If you look at the quick release of "folklore" - a glimpse of both production time and promotion - many people easily s...
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If you look at the quick release of "folklore" - a glimpse of both production time and promotion - many people easily see "folklore" as a "fun for release" product.
Folklore - an extravagant step on the peak reminiscent of Madonna and Beyoncé
Back in the past, no one must have forgotten the golden age of pop queen Madonna. Sometimes it is the fiery peach of "True Blue", when she is radiant with vitality like "Like a prayer" and culminating in the sex bomb "Erotica", Madonna makes music lovers have to stare their eyes because of both boldness and daring crazy. When pushing everything to the limit, Madonna suddenly became a soft, gentle girl of "Bedtime Stories", then once again brought pop dance to the top with "Ray of Light". Madonna never ceases to surprise, the virtual sea like a chameleon, with no limits or laws she cannot break.
Beyoncé also dropped two unexpected blockbusters, "Beyoncé" and "Lemonade", without promotion, the music changed like pinwheel, but Beyoncé was at the level where she released any product. Come on, it will still be well received. So, she freely tried all kinds of marketing, all kinds of music without having to worry about the public or profit.
"Folklore" shows a significant similarity with the two seniors mentioned above. Right after Taylor Swift announced she would release the full "folklore" album in less than 24 hours, music lovers had the feeling: Oh, this is the second "Lemonade". And when we know that the main material that Taylor uses is folk pop, we immediately think of Madonna's chameleon image.
Even we hear the country-pop music of Taylor Swift for a while, simple guitars on the heart, bright and youthful melodies through "Betty" or "invisible string". Sometimes, there are moments when he seems a bit too gentle compared to the composition of Taylor (as in "peace"), but she also compensates immediately with the heavy, dense tracks in folk like "hoax" or "August".
After "Lover", Taylor's third album in a row used so many dance pop materials that people identified Taylor Swift as a true pop star, her claim to dance to a whole new genre. The is a surprise. With "folklore", we remember Taylor Swift is not a pop singer who always follows the trend, framing herself. Taylor has her own path, from a country princess who gradually transformed into a pop star, all with careful calculation and alone going a route, not following any Who. And now, when she is full, satisfied with the three successful pop era, this is the time Taylor Swift is returning to her - exploring a new direction for herself.
folklore - gentle summer sounds amid a sprawling pandemic
In "folklore", Taylor Swift still collaborates with the familiar partner Jack Antonoff, who has accompanied her for a long time and really had the opportunity to shine at "Lover". In this album, Jack and Aaron Dessner - a member of the famous National band - still keep a great performance when they bring a folk atmosphere spread evenly throughout the album while retaining the distinct quality of Taylor Swift.
We even hear the sounds of Taylor Swift's country pop for a while, simple guitars that enter people's hearts, bright and youthful melodies via "betty" or "invisible string". Sometimes, there are moments when he seems a bit too gentle compared to the composition of Taylor (as in "peace"), but he also compensates immediately with the heavy, dense tracks in folk like "hoax" or "August".
Jack is still doing well and understanding Taylor as usual, so the character that makes the most surprise and excitement is probably Bon Iver. Inviting one of the most prominent figures of folk music, Taylor Swift did not appear inferior to Bon Iver, but both perfectly matched. Initially, two people like to tell two separate stories that have nothing to do with each other, just that they have the same unexpected ending. But when the two of them sang in response, the story gradually took shape.
Two people are together but do not understand each other, one tries hard, and the other does not realize. In the end, when Bon Iver kept talking about not being able to go back to the way it was, Taylor Swift was only regretting that she gave so many signs that he didn't know. Both of them looked in one direction, and no one understood for the other, all were left alone. “Exile” is a very bold mark and shows how far the maturity in both songwriting and songwriting ability of Taylor Swift and her colleagues.
It is not difficult to understand when "cardigan" was chosen by Taylor Swift as the first single for "folklore". This is the song that balances the most folk and pop elements in this album with the message that is very popular. The inclusion of a lot of pop quality does not make the "cardigan" become more ordinary but on the contrary, makes the song a lot more brilliant. Right from the opening piano sound combined with the sound of footsteps, "cardigan" has opened up a whole space full of mystery and charm. There, Taylor talked about the negative stereotypes people attribute to young people: they only know how to dress in a fashion but are shallow about love. "Cardigan" brings Taylor's gentle gaze to the good nature of the young.
And the positive spirit is always overwhelming in "folklore" even when the music and atmosphere are sometimes quieter. As in "mirrorball", she identifies herself as a ball at every party, always shining even though it may sometimes become outdated.
All the songs of "folklore" were composed by Taylor Swift during the social break. Therefore, it is not surprising that every song is sad. But it is great that Taylor always maintains a positive state in the songs, there is always a light at the end of the passion, a spirit very suitable for the confusing context of the current epidemic.
folklore - convincing juicy ripe fruit from Taylor Swift, also tries to rock the throne
Looking back at the top figures of pop music like Madonna or Beyoncé, did they reach their peak thanks to the shocking marketing tactics? The public is always very observant, if the artist does not sincerely make products from the internal force inside, they will be stripped immediately. Their "trick" is not only a "trick", but also their inner strength and personality, and it has the power to affect a whole generation of pop music.
And Taylor Swift is walking the right paths the seniors build. You're a trick, you're a chameleon, but it's your own inner creations. She has a development in music, a gradual, thorough development in the direction that she outlines her abilities without following any trends or characters. Therefore, her change is always very real, unexpected but full of charm and persuasion. And importantly, Taylor was not in a hurry. Everything from "folklore" is very sweet, like a ripe fruit has just arrived and is picked down at the sweetest.
