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Yeah... I kind of think this is Taylor's best piece of work. It's not even my favorite (like I probably like evermore, Midnights, and TTPD more than this one) HOWEVER this is such a cohesive piece of art. This is probably my favorite Taylor album to actually listen to as an album and not just songs on my playlist. It's so cinematic. Like there is truly not a bad song and barely even a song I dislike on this album. It is a 10/10 masterpiece by Mother Swift. The original ending on hoax makes so happy. Hoax is an underrated piece of poetry. That bridge?? I think peace may be her most depressing song yet, truly. The fact that Swifties got to experience this in real time during COVID is actually awesome. I wasn't a swiftie back then, but I can only imagine. This album is just connects sadness and storytelling together in such a beautiful way. It is desperately sad while keeping the story going. This album feels like the secret garden in my mind. The writing is truly just so beautiful. "You knew it still hurts underneath my scars from when they pulled me apart but what you did was just as dark, darling, this was just as hard as when they pulled me apart." Like truly what a mind. As a sad girlie I really appreciate that 14.5/17 songs are absolutely, gut-wrenchingly sad. Literally the whole album gets added to every playlist immediately. And I mean truly... just take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die!
This album kick starts in the beginning, goes dull on the middle, and then comes back to me at the end. Lyrically speaking, I think this album has a lot of poetic things to say. Sonically? Not my absolute favorite. Salina and Pretty Girl From Chile stand out to me as songs I don’t enjoy that much (and also Living Of Love). But the songs that standout are truly killer. Will You Return, The Weight Of Lies, Die Die Die, The Ballad of Love and Hate, etc. etc. I was actually worried listening to this one that I had found an Avett Brother album I didn’t like as much… FALSE. This one isn’t my favorite (and full disclose is probably the one I’d like to listen to again the least out of the ones I’ve dabbled in so far) but this album still has a lot of smart things to say. And man!!! The ending on Tales of Coming News. What a cool closer to an album! I can always respect an album that is closed well (this reminds me of Olivia Rodrigo- cigarette smoke) where it fades out. Except here it fades out while he keeps singing on in the same tune. As if… he could keep going on forever about it but the songs has to end so it’s just an implied continuation. “See but the truth of the matter is no one back home really misses me, see how I talk when I am sad.” DAMN! My thesis statement. “I don’t mean to scare you with the things I say. I take it back, yes it’s a beautiful day.” DAMN. MY THESIS STATEMENT. Also! Have to praise The Ballad of Love and Hate. That song is so incredibly and impressively smart to me.
And I just want to tell you that this is not my style of music (this album is objectively better than a 1/10, sonically alone). My biggest problem with this album is that it doesn't really take a single risk. It's exactly what I expected. He didn't say a single thing that surprised me in the slightest. I wanted him to tell me something deep about literally anything... and honestly didn't really leave disappointed because I figured he wouldn't. Bruno Mars isn't really the artist you go to to get a deep new perspective on life. It just feels like an album that was created to be played at weddings (although, I pinky promise it won't be played at mine). It's sweet(ish) romantic music... but even that's a stretch in my opinion. Hot take? It's not that romantic to say "God was showing off when making you" or "play a song for this pretty lady." Like that is not the romantic phrasing he thinks it is (or maybe he doesn't think it is... I don't know). I think these are more fun love songs to get you in cute daydreaming feels... but there's no earnest desire or love in it. His love songs feel more like infatuation, whereas songs like If It's The Beaches by the Avett Brothers make me truly think that Scott is in love with the woman he is singing to. And honestly..? Albums like these make me scared that I will never find the love I desire. Anyways, if you like this album I do not blame you... but it lacks the depth and earnest love that I pine for in music. Also, as I said, this isn't my favorite music style. BUT, welcome back Bruno Mars to the solo music industry!
It’s about time we actually got to hear this, and it honestly lived up to my expectations. Need Alchemist to start doing more stuff like this.
Okay this album is kind of a mixed bag... but even the songs I feel like I shouldn't like I still kind of like anyways (like BFNBU). I think I relate to a lot of her songs a lot specifically Confirmation Bias and Not Yet. Like damn! I don't hear artists say thoughts I've had a million times before all that often... so when they do it sticks out to me. The only songs I didn't like are Get Help, Renaissance, and Emergency Contact. But damn!!! The Answer as the closing track. That hit me. I think she has some really smart song writing in here where it's kind of fun, silly, girlie but it works. I think this album is really close to being really good but there's just some moments where she falls into cringey and basic song writing that kind of hurts it. Overall, I think half of this album is really good and if she could've made the few outliers better this truly would've been closer to a 7 or 8 out of 10!
This is a pretty good BUT pretty basic album. I am bought in on the very specific songwriting that's popular right now and... I don't know this album leans vague sometimes. I quite liked the songs Blue, Hold Me, Easier, Ruined, and No One Loves Like You. I think Selfish, Love struggles with something many, many, many song writers (and writers in general) struggle with- show don't tell. One of the most important rules in writing!! Do NOT tell me that you're selfish- show me that your actions were selfish. All good writing has a mix of both! You can have one lyric that confirms the selfish nature of your actions... but don't just repeat to me that you're selfish over and over again! We don't need to be DROWNING in metaphors... but I also don't need you to explain your feelings to me like I'm 11. I really liked Easier as a concept... like is this new love easier than mine was? I think that's a cool concept. I also find that his verses are often too short (particularly the second verse- which I think is such a fun verse to do something really smart with). Overall, I think this album isn't really that ambitious and isn't breaking any chains of the human psyche, writing style, sound, or really do anything that I think is particular clever or smart- BUT with that being said... it's an enjoyable album. If you want a sweet mix of love and breakup songs this is a good album to check out. I think Hold Me is my favorite!
It’s not the craziest thing I’ve ever heard, but the novelty of hearing Tom Hardy rapping will never get old to me.