Photo: Marjorie Elsey
Say what you want, but are we? of course Did Union intentionally plan a bye week for Taylor Swift's new album?
bye week and tortured poet section (but mostly the latter), PSP provides readers with highly scientific and rigorously tested analysis, with a crossover between Union and TSwift that finally answers the questions on everyone's minds.
quick reporting
Don't know what I'm talking about? To get the most out of this experience, stay calm.
Immediately after a new song is released, Swifties can often be seen feverishly deciphering codes and clues with a tenacity that rivals intelligence agencies. Costumes, fonts, colors, etc. all speak to the album's aesthetic. In other words, each album comes of age.
“Easter eggs” can be embedded anywhere from lyrics to liner notes. None of this is a coincidence. All of the choices serve to emphasize that she constructs the album as a “story,” a moment in time. As such, it's very common for fans to identify albums by their aesthetic or personality.
Note: In order to control the means, production and distribution of her work, Swift began re-recording her past albums in 2021. The re-recorded album will be labeled as (Taylor's version).
methodology
You never thought it would turn out to be so mean, did you? As a PhD graduate, and more importantly, the girl everyone knows as Swiftie, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it. a lot Several I thought about this. Will the players be matched by how far along they are in their careers? Their game day attire (courtesy of Union Insta)? What is the overall vibe I get from them while in Section 101?
After all, countless pieces make up the aesthetic of an era, so it seemed best to consider everything and see what my intuition says. For clarity, I've tried to limit each player to his one era, but some overlap is expected.
Taylor Swift (S/T)
Swift's self-titled album encapsulates beginnings, evoking the idea of taking your first big leap and making your dreams come true. Of course, we now know that teenage Swift was laying the foundation for today's fame. So it's easy to make equivalent, but debut From unknowns to veterans with successful careers, this game is for all the young players who are preparing for this moment and trying to find their place in it. world alliance.
Debut era: Marcus Anderson, Jeremy Rafanello
Fearless (Taylor version)
This album had it all. Fantastic guitar! A dress with fringe! firework! In the Fearless era, more, more, more.
Wearing her signature hand-painted 13, Swift shot to fame with her second album, winning her first Grammy for album of the year. Magical and intriguing opening notes. fearless It evokes the feeling of jumping off with a parachute and the determination to go your own way. After all, “Fearlessness means being afraid, having doubts, standing up and fighting for what you want over and over again.”
fearless That's…our captain on the field.
In an age of fearlessness: Alejandro Bedoya
Speak Now (Taylor Version)
Her first and only self-produced album, speak now A snapshot of the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Introspective yet empowering, speak now It helped solidify Swift's status as a storyteller and songwriter.
Speak Now Era: Chris Donovan, Nate Harriel, Jack McGlynn, Oliver Senmur, Quinn Sullivan
Red (Taylor's version)
red? At Subaru Park? Passed.
Red's tracklist includes what some consider to be the holy grail of Swift's songwriting, but rules are rules.
Red era: N/A
1989 (Taylor version)
Perhaps her most widely known era, 1989 The album was Swift's first true pop album, and it led to her taking the music world by storm and achieving more commercial success than ever before in her career. This iconic era is commemorated by Swift's move to New York, her ever-present group of friends, and her unapologetic sense of understanding.
1989 This is a story of regaining oneself and the result… your violation Come alive.
1989 Era: Julián Carranza, Daniel Gasdag, Michael Uhle
reputation
….are you ready? It was a time of complete resurgence in reputation. Swift, who had been out of public view, re-emerged for the first time in nearly two years, reflecting a darker side on her electro-pop album, complete with the signature snake icon.
Although often considered one of her most intense albums; reputation It's a multifaceted era, and it shows the boldness of believing in the kindness of the world and standing your ground.
Their reputation era: Andre Blake, Jesus Bueno, Damion Lowe, Jose Martinez, Kai Wagner.
mistress
Swift's seventh album began with a brighter, more colorful aesthetic. Despite the seemingly obvious title, mistress This album isn't all about falling in love and feeling butterflies in your stomach. Instead, Swift hopes to use her platform to highlight topics like feminism and LGBTQIA+ empowerment and start conversations among her diverse fans.
Lover: Alejandro Bedoya (yes, he's double duty)
forever &folklore
Within five months of 2020, Swift released both. folklore and forever As a surprise drop.
Written during lockdown, both albums have a similar aesthetic, exuding a woody, cottagecore vibe. Generally called “sister albums”, folklore and forever Together, they create imaginative storytelling within a world with depth unlike anything Swift has attempted before.
Both albums display an incredible level of creativity and maturity as standalone albums, but together they create a truly mesmerizing experience that is difficult to replicate.
Sister album era: Jack Elliott, Jacob Glennes
midnight
A blast from the past, Swift's tenth studio album chronicles the sleepless nights that litter her life. Bliss, sadness, regret, grief, love…Sleepless nights are just the beginning of a new story.listen to midnight This book is a crash course in revisiting all of Taylor Swift's previous albums and the memories intertwined within them: the failed albums, the hard-won successes, and the path forward. be.
Midnight Era: Union fans
Bonus: Tortured Poet Department
Moody, reflective, and yes, poetic, Swift's 11th Era is a cathartic post-breakup album. Across a total of 31 songs, Swift leans into sharing her emotions from what she calls “fleeting, fateful moments.”
TTPD era: I'm still creating lyric cards, so I'm undecided for now.
