expresses vulnerable heartbreak

Review by MadisonShaffar

On Sunday, Feb. 4, Taylor Swift stunned fans, including me, across the globe when she went on to the stage to accept her 13th Grammy Award and announced that her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” would be released on April 19.

Although I love the re-recorded albums, I could not wait to hear the brand new material from her, especially given that we have not had a complete breakup album since “Red” in 2012.  

After word came out that Swift and her boyfriend of six years Joe Alwyn had split in April of 2023, I knew that this album would be one full of heartbreak and genius lyricism. 

I waited for what felt like ages until the night of April 18, when I opened my Spotify and started with the first 16 songs. I was immediately taken into a new blend of genius lyrics and innovative sound. 

I was especially excited for the two songs that had collaborations with other artists. “Fortnight” with Post Malone and “Florida!!!” with Florence + the Machine grabbed my attention right away. Although I would have loved to hear more of Post Malone on the track, I still love the duo and the music video was so fun to watch. Second, Florence Welch’s vocals on her song with Swift absolutely delivered. As one of the more upbeat songs on the album, I would say that this song has already become a fan favorite. 

The next surprise came at 1 a.m., or 2 a.m. PST, when an Instagram post from Swift revealed the release of “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” a second part to the album that includes 15 extra songs. 

The double album surprise caught me off guard, but I could not have been more pumped. Those extra songs included the three bonus tracks that had been announced for each of the album variants.

Swift made me feel as though I was going through the breakup with her.

My favorite song quickly became “But Daddy I Love Him,” but I also have “Guilty as Sin?” “The Bolter” and “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” on repeat. So far, I’ve gravitated more towards the upbeat songs, but that’s not to say that the more relaxed ones are not fantastic.

Each song offers differing insight into Swift’s life and relationships, creating 31 vulnerable stories. It almost feels like I’m reading poetry when I look at the lyrics. 

I’ve heard a lot of mixed feelings about the album so far. Many people are saying that the songs sound too similar or there aren’t enough upbeat rhythms, but I can’t help but love it. The more I’ve listened, the catchier it’s becoming and the more I’m growing to understand Swift’s complicated writing. It might not be for everyone, but I know I’m a fan already.

It is also interesting to see the different theories of who each song is about. Although fans predicted that the album would focus on her breakup with Alwyn, many are wondering if some songs are about other people in her life, such as her rumored short relationship with The 1975’s lead singer Matty Healy and her long-running feud with Kim Kardashian.

The lyrical parallels between songs on “The Tortured Poets Department” and songs from Swift’s past albums prove how talented of a storyteller she is. Swift makes connections to her recent albums about Alwyn, as well as some of her younger eras, to create a whirlwind of emotions and transport fans throughout her discography.

Overall, I see this album as a great success for Swift. She has already broken records and made monumental strides in the album’s first few days, including making a historic debut at Number One on the Billboard 200 chart, marking “The Tortured Poets Department” as the largest streaming week for an album and Swift’s 14th Number One on the chart. 

I’m curious to see if “The Tortured Poets Department” is going to make its way into the Eras Tour setlist when she returns on May 9 and sets off the European leg of the tour in Paris, as these songs have not yet been performed live.

This album’s sound is a new and unique blend for Swift, proving once again that she has the power to shift genres and maintain her level of popularity within the music industry. I cannot wait to see what Swift has coming up next, especially since she has yet to re-record her “reputation” and debut albums, and I have faith that whatever it is will not disappoint.