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The Voice of the Wildcats

The Paw Print

The Voice of the Wildcats

The Paw Print

Taylor Swift Creates Poignant Storybook in “Evermore”

While created as a sister album to “Folklore,” “Evermore” shines on its own.
Taylor Swifts Evermore, a surprise release in Decomber 2020, delves deep into storytelling.
Beth Garrabrant
Taylor Swift’s “Evermore,” a surprise release in Decomber 2020, delves deep into storytelling.

True to her word, Taylor Swift has “come back stronger than a ‘90s trend.” With her newest album, “Evermore,” Swift’s artistry shines alongside melodies both contemporary and reminiscent of some of her earliest albums.

Released in December 2020, “Evermore” is the sister album to “Folklore,” coming only five months after the release of “Folklore” in July. Though both albums were surprise releases, Swift is known for her distinct eras created by the feel of their defining albums, making a sister album even more unconventional. 

This change isn’t unwelcome — “Evermore” retains the authenticity and superb production of “Folklore,” but it introduces a country/folk sound that allows “Evermore” to stand out on its own as well. Whereas “Folklore” felt almost ethereal, “Evermore” is undeniably heartfelt. In its wealth of intricate lyricism, gentle instrumentals, and soft vocals, the album somehow creates a genuine and warm atmosphere amidst songs of infidelity and harmful relationships

Taylor Swift - evermore (deluxe version) Lyrics and Tracklist | Genius
“Evermore”‘s tracklist consists of 17 songs in its deluxe edition and runs for over an hour. (Beth Garrabrant)

In “Evermore,” Swift dives more deeply into the world of storytelling that “Folklore” created. “No Body, No Crime,” a collaboration with pop-rock group HAIM, depicts a murder mystery set to twangy country instrumentals and steadily paced lyrics. “Dorothea” reflects on the title character’s Hollywood success, as told by a childhood friend, while “Tis the Damn Season” likely focuses on Dorothea’s return to her small town for the holidays. Each track unfolds a tale for the listener to unravel, some rooted in Swift’s own life, many in fantasy. Swift flaunts her writing in “Evermore,” and its resulting storybook quality is both unique and comfortingly familiar all at once.

Swift returns to her country roots more than ever before, and it pays off, faintly bringing her earliest albums to mind and introducing an element of nostalgia. The album’s understated instrumentals admirably emphasize Swift’s vocals as she explores new takes and perspectives on relationships, heartbreak, and remorse. The more upbeat elements of the album — such as the smooth cadence of “Gold Rush” and the buoyant chorus of “Long Story Short” — manage to add livelihood without interrupting the overall peace.

However, “Evermore” is cohesive to a fault. Though slightly understandable for its hour-long run time, a few songs require more distinction to be particularly noteworthy. Keeping track of which song is which takes more than one listen, and “Coney Island (feat. The National)” just isn’t memorable. Oddly, the deluxe version’s two bonus tracks are some of the most distinctive.

But despite moments of repetition, “Evermore” is an outstanding album that shines as yet another example of Swift’s artistry and masterful storytelling.

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About the Contributor
Keira Lee, Copy Editor
Keira Lee is a freshman and first-year journalist. She enjoys writing about music and art. She hopes to become more focused on local news and to learn more about the Woodside community while writing for the Paw Print. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, and listening to music.

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