THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT – Taylor Swift
Overall:
3.8/5
Production:
3.4/5
Lyrics:
4.1/5
Musicality:
3.9/5
Vocals:
3.7/5
Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, is everything I love about her music: incredible lyricism, stunning melodies, and a cohesive story from start to finish. Not to mention a few catchy hooks! With 16 tracks and a runtime of 65 minutes and 8 seconds, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and I’m here for it.
The album has this amazing ebb and flow, where you’re constantly moving between moods—one moment you’re vibing to a pop anthem like “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart,” and the next, you’re deep in your feels with a song like “loml”. Two tracks that made my top 5 are '“Down Bad” and “The Alchemy”. “Down Bad” just hits different with its raw lyrics and catchy beat, while “The Alchemy” is a perfect blend of old and new Taylor.
I was pleasantly surprised by the features on this album. Post Malone on a Taylor Swift track? Who would’ve thought—but it works, and it works so well. Florence + The Machine’s contribution is nothing short of magical, adding that signature vibe only Florence Welch can bring.
Now, while I enjoyed the album, it’s not her best work. 1989 still holds that title for me, and honestly, I don’t think anything’s going to top it. Don’t get me wrong, The Tortured Poets Department is a great listen from start to finish, but there’s something about the Jack Antonoff influence that’s starting to feel a bit much. I love what he brings to the table, but it’s almost too familiar at this point.
Vocally, Taylor doesn’t do anything groundbreaking here, but that’s not why we all listen to her. It’s her storytelling that keeps us coming back. Still, I couldn’t help but wish for a bit more in the production. I missed the subtle, heart-tugging touches, like the ones we got on “marjorie” from evermore. Those little and subtle moments are what make an album truly special, and I found myself wanting more of that.
On a more fun note, as a Disney adult, I couldn’t help but pick up on the Disney vibes in a few tracks. “But Daddy I Love Him” instantly took me back to The Little Mermaid, and “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” gave me serious Toy Story vibes—Sid’s chaotic energy, you feel me? “So Long, London” had me thinking of Peter Pan and taking a trip to Neverland, and “Florida!!!” basically transported me straight to Magic Kingdom. These little connections just made the album that much more fun to listen to.
Overall, The Tortured Poets Department is another solid entry in Taylor’s discography. It may not be her peak, but it’s still a fantastic listen from start to finish. I hate to be super critical of Taylor on this one, but I know what she’s capable of from previous projects, and this was just below the threshold for me. However, whether you’re here for the pop bangers, the emotional ballads, or the surprise collabs, I do believe every listener can find something in this album for them.
Alex’s Top 5 Songs (In no particular order):
Down Bad
I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
Fortnight
loml
The Alchemy
Check out the album now on Apple Music or Spotify and let me know what your top songs are!