Taylor Swift - evermore

Well who would have thought that this year we would get 1 new Taylor Swift album never mind 2 Taylor Swift albums.  It just shows someone who is completely in love with her craft.  "evermore" is Taylor Swift's 9th studio album. Considering she is only 31 that is a pretty impressive amount especially considering how successful they have been.  But not only that the difference and uniqueness in the albums can be seen as she keeps reinventing herself and pushing herself to make new and refreshing music.  That is until now. As "evermore" is more of a continuation from "folklore" as the sounds and general feel of the albums are generally speaking the same.  She said herself that she was just in a happy place and it just felt right to keep on recording songs after "folklore" and those songs became "evermore".

It's interesting looking back on "folklore" now.  I was so glad and surprised when it came out.  To me "Reputation" and "Lover" which were the albums that came before "folklore" were quite disappointing. The shift "folklore" took was wonderful and it was a really strong album just to kick back to.  However for me, while it is a good album, apart from "betty" its not an album I found I really go back to.  And believe me when I say during albums 2 to 5 I went through long phases of Taylor Swift. But with "folklore" I found that I had other albums out at the time I would rather listen to.  I think the reason for this is the type of album it was and the same goes for "evermore".  The main focus of the albums are storytelling so I think to truly appreciate and really get into these albums you need to appreciate lyrics and the stories these stories that Taylor is telling.

Now I would say on the whole I am just not a lyrics person.  I am much more focused on the instruments and how the vocals sound rather than what is actually being said.  Now that's not to say  the music isn't good on "evermore" because there are good tracks on this.  But in terms of listening to it a lot I think you need to be into the lyrics more.  I think its more down to the type of music.  These soft folky type songs are good but there are no anthems on these types of record.  They are not the type of songs you would sing along to at a concert. They are more the type you would go to an intimate, seated venue and would be sat in silence while being wowed by Taylor's talent.

Looking closer at the tracks in "evermore". Opener "willow" has some amazing vocals by Taylor especially the chorus which is particularly soothing.  Second track "champagne problems" is piano driven and another tender track.   "no body, no crime" is one of my favourite tracks of the album as she collaborates with old friends HAIM. Interestingly it appears it is just Taylor on vocals as it feels HAIM contribute more with their instruments rather than their vocals to this song.  I like the beat to it and one of the more interesting songs on the album.  Another cracker is "long story short" which to me is the "betty" of the album". Nice upbeat song.  There are a few songs which do feel a bit flat and pedestrian like "happiness".  It feels those tracks are like what I said earlier and focus on the storytelling rather than how they are sung and the tune behind it. Making them not really standout as much.  There is just not much vocal variation on songs like this.

Overall though this is another strong album by Taylor.  There are some forgettable moments but there are many moments of magic too which see Taylor at her best.  In terms of listening to this long term I don't think this will be an album I will go back to but that is down to the type of music it is rather than the actual quality of the output.  One thing is for sure is that Taylor has spoiled us this year and given us something refreshing and different in this difficult year, twice over.  Personally I would hope in the future she would go down more of the "betty" and "long story short" direction.  Just so we get that more upbeat direction which personally I prefer to listen to from her.