Let's talk Folklore!!

If you know me at all, you know I am a huge Taylor Swift fan (ever since her self-titled, and always will be!). And let me tell you, I LOVE the new album (if you can't tell by my watercolor tribute to it). It’s a totally new sound for her and I think it really reflects her journey over the past decade. If you haven’t watched Taylor’s Netflix documentary Miss Americana yet, what are you waiting for?? It only made me love her more (and shed a few tears).

Taylor could not have dropped Folklore at a better time. This summer has been SUCH a weird one, as we all know. For me, this album came out in the midst of making the tough decision to stay home from campus this semester. It definitely cheered me up!

It also came out while I was nannying for three girls who all happened to be huge fans as well. Folklore became the absolute soundtrack of our summer, background music to almost every activity. It was such a fun way to bond with them while also jamming out constantly.

I thought it would be a fun idea to rank my favorite songs on Folklore on here, and talk about some parts I really loved. I almost didn’t do it because it felt nerdy, but then I remembered no one has to read this blog! Of course I love all of the tracks on this album, but some I adore a little more than others.

Here’s my ranking:

1- august

2- betty

3- my tears ricochet

4- this is me trying

5- the last great american dynasty

6- the 1

7- peace

8- illicit affairs

9- exile

10- epiphany

11- mirrorball

12- invisible string

13- hoax

14- mad woman

15- cardigan

16- seven

August has to be my number one because of the catchy tune and melancholy that fits this summer so well. It was a hard choice between that one and betty, though, for sure! I love betty’s harmonica parts and the way that it ties in with august and cardigan. I’ve always known Taylor was a lyrical genius, but the overlapping storylines between the songs on this album are next-level.

My tears ricochet and this is me trying were a definite toss-up for me as well. Both show such raw emotion in a beautiful way. I LOVED the last great american dynasty from the start because it’s about her house in Watch Hill and I think that is so cool. If anyone else tried to write a song about their house I don’t think it would have the same outcome.

The 1 was also a bop from the beginning for me! Iconic that she started off her album with the line, “I’m feeling good I’m on some new shit”. I’m here for it. Illicit affairs is such a beautiful melody, and so is invisible string! And peace! Always stuck in my head. These are the songs that I feel most passionately about, but like I said, it was so hard to rank them because at the end of the day I love them all.

ALSO, I can’t post this without an honorable mention to the amazing mash-ups i’ve been seeing on YouTube and TikTok. Betty x All Too Well (I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a remix)? August x Blank Space?! The combinations are endless- I can’t help but think Taylor matched up the bridges on Folklore to some of her older songs. Whether it was purposeful or not, these mash-ups were just an extension of the joy that Folklore brought me.

Thanks for listening to me geek out! What is your favorite song on the album?

xx, Lauren