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Some of the marketing I have seen: Taylor herself reposting reviews on the album... An ad on Disney+ with Taylor advertising the Target vinyl.. Taylor Nation seems to be more active on Twitter (sorry.. X lol) promoting listens by the different platforms (Apple, Panorama, Spotify) etc. And this is not counting the pre-release Easter eggs. Is it just me or has it always been like this? Personally, I had never seen a TV ad about an album before!

I wonder what's the push? I think Taylor's albums have the potential to do well with minimal advertising lol. Swifties we just buy whatever she puts out cause we know it'll be good. Any ideas why the change now??

I noticed Fresh Out The Slammer starts with an almost stereotypical western film intro... and then the whole of the vibe for I Can Fix Him is super westerny (freight train through a small town, pistols!): it's practically set at an old timey saloon bar.

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Any other western connections?

Am loving this more masculine country music vibe for her.

On my listens so far, she has a real go at her low register on the double album and showcases her vocal work. Along with the production she seems effortless in this range now, I find it appealing on many levels.

I am an amateur at both guitar and piano and Taylor's catalog has been a major teaching tool because I know the words and rhythms to her music. Reading sheet music from authoratiative sources (assuming Taylor's team approved the transcription) has very much helped me.

I am beginning to see the Sheet (no tablature yet) music from some of my go to sites. Here is a brief summary of what I've seen so far if you are an instrument learner or vocalist. She really embraced her low register here.

I can fix him (No Really I Can) - A major and a vocal range of B3 - D5

My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys - C major and a vocal range of D4 - A5 (Taylor's go to for a long time)

Fortnight - B major and a vocal range of D#3 - C#5

So Long London - A major and a vocal range of E3 - D4

Edit:a few typos

I instantly loved the sound so I checked who produced it and its a producer named Patrik Berger. If Wikipedias corrrect its the only other song on ttpd apart from fortnight that isn't produced solely by Jack/Aaron.

I wasn't surprised to see that Patrik has produced other songs I like, but I'm curious what people think about it.

there’s plenty of debate around whether or not she’ll add a set for TTPD at all, but let’s operate under the assumption for a minute that she does decide to add a TTPD set. to avoid making the show any longer than it already is, she decides to cut a few existing songs from the show. which songs does she cut?

my bet is on the archer, tis the damn season, my tears ricochet, wildest dreams, and mastermind. one from each era that already has 5+ songs.

what songs do you think she’d cut?

Some of my fave songs from TTPD are definitely The Alchemy and So High School. They are so uplifting and ! Travis comes across as so sweet, fun and warm in contrast to Joe and Matty, who are cold and aloof.

I’m just really happy she’s with someone, who treats her well and isn’t afraid to show his attraction to her.

I'm currently sitting here with 24/31 songs liked/saved on Spotify. I follow artists with 4-5 albums who haven't crossed the 20-song threshold. These are spread throughout the anthology, too, not front-loaded in the 'regular' album.

The sheer songwriting ambition here to release a 31-song collection is incredible. For some of the 'same-y' criticisms, that's just silly - there are many standout songs on just a first listen to anyone half-paying attention, and there are definitely potential radio-friendly hits too (But Daddy I Love Him, Guilty as Sin?, The Alchemy, etc. Down Bad would be a great single minus the swears).

The point I'm trying to make is the consistency of song quality across this album - thirty-one songs! - is unbelievably impressive. Even some that I consider skips aren't bad songs. Fortnight is a perfect opener setting the tone, and I love that it has two perfect closers in Clara Bow and The Manuscript as well.

Yes, it's not musically the most intriguing or dynamic record. Almost all the songs have the same soundscape of muted synth, electronic beats, beeps and bops, with sprinklings of guitar and piano. But again for anyone really listening there's enough variety and smart track listing that songs don't simply blur into each other.

I think no matter how many albums Taylor Swift makes the best remembered songs culturally will be from Red, 1989, reputation and Lover. However, I think TTPD will be the record that people talk about with that most reverance (perhaps alongside folklore) as the one that defines her as a songwriter. While the themes of this album are very much around vulnerability and fragility, you can't really look at this as anything other than a songwriter at the peak of their powers and productivity, and an artist at the height of their confidence to be bold enough to do this.

I'm not saying it's the 'best' album by her as I think that's the wrong way to look at it. Taylor Swift is clearly an artist going for different things with each album project. They need to be taken on their own merits, and comparing TTPD to 1989 is like asking if a hammer or scalpel is better. You can rank albums by personal preference, sure, but beyond that it's difficult to compare.

Obviously everything is subjective, and there will be a spectrum of people that love every song on TTPD to those who just don't get on with this album at all. This is just my take, and my view is that while TTPD is already getting good reviews I think it's a record that will age really, really well. It's an album that doesn't insist upon itself straight out of the gate, but invites you in to go on this journey and rewards repeat listens.

P.S. I keep mentioning 'record' because the vinyl is an absolutely beautiful piece of physical media. Will there be a full anthology release? Will that even fit on 4 disks?!

P.P.S. I've been a fan for a while, but new to the sub and first-time poster so hope you'll all be kind :)

A social group I am in is hosting a Taylor Swift themed high tea - I would love some ideas on what to bring! Thanks in advance.

Here is a list I’ve been making -

FLORIDA!!! music video Full Anthology on vinyl (my hope is a May 3rd announcement) A manuscript similar to Reputation lyric book At least 1 song at the Eras Tour (down bad, who’s afraid of little old me)

I noticed while listening to the new album that a surprising amount of songs felt like spiritual sequels to her previous work. This is just in terms of the subject matter, like it continues or revisits the same story, not the song sounding similar musically.

Can you think of anymore than what I have so far, or think of better ones than mine?

But Daddy I Love Him - Love Story

Florida!!! - no body no crime

Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? - Look What You Made Me Do

I Can Do it With a Broken Heart - mirrorball

Clara Bow - the last great american dynasty

So High School - You Belong With Me

thanK you aIMee - Mean

hello!

i wouldn’t consider myself a fan of taylor’s music, i don’t usually listen to pop, country-pop, etc and maybe that’s why her songs never grew on me. to me, they seem a bit repetitive, but of course i haven’t listened to every each of them. (you can recommend me one that you personally love) but she seems to be a genuinely good person and i am trying to better understand the way other people see her music. so i was wondering what are the things that you like about her music. is it the lyrics, the melody? or her persona and the personal things she sings about in songs? and also, what’s your favourite lyric of her? the one that seems most “poetic” to you.

i am just curious about this. i really respect her for everything she managed to accomplish in her career so far

I was totally underwhelmed by the merch for TTPD. With it coming out before the album, it made me worry that I wouldn’t like the actual album, given the aesthetic. However it turns out I absolutely adore the album, and don’t see how the merch fits it at all. The merch to me gives off HipHop vibes, that absolutely does not fit the music it’s attached too. There isn’t one thing from the range that I’d want. Is it just me with this view?

This song is great I'm in love with it though i haven't had enough time or listens to analyse it thoroughly So this is appreciation post about it I love it 💕💕💕 I love how she sings lights, mind , one slip and die

I have some questions for you

Your favourite part/lyrics? Mine : What if he's written mine on my upper thigh only in my mind and one slip and falling back into hedge the maze

Who do think the song is about ? Like is she singing to joe about ratty? I'm confused so help

So we all know how skilled Taylor is as a writer. We see it over and over again across her discography and when she releases new material. It’s obvious how tremendously she cares for her craft.

However, I’m very curious if you have any opinions about how much of it all is unintentional or happens subconsciously for her? As in, we the fans see or interpret something and make connections that maybe she didn’t even consider when she first wrote or published something. So yeah. To what degree in your opinion?

Part of me thinks that, realistically, it’s not really possible that it’s all 100% intentional… At the same time I’m like, well of course it is. She’s a genius… 😅 but we all have different lived experiences making it possible for us to connect the dots in an infinite amount of ways, without something being actually connected…

It’s for a playlist

Example:

She uses "precocious child" once in "I Hate It Here" and again in "BDILH" in TTPD.

Personally, I wish "multiples" would get edited out, but I could see her maybe wanting to use words to connect ideas or themes in separate songs? Are there other re-uses y'all noticed? and what is you opinion on them?

After TTPD was announced, there was a lot of discussion about the surprise songs for the Eras tour, particularly the mashups, being clues for various album. Now that we have TTPD, let's have that discussion again, but with hindsight!

Here's a list, taken from Elle:

• ***If she hadn't won the Grammy, she would have announced on this night. Tokyo, Japan Feb 7: ‘Dear Reader’ and ‘Holy Ground’
• Tokyo, Japan, Feb 8: ‘Eyes Open’ and ‘Electric Touch’
• Tokyo, Japan Feb 9: ‘Superman’ and ‘The Outside’
• Tokyo, Japan Feb 10: ‘Come In With The Rain’ and ‘You’re On Your Own Kid’
• **The Bolter is announced Melbourne, Australia Feb 16: ‘You’re Losing Me’ and ‘Red’
• Melbourne, Australia Feb 17: ‘This Is Me Trying’ and ‘Getaway Car x August x The Other Side Of The Door’
• Melbourne, Australia Feb 18: ‘Teardrops On My Guitar’ and ‘Come Back Be Here x Daylight’
• *** The Albatross is announced Sydney, Australia Feb 23: ‘How You Get The Girl’ and a mashup of ‘White Horse x Coney Island’ featuring Sabrina Carpenter
• Sydney, Australia Feb 24: ‘Should’ve Said No x You’re Not Sorry’ and ‘New Year’s Day x Peace’
• Sydney, Australia Feb 25: ‘Is It Over Now? x I Wish You Would’ and ‘Haunted x Exile’
• Sydney, Australia Feb 26: ‘Forever & Always x Maroon’ and ‘Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve x Ivy’

Can't find dates for these, but:

• ***The weird announcement fake-out where her Instagram went live as if there were going to be an announcement and then there wasn't Singapore Night 1: Mine x Starlight, and I Don't Want to Live Forever x Dress

• ***The Black Dog is announced Singapore Night 2: Long Story Short x Story of Us and Clean x evermore

• Singapore Night 3: Foolish One x Tell Me Why and This Love x Call It What You Want

• Singapore Night 4: Death By a Thousand Cuts x Babe and Fifteen x You're On Your Own Kid

• Singapore Night 5: Sparks Fly x Gold Rush and False God x Slut!

• Singapore Night 6: Tim McGraw x Cowboy Like Me and mirrorball x epiphany

My take on all of this: There's obviously way too many songs here for each to be an Easter egg or something, and she does tend to write about similar themes in all of her work, so it's hard to say if anything was on purpose. I do think that "Dear Reader" was a very intentional choice to be the first song after the TTPD announcement. I also think her lineup in Australia in particular, when she started doing mashups was super telling!

(This is meant to be a fun thing. I'm not taking it too seriously and I'm not expecting you all to, either! Just another fun way to look at the music and make connections across songs)

Listening to TTPD I adore the 5 song run from loml to Clara Bow (loml, I Can Do It With a Broken Heart, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, The Alchemy, Clara Bow). It goes from horrifically sad, to sad but a total banger, to angriest I’ve ever heard her, to cheesy love bop, to contemplative about fame and aging. It’s sonically diverse, but cohesive too, and traces a pretty linear path through her emotions. Some of her best lyrics ever. Love the variety, and each individual song!

I can come up with a lot of 4-song runs on other albums but not many with 5. What are your favorites?

While Midnights wasn’t everyone’s favorite upon release, it didn’t evoke such polarizing reviews like Tortured Poets. I have seen people stating its her best work and an instant favorite. On the flip side I have seen some of the harshest criticism from her fans (sounds the same, unedited, too vulnerable etc.) and her worst album yet.

Got me thinking what is it, that’s so divisive about TTPD?

Personally it took me 3 listens to grasp the concept, how the tracks follows seamlessly into eachother, the overall theme and state of mind Taylor was/is in.

The last secret session was for the Lover album back in 2019. And I know that for evermore and folklore, there were no secret sessions in 2020 (Firstly bcz of the pandemic, secondly It was a surprise album drop). And for The 4 Re-recordings there wasn’t a reason, because 70% of the album was already released years prior. But why didn’t Midnights have SS or The Tortured Poets Department? To think about it we haven’t gotten a SS for 5 years on 9 albums, but if you exclude the 4 re-recordings then for 5 albums we haven’t gotten a SS. Do you think she will ever do SS? I know it’s actually pretty sad that she makes a SS and people steal from her, but also she’s the biggest artist on the planet, so ofc it would be very hard to make a SS. But do you think there will be SS for TS12?

I recognise the irony that this post might end up might be a hypocritical but I'm saying it to cover my bases. I say Jack vs Aaron discourse, but let's be honestly it's only Jack discourse and him getting heat. I love both Jack and Aaron songs but most of the complaints surrounding Jack seems to be all his songs "all sound the same" which I clearly do not agree with. Looking back through his discography (even with just work with Taylor) you can tell that even with recent works that something like YOYOK and The Black Dog do not sound the same. There might be similarities but then so does songs that Aaron produces. Everyone has their own signature style. What I find really hypocritical is how this complaint is also not applied to Aaron. The middle part of Antho sounds more similar to each other than whatever Jack has cooked up this and the last album. I have seen complaints that the first half of TTPD is like one long song. For the first half of you can see the way the songs are positioned to have production Jack and Aaron sandwiching each other, which imo lends to the variance in production as the album progresses. The second half had just a chunk especially in the middle that was Aaron and imo it bleeds into each other a bit. This is the part that bothers me: the same people that complain that Jack songs "sound the same" will proceed to praise the second half of the album, which personally sounds way more "same-y" than the first part (which had both jack and aaron), and what's even more crazy is that they have said it's like i could be lifted from evermore or is basically woodvale and love it because of that. Suddenly to them songs "sounding the same" is not an issue?

From what i have seen it always boils down to "taylor needs to stop working with jack because [reason here]" and that reason is usually mask for the fact that they either don't like jack personally or don't like synths or are bored of synths. And then claim that all synths sounds the same, which imo is like saying all piano sounds the same. Like it's okay not to like a certain genre or type of music, or to prefer one over the other but a lot of the criticism really likes to discredit both Jack and Taylor. You can want more Aaron songs without needing to shit on Jack. Not to mention they're taking away Taylor's autonomy of wanting things to sound a certain way when they blame Jack for every production choice. Things might sound similar cause maybe she wanted call backs to previous songs, maybe she wanted it to sound a certain way. Either way she chose to put it that way or approved it that way. Personally, I do not feel it getting "stale" or that they're "limiting each other creatively" because as I mentioned I can differentiate the songs from this album from something like Midnights.

TLDR: I probably didn't articulate this as well as I could have but people clearly have a genre of music/certain production they prefer and that's okay. Most of the complaints of things "sounding the same" feels hypocritical because they only apply it to the 'other side' and not the side they like. Jack and Aaron can co-exist and when they work together magic can and does happen (Hits Different anyone?).

What's your favourite bridge or your top 3 bridges from the new albums so far?

I'm completely in awe of the How did it end bridge, something about that melody just tickles my brain in the best possible way!

And would you call the whole part starting with "Were you sent by someone" in The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived the bridge? Cause if so, then that one is right up there at the top cos holy moly, it's SO GOOD!

I'm sure there are some I'll grow obsessed with or am forgetting about in this moment but let me know your current faves!

From "The Alchemy:" "He jokes that it's heroin, but this time with an e," surface level reading of that line is like the relationship is like a drug but heroin + e = "heroine" which is cute! But "e" is also a slang term for ecstasy, so "heroin with an e" can also mean "this love is as potent as TWO drugs!"

Thoughts?