Taylor Swift Releases Affectionate Album, called "Lover" (Review)
Lover is Taylor Swift’s 7th studio album that was released on August 23, 2019. This album was released during the Scooter vs. Taylor drama, however it does not shed any light on their feud. The album focuses primarily on romance and is overall not as shady as “Reputation” previously was.
I Forgot That You Existed
I forgot that you existed
And I thought that it would kill me, but it didn't
And it was so nice
So peaceful and quiet
From the second that I heard this song I already got “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” vibes; a song from Taylor’s “Reputation” album. It sounds similar because of the way the music gets quieter and she starts to sing rather than talk. Overall it is a cute song.
Cruel Summer
Killing me slow, out the window
I'm always waiting for you to be waiting below
Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes
What doesn't kill me makes me want you more
Cruel Summer is one of those Taylor songs that sounds like it will be played nonstop in H&M. In a way, it’s extremely radio friendly and very electric pop. It’s a cute song but it’s also very Taylor-ish. It’s easily forgetful. I am editing this review and I can’t remember how it goes.
Lover
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home
You're my, my, my, my lover
My favorite song on the album, believe it or not. Before ‘Lover’ was a single and it was just out, I actually listened to it like 35 times. And then a week later, it became a single and everyone loved it and I felt like i knew about it first in some way lmaoooo.
On every album, Taylor delivers a brilliant song and for this album, it is definitely Lover. This song brings genuinely happy feelings and vibes.
The Man
They'd say I hustled
Put in the work
They wouldn't shake their heads
And question how much of this I deserve
This song could be used for a very cute girl’s night out montage. I don’t know why, but that was my first thought. This song can end up growing on me in the future, but for now it’s okay. I’m not a fan of Taylors overly generic/pop songs which seems to be a lot of these on this album. I like when she says “I’d be the man, I’d be the man, I’d be the man” and I do like how this song points out the unequal treatment woman in the industry and woman in general, face.
The Archer
I've been the archer
I've been the prey
Who could ever leave me, darling?
But who could stay?
Once again another typical Taylor ballad. It sounds like another one of her songs from the past that I can’t remember the name of. The issue with Taylor is that all her songs are cute but also high-key BORING. I was listening to song after song in pain. Cute song tho LMAO
I Think He Knows
He got that boyish look that I like in a man
I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans
It's like I'm seventeen, nobody understands
No one understands
I actually kind of like this song. It has a very catchy beat and even tho it is another generic song that H&M will love (can you tell I spend a lot of time in H&M lmaooo), but i’ll forgive Taylor for that because I like the lyrics.
Mrs. Americana and the Heartbreak Prince
It's you and me
That's my whole world
They whisper in the hallway, "she's a bad, bad girl"
Uhhh what is this tittle LMAOOO. It sounds like a tittle for a Gossip Girl episode. Interestingly enough, this is actually one of the better songs on this album. The song is very catchy and not at all in a generic way. I love the beat and the beginning reminds me of Hilary Duff’s “Beat of my Heart.” I also love the ending of this song.
Paper Rings
I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings
Maybe she snapped. This song gives me 90s beat vibes which i’m OBSESSED with and it’s not completely “Taylor-esq” which is great cause I hate her typical generic pop songs. It’s actually a very fun song and it reminds me of the movie Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. The bridge also sounds like a different song, but it still carries out the 90s beat so it transitions very well.
Cornelia Street
And baby, I get mystified by how this city screams your name (city screams your name)
And baby, I'm so terrified of if you ever walk away
I'd never walk Cornelia Street again
I'd never walk Cornelia Street again
This song is another one of Taylor’s cute songs, I don’t have much to say about this song, but I like when she sings in high notes. It sounds very peaceful. This song also gives off a very fall vibe from Ms. Taylor. However, it is very boring despite its peaceful factor.
Death By a Thousand Cuts
Just tryna find a part of me that you didn't touch
My body, my love
My trust (it's death by a thousand cuts)
My favorite part about this song is that the opening sounds like the opening to a Hallmark Christmas movie so I was already put in a good mood. Since this song isn’t extremely generic and pop; I’m sorry but I’m SO annoyed with Taylor’s need to stay in electric pop and make songs that all sound the same, this song could grow on me. But once again, it’s kinda boring. What I’ll say is, I do love the bridge though.
London Boy
You know I love a London boy
I enjoy nights in Brixton, Shoreditch in the afternoon
He likes my American smile
Like a child when our eyes meet, darling, I fancy you
London Boy is restlessly upbeat and I’m trying to keep up. It’s a nice song and I like when she says “They say home is where the heart is But God, I love the English” I FELT THAT. It’s very English themed and I wonder what a “London boy” would actually think of this song. It’s cute, it tells a little story. However, the beat is just a full on headache. I felt like I was experiencing the highs of CRACK when writing this part of the review.
Soon You’ll Get Better feat. the Dixie Chicks
The buttons of my coat were tangled in my hair
In doctor's-office-lighting, I didn't tell you I was scared
That was the first time we were there
Holy orange bottles, each night I pray to you
Desperate people find faith, so now I pray to Jesus too
This song brings back the “old Taylor Swift” vibes because it’s just her vocals with a light instrumental. It’s very peaceful and heartwarming. Reminds me of her song Safe and Sound, which is a favorite of mine. Safe and Sound is also a song I listened to all the time when my friend died so there’s that.
Anyways.
False God
But we might just get away with it
Religion's in your lips
Even if it's a false god
We'd still worship
Me: hating Taylor’s generic H&M songs
Also me: loving this generic beat
I don’t know what it is, but I actually love this song. Probably has to do with the saxophone in the back and the song in general is very peaceful. Taylor is using religion based imagery to draw out and make connections with her and some of her past lovers.
You Need To Calm Down
So oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
You need to calm down, you're being too loud
And I'm just like oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh (oh)
You need to just stop
Like can you just not step on my gown?
You need to calm down
***cracks fingers*** ……I hate this song.
The lyrics are sooooooo corny and it sounds like she took stan twitter tweets from 2016 and put them all together and started singing.
“You just need to take several seats and then try to restore the peace” lmao bitch what.
It’s obviously a song with a GREAT meaning and the music video shows representation for the LGBTQ+ community but the lyrics are so corny. And I hate the “uh ohhhhh uh ohhh” like this sounds as if Jojo Siwa sampled it and gave it to Taylor. THAT’S how bad it is.
Afterglow
I need to say, hey
It's all me, just don't go
Meet me in the afterglow
This is a very swaying song, typical Taylor, but lucky for me, this is one of Taylor’s typical songs that I do enjoy. This album is all lovely and peaceful and it’s interesting to see Taylor for once not have an entire song about beating the shit out of someone verbally. I love the ending as well for this song where she re-sings the chorus.
ME! (feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco)
I promise that you'll never find another like
Me-e-e, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
I'm the only one of me
Baby, that's the fun of me
I hate the song, but at the same time I don’t. I can genuinely sit through this song even though it’s so painfully pop, but I don’t hate it as much as I hate “YNTCD.” Brendon Urie balances out the song very well and I’m a huge fan of Panic! At The Disco so this is a plus for me! I hate the bridge “Hey kids! spelling is cool” please Taylor stop talking.
It’s Nice To Have a Friend
School bell rings, walk me home, Sidewalk chalk covered in snow
Lost my gloves, you give me one, "Wanna hang out?", Yeah, sounds like fun
Video games, you pass me a note
Sleeping in tents It's nice to have a friend
(Ooh)
It's nice to have a friend
(Ooh)
I LOVE THIS SONG.
I love the background vocals and it reminds me of Melanie Martinez’s songs which I’m a huge fan of. This is one of my favorite songs on the album and I’m going to credit the background vocals and the instrumental vibe. I love the use of the instruments that many stars don’t use and which Taylor likes to incorporate. It’s EXTREMELY peaceful and currently on repeat. The only issue with this song is how short it is.
Daylight
I only see daylight, daylight, daylight, daylight
I only see daylight, daylight, daylight, daylight
Does everyone realize Taylor loves singing about the city and lights? She mentions city lights in like eight songs in each album which is why I always relate fall/winter with Taylor and her albums. This is another nice song that I enjoy. It’s not my favorite, but it’s very light pop and I enjoy it and the lyrics.
Final Review
Honestly, the beginning the album scared me because it was that boring. I said to myself “Taylor pls im tired of listening to the same 2 songs” but to be honest… she pulled through.
The worst three on this album are: You Need To Calm Down, I Forgot That You Existed, Me!
The best three are: It’s Nice To Have A Friend, Lover, Paper Rings, False God, Mrs. Americana and the Heartbreak Prince (I know I know that’s more than 3 but these are the ones I really like)
Overall rating….
3.5/5
There’s about a good handful of songs that I really enjoy on this album, but there’s also that factor of too many generic pop Taylor songs that are too radio friendly and they all end up sounding the same because there is a formula for radio pop songs.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments down below.
See you later for the big exposed on Selena Gomez and Charlie Puth!
xoxo
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