Fans were delighted on April 19 with the release of Taylor Swift’s eleventh studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” Swift announced its release at this year’s Grammy Awards after winning Best Pop Vocal Album for her tenth studio album, “Midnights.” Swift shared a surprise double album, subtitled “The Anthology,” two hours after the first album was released.
Between the two albums, Swift released 31 songs that showcased her unparalleled lyricism. Each of the songs reveal pieces of Swift’s psyche, offering a poignant exploration of love, loss and the tumultuous emotions that accompany them. The album truly explores the “department” of tortured poets, as raw emotions are transformed into powerful and beautiful works of art.
“The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology” was yet another historic release for Swift. The album became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single week and the first to surpass one billion streams.
First-year Claire Hulslander felt that “The Tortured Poets Department” is worth the hype.
“I think it’s good,” Hulslander said. “Each song has a different meaning, and I like a majority of the songs.”
On the other hand, many fans and critics have discussed the repetitive nature of the 31 songs between the two albums. Sophomore Sam Epstein shared a common critique of the newest album.
“[The album was] lyrically refreshing, but musically repetitive and disappointing,” Epstein said.
The opening song, “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone, is one of two special feature songs on the album. The second, “Florida!!!”, was co-written with Florence Welch and features her band, Florence & The Machine.
Unlike many other songs on the album, “Florida!!!” is not about a dying flame or exciting new love. It explores a desperate desire to escape heartbreak through a place Swift associates with the ability to disappear and begin anew.
In personal commentary on Amazon Music, Swift revealed that the song was inspired by a show she frequently watches.
“I’m always watching ‘Dateline,’” Swift said. “People have these crimes that they commit. Where do they immediately skip town and go to? They go to Florida. They try to reinvent themselves, have a new identity, blend in. And I think when you go through a heartbreak there’s a part of you that thinks, ‘I want a new name. I want a new life. I don’t want anyone to know where I’ve been or know me at all.’”
“Florida!!!” marries the voices of Swift and Welch in a haunting track that describes a woman leaving her past behind to embrace a new beginning in Florida. The song, among many on the album, is an exemplar of Swift’s lyricism.
Senior Ellie Markwick shared her favorite song and elaborated on what sets it apart from others in “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.”
“My favorite [song] on the album was definitely ‘Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?’,” Markwick said. “This song felt like a callback to [Swift’s] ‘Reputation’ album, which is my favorite, since it touched on themes of revenge, power and fame under the scrutiny of the media. Also, this song stood out to me sonically. It felt like it moved a lot more with a buildup and sound swells, and [Swift] used her higher register, which really drew me in.”
Swift is an ambitious and tasteful artist within the music industry, whose relatable lyrics and captivating melodies continue to connect with a wide audience across the globe.
