After leaving fans waiting since her Grammy-night announcement, Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album finally dropped at midnight on Friday, April 19. Like many fans, I was waiting up so I could be among the thousands who listened to “The Tortured Poets Department” before I could sleep.
The wait was worth it. It is nothing like anything she has ever put out. It goes into detail of her life and experiences that she has been through. The story she is singing has an upbeat rhythm to it. Not only did she release “The Tortured Poets Department” but two hours later she released “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” a deluxe album with 15 more songs.
As expected Swift uses the album to talk about her life and certain things she has been through in the past several years. In “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” she talks about going through a break-up and rough patches while she is on tour. One of the lyrics which shows her going through it is “Babe, you gotta fake it ‘til you make it. And I did.” Another lyric she said in the song is “all the pieces of me shatter when the crowds chant more,” implying that she was trying to get through that show with a smile and happiness. She’s putting in effort when the crowds want more from her, even when she wants to break down.
This album had some really good emotions in it. The album has all five stages of grief. “I Love You, It’s Ruining My Life” from “Fortnight” explains denial. “You don’t get to tell me about sad” from “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me” represents anger. “Am I allowed to cry” from “Guilty as Sin?” explains bargaining. “Old Habits Die Screaming” from “The Black Dog” explains depression to people. “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” from “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” explains acceptance.
In the song “Florida!!!” with Florence + The Machine, Swift talks about how your home is really only a guest, giving the perception that a lot of people don’t fit in, even if you think you’re with someone you can call your home.
Her TTPD lyrics also make several mentions of her wish to take a miracle move-on pill. “The effects were temporary. And I love you, it’s ruining my life,” she says in “Fortnight.” Even when she wishes she could move on, she keeps going back to the memories that make her life miserable.
Overall this album is good. The album is already breaking records as it was just released. I think you should give it a listen even if you don’t like her. This album isn’t a pop album like her other ones, it’s more synth sounding with some up beats. You might not like the whole album but a song may stick out to you.
