evermore

She's not for me

Hell no!

The appearance of Taylor Swift’s evermore (yes, it’s all lower-case) on the generator serves as a decent enough avenue for discussing that curious critical position of revisionism known as poptimism. Our story starts in the early 80s, with numerous bands serving as transitional acts between late post-punk and indie decrying the tyranny of the riff and the rockstar. The attitude they were denouncing received the name rockism, which referred to the prejudice that rock, what with its instrumentality and phallocentricity and claims to artistry and claims to authenticity, was inherently better than other forms of popular music. So, some of the softer musicians and critics began a campaign of lauding the higher-end of pop music and slating the wankier end of rock. For instance, the eighties saw critics strap onto metal a chainmail codpiece of tempered naffness, whilst Marc Almond and Jarvis Cocker spent the decade championing Serge Gainsbourg, Burt Bacharach and above all Scott Walker. The perceptive reader will have noticed that these acts were hardly trapped in the oubliette of the inescapably passé. The perceptive reader will also have noticed that these were, broadly, male listeners extolling male musicians. What about women? Pop music, as distinct from rock music, hip-hop, country and so forth, finds its main audience in women, and its most loyal, most fervent and most emblematic audience in teenage girls. And in the 90s some critics began flipping the idea of authenticity, long so crucial to the critical primacy of rock, by arguing that the teenage girl is the real guardian of authenticity: her tastes are not afflicted by the pursuits of credibility or coolness, and thus she makes her choices with the pure, sincere criteria of whether she just likes it, and whether she fancies one of the boyband members who really just dances at the back. This is the aesthetic of poptimism (note that the term “poptimism” began as a pejorative against these attitudes, which adherents brassily adopted). It values prominent melodies, it sees accessibility as a virtue, it paints in the emotional primary colours of love, heartache and occasionally lust, and it fancies one of the dancers. Madonna’s canniness made her a key harbinger of poptimism, but by the year 2000, the prominence given to the Britney and Christina rivalry (which, let us remember, didn’t end too cheerily) indicated how central and overt poptimism had become to music. Since then, we have all witnessed a stream of predominantly female artists who have wilfully chosen some clear form pop as a genre for the most earnest artistic expression: to name just the most famous, Beyoncé, Adele, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Ke$ha, Lorde and today’s artist, Taylor Swift. Oh, and Paris Hilton gave it a stab too. I can’t be the only one mightily suspicious of poptimism, can I? Is there a musical movement more loaded with contradictions, more loaded with baggage? Firstly, the emphasis on listenability is hardly a unique trait to poptimism. It’s not as if rock mainly sought to sound bad. Secondly, pop has no genetic immunity to awful, grating noises, as Cher Lloyd’s Swagger Jagger confirms (why was there that fashion of rhyming “swagger” with “Jagger” in terrible songs? Oh well, let’s be thankful he wasn’t called Mick Jugger or, heaven forfend, Mick Jigger). Thirdly, it’s rather the rash assumption to declare that teenage girls’ tastes lack artifice and one-upmanship (one-upteenagegirlship?). I suspect there was a whole arcane semiotics of social posturing regarding which member of Take That/N-Sync/One Direction you fancied (and for that matter, isn’t it shallow to favour an act just because you want to get off with one of the members? A teenage boy in 1998 wishing to masturbate over Britney Spears would just watch the video to ...Baby One More Time plank in hand, and not actually buy the sodding album). Fourthly, why isn’t the 9-year-old bratty younger brother’s disdain for pop just as honest and unaffected as his 14-year-old sister’s fondness for Westlife? And again, at least the 9-year-old’s contempt is driven by a distaste for the music, and not by a rival crush on Abz from 5ive. Fifthly, poptimism’s defenders seem desperate to deny the role irony plays in their appreciation. Are they genuinely that resolute in their insistence that there’s no element of kitsch involved? I’m not buying that for a second. And if you don’t value a particular instance of kitsch, it will only sound crap. Sixthly, although pop is of course not reserved exclusive for one demographic, it behoves one to acknowledge that record labels market pop towards a youthful, female audience. As a hairy man in my thirties, it shouldn’t astound anyone that the poptimistic buffet doesn’t have much I wish to stuff my face with. Seventhly, the poptimists’ rejection of rockism as tired, clichéd and arrogant didn’t foster a movement that was original and alive, but a movement that was, if anything, more tired, clichéd and arrogant. Is there a pop equivalent of Trout Mask Replica, or even Electric Ladyland? One yearns for these divas’ reaches to exceed their grasps, yet they appear stuck on the party anthem/sexy boudoir jam/sentimental ballad treadmill. Eighthly, the industry behind poptimism appears the cynical milking of cheap sentiments for naught but a quick buck that will, with scant exception, never actually enter the pocket of the poor fool singing the damned songs. I’m all for ignoring the circumstances of a song’s genesis, but I’m not so contrary that I deny learning of such exploitation sours the song. Ninthly, it can’t be healthy to consume only one genre, can it? Just as a child who only munches on Nik-Naks and Wham bars won’t reach 6 foot, an exclusively poptimist diet surely stunts your aesthetic growth. Tenthly and I hope finally, of course there’s always been good bubblegum pop, pop that sounds sweet and buoyant and alleviates the listener’s cares. However, there’s also always been much more bubblegum pop that’s tripe, that depresses the listener with its inanity and tattiness. Much of the good stuff that’s survived has only survived after decades of risk assessment, and actively seeking to produce such gems will also produce far more stinkers, simply due to the numbers and the nature of the process. Throw enough darts, and at some point you’ll hit the bull. That doesn’t make you Eric Bristow. In fairness, many of the alpha chicks of poptimism flirt with other genres, demonstrating (or at least trying to demonstrate) their range and versatility: Lady Gaga, for example, fused her poptimistic leanings with electroclash sleaze. Taylor Swift’s evermore is one of those crossbreed albums, where Taylor continues her exploration of folk and employs techniques lifted from contemporary American indie; Swift collaborated extensively with The National’s Aaron Dessner on evermore. Now, I recently reviewed some album by The National (I had to look up what it was: it was called High Violet, not that anyone cares). It was soporifically dull in the way that only albums made with exceptional good taste can be. And evermore is similarly boring for similar reasons. Taylor Swift is so keen to show you all the depth and sincerity of her craft, she neglects to include anything beyond that craft, and thus the listener merely shrugs at the record. Even on the occasion she says “fuck”, everyone clocks that this is a tasteful fuck, on the same level of a dramatically justified sex scene that doesn’t even show a nipple. You try beating off over that. While reviewing evermore, I gave a listen to 1989, Taylor Swift’s other album on the list. 1989 is firmly a poptimistic work, and I couldn’t stand it. It confirmed every one of my reasons for holding poptimism in disdain. So logically, I prefer evermore. But here’s the kicker: I could remember songs from 1989. I could remember melodies and lyrics from 1989, even if I didn’t want to. I can’t recall a sound from evermore, except for when Swift said fuck. Maybe some other souls can recite the entirety of evermore like a hafiza proving her piety by memorising the Quran. But I am not a religious man, and I don’t believe the rote learning of Taylor Swift will send me to paradise.

This record is definitely not a disaster, but it feels so fake to me.

I have listened to one other Taylor Swift album, also because of this project, and I didn't enjoy it, indeed the immaturity of the lyrics really irritated me. I find I am liking evermore somewhat more. There are some emotions and lessons that take me back to my college days. I don't think this album is as deep as it thinks it is, but it does have flashes of genuine truth and pathos, but certainly stopping shot of revelatory. I do appreciate the more meditative and (mostly) less retributive tone. That said it does go on and on, saying the same thing pretty much the same way over and over. I didn't mind listening once but I'm quite sure I won't be back. I will say the album cover art really nails the feel of the album which is nice. Middle of the road 2.5. I was leaning towards rounding up but after evermore was done spotify played some other songs from some other artists and THEY ALL SOUND THE SAME. Good lord. I haven't listened to the radio in a while. What's happened to pop music?

Really good album, the songwriting is amazing.

kind of one note

A couple excellent songs on here that surprised me, “willow”, “champagne problems”, and “no body, no crime” were excellent. The rest I didn’t connect to, despite being very pretty songs. I probably wouldn’t listen to the album again, but saved those three songs.

3.5 - Some nice cuts on here like “Champagne Problems” and “Tolerate It” (I especially like the line about the guy being the blanket that got through her barbed wire). The subdued instrumentals are cozy as a cup of Earl Grey on a chilly winter morning. But, sweet Lord, there are just SO many words! I have a wife already - I certainly don’t need one hour of introspective musings from this woman, too.

not my cup of tea

its a good the national album? taylor swift has never been on a bus? xmas tree farm bootstrap from the bottom now here? lead singer of nat’l sounds way higher now. a fine album.

Good artist but not to my liking.

vähön heikompi Taylor albumi KUIN EILISPÄIVÄNÄ.. ei kuitenkaan ansaitse tähtivähennystä... heh....

I suppose the criticism of her I hear is largely due to how immensely successful she is as a musician (I don't know anything about her personal life, and I don't have an interest in that) because when I just listen to her work, like this album, I truly enjoy it. I hear an excellent writer, performer, artist, etc. That's more than enough for me. She cuts across various styles and genres on this and other albums. Very strong work here.

Not my fav from swift.

Really like this album.

In context it’s a 4.5, I love the style, goth-folk, and it showcases Taylor swifts skill as a lyricist, which I think is her best talent. This album should almost have been combined with folklore, since the recording/ writing overlapped so much they are two sides of the same coin. Evermore is more experimental, and some songs just feel out of place - no body no crime for example. I feel like this album is here because it seemed a little passed over - released 6 months after folklore and 3 months before fearless (TS version), but folklore should be here instead. Folklore was the huge change for Taylor Swifts style and evermore is the B side Overall it’s interesting to return to one of my top albums of 2021 in this context of listening in a Vacuum - 4 as a standalone

Overall liked this more than when it came out. Champagne Problems -> Gold Rush is a great run of 4 songs. Not the hugest on any others but that run is 4* worthy alone

Pop pop pop, not as catchy or energetic as the last one we listened to. Pop has gone a bit introvert and melancholic which is no bad thing but is this a bad thing?

I'm really not the target demographic

Listenable but it's got a very commercial pop sound. I enjoyed the quiz, "Swift or Shakespeare" though.

My trouble with Taylor Swift is that she's got a few very catchy good pop songs, but her albums are gushingly overrated by the media, which is a turn off. The lyrics on this one feel that they came straight from the inside of Hallmark cards. I don't hate it, but nothing excited me here.

taylor swift more like taylor shit

I'm not the biggest fan of modern pop music, but this is the epitome of that genre. It's a nice listen, not too much substance, but very well played, produced, arranged and sung. Of all the tracks, I liked dorothea best, the others were mostly OK as well. I could listen to this again, but don't neccessarily need to. 3/5.

I'm not the target demographic for this...

I never bothered to listen to this record before because I just didn't have any interest in Taylor. She isn't known as a vocalist and I often found her voice to be a bit bland but I enjoyed her singing on this album. Although it wasn't doing very much- it was calm, like a conversation. There were catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics. I was close to giving this record a 5-star rating. But, I find that I have to experience an album more before I give it such a perfect rating. I kind of use the rating sparingly. So it's a bit scary (for me) to give something new that you don't know so well a good score. What will reduce it to a 4-star rating is the second half of this album. It's slow-paced and takes more energy for me to pay attention and notice details. It's like I have to work to remember the songs. Nonetheless, still an exceptional record. Definitely calls for another spin later on. Highlights: willow, champagne problems, gold rush, no body no crime, happiness, marjorie

While I prefer Folklore, the sister album is almost as good. Just a fantastic pair of singer-songwriter albums that transport you to the woods... Best work by Taylor Swift by far. Fav tracks: No Body, No Crime Dorothea Willow Tis the Damn Season Coney Island

Sum up the current state of modern music, completely inoffensive and so, so bland. Can't even bring myself to hate it, it's just such a nothing.

Very nice pop album.

8.6/10 would listen again: yes heard before: some who doesn't like a bit of taylor smith

i only listened to about half but have listened to it before. its okay 3/5

Sem graça. Deu sono.

A long way from being a bad album, but just too bland. I put it on and it just disappeared into the background. I forgot it was even on. This kind of music is just not for me, I guess.

A consistent soothing successor to folklore. As with all her releases, it's incredibly well produced, and Swift has a way of poetically expressing her emotionally-driven lyrics, deserving her title as a folk artist in this record. Her voice carries the record, but the chamber back vocals and acoustics support her well, even if they don't stand out much on their own (with the exception of a few songs). I'm not a fan of ballads, and I think there are too many here. With its slow tempo, it really drags on, not justifying its hour length. But my favorite songs tend to have punchy upbeat instrumentation with catchy choruses, also justifying its role in the pop genre, accessible to both young and mature audiences alike. I do think folklore had more standout tracks on top of being more coherent, showing that this could be stronger. I appreciate her being a bit experimental like "closure" but they never hit the mark. The guest performances are pretty good. Haim guest stars in the country rock "no body no crime" which I actually like, but that might just be because it's nice to get a break into harder instrumental. "coney island" has the strongest instrumentals, are those sleigh bells? Wasn't a fan of Swift's vocals though. Also wasn't a fan of Bon Iver here, but it was an appropriate closer. Favorites: willow, tis the damn season, no body no crime, dorothea, coney island, ivy

I gave it multiple chances, it's just not for me

I don't listen to Taylor Swift very often. Didn't know she had an album this somber

Taylor Swift released two amazing albums in the span of months. "evermore"is kind of glossed over because it seems as some sort of continuation of "folklore", but it is a great album in its own right (with bonus nice winter vibes). "champagne problems" is my standout song.

Emerging from her Pandemic Indie album Folklore, Swift finds a line between Pop, Folk, and Indie in this record. While not her greatest album, it's a seminal piece that shows just another era of music and styles that she can boast as one she's conquered. With deeper, more cutting lyrics than she may have used in the past Swift sets a tone of mature themes and heartbreak that just isn't a catchy break-up song after catch break-up song.

ok

Surprisingly good

WILLOW <3 I love that this is the first album I’m getting as a Taylor swift Stan. Willow was my 4th most listened to song of this past year. This album feels more woodsy than Folklore. I think Folklore outsold though. However, some great tracks here and I glad she released this as a follow up to Folklore! Highs: Willow, Champagne Problem, Gold Rush, Tis the Damn Season, Ivy, Long Story Short, Evermore Lows: Coney Island, Happiness

Better than I thought it'd be, would probably never listen again but it was alright in the background - probably why it's so popular among the masses

Hoe music

Had some moments

Just got better and better as the album went on. Shout out Taylor

I like some of Taylor Swifts songs. Maybe its nostalgia maybe not. but i've never been a Swiftie. I actually didnt like this album as much as i thought i would. I think the music is good but it lack with the lyrics for me... some of them i find too on the nose. No Body No Crime was my favourite. loved the story telling and the drama. Champagne Problems was another one i really enjoyed, I love an emotional song.

Meh

Evermore is my first real foray into Taylor Swift's music, and it is breathtakingly beautiful. The album can be surprisingly simple at times, like with only a piano accompanying Swift's voice. No song is overdone or contains "too much." Every song is given exactly what it needs. The whole album is really an emotional journey. Swift creates such an atmosphere that lingers throughout the album, so that it flows easily. There's a reason Swift is so well known as a songwriter. Evermore, unshockingly, is very lyric heavy. But this isn't different from her other musical works, from what I know about Swift. She can create such a world within one song. She uses symbolism but it isn't overdone.

I wouldn't call Taylor Swift's albums "concept" albums, but many of her albums in recent years have definitely been what I would call aesthetic albums. She presents a specific aesthetic and dedicates to it. Historically, they've also been incredibly distinct, separate aesthetics, divided by time. Here, it's the opposite with her quick release succession of folklore and evermore. They're closely related, and yet not the same. To try to describe it: if folklore was an album about spring and summer, evermore would be an album about fall and winter. If folklore was an album about specific fairy tales told surrounded by clear skies, evermore is an album about experimental storytelling on a grey day at dusk. Ultimately, evermore is a little more mysterious and a little darker than her sister. evermore is a product of a specific time, as well. It speaks to a longing for soft folky music and flannel shirts and gentle campfires -- cozy things that people were looking to embrace during the times of COVID-19. I like a few songs by themselves on this album, but I find myself gravitating to the entire mood of the album. I realize that Taylor Swift is not for everyone, and her seemingly generic dreamy indie pop phase on display here may be even more polarizing. But one reason why I think her presence on this project is relevant is because Taylor Swift excels at establishing atmosphere, and this album is among her finest atmospheres. She has a poetic songwriting style that, in my opinion, shines brighter in this particular atmosphere. In the current decade, few artists are as dedicated to world-building in their music as she is.

Fantastic, some of Taylor swifts best music yet

Woah champagne problems is amazing!!! Same with happiness!!! The others are good but the sequencing of the album is a bit poor 3/5

My first Taylor Swift album. Nice sound and some good originality. I did get bored, though. Close to a 4, but I’m not quite there.

It was a pleasant album and nice to listen to on a fall day. But it didn't really grip me. All the songs sound similar. I've never been very moved by Swifts lyrics, or metaphors. The only song I really liked was "no body, no crime" because it felt different and had a good hook and melody.

79/100: First Taylor album, let's go! This is a good one, although I had never listened to it all the way through before. Having done that for the first time today, I found myself noticing a lot of things that really detracted from my previous view of this album. For instance, why does every song on this album end so abruptly? It's honestly so blatant that it feels hard to place on just poor production, especially with an artist like Taylor Swift. Maybe it was intentional, maybe there's a deeper meaning behind it, but either way, it's pretty off-putting. "Champagne Problems" is possibly Taylor's best song, though, so this album instantly gets a rating boost for that.

The wiki entry for this one sure is a bunch of puffed up bullshit, ain’t it? I don’t care what sort of “creative chemistry” or “impressionist storytelling” Taylor Swift thinks she’s come up with; I don’t like listening to her pop garbage. This is a staggering achievement in mediocrity, maybe that’s why it made the list.

willow is a banger champagne problems is a career highlight gold rush is my FAVOURITE and personally top 3 on the album Tis the damn season is sooo good happiness is basically a grown version up red, love the divorce i only actually started listening to this album because I saw the HAIM feature an it is easily the best story/narrative song on this album ivy, dorothea, long story short Marjorie is so haunting right where you left me IS TOP 3 ON THE ALBUM, omg it makes me so sad, literally can't stop playing i title track with Bon Iver. I need these two to do a whole collab album. Aaron Dessner really outdid himself, God bless him! this album is clearly her best writing wise, very minimal and not a lot of vocal highlights but i am very surprised that i like and listen to this more than folklore and 1989. I looovveee evermore, gaylor for the win i am not sure what crack she laced in this but it is utter perfection! well done tay tay

não é ruim mas não muito meu estilo

Just between us girls, Folklore is the better of Taylor's two Aaron Dessner/Pandemic albums she released mere months apart. I feel so strongly about this that I was actually dreading seeing this one show up. And it's a great album! It just doesn't have the emotional hold on me that Folklore does. The biggest difference is Folklore has no skips, whereas Evermore has some filler. So Folklore is a clear 5. My final grade here is based on the fact that Taylor released her Tapestry and Blue within four months, in the middle of a freaking Pandemic. Both albums prove how better off Taylor is when she gets away from Jack Antonoff (although in the interest of full disclosure, he does have writing credits on some of the better songs on both albums). Evermore is so much more than just a collection of Folklore leftovers. There are excellent collaborations here with Haim, The National and Bon Iver. 'Tis The Damn Season is on its way to becoming something of a Holiday Classic. And Ivy is in the running for for one of Taylor's all time best tracks. In a way, I'm jealous of those who come to this album before Folklore. There's every chance those folks have the same emotional connection with Evermore that I do with its predecessor. Time will be kind to both albums, and there's every chance history claims Evermore is her best work.

Enjoyed listening to this album throughout and had never heard any of these songs. Favorite songs: Ivy Damn season Closure Evermore Least favorite: no body, no crime I like the all the textures in the production. I dig the hybrid folky meets electronic vibe but sometimes wish it went further in one direction or another. Love the Bon Iver collab at the end.

I know she is a good songwriter and this record is very masterfully done but I really wasn’t moved or excited by anything on this. It’s hard for me to get excited about any music that sounds this polished.

Positives: I like champagne and no body no crime. I think they both tell a cohesive story and don’t think she uses her usual magic tricks on these. Or at least these two songs are different enough that she isn’t leaning on them exclusively. I also love a mid-song pronoun change. Criticism/thoughts: Red is her best album and I hope it will come up during this project. In general, I think Taylor swifts main magic trick is writing lyrics that are specific in a song that also contains broad lyrics. Her lyrics that are super specific make you feel like you are reading her diary, which makes listening feel a bit wicked or illicit. Then she hits you with a broad lyric that anyone can relate to it. Inevitably, your reaction is “I can’t believe she gave me that glimpse into her life.” And then “wow she’s just like me”. For example in 'tis the season, she gives us a personal lyric "I parkеd my car right between the Methodist. And thе school that used to be ours" then follows it up with something that could apply to anyone "You can run, but only so far I escaped it too, remember how you watched me leave." This juxtaposition is all over the album and I think that's why they call her a lyrical genius.

Catchy enough. Is this a Christmas album? I know it's not a traditional Christmas album but it really seems like it was made to be played in the background while mom is making cookies in the kitchen and the snowflakes are melting on the windows. never really been a Swifty but I liked the general vibe

Confession time: Taylor Swift is one of my guilty pleasures, and while her albums are pretty hit and miss (with a higher-than-ideal proportion of misses) I genuinely enjoy "1989." Sadly, this is not "1989." She seems to be going back to her country roots a bit here, and with the exception of "Willow" and "Ivy," the album's pretty bland and uninteresting (and those two exceptions mostly get by on their earworm-y hooks). I also didn't care for the countrified male vocals when they popped up. TLDR; this album's further evidence that I prefer her more pop-oriented stuff. (Also, holy shit, "1989" is eight years old. I am old.)

Her vocals aren't terrible, but the lyrics are weak. Giving this two stars cause I hate most modern pop.

I just couldn't suffer my way through the whole thing....

Wow, ok so I knew Taylor Swift, yes - the ultimate pop kitten. But this album... she's clearly off the back of some massive break-up which is not unusual for a pop record, but this is so heartfelt, and has a much softer, folkier feel to it. Amazing!

Taylor Swift is talented and she's terrific at making pop records but much like modern pop today it's somewhat bland. I don't think "evermore" belongs to the list of 1001 albums you have to listen to. I have the same problem with this album as with other singer-songwriters. There's so much focus on the lyrics and the song that everything else is an afterthought that doesn't get the same level of quality or uniqueness. The instrumentals becomes one homogeneous bland mix without any interesting distinction between the songs.

Blown away by this today. Never really on my radar as someone I should be checking out. The last track with Bon Iver is absolutely superb 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

A pleasant surprise.

It’s a strange coincidence that I’m reviewing this album today because my next video review on YouTube will be T-Swivel’s newest album (you heard it here first!). My expectations for this album are very low from what I’ve heard so far of TayTay. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Willow, No Body No Crime I really expected this album to be bad and a chore to listen to. I’m quite happy to be proven wrong - it didn’t blow me away but there were some really good songs to be found here. SwifTay started strong with Willow which was a truly interesting song. The instrumentation was unusual but worked very well. No Body No Crime was again a different sound to the other tracks and told the story of getting away with murder. The problem lies in the fact that the majority of the songs on here were very boring! Having mostly bad songs with a few great ones unfortunately does not make a good album, but there are some redeeming songs that are fun. I’d say 30-40% was enjoyable, with the rest being skippable.

Not a fan.

Ok

Siento que este álbum es mucho más oscuro que el resto, tan oscura como puede ser Tay-Tay. Reflexiva, nostálgica, melancólica, habla de amor encontrado, perdido o que nunca pasó. Las mejores son No Body, No Crime y 'tis The Damn Reason.

Después del otro disco de Tay Tay que se ganó 5 estrellas este de churro alcanza la tercera. Tiene por ahí dos o tres pequeños pedazos interesantes, en especial una rola que trata de un asesinato, pero el resto es mucho chillar y lamentar.

Really not my jam, but far from the unlistenable shite I had half expected

Boring

I mean it was ok but just a bit bland.

6,5/10

It's a little strange to me that evermore is on this list when Folklore is not. I listened to this album when it came out and felt it didn't measure up to the predecessor of five months. However, after giving it another listening, I'm really relishing the spaciousness of this album. The string arrangements are gorgeous and the instrumentation really allows the songs to breathe, simmer, and build. I think this is some of Taylor Swift's finest songwriting as well. This list of collaborators, the National's Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and Matt Berninger, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, and Haim are a real who's who of modern indie music and lends credibility to Swift's more stripped down folk inspired pop. I really enjoyed this album from start to finish and am glad that I listened to it again.

The second of Taylor Swift’s surprise pandemic albums, Evermore takes a gentler direction than its predecessor Folklore, instrumentally if not lyrically. The steady parade of acoustic pop might lull some listeners to sleep, but there’s quite a bit to sink one’s teeth into here.

It sounds all plain to me. Not really special.. Still well produced and sang.

Difficult...on one hand, some great lyrics, really great storytelling lyrics...but the delivery is mostly quite dull...a lot of the songs just lack life, with overly multi-tracked vocals that stick in one register...the music is a lot of minor key and meh. Very dull piano playing on a lot of tracks. 'no body, no crime' is a massive exception. It cuts through everything and hits perfect. This is a collaboration with HAIM and think the collaborations are generally stand out.

This was my favourite album of 2020, so I'm glad to see it on this list. You can definetly feel how Taylor has matured both as a song writer and as a person in her most recent albums. And "evermore" is a great proof of this, exploring more mature and deep themes and relationships. Aside from that, it has a surprisingly good instrumentation for a pop album. Overall, it is perfect.

I’m always a fan of folksier Taylor. Folklore just does it better than this one for me in terms of consistency and story. Willow, Champagne Problems and Gold Rush start the album off strong. Happiness really hits the feels - highlight of the album. Second half of the album drags a bit, but redeems itself with Marjorie.

My fav Taylor album since Fearless and probably her most sophisticated storytelling. I love the banjo on Willow and the harmonies with Haim on no body, no crime. Evermore gives me chills when she starts singing with Bon Iver. And weirdly, tolerate it is just one of those songs that is comfortably stuck in the background of my head on a consistent basis. Still, quite a few skips, and I’d probably rate this like a 3.7 A side note. Good album art for me can actually make me like an album better. This album has that. Its cover perfectly conveys the feel of the songs on it.

This album was so enjoyable! From the first 5 seconds of Willow, I was hooked. I thought many of the songs were strong, and there’s a lot of variation between tight songs and open-ended songs. The production is subtle and never overpowering. Some of the transitions between sections were just masterful. It’s a little uneven in the second half… there are just a lot of songs!… but then Evermore happens and I’m like, that’s a great end. Overall enjoyed the natural confidence of this record a lot, as someone who came in expecting things to be much more buttoned-up.

Man I do love Taylor Swift, though this album pales in comparison to her new Midnights Album. Evermore and Folklore were both produced by her long-time collaborator, Aaron Dessner. But Midnights has more producers on it and I wonder if that is what makes it more experimental and interesting. But evermore is a quintessential Taylor album and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Gold rush has such a great melody at: “gleaming, twinkling, eyes like sinking ships on waters…” “Tis the damn season” is a beautiful song about a high school love you leave behind. It really hit home for me. “No body no crime” just sounds pretty phoned in to me. Pretty flat song. Does Hiam just do backup vocals? What a waste! “Happiness” is a tender breakup song. I love it. “Evermore,” the last track with Justin Vernon is the best of the album. I wish his vocals were louder during duet parts and all over the freaking album. In fact, just take Taylor out and put Justin in instead. And while we’re at it, let’s just call it a Bon Iver Album. Nah, I kid, Evermore is great and I can hear the Justin Vernon influence. Let’s not forget that this album was created during the pandemic and everyone had to write in isolation. Given that, it’s a miracle the writing and production is so cohesive. 4 Stars! It didn’t change by life but now I understand Taylor Swift better! Whe!

Pretty gooood

I don't really get this one.

I don't know what these songs are about. I cannot identify with them at all. Is there some Taylor Swift lore that I need some background on or are they purposely obtuse? The lyrics remind me of those AI-generated bro-country anthems from the radio. The duets sound artificial. This album is just bad.

Only song I had saved from this album previously was Champagne Problems. With TSwift, I'm typically more of a "listen to one song per album on repeat" kinda person, less of a full album fan. Tis the damn season was nice. The songs all kinda blend together for me. I kept checking the album thinking I'd be further through it by now. Honestly, I considered giving this a 2 because I think it's fine listening but majority of the songs themselves were forgettable for me. She has some clever lyrics but the way she sings majority of these songs doesn't call enough attention to the lyrics for me - I would need to read them in order to really hear them.

I really wanted to not like this album. I'd heard that Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon were getting involved, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. That being said, I actually kind of dug it. Still too early for me to say that it's remarkable or anything, but I definitely didn't hate it. For sure it sounded like a lot of these could have been songs by The National, though. Standouts: champagne problems, gold rush, 'tis the damn season, coney island, long story short, evermore

she's literally just rhyming "hand" and "man" and "plan" this is the singer songwriter of a generation???

I’ve given it 2 because otherwise Scott will cry

Masterpiece.

I like this, can tell she has spent time working with and listening to The National (which was the main reason I gave this a go when it came out!). I much prefer this side to her, albeit it’s not ever as good as the bands she is trying to sound like (Bon Ivor, National, Iron & Wine, etc). Credit to her for making a record like this - a total change in direction and she does make it her own.

Track 1) willow Track 2) champagne problems Track 3) gold rush Track 4) 'tis the damn season Track 5) tolerate it *Track 6) no body, no crime Track 7) happiness Track 8) dorothea Track 9) coney island (feat. The National) Track 10) ivy Track 11) cowboy like me Track 12) long story short Track 13) marjorie Track 14) closure Track 15) evermore (feat. Bon Iver) *Indicates favorite track

It’s Taylor. Not much more to say!

Ledsen över att människor inte har förstånd att lyssna på något bra istället för den här dyngan. Inte knöldåligt egentligen men musiken är så tråkig.

There are songs on this album (ivy, cowboy like me) that are so breathtakingly beautiful, but overall I can’t say this is a top tier album for me.

Don't like any of the songs. It's just not my style.

Taylor has way better stuff than this, pretty boring album. Good stuff on it, don't get me wrong, but when you are here, you get compared to your discography each time. If this just had more different types of songs it would be a 4, but I just felt that they all sounded the same.

This album is a well-worn path. At this point, I think you are either completely okay with walking this path a hundred thousand times or simply acknowledging that so many people have loved the path that it is now a regular road.

folky

Bare ballada jo

I like the cover photo

I played this in the background just so that I could hear enough to dismiss it. But a number of the melodies caught my attention. So I concluded that the song-writing was good and I liked her signing style, like a cross between Suzanne Vega & Lana del Ray. On second listen with more volume I could better appreciate the production which sounded quite indie for a Grammy-type album. It's interesting that all songs are co-written with he National guy. Overall this album was a pleasant surprise.

Long time lurker, first time listening to Taylor swift. It wasn’t that bad, but not very exciting either. She sounds like every other female pop/indie singer out there, particularly Del Rey. Don’t believe the hype.

Jai deteste 1984, mais je dois avoue que celui-ci est tre bon, ca secoute super bien 4

Nice mellow early morning wake-up album.

Two tracks in and this is the quickest I've wanted to turn off an album from this list. Not even Arcade Fire made me this unengaged and irritated. Credit where it's due, she has a lovely, skilled voice. The lyrics are about as engaging as canned tomato soup straight from the can. It's so polished and studio perfect, there's no rawness or ugliness to it, and yet it's like 90% about heartbreak and I'm NOT connecting with emotions cuz its way too poppy No body, no crime is the best track so far, and it's the MOST country track so far I'll never get that time back. 1/5

This album is total trash. I knew of Swift but hadn't heard much of her music before this. I have no idea how this would end up on a list of greatest albums. There's nothing here of value.

no

This album sounded amazing on wikipedia, then I listened to it and was an anticlimax. It's just Ok and had interesting lyrics but, I'm not hearing what Taylor Swift's fans are hearing.

She has a great voice and they’re nice songs. Could have given it 4 if it had been shorter.

Far too samey, shame as the tunes are good but it just gets dull

Not much to elevate this above average

For someone who has not listened to a lot of Taylor Swift this was quite a pleasant surprise.

This was a pleasant surprise! Pop's not really my bag, but Taylor (and, I guess, Aaron Dessner) sure can write a pleasing melody. Fave track - "tis the damn season", maybe? The title track with the Bon Iver appearance is also rather lovely...

Wow. Amazing production and storytelling.

By the time we get to this album, Taylor Swift has been through many changes. She got out from under the thumb of her original management, and has matured incredibly. And it's not just that I'm friends with her bass player, Amos (humble brag), but I do think the music shows her maturity and her willingness to grow far from the place where she started. This album is haunting, well made and has terrific guest vocals. The lyrics are surprisingly powerful. I've listened to it quite a few times prior to Friday, but continue to enjoy it quite a bit.

As a pretty big Taylor Swift fan, “evermore” isn’t one of my favorite albums. “Evermore” was released during quarantine with “folklore” which is considered to be its “sister album.” Something about these two albums are very different from the rest of those written by Taylor Swift, and I think part of this is because she was bored while locked up during COVID; and what better time is there to try something new? While most of Taylor Swift’s previous album genres slowly and smoothly phased from country to pop country to pop rock to straight up pop music, “evermore” takes a complete turn into very soft, folk-like music. I find it to be very poetic and it is clear that metaphors are well thought out throughout her tracks on the album and while this may be appealing to some, it is not to me. When I think of “evermore” I think of music which resembles that of a lullaby. There is an elaborate use of acoustic guitar and piano and it gives me a very delicate feel and although the songs have deeper meanings, the melody often bores me. Her other albums such as “reputation”, “Speak Now”, and even “Fearless” where there is a large incorporation of acoustic guitars (similarly to “evermore”) all exhibit a common trait of power; it is as if I can feel the music throughout my body. In contrast, “evermore” is very subtle, and I often associate it as background music and really the only time I listen to it is whilst I study, or if I need music to cry to. It is too soothing, if that is possible. I don’t think I am the only one who feels this way about “evermore,” considering the only popular songs from the album tend to be more pop-like such as “willow,” “no body, no crime,” and “tolerate it.” These are all tracks that are still soft, but convey more emotion like most music in the pop genre. Taylor Swift is still my number one favorite artist, but I would definitely recommend almost any of her other albums over this one if I were trying to persuade a friend into listening to her music. - Guest Review supplied by 14yo swiftie

I am as surprised as the next person at how much I liked this album. Stripped of the over-produced mainstream sound, this showcases that Taylor Swift has actual substance that is masked by her pop song successes. I think she’s a great lyricist. I really liked the vocal harmonies. I heard echoes of Sheryl Crow, Tom Petty, and Coldplay (and for those who don’t like those bands, I suppose they wouldn’t like this much either). Solid album IMHO.

I'm not a Swiftie. And the obsession of Swifties can be a bit much at times. But I do have to hand it to Taylor Swift - her knack for reinvention has kept her remarkably fresh throughout her career, and has led her to her best period with the folk pop of "folklore" and "evermore."

Hands down my favorite Taylor Swift album. Stripped of most of the big pop production, you are left with writing that is poignant and an album that feels much more intimate. Folk-y Taylor Swift is my favorite of her reinventions so far.

evermore is the follow up companion to folklore, both surprise 2020 pandemic albums announced less than 24 hours before their release. evermore came second and it feels ever so slightly less than folklore, like the album formed once the crème de la crème was already packaged into folklore. For me Willow is the only stand out song on evermore, but to its credit, evermore is greater than the sum of its parts. The album, as a whole, forms an essence. I get the whole folksy, forest vibe. The glitzy pop sound sound of Lover (top notch album by the by) is gone, replaced by low key instrumentation. It feels intimate, like an album that should be listened to snuggled up under a fuzzy blanket next to a fire in cabin in the woods. The answer to my question from The Cure’s Seventeen Seconds is answered: yes, there is another album with its title track appearing last. So maybe it’s not as rare as I thought. While not up to folklore’s level, evermore is a very good album on its own. I enjoy Ms. Swift’s pandemic, musical change of direction. The 1001 list includes two Taylor’s Swift albums, both which are solid but are surpassed by similarly styled, better albums. Lover should appear instead of 1989 and folklore should appear instead of evermore. Potato, po-tot-o.

It was … fine. Music gets 4 stars, lyrics get 2. They just felt a little clunky, a little too over explaining, and not a great match for the music in a lot of cases.

This was boring. I'm not sure why this was even included in the list, maybe 1001 albums was just too many, but there was nothing exciting, groundbreaking or especially noteworthy about this album. The music was fine but it was just your standard singer songwriter stuff.

There's this thing that certain indie bands do where they'll play the last note of a third or a fifth wrong on purpose as some sort of deconstruction of musical theory(I suspect it's some sort of oedipus complex involving a music teacher). I don't think Taylor Swift is doing it on purpose. Beyoncé could hit those notes. The arrangements were good though.

Surprised evermore was chosen over folklore Willow - great start, catchy and I love guitar👍 Champagne problems- One of my fave songs, love storytelling on this👍 Gold rush - this song really grew on me, love atmosphere👍 'Tis the damn season- another strong narrative song, love the telling from the other side on Dorothea👍 Tolerate it - bridge is amazing👍 No body no crime- goodbye Earl vibes👍 Happiness -v bittersweet song, trying hard not to give every thing ticks lol Dorothea- this is a such a cute song, gives me honey pie vibes👍 Coney Island- this is the weakest song on the album imo. Just not a vibe I identify with Ivy- this is a daphne de Maurier bop👍 Cowboy like me- just alright Long story short-a bop, but one of the weaker boos on the album Marjorie- a sister to epiphany, very beautiful but not something I would want to listen to all the time Closure- this song is over hated👍 Evermore- this song is a good Outro👍 Who am I kidding? 5/5

Early entry into best of the decade. I definitely listened to this one around the time it came out as the province was going into another lockdown. Related so hard to these emotions, but also felt like it was so disconnected from our reality at the time; as in we didn’t have real experiences with each other anymore during covid.

T.S 1989 is the special album name to me chinese!

Break up song queen

Happiness makes me very not happy and champagne problems is lyrical genius- along with every other song in the album

1/5 i just dont enjoy taylor swift

amazing, beautiful, never been done before.

Bland, samey, dull, with only a couple of songs worth remembering - the one about killing a guy, and maybe the one about going home for Christmas and dick. Other than that, it sounds pretty rushed and unfinished, like it was too soon after her last album and she hadn't properly thought through what songs would be on this record.

Great album. I really enjoy Taylor's collaboration with Jack Antonoff on folklore and evermore. I wasn't much of her fan before but with this change of style I'm a changed man.

Fine, I guess.

Not my kind of thing, found it trite, by the numbers but well sung

Taylor Swift's foray into folk pays off big time. A great album and one of those fantastic examples of what happens when a top tier song writer gets bored and decides to do something different. Highly recommended.

When I was 10 years old, I went through a phase of being a songwriter. I wrote like 15 songs, mostly about love I had never known and a lot about school. I even wrote one about school supplies. This is the level of lyrically talent I feel Taylor has. Her lyrics are filled with trite sayings like “if the shoe fits, wear it” and silly metaphors. Every song is exactly the same: I thought this guy was the one but he was too old/cheated on me/not who I thought he was and he did me wrong. Really hard to listen to. Also, this album is way too young to be on this list. We have no idea if it “defined a genre” or “influenced a generation”. It didn’t even chart that well.

3.75

Cosy. Would listen to again in front of open fire. Found the cover pleasantly evocative

I really like this album, but Folklore is better.

I’ve always preferred folklore more, but this one still had some classics. It starts stronger than it ends.

Surprisingly good

Aurally I just didn't like it. Whiny. Champagne in particular was dreadful. Sounded very much like a 14 year old with some serious natural talent, but isn't ready yet and needs better advice. Music is nice though, better without the lyrics

4.5/5

Quite a soft, delicate album. The songs are all quite nice, but there's very few standout tracks to me, it all kind of sits in the background a bit and feels a bit samey for the most part. No body, no crime is a good track and worth revisiting.

Any one of these individual songs would be fine as a change of pace track on a more upbeat album. But when you have an entire album solely consisting of one anticlimactic song after the other, each comprised of the same breathy vocals, acoustic guitar, and piano, it becomes an exhaustingly dull slog. When did Swift become allergic to writing hooks? no body, no crime is the only track that comes close to being enjoyable for me. Everything else is just... nothingness.

Easy to listen to. Definitely some blending but still very pleasant. Good for background on a cool autumnal day with a fire and a stew.

The standouts are: willow, no body, no crime, and champagne problems. The rest blend together too much.

I liked this! Very autumnal feel

Enjoyed this quite a bit

evermore contains a lot of fine melodies, but Swift insisting on repetitions in her lyrics to cater to the lowest denominator really irks me. The intimate production of the instrumentation throughout (as on 'champagne problems') really is something special, and Swift is at her best when she channels her inner Phoebe Bridgers (''tis the damn season') or Lana Del Rey ('cowboy like me'). The collaboration with HAIM on 'no body, no crime' is another highlight.

This, and its sister album folklore, was were I first really understood the hype surrounding Swift. Working with Dessner did wonders to her songs; this sounds like an artist finding her true calling and potential. Lyrically this is by far the peak of her career with her storytelling beating her contemporaries by quite a few miles. folklore is more immediately available, containing a few more upbeat songs, but after listening a to both a few times I’m starting to be convinced this is the superior twin by a hair.

The first Taylor album I've ever listened to. Major autumnal vibes but nothing groundbreaking. The collab with Haim is probably my favourite.

Wouldn't have chosen to listen to this but a very chilled album.

Quite liked it surprisingly...bit depressing though

Taylor has some tunes but not of them are on this album

Can't really argue with her more recent releases, and that 1989 album, but this isn't a good one. Really bland.

A few of the songs seemed alright but the album isn't really for me

I had written this off before I even listened..... But it's completely different to what I expected, not like the Taylor Swift I've heard on the radio. I don't mind it!

evermore is the ninth album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It blends alternative rock, indie folk, and chamber pop genres together to make a lo-fi, escapist, cottagecore experience for the listener. This album is an extension of her eighth album Folklore - that was released five months earlier - because they share similar musical and lyrical styles. Taylor Swift is a mind-blowing songwriter, and it's amazing how easy she can write lyrics to create a story for any instrumentals sent her way. This was the reason for this album, since she continued working on the same musical style that her previous album Folklore was created with, even after finishing up production on it. Swift has likened evermore to be a soft, but moody album for the cooler seasons of fall and winter, while Folklore has a little more pop for the warm seasons of spring and summer. To praise Taylor Swift even more, this album - as well as the previous Folklore - show that she has the ability to switch genres without missing a beat and still come up with a popular album. First it was a transition from country to pop with her album Red in 2012, and now we go from pop to indie folk with Folklore and evermore in 2020. I wouldn't classify myself as a Taylor Swift fan per se, but I can't deny this album was great and I'm excited to see what else is in store for this talented singer songwriter.

Such a sad and sappy album. Gave a middle of road rating because it wasn’t terrible but I wouldn’t add it to my playlist.

T-Swifty slaps

fucking amazing

Nice pop.

Good stuff 3

nah

Mix of qecent quality writing with poor production choices. Enjoyable.

I like this and am going to list to it again. I like that Swift continues her pop style, but stripped back instrumentally making this feel more folky and subdued, but actually it's just as pop as everything else Swift does. Very warm and likeable, although I can't really buy into her heartbroken lyrics, which is fine since it's just pop and not "lived through soul". Particularly enjoyed the song with Haim about the murdered cheating ex-lover - very Nick Cave! 3.5 because this is quite good, but way too new to be deemed worthy of the 1001.

Very beautiful. Her lyrical construction and turns of phrase are a joy.

Wow. I didn't want to judge T-Swizzle on just the fact that she's Taylor Swift... so I actually listened to this album. To be fair, probably could've just skipped that part. Bland. Uninteresting. Pointless. Drivel... Maybe it's just not MY thing, but I could quite happily have died having not listened to this. I hope the other 1000 albums live up to the name a bit more than this. #sad Stand out tracks: possibly that one where she pretends to be a murderer? :\

I always kind of dismissed Taylor, but she's got a quite good voice, while this album wasn't the greatest thing I've ever heard it was enjoyable, and I probably will end up listening to at least a few others.

Pop relajado con toques country de una gran voz. Pausado y relajado

There’s no such thing as “indie” music anymore, at least in the descriptive sense of the word. “Indie” used to mean music that came from independent record labels - and that covered a wide swath and many styles of music. Music from people that didn’t want to answer to anyone (especially a giant corporation), music that had something different to say, music that took chances. Now, “indie” just describes the kind of plucky, lifeless, navel gazing, easy listening quirk-pop that you hear on this record. “Indie” is the new elevator music. I’m serious about this…to use the parlance of our times: “don’t @ me”. That The National and Bon Iver, two of indie rock’s foremost purveyors of bland navel gazing, were involved in this record comes as no surprise to me. “evermore” is basically a Bon Iver record, with Taylor Swift’s vocals (which are, admittedly, very good) instead of Justin “T-Pain for people who buy artisan maple syrup” Vernon’s auto-tuned vocal stylings (though he does dust off that chestnut on the closing track). Maybe I’m just an out of touch old man yelling at a cloud, but a lot of this record is the kind of stuff you’d hear on Lite FM when I was growing up in the early 90’s.

A good album especially the first few tracks and the collaborations but not as striking to me as some of her other records. Still lovely.

3.4⭐️

A bit of a chameleon, that Taylor. VERY fast at making clothes too, if we're to trust her name.

Very emotionally connected with this album but I’m not overly attached to her style of music

Surpreendeu pela qualidade do pop.

i like chill and acoustic music. this album did not stand out for me at all.

Not a fan of T swift but this was decent

Folk, pop. Dulce, agradable, tranquilo.

Really love this version of Taylor. Think I prefer Folklore to this one, but the vibe is one of my favorites

Not bad. It’s funny how even as artists grow and change there can still be elements of their new work that sound just like what they did 10 or 20 years ago.

more enjoyable than i expected? mostly not for me, but i did like "no body no crime". a sordid tale of lust, cunning, and revenge; with nods to hardboiled romance thrillers like double indemnity and gone girl

This was boring it’s all ms swift doing super calm acoustic stuffs it all sounds the same. Shall be immediately forgotten

This lady sucks

Huge fan of Folklore, so when Evermore dropped I was ecstatic! I don't think it left the same impression as Folklore, though. It's a little more subdued and a little darker in subject matter. If Folklore is wandering into the woods then Evermore is getting lost. Great album though!

My least favorite Taylor album

Second album is fckin Tay tay. Tizzle mcswizzle. Pleasant on the ears. Applauded for switching up her style which had been the same for like a decade.

Heard a lot of TSwizzle due to my wife. Don't mind it or love it. Just there

This album has several songs I really like (Long Story Short, Evermore) as well as others I can't remember. All in all it reminds me of Charlottesville.

No. It's not good. With this album, Swift lost all the goodwill she'd earned from me after folklore. I did not listen to it again because life is too short.

Pretty good overall. The album establishes a nice mood overall. The songs are simple and the instrumentation is very reserved, allowing for Taylor's voice to carry every song.

Beautiful lyrically and musically but feels like this wasn't her best work. Preferred folklore to this album.

Not much to redeem

Fine album. I like her other stuff more but not bad by any means

I liked it more than I thought I would. Stronger first half and the National and Haim tracks were nice. Favorite: long story short

Ok, but not a favourite

Y’a du bon dans cet album, mais ça ne va pas là.

La production est bonne mais je ne crois pas que cet album mérite d'être sur cette liste. 1989 est beaucoup plus intéressant en terme d'impact et de réinvention pour cette artiste qui vient du monde de la country. Je respecte cette artiste et tend tout de même une oreille à ce qu'elle produit comme albums, mais à part les pièces willow, no body, no crime, coney island et evermore le reste de cet album ne s'est pas vraiment démarqué en musique de fond.

I can imagine that if you're into this style that the songs are cool and all. But... I find it vapid and redundant. For all I could tell this was one long song to teenage girls. I hope to FSM that there isn't another TS album on my list.

Very chill music. Enjoyed falling asleep to it

not my style

Jesus Christ this woman has me in a choke hold. Never heard this album before and it’s instantly my favorite TSwift album. Her lyrics are Bob Dylan level. I SAID IT.

How does one manage to sing placidly while fantasizing a murder? More fine radio pop that didn't move me an inch. Don't think I'm ever going to become a Swifty.

Shes the queen for sure, but do we need more than an hour of this?

Folk-pop. Muy buena voz. Ni fu ni fa.

Pues muy bonito, ¿no? Coney island con The National

This is an excellent album that I was not expecting! Last week I got another Taylor album on this list, and the difference in 4 or 5 years of her project "getting. back to her roots or something like that" is working. I still think that this album is quite long, but I'm genuinely curious about the next steps of her career (something that I never believed was possible:-P)

Lacks diversity and fails to distinguish itself from other generic albums of the current age.

I didn't expect to actually kind of like it.

Solid album, but it’s too goddam sad. I don’t have time for this level of sadness, but it was nice to hear Taylor’s newer music. She has evolved immensely from her debut, and I like the more lowkey direction she’s taking.

probably pretty good but I need to be in the mood

Why go to Taylor Swift painfully trying to build some sort of indie folk cred for herself? (the strategy is clear here: she's got to cater for her aging target audience) And more importantly, why go to her when you can go for the real thing, i.e. Other Lives, Weyes Blood, Aldous Harding or Big Thief? My take is that 80% of the audience falling for this sort of album does not know the first thing about what's going on on the margins of the mainstream music industry these days... And yes, that *does* include the writers of this list, who clearly lost most of the plot when it comes to recent stuff. You can bet your cowboy boots the acts I've quoted up there (especially Big Thief) will leave a far more memorable trace in music history than Swift's half-baked attempt to sound, well, "authentic". And it's not *all* about being a gatekeeper for certain genres, I'm also speaking in musical terms here. When Swift's voice is not bland, it tries too hard to inject feelings to her lame vocal lines. Everything is glossy--way too polished for an indie record--the songwriting looks as if it was done through corporate commitees (guess what, it was, contrary to what the official credits are saying--just listen out to those who are in the known on such things), and so, logically enough, the overall result is just boring as hell. I'd rather go to her pop albums of the early 10s. At least, I would find something that makes sense there, even if it's not exactly to my liking. And for those who might argue that her collaborators do have that indie cred I can't see anywhere in here, maybe they should start to reconsider their knowledge in the indie folk genre (to me, The National and post-*For Emma Forever Ago* Bon Iver are overrated anyway, so they can't really save Taylor from this debacle desperately trying to sound like an artistic breakthrough). Awesome PR work on the part of her agents if you're thinking of using this argument here. To each their own and the likes, so I guess you can like this thing, of course. But to me, trying to defend *evermore*'s artistic merits falls in either one of these two categories: a. your knowledge of current music is lacking. b. you're mostly focusing on the lyrics (nothing wrong about them of first listens), and consequently, you're not too bothered by unsurprising, linear melodies and all-too-safe production choices that don't have a shred of personality in them. Your call. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 864 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 74 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 34 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 29 (including this one)

Not bad! I didn't know the first song belonged to this LP.

This and Folklore both are without all the pop production elements. This makes them much more approachable.

Each song on this album took me to such a vivid place. I loved each of these journeys. This is one I want to listen to again and again.

There wasn't anything specifically bad about the album. It was easy enough to hear, but not much really grabbed me as particularly exciting...kind of one note for me today, I guess.

This was the perfect thing for a rainy Sunday afternoon. It felt sophisticated, intimate, and warm. Loved it.

This is an exquisite album. It's a big career leap few artists can successfully pull off even once. Taylor has deftly done this multiple times as if it were effortless. It's a stunning achievement. I am in love with this album. Deep and reflective lyrics backed by sparse, beautiful arrangements. There were so many striking moments where I stopped and just lost myself in the world of the song. Taylor is on an incredible journey and I'm happy to be able to tag along in this tiny way. Now I can unreservedly name one wonderful thing that came out of 2020.

This is the second Taylor Swift album on this list.....and..... I really enjoyed the first one, and that trend continues with this one. I particularly enjoyed the collaboration with The National

I found my enjoyment of this album increasing the longer it went on. The second half in particular is very chilled and lovely. It's not pushing any boundaries, but nice simple songs and melodies with polished but back-to-basics production. I prefer this a lot this to Swift's more showy '1989' album, which is also on this list. It's not aimed at me, but I would happily put this on on a relaxed Sunday afternoon. I wonder if the kids these days know how lucky they are to have Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish when we had to make do with B*witched and Billie Piper? Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: no body, no crime Date listened: 01/07/22

Cookie cutter indie pop sound with some country leanings. Not for me but it's an inoffensive listen so 3*s

Taylor Swift es una cripto-nazi.

Hey - it's the most recent album on the list, so that's impressive. I wouldn't say I'm a TS fan, but - whatever - I get it. She's a good storyteller, good songwriter, and she comes across as genuine. And this is definitely better than her first few country/pop albums. It seems much less radio friendly and more "artsy" - which I appreciate.

No for me, Country Taylor Swift is no fun

Un samedi soir comme les autres

si je l'avais écouté en décembre devant la cheminée avec un chat sur les genoux j'aurais probablement mis une meilleure note, malheureusement j'étais en fait dans le métro et il faisait 33 degrés

Nowadays I just hate TS. The music is bland, predictable, the works

I feel like the weakest part of the album are the instrumentals. They're all pretty, but sometimes they don't match up with Taylor's voice, creating something that just doesn't blend well together. The guests on here all do well, and Taylor's voice and lyrics range from passible to good. My favorite parts are where she dips into her country music roots. Favorite tracks: "No Body, No Crime", "Ivy", "Gold Rush"

Folk music for teenagers. It gives the sense that it's a kind of masterpiece but it's a very lame masterpiece. Almost all songs are similar and with her expressive popish voice I myself, cannot connect with the words she singing. Good but not good enough to be included here.There are much better others artists albums of her kind ,maybe not so known that offer more interesting results

Genre: Folk Pop 3/5 Taylor Swift released her mega-hit Folklore in July 2020, an album that represented a very heavy shift for Taylor in terms of her sound, fully eschewing her usual lush pop arrangements and instead utilizing sparse folk stylings. She then immediately followed it with this, Evermore, a quasi-sequel released less than 5 months apart. This album opts for more mellow and relaxed arrangements, but much like in the movies, the sequel is lackluster in comparison to its predecessor, but it's not altogether terrible. Taylor has always had a very nice voice, and folky, pared back music like this unfortunately doesn't do it too many wonders, but her voice here does a lot of the legwork, effectively saving most of these pieces here from falling into total boreland. No Body, No Crime featuring HAIM, is a perfect example of a rather generic Americana tune totally saved by great vocal performances from all the women involved on this track. The album's outro and title track, a little ambient folk ditty that also features some song-saving guest vocal work, this time from Bon Iver. As for the rest of the album, it all plays out fairly uneventfully, but it's an inoffensive record that sounds great and feels much shorter than its 1 hour runtime. Not bad.

I know Taylor Swift supposedly reinvented herself in lockdown, and I actually gave the other one (folklore) a listen (meh) - in the end despite its new shiny folk/indie jacket, it still just sounds like modern pop music with those chamber vocal motifs and whiny songwriting/lyrics. 30min would have made it a 3, but at an hour that's a 2/5.

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Willow, No body,no crime

Extremely polished and accomplished and benefitting greatly from expert production (which is a reminder of why at least one and probably multiple records from The National should be in here), this is the work of a maturing artist.

I appreciate how Taylor Swift has grown as an artist and songwriter; however, this really isn't my thing.

Pretty good honestly.

i wish i liked this more!!!!!

Listened to on 6/1/22 5/5 Favorite song: champagne problems, evermore, willow I love Taylor Swift and this album is no different - the perfect sad girl fall album

Favorite song was probably Champagne Problems. The album starts really strong, gets a little forgettable in the middle , but ends with a bang with Bon Iver.

6/1/22 AHHHH!!! Screaming, crying and throwing up!! So excited about this! Absolutely love this album and have loved it for two years now! This is certainly not my first time listening all the way through. The album starts out so strong with hits of Willow and one of my absolute favorites of all time, champagne problems. Plus we get No body, No crime on this album which is AMAZING as well! So happy! Such a good day! Favorite song: I can’t pick just one, but my tops are champagne problems and no body

A whole album of the lulls that a good artist would put between the bangers.

I had already listened to this album prior to starting this challenge, however I have been wanting to listen to this project again for a while soooo I’m glad I had the opportunity to do so. Overall, the album was better then I remember it being. Compared to Taylor’s previous album, Folklore, this one definitely feels more folky and is more geared towards her excellent songwriting. This album feels like her most mature yet and I’m hoping she continues in this direction for her next project. Highlights: champagne problems, tolerate it, happiness, ivy

I still think Evermore and Folklore are mostly neck and neck for me. I definitely come back to this like her other album but for different reasons. This one feels more in tune to her older material like Red but more mature with Taylor's vocal experience.

Well arranged

I found this album a bit dull. Sorry. There is nothing here that can hold a candle to Shake It Off or Look What You Made Me Do.

Taylor relies on singer-songwriter tropes but doesn’t have the clout to pull it off. Luckily there’s some well-written material amongst the cacophony of easily digestible whiny diatribes.

3.5

Truly a lovely album. National guitarists and one of the best country-pop songwriters equals a stunning classic, even if it wasn't created during the pandemic.

taylor

No pop tunes here but not much I would go back for. Though the album is very listenable. Something to play when you're up at the cottage by yourself.

Found this pretty boring but some good ones?

its an okay folk pop album, hollow is interesting but there is not another song that can live up to the same level. Not bad but not outstanding either.

queen!

Bearable.

So at first I was excited to see this album, because I knew it and because it was possibly the most recent album I've seen on this list. I didn't really know to expect the album either, because as far as I was aware the 1,001 stopped around 2015 and I had no idea that they added anything else. Guess there's some other things to look forward to. Then I realized that this was evermore a not folklore. Folklore was an album that came out at the perfect time in 2020 during the pandemic. It really turn me into a Taylor Swift then, and it made me go back through her catalog, not because of the pop and country but because of the solid songwriting. Folklore was an absolute home run, amazing, quiet, intimate, powerhouse showcase. And then I realized that this was evermore. I have no idea why evermore is on the list. It's possibly proof that folklore was lightning in a bottle, or that it was possible leftovers coming 6 months later. It's boring. I worked my way through this again after only having listened to it once, which is also interesting because it was an album I looked forward to for a long time. There's a few tracks on here that hold up, and the back half of the album finishes strong, but it's too long and too samey.

altså det er jo ret godt tbh

En følsom Taylor, pop uden at være irriterende, helt ok, lidt kedeligt

Yllättäen pidin tästä. Aika vimmasii tekstejä ja voksut toimii mulle kyl. 3/5

Aina hienoa, kun levy paranee loppu kohti. Ja vokaalit on kyl miellyttäviä, paha sanoa muuta.

Taylor Swift on muuten ihan ok peruspoppista, mutta voisko se kaikkien näiden vuosien jälkeen tehdä muitakin biisejä ku nyyhkiä jonkun pojan perään? On maailmassa muitakin biisiaiheita. 2/5 ei oo poikaa kenen perään itkeä.

Passionate in a soulful way

Ugh. I hate vocal effects.

Because Taylor Swift is my wife's favorite artist, I've heard more of her work than I probably care to. Imo, this isn't her best work. It's good. It's chill. It's not exactly ground breaking.

A natural progression in her discography. After two very commercial and radio-friendly pop album, it’s nice to see her go to her songwriting roots with nothing but a guitar and piano. If you like the sound of one song, you’ll like them all. It’s more an atmosphere being sold throughout rather than a collection of great songs on an individual levels. It works and its an enjoyable listen.

Although its questionable if this is a must hear, it still is a very good album. This music style is the logical evolution to Taylor's early Country-Pop and she is able to create a very atmospheric experience here. No song is a masterpiece but there are a handful of 4 star songs and overall this album is, although a bit too long, a great listening experience

I do love this album, but not her best one.

I am a swiftie

Some good stuff here but it’s hidden in that god-awful contemporary pop production. I guess my beef is more with that then with Taylor. Oh well

I might be feeling a bit Swifty.

I guess I'm not the one to judge of her work because I'm not part of her fanbase nor am I a fan of this kind of pop, but I found this album painfully linear. Well produced but very cold in her delivery. It's just not for me, at least I can confirm this now.

I have one question. Why is it on this list? I mean, it's not a bad album, but it's a very dull one. A full hour with the same rhythm, the same tone... And don't start me on the lyrics. A folk pop album amongst so many others of the same kind... Why this one in particular? There was so much more in the year 2020 alone... Anyway, next.

I'm pretty sure there's more than 1001 better than this one...

There is nothing atrocious on this record. Nothing bad, but really nothing interesting either. It was surprisingly boring. I don't get why this music gets so much fame and praise. Who knows!

Aparte de lo que ponen en la radio solo había escuchado su album "folklore" y este parece una continuación o algo así de esa línea musical (por lo que he visto en Wikipedia es así). Acústico, tranquilo, me gusta como el anterior pero tampoco es que sea algo imprescindible en esta vida. Lo mejor creo que son las colaboraciones con The National (coney island) y Bon Iver (evermore).

Un dels discos de la pandèmia del Covid. I un dels més aclamats. En aquells moments, Swift era gairebé intocable i, tot i que el disc és força consistent, no és ni s'apropa als grans discos de pop del període. Malgrat tot, del llarg minutatge hi ha molts temes que s'adhereixen i no hi ha cap de dolent

Taylor Swift fait de la pop intéressante. Elle écrit bien et son virage vraiment pop avec l'album 1989 a été bénéfique pour sa carrière. J'apprécie de plus en plus cet album. Ici on se rapproche du country-folk de départ, mais avec un son pop plus subtile. Je trouve que c'est une bonne balance. Probablement un album que je vais remettre en streaming à l'occasion pour faire plaisir à ma fille qui l'aime bien et quand j'ai envie d'un peu de pop bien écrite.

Went on a bit, but has nice moments.

Would give 1.5 if an option. Bon Iver’s appearance and a few other moments worth a re-listen. Otherwise, would never put this on by choice

better than I expected? I haven't listened to her since hs so it was cool hearing her drop fuck

Very good. Two songs can be Zouk: Willow and Coney Island

Well it definitely sounds like it was made in 2020. I'm not just trying to be contrary to everything popular, but it is really obvious to me that pop music in our era is not very original or inventive. They're not daring with their song structures or chord progressions. I've heard way too many songs that sound just like this album, and the most the songs on this album are indistinguishable. Props to "closure" for being in 5/4 though. Yeah sure it's produced well (usually TOO well). But it's bland. The actual music behind her voice is usually so simple; it sounds like a default backing track on Garage Band or something. Once in a while there's a guitar part in the background that's more than just strumming, but it's mixed so quietly. Actual musical talent is NOT what gets you popular in today's world, but that's what I admire. The themes are just as basic too; how many "love going wrong/being hard" songs or "girl coming-of-age type" songs can one person write before it's too much of the same? All the songs sound like they're made for crying or listening to while looking out a rainy window. But they just do not resonate with me at all. I never hated it at any point but it's just soooo meh. It's a reminder of why I don't like today's pop music. And there weren't any bangers here like on her early albums; it's all just "sadgirl hours" songs. Even though her early hits weren't interesting, at least they were fun. P.S. I'm curious who the first sadgirl was to make all her song titles lowercase. Why does everybody do it now?

I’m not a Taylor Swift fan but really liked Folklore and this sister record sequel continues the folky cottagecore thang…

I had heard that Folklore was good but I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. I can't really add more than other reviews have. It was really enjoyable to listen to and there is beautiful depth to Taylor Swifts voice and songwriting. The synergy with her collaborators is spot on, strengthening her style rather than being dominated by something different. Only minus is that some of it sounds like I have heard it before. Probably due to Jack Antonoff having written with so many other artists recently. Not necessarily a bad thing but distracting

In which domineering pop icon Taylor Swift co-opts and bastardizes the label of 'indie' to take up shelf space and sales that should've gone to actual indie artists Musically I can't add anything new to what's already been said here. The album is inoffensive and blandish, but not altogether unlistenable. What has always repulsed me from Swift's music is the blatant inauthenticity in her image and actions. From the time when she pulled her music from Spotify because she 'wasn't making enough' (when her net worth was already in the millions) to now, where she attempts to pass as a reformed indie artist in some sort of half-assed musical rebirth, everything has been a calculated play not in the interest of making music but money. Swift is a cultural chimera, adapting her image to whatever will sell the most albums actual musical content be damned. Her true artistry ended after she abandoned thoughtful songwriting and actually decent musicianship on the first two country albums and traded them in for the big bucks making soulless pop smashes that dominated the cultural zeitgeist for years. So no, Taylor, you don't get to claim to be an indie artist after topping the Billboard time and time again, no matter how many attempted soulful piano ballads and The National collabs you stick on one LP.

That was absolutely painful. Perhaps if I had a full frontal lobotomy then I might find it enjoyable.

Non è brutto, ma è un po' noioso. Mi piaceva di più l'altro, 1989.

Pleasant enough to listen to but not much really leapt out. The inversion of the usual trope in the "murder ballad" wasn't quite enough to elevate it (and is it, like, supposed to be some kinda girlpower anthem? Cause it's still wrong to murder someone over infidelity), and the final cut with Bon Iver gave an unflattering focus on just how watered down the rest of the folkified pop was.

Much better than the last Taylor Swift album we had. The music is lovely and the lyrics are nice, if not a little girlie.

She is very talented but this is not really my thing but I have great respect for her.

Brilliant. How have I never heard this before? I don't go for her pop stuff (though it is clearly very good) but these folky singer-songwriter tunes are great.

Yawn

A good listen but not as good as folklore

What a treat this was, the first album that I have ever listened to from Taylor Swift. Hugely impressed and instantly replayed.

7/10 i tend to be pretty critical of Taylor Swift, and while neither the songwriting nor the vocal performance of evermore are outstanding, this album definitely has its charm. The second half especially has some good tunes, and while I found this a bit boring to listen to the production is flawless throughout.