quarantine period, and it features collaborations with Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, Bon Iver, William Bowery (who is rumored to actually be Taylor Swift's boyfriend, Joe Alwyn) and star producer Jack Antonoff.
Speaking on social media after the album released, Swift revealed, "In isolation, my imagination has run wild and this album is the result. I’ve told these stories to the best of my ability with all the love, wonder, and whimsy they deserve. Now it’s up to you to pass them down. Folklore is out now." You can listen to the album here.
Swift also mentioned that she had been inspired by unique visuals that had popped into her mind during the making of her album. "Stars drawn around scars. A cardigan that still bears the scent of loss 20 years later. Battleships sinking into the ocean, down, down, down. The tree swing in the woods of my childhood. Hushed tones of 'let's run away' and never doing it. The sun-drenched month of August, sipped away like a bottle of wine. A mirrored disco ball hovering above a dance floor. A whiskey bottle beckoning. Hands held through plastic. A single thread, that for better or for worse, ties you to your fate." These luminous and picturesque lines seem to correspond to different tracks on the album, and fans are already buzzing about the songs while delving deeper into her lyrics and searching for hidden clues.
Swifties were also praising the gorgeous sets of the idyllic Cardigan video, which features Swift disappearing into her shimmering piano and then tickling the ivories in a lush green forest next to a waterfall. It's a scene straight out of Disney's 'Jungle Book' and fans can't get over the beautiful visuals and poetic lyrics. 'Cardigan' contains poignant lines like "When you are young they assume you know nothing" and "When I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone’s bed You put me on and said I was your favorite." You can check out the magical music video here.
One fan exclaimed, "This is literally the most gorgeous set I've ever seen in a music video." Another thrilled fan said, "This looks like a scene from a live action Disney movie. Taylor really is coming through with production value. The song and video is stunning!" Another fan referenced the lyrics and symbolic imagery from 'Cardigan', saying: "When Taylor is 'drowning', she clings to her music. We put her on like an old cardigan each time she turns up and revel in the familiar, warm comfort."
There were plenty of Easter eggs spotted on the tracklisting for 'Folklore' too. As a sharp-eyed fan noted, "Track 1 is called ‘The 1’, Track 7 is called ‘Seven’, Track 8 is called ‘August’." That's certainly not a coincidence!
A Swiftie also noted, "I love how Taylor said the names of songs in other songs because they are like easter eggs - her profession." One admirer praised the album as her new favorite, saying "Folklore is THE album I always dreamt she'd make someday & I needed right now, thank you Taylor. Screams comfort & dethroned 'RED' as my number 1 album. The storytelling, the beautiful comforting melodies, the genius lyrics, the range, I can't believe she did THAT."
As another fan concluded, "Final thoughts after the first listen: one of her best albums to date. Lyrically, sonically and cohesively that was beautiful. 'Mad Woman' is my favorite track. From the bottom of my heart, thank you @taylorswift13 #folklore."