Where would I be in these awful times without some Taylor Swift tunes? ‘Folklore’ has left me spellbound. Its sequel ‘evermore’ is no exception.
Is it reflective? Yes.
Is it poetic and mystical? Yes, and yes.
Is it filled with symbols, references, and Easter eggs? Yes, yes, and yes.
Does it give you the I wanna rip my guts out feeling? Totally.
As fate would have it, one gloomy February morning I found myself reaching for the tissue box again.
Evermore Is a Fairytale of Life and Love
“Willow”
So, you remember “cardigan”? At the end of that music video, Taylor wraps herself in a cardigan. That’s exactly where “willow” sets in. We see her enter the piano, following the golden thread.
Gold twinkles, witches dancing in a dark forest, sense of a time long gone. Folky visuals remind me so much of Claire’s and Jamie’s romance in Outlander.
The opening track is an obvious nod to Taylor’s boyfriend Joe Alwyn. The golden thread also appears in “invisible string”, the 11th track of the ‘folklore’ album.
“Champagne problems”
Taylor’s boyfriend is the co-author of this unfortunate love story. It covers an unexpected end of a relationship, told from the perspective of a girl who turned down a proposal.
“Gold rush”
What happens when you catch feelings? You blush a lot. You fantasize a lot. Why are they so perfect? You can’t wrap your head around it. But then you backtrack. It’s all in your mind. And you want to jump straight in.
Does it allude to Taylor’s past relationship with Harry Styles? Maybe. Is it about Joe’s blue eyes? I kind of think so.
Take it as you will, it’s a cute and flowy melody.
“‘Tis the damn season”
A girl named Dorothea comes home for Christmas and runs into her high school sweetheart. For a weekend, just for a weekend, they can pretend there is no past, no future. The two of them and nothing else.
This mellow holiday song deals with Dorothea’s side of the story. When you get to track no.7, that’s when you get the boy’s POV.
“Tolerate it”
The 5th ‘evermore’ track reflects ruminations of a woman being trapped in a loveless marriage. She’s desperately trying to make her husband notice her.
An undeniable feeling of abandonment and resentment. Not being seen by the person you once thought the world of. To be honest, I do see the connection to Princess Diana’s life.
“No body, no Crime” (ft. Haim)
Oh, yeah. A little taste of that country beat. The Haim sisters are Taylor’s close friends. Gives this song a special girl-power sentiment, doesn’t it?
Technically, it involves a lot of murder. First, the unfaithful husband kills his wife Este (one of the Haim sisters). Then, the wife’s friend (aka Taylor) avenges her death. Whodunnit in a song. I can’t get enough. Brilliant.
“Happiness”
All Normal People fans out there, that scene in which Connell apologizes to Marianne for not asking her to the dance. Rips your guts out, right?
This song is that scene. Forgiving the one who hurt you so you can forgive yourself. “Happiness” is so moving it makes you curl up in a ball.
The track acknowledges that heartbreak inevitably gives way to happiness.
“Dorothea”
The love story from “‘tis damn season” continues on with this song. Now the boy is wondering if Dorothea still misses him and her old town.
“Coney Island” (ft. The National)
This is one of those songs that only Taylor Swift can make. And the National? I can’t even.
“Ivy”
Old folk tale ambient. Forbidden love. Taylor’s Swift poetry. I’ve just read the best novel in my life.
“Ivy” is related to the events of “tolerate it” and “no body, no crime”. The miserable wife is living dangerously, stealing moments with her lover, scared her husband will find out about the affair.
“Cowboy like me”
It feels quite intimate. A secret conversation between two people hidden from the rest of the world. Two people who’ve lived quite a life. Two people who trick rich folks into getting what they want.
Two wandering souls finally dropping anchor. That’s a ballad right there.
“Long story short”
Let bygones be bygones. The 2016 controversy around Kim and Kayne, Tom Hiddleston. Taylor’s over it. She’s at a much happier place right now. And with the right guy.
“Marjorie”
One day I’ll be able to get through this song without letting a tear fall. Not today.
“Closure”
Need a song to get over someone? This is it. Taylor Swift’s music at its finest.
“Evermore”
This is art. Bon Iver and the way his voice fits with Taylor’s. It touches on the times we’re currently living in. It’s like a warm friendly hug we all need right now.
Though hard to decide, this track is my album favorite.
‘Folklore’ or ‘evermore’
You can’t have one without the other. Not in this case. Period.
You do what you want to do, I’m going back to “cardigan.” See you at “evermore.”
Cover image: Photo by John Thomas on Unsplash
