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Image: Beth Garrabrant.
Once in a lifetime, an album arrives that changes what it means to be an artist. A record so carefully crafted, and embedded with emotion that it transcends anything that came before it. THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT is that album. As Taylor Swift continues to reach astronomical heights in her career, her latest offering is one of reflection, introspection and soul-destroying heartbreak.
Taking a more conceptual approach, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT presents itself as a case file, an in-depth examination and dissection of a relationship that has left its bruise. We enter this new era with Fortnight, Swift's collaboration with American artist Post Malone that ponders fleeting love, and are immediately introduced to the subdued alt-pop palette that fuels the record. But make no mistake, each songs soundscape is a bounty of rich and dynamic compositions.
My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys and I Can Do It With A Broken Heart offer more pure pop-based moments. But Daddy I Love Him is a cinematic experience, as is Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me? - one of Swift's most powerful vocal performances - and the Florence Welch collaboration Florida!!!. Both artists come together here, trading verses and lines to create pure magic. The unity of Swift and Welch is one that may surprise casual listeners of both artists, but it is in turn one of the most exciting contemporary collaborations. Welch's inimitable vocals run rampant alongside Swift's commanding performance to create one of the records standout moments.
Rich tones unfurl throughout Guilty As Sin, and Swift's vocals reach euphoria on Fresh Out the Slammer. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) arrives complete with country twangs, whilst So Long London echoes the chimes of Big Ben. Nothing is pure coincidence, Swift and her longtime friend and collaborator Jack Antonoff have meticulously crafted another collection of songs that ooze with character and constantly push against the boundaries of the singers catalogue.
It is fair to say, now almost twenty years into her career, that Swift is the most prolific songwriter of her generation. I'm inclined to say of all time. No other artist is able to paint such vivid vignettes on love, loss and everything in between. "Tendrils tucked into a woven braid," she eloquently sings on But Daddy I Love Him. The infamous track four strikes again, this time with So Long London. Here, Swift farewells a relationship and the city that fostered it - whilst delivering some of her most gut-wrenching lyricism. "My spine split from carrying us up the hill. Wet through my clothes, weary bones caught the chill. I stopped tryna make him laugh, stopped tryna drill the safe," and "I stoppеd CPR, after all, it's no use. The spirit was gonе, we would never come to," are sure to conjure emotions within you.
It's in loml and The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived where Swift truly crushes our hearts. The lullaby-like piano melody of the former undertones the most vulnerable vocal performance from the singer, as she unpacks the devastation of a relationship meeting its demise. The latter is arguably one of Swift's most powerful songs. The closing bridge speaks for itself, rage bubbling beneath the surface ready to erupt. It has the essence of All Too Well (10 Minute Version) and the defeated notion of Last Kiss. Truly a remarkable lyrical feat. It's also interesting to note that Swift's main vocal line uses her lower register, whilst subtly threaded within is a higher harmony that drives home the strength of the lyrics but never takes over - again leaning into the notion of rage bubbling beneath the surface.
THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT is Swift's magnum opus. Beyond its expert storytelling, the album seems to thread together notes of all of the artists previous records. There's the heartbreak of Red, the reflection of Midnights, the innocence of Fearless and her self-titled debut, and the starry-eyed naivety and child-like wonder of Speak Now. We're met with the biting pulse of reputation and the intimacy of both folklore and evermore, whilst also finding the adoration of Lover and confidence of 1989. In turn, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT is the ultimate Taylor Swift album,
Perhaps this is influenced by the re-recording of her earlier albums, or by her critically acclaimed The Eras Tour. Nevertheless, with each release Swift continues to soar and shows no signs of ever coming down,
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