5.0 out of 5 stars Making Lemonade

I.D. · 22 August 2020

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Taylor Swift is a major talent, always capable of turning out an exceptional tune. But the more she drops down the pop/dance rabbit hole the less she floats my own boat. Until now. Folklore is going to be on the seminal albums of the year, quite probably this bumpy decade. Created under lockdown and a Swift turnaround (pun fully intended) from her last release, the concept intrigued me and does not disappoint. Lots of piano, muted beats and bright splashes of guitar with Swift’s voice floating over, sometimes huskily, sometimes intently sometimes soaring. Cardigan is lodged in my head and will not leave, other tracks make me smile, chill, or feel the intense pleasure and pain of love. Special mention goes to Betty where Swift is successfully channelling great American singer- story tellers, such as Paul Simon and Don McLean.Not quite every track is stratospheric and it can get samey at times, but I feel that is the point of the groundhog, lockdown vibe. This really is a record of its times, in every sense. Vocals in LA, most of the music and production in New York State, some of the orchestration coming out of France.These are not songs to be played at the back of a bus, busting out of a phone in isolation, but a mature album to fall into on the sofa, as the light fades. And despite being dropped out of the Covid blue onto the internet, Folklore is a champion for physical product. Not exactly a glance back at her Nashville recording roots but it is the kind of album I wish Tori Amos was still making; and that will very much do for me.

5.0 out of 5 stars She comes of age

C. · 27 August 2020

Well, here's an admission. I had heard the first album, all teen twangy C&W - ish music when she was sixteen. It was nice, throwaway stuff and I thought no more about her! Since then, I had thought that she was an absolute beauty to look at, but her music just didn't appeal.I knew about her songs, her collaborations but really didn't notice anything until I looked at the sticker which said "EXPLICIT CONTENT" and I thought ... hmm. Has she sold out and gone down the road of almost everyone else and started singing dirty?Well, to be honest, she uses two four-letter words a couple of times on a couple of tracks each, but she's no Joni Mitchell, who has always expressed herself in similar ways. However, it did pique my interest, so I took a listen to this.OK, I am a convert based on this album. Those of you who want her to sound the same every album should realise that she is still evolving even if she has now released eight albums. One thing I like is that it is so different from other albums - yes, I've been catching up. This is unlike 'Lover', the previous album which I also bought - and, incidentally, I like very much.Not a bad track on this album, sultry, sincere, serious, great singing, very folky but with a modern twist. Others have suggested this is her 'reference point' album (my words) similar to Joni's "Blue" album or "OK Computer". Perhaps, for me, it's more like Joni's "For the Roses" or "Court and Spark", landmark albums ("Blue" was too early in Joni's career). I agree simply because this is such a change to the cheerful, poppy material previously released - more subtle, more adult, more articulate, more reflective.YES, I am a convert and need to go back through her catalogue (I can't believe I've just written that.... ). I have 1989 and Reputation to listen to, but this is pretty wonderful.In fact, this is MAGNIFICENT!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing

E. · 8 January 2025

Excellent vinyl, amazing colour and sounds incredible

5.0 out of 5 stars you really should listen to this

D. · 22 November 2020

I have long noted that folks confuse 'listening' and 'hearing', not to mention 'knowing' when they talk about music. You don't actually know a piece of music until you can remember it. Sometimes this takes a long time. The best music often falls into that area. Easy music is quickly boring - like eating chocolate - you just want more chocolate rather than actual nourishment. I had always placed Taylor Swift into that category - big hat Nashville productions, a pretty face and chirpy lyrics. I had never tried listening to her music but had heard it here and there many times.This record is quite different. She has co written with Aaron Dessner and the arrangements and mixes that he adds give this album massive depth. I listen to a wide range of music from Miles to Mahler to Hank Williams to Kraftwerk et al and these arrangements and settings flow from the same sense of the density of musical language. There is much debate around digital vs analogue formats and this recording in CD form is a massive step up the sonic ladder from the MP3. I look forward to the vinyl version which I note has sold out before its release. It is also music that needs to be heard on decent speakers or headphones which will unfold the detail within.I cannot recall a record which has so got in to my head since Carrie and Lowell. I began by thinking that the first three songs were OK and have moved further into the other songs over several months of listening to the MP3 stream on Bolo music. and yes I can remember these songs (initially almost despite my "Taylor Swift" prejudice).And then there's the lyrics. Her observations of how emotions and relationships and memory work together to represent complex human behaviour (is there any other kind ?) are subtle, detailed and various . Like all great lyrics these pass into one's own memories of the same things - creative empathy has always been the key to the relationship between artist and audience. Worth a read, as they say.You may yet be thinking of a different artist called Taylor Swift. Whoever she was before she's her own person now and this music puts her into an entirely other level. Listen without prejudice. Even Rod Liddle gave this record a rave review in the Speccie - she really has crossed some boundaries. ...

4.0 out of 5 stars Cd is perfect but case was cracked

C. · 30 December 2024

Cd played perfect but it was a shame the case came cracked as it was a Christmas gift

Una joya que por fin tengo en mis manos

B.B. · 24 May 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Este vinilo de "folklore" de Taylor Swift fue un autoregalo que llevaba mucho tiempo buscando, y por fin lo conseguí gracias a una oferta muy buena que encontré aquí en Bolo. ¡No puedo estar más feliz con la compra!Es un disco que merece ser escuchado de principio a fin, sin pausas.Además, el diseño de la edición es precioso. La portada, el arte interior y el vinilo en sí están cuidados al detalle, ideal tanto para fans como para coleccionistas. Se nota que está hecho con cariño.Muy recomendable, sobre todo si te gusta la música con alma y letras que cuentan historias. Me alegra muchísimo haberlo añadido a mi colección.

An indie masterpiece from Miss Taylor herself

A. · 12 November 2020

Folklore is Taylor's latest album that was released in July. It's a masterpiece. Each and every track on the album is beautiful. The album is indie and wholesome. Taylor's vocals shine through. If you are a fan of RED then this album is a must listen/buy. The album ties with RED as my favorite album from Taylor. I had gotten the stolen lullabies edition of the album from Taylor's site already but i wanted this edition too. I ordered it along with another of Taylor's Cd. A bit bummed cause i ordered the CD thinking i would get the reputation diary too due to the reviews but unfortunately i didn't get the diary. My CD arrived earlier than the expected delivery date (Yay) Ooverall a 10/10 for the album. If you are a Swiftie, it's a must buy. :)

Taylor Swift au sommet de son art !

A. · 17 May 2021

folklore est le 8eme album studio de Taylor Swift, après le très coloré Lover sorti 11mois plus tôt, Taylor Swift fait un virage à 380 degrés, dans l’alternatif. folklore, comme son nom l’indique, nous plonge dans un univers mystique, calme, mature. Comme à son habitude, la chanteuse produit, écrit et compose les chansons de son album. Sa voix, d’un timbre clair s’adapte beaucoup plus sur ce genre musical que sur de la pop. Elle y renoue ses racines plus américaines, qui se rapprochent du country(voire evermore, 9eme album studio), moins produites, plus poétiques. Et c’est bien là que l’album se révèle comme être un joyau, Taylor Swift délivre ici ses plus beaux textes, ses plus belles poésies sur des arrangements, un genre, un univers musical qui lui sied parfaitement. Les 5 premières chansons de l’album « the 1, cardigan, the last great american dynasty, exile et my tears ricochet » regorgent de passage poétique « you drew stars around my scars » ; « We gather stones, never knowing what they'll mean some to throw, some to make a diamond ring you know I didn't want to have to haunt you but what a ghostly scene, you wear the same jewels that I gave you, as you bury me » et tant d’autres passages font de cet album une merveille auditive. Avec folklore, Taylor Swift est au sommet de son art, comme en atteste son Grammys de meilleur album de 2020.

Great album!

K. · 8 July 2024

Every track is awesome and gives great vibes, love folklore

Incroyable!

P. · 11 January 2024

« Folklore » de Taylor Swift est l’album « frère » à «Evermore ». Selon moi, un de ses meilleurs album au niveau de la plume, des paroles. Avec de nombreux sons très connus comme « Cardigan », «August », « Betty ». Personnellement, mes chansons préférées sur cet album sont « My tears ricochet »,« Exile », « Illicit affairs ». L’album est magnifique: la couverture, les chansons, les paroles, le booklet aussi les photos de cet album vous envoi dans un incroyable univers! Si vous adorez collectionner des cd « «Folklore » est le cd qu’il vous faut! Foncez l’acheter!!!