folklore
by Taylor Swift
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Jul 24, 2020
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 17537 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15,823 out of 17537
  2. Mixed: 241 out of 17537
  3. Negative: 1,473 out of 17537
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  1. vinsweg
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Taylor Swift's best album of her entire career combines her skilled eye for specific, searing and evocative lyrics with haunting melodies. She tells all manner of stories that reflect on love, loss, betrayal, childhood, and even death. This album feels like a meditative distillation of the human spirit's complexity, made more poignant by the dark times we live in. The highest quality ofTaylor Swift's best album of her entire career combines her skilled eye for specific, searing and evocative lyrics with haunting melodies. She tells all manner of stories that reflect on love, loss, betrayal, childhood, and even death. This album feels like a meditative distillation of the human spirit's complexity, made more poignant by the dark times we live in. The highest quality of art and a true masterpiece.… Expand
  2. kaylagov
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    A new side to Taylor Swift, showing just how versatile the singer/songwriter really is. This dreamy melodic album has a unique twist from Swift showing a sense of vulnerability and emotion whilst also exploring songs that mimic the effect of old tales and bonfire stories. Probably the best album of this year so far.
  3. idkwhatimdoin
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    probably her best album! the vocals are -as always- perfect and it’s beautifully written.
  4. Naium
    Jul 25, 2020
    2
    All the song sound the same. I liked Taylor swifts but I feel like she’s getting more and more lost.
  5. treyceface13
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    So food from start to finish. The lyrics. The music. The vocals. One of her best albums ever.
  6. Lavardac
    Jul 25, 2020
    4
    A lackluster attempt at reinvention. It has a few high points, but Folklore is long boring and forgettable.
  7. FelippeAlves
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    O álbum está impecável. Possui muita verdade e uma forte essência combinada e equilibrada com suas melodias suaves. É como se pudéssemos enxergar verdadeiramente a artista, bem como seus sentimentos. O trabalho consolida seus méritos no que tange a popularidade, sucesso financeiro e prestígio crítico, além de reiterar suas atribuições de 'Artista da Década', 'Mulher da Década', 'Titã doO álbum está impecável. Possui muita verdade e uma forte essência combinada e equilibrada com suas melodias suaves. É como se pudéssemos enxergar verdadeiramente a artista, bem como seus sentimentos. O trabalho consolida seus méritos no que tange a popularidade, sucesso financeiro e prestígio crítico, além de reiterar suas atribuições de 'Artista da Década', 'Mulher da Década', 'Titã do Pop', e a própria 'Indústria da Música'.
    "Folklore", seu oitavo álbum de estúdio, possui um amadurecimento notável, especialmente se comparado aos seus antecessores, "Lover" e "reputation". Um trabalho digno de ser considerado o próximo 'Album Of The Year' pelo Grammy's.
    Ressalto que, a fotografia e impressão que o álbum passa é um dos campos, até então, inexplorados por Taylor Swift que, mesmo assim, conduz o público e se conecta com seus fãs com maestria e de maneira exemplar.
    Nesta nova fase, Taylor se consolida não apenas como a maior cantora de sua geração, mas também como um dos maiores nomes da composição e do meio artístico na história desta indústria.    … Expand
  8. truong123
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    She suprised us with her new album and it is the best album she has ever made
  9. FernandoLL
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The sound of this album conveys the tranquility that only someone with the narrative sharpness of Taylor Swift can give you through its lyrics and melodies… Expand
  10. bl4nkspace
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    This album is so so so amazing!! Taylor Swift you're a angel, folklore is really flawless.
  11. nadirknb
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. a surprise album, and on top of that it's amazing, AOTY worthy, and it better be nominated… Expand
  12. DuongMinhThuan
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    This can be the best album Taylor Swift has ever made, good job Taylor, can't wait for her next album
  13. thihaaungkyaw
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Best album Ms. Taylor Swift has ever done. Lyrically, sonically everything is perfect. What a legend.
  14. Ldavidhurtado
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    It’s just pure art! One of the best Taylor Swift Albums and my favorite one.
  15. Moocow306
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    This album is a masterpiece, filled with exquisite lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies. It turns out the old Taylor *can* come to the phone.
  16. katyrhdz
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Raw and minimalistic in all the right ways. Feels intimate, mysterious and personal.
  17. Lourenzxx
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    I love how this quarantine-made album defines our moods in this current situation. This is something I would listen to when it's raining. Actually, I'm not really a fan of alternative genre but this is exceptional. Kudos to the team who put so much effort to make a masterpiece.
  18. dipsi
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is one of her best! The music is so good, lyrics are genius! truly amazing!… Expand
  19. Luis_velez
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Demasiado bueno, las melodías son muy diferentes a lo que Taylor esta acostumbrada y se siento como una bocanada de aire fresco en esta cuarentena.
  20. kneaddy1
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    A masterpiece!!!!! I have been listening to this album non-stop since it’s release. I have been a huge fan of Taylor for years and years, but this album is a game changer. Love it so much.
  21. jeffpimenta
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    I'm really impressed with Taylor's work. Every track is so intimated and we feel what she felt when she wrote and produced it.
  22. Aramisael
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Un álbum excelente, relajado, maduro, buenas letras, ritmo, tiene todo, es de los mejores que hay hasta el momento en 2020… Expand
  23. mrjohnrm
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Incrível, fantástico.
    Taylor Swift tem um dom extraordinário de colocar sua alma em cada composição. É um verdadeiro conforto para qualquer situação.
  24. Frigini
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    The best album, Taylor had a lot a feelings! The all sons tell to us a great history, about love, about The power of the woman
  25. ctrls13
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    this is good for an artist who cross over from country to pop, and now switching gears again to alternative genre.
  26. Gabyau
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    A masterpiece lyrically and melodically. Taylor comes back with her well known story telling abilities, better than ever before.
  27. luiiix
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Simple, perfect, her lyrical skills are insane. Her mosy mature album, the productions, the lyrics, the instrumental. SO SO SO perfect.
  28. Katiadb
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Loved every single song. She reinvented herself again and It really worked. Her storytelling Is brilliant.
  29. andybeltranih
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Um dos melhores álbuns que já ouvi na minha vida e sem dúvidas o MELHOR de 2020. As composições são tão lindas. Não consigo parar de ouvir e imaginar as histórias por trás disso. Obrigada por tudo, loirinha!
  30. soundmate
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    A household name such as Taylor Swift can do whatever she pleases and still succeed. Despite knowing that the immediate musical success relies in composing upbeat pop tracks and distributing them massively, Taylor Swift has decided to take the biggest risk for a pop star in recent memory by turning her highly anticipated next musical project into a smooth indie folk album. She deserves aA household name such as Taylor Swift can do whatever she pleases and still succeed. Despite knowing that the immediate musical success relies in composing upbeat pop tracks and distributing them massively, Taylor Swift has decided to take the biggest risk for a pop star in recent memory by turning her highly anticipated next musical project into a smooth indie folk album. She deserves a lot of credit only for doing this since she has left the easy path to release something musically pleasing that feels personal and true, something fresh and authentic, something real. Swift's music has taken a new radical direction and, honestly, I love it. To abandon the lyrics about her recent lovers and starting writing about other people's experiences as if it was a photo album means leaving apart a part of her essence as a songwrtiter and artist yes, but, at the same time, the morbidness the media has had with her records since the beggining of her career has ended or might start dissapearing now. It isn't Taylor Swift who has changed but people's perception on her persona. To treat this girl as an artist who writes about past relationships and personal experiences instead of a manipulative cold-hearted b*tch that wants to tear every boy on Earth down is something that should have been done years ago. This is what I call coverted sexism, something to fight against to.
    Anyway, back to the music. With "folklore" Swift has demonstrated that she is one of an artist. Collaborating with members of eternal rock/indie bands from The National to Bon Iver, her music has reached another level of personal and general satisfaction. If I am allowed to, I might say this is the best English language album I've ever paid this much attention to and respected this much since "Melodrama" by Lorde back in 2017. Actually, to me, "folklore" feels like a dark B-side of the mentioned album; it is a musical experience, where you travel to a broken dark Beverly Hills, where dreams break down and tears fall. Covering themes as interesting as politics, love, heartbreak and death, I can affirm without any doubt that this is the best project Swift has put out in her entire career. This is something we all needed in her discography, it feels so damn great it hurts. What also is very positive is that "folklore" has the essence of a traditional album. Beyoncé one said that modern day artists only focus on releasing a bunch of singles and then drop them in an album that feels more like a singles collection than anything else. Who would have known that it would be Taylor Swift who told Beyoncé she was wrong? Nobody. This is just an album, a collection of private material written from the heart and soul of the artist, one where you can feel the pain in every sung word.
    In conclusion, with "folklore", Taylor Swift has consolidated herself as a musician instead of a vulgar pop star, she has exploted her talent as a performer and songwriter to the maximum level rubbing shoulders with the elite of indie rock music in order to make the most pleasant, listen-worthy album to ever be released in modern history. With freedom, care, delicacy and a lot of love and passion for the art, Taylor Swift has just released a masterpiece. Just press play and enjoy Taylor whispering to the trees as a suffering soul; step into this blue psychological therapy and accompany us to this "How I Met Your Mother"-style personal couch conversation with your beloved ones. Do not ever miss this album, its the most beautiful.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2020
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Uncut
    Aug 13, 2020
    90
    It's a sharp turn to the left for Swift and a fine reminder that she is more than just a gleaming pop phenomenon, but a remarkable songwriter too. [Oct 2020, p.36]
  2. DIY Magazine
    Aug 7, 2020
    90
    A modern-folk masterpiece which finds her moving from her previous pop bangers into stunningly simple yet sharp melodies, ‘folklore’ will be going down in Swiftie history as one of her most unexpected, and undoubtedly one of her best.
    Read full review
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 3, 2020
    60
    These 16 tracks (17 on the deluxe version) play out quite pleasurably in their entirety, the joins between Swift, Dessner and Antonoff ultimately only of niche interest. But Swift’s powerful songs reach their climaxes with bittersweet orchestrations, rather than blows to the solar plexus or a ringing in the ears. Everything hovers; little truly lands.
    Read full review
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