In July 2020, music industry powerhouse Taylor Swift shook the world when she released her first indie-folk album, folklore. Since then, the album has been nominated for Grammys and has become the number one album of 2020. Because of this, a thought crossed my mind in early December, how will she ever top this? The very next morning, at 5am Pacific Standard Time, I got a call from my best friend in Texas. I declined it at first–it’s 5am, I’m asleep. She called again, and I figured I had to pick up. Before I even got a word out, she said to me, “Taylor Swift is dropping a new album.” I’m stunned. I immediately got onto Instagram and Twitter to find it’s true. At midnight on December 11, 2020, Swift dropped her ninth studio album evermore, the sister album to folklore. After almost two months of almost exclusively listening to it, here’s my definitive ranking of Swift’s evermore:
17. closure To put it simply, this isn’t a standout on the album. It’s filled with synth-sounds and a noticeable drum track that aren’t heard anywhere else on the album. The song’s industrial sound breaks the flow of the album in my opinion, and the lyrics aren’t up to par with the rest of the album.
16. it’s time to go This bonus track alludes to Swift’s legal battle with Big Machine Records, one of many songs to do so. It is worth noting Swift is in the process of re-recording her first six albums due to said legal battle. The song itself is quiet and tame. It’s nice, but doesn’t leave much of a mark, compared to the rest of the album.
15. happiness With a seemingly misleading title, this track reflects the feelings of a decaying relationship. In a similar fashion to the rest of the tracks Swift has produced with Aaron Dessner, the song conveys a quiet sadness with a steady, slowly-building melody. I do really like this song, but it makes me feel too sad sometimes, and I can’t help but love Swift’s more passionate, big songs.
14. long story short Reminiscent of the themes of reputation, “long story short” tells Swift’s feelings of leaving public drama behind and focusing on her relationships. The song has a distinctive pop sound compared to the rest of the album. It’s fun, easy, and simply a good listen.
13. marjorie A tribute to Swift’s late grandmother Marjorie, this song is hauntingly beautiful. Swift’s whispering vocals are lovely, and the background vocals of the song are credited to Marjorie, who was an opera singer. “marjorie” is the 13th track on the album, similar to folklore’s “epiphany” which is dedicated to Swift’s grandfather.
12. evermore (feat. Bon Iver) Another collaboration with Bon Iver, the album’s titular song is a calm piano ballad. The song focuses on moving from a depressive state to a more hopeful one. Notably, the song’s producer, Dessner, and Swift spoke about their experiences with mental health in folklore: the long pond sessions. What I particularly like about this song is the beat change when Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon begins his verse. However, I do believe folklore’s “exile” reigns supreme regarding Swift’s collaborations with Vernon. “evermore” sometimes seems a little clunky; Swift’s and Vernon’s voices don’t clash quite as nicely as I’d like them too.
11. right where you left me The first bonus track of evermore is about a woman frozen in place as she was dumped by her previous partner, unable to move past that moment. I love Swift’s breath-y vocals as she sings the chorus, and this song has a vague country sound as well. As I’ve listened to this song, it’s risen up in my ranking of this album, so I feel like I’m doing it some misjustice placing it this far down. I really, really like this song—I just need some more time with it I think!
10. willow evermore’s single, “willow,” is a love song, but doesn’t sound like one. The song itself is a little haunting, considering lyrics like “Wait for the signal / and I’ll meet you after dark” and the music video’s witch-inspired storyline. Nevertheless, it’s a great opener to the album. Similar to folklore’s “the 1,” willow is more upbeat than the rest of the album and gets the listener hooked from the start with its gentle guitar plucks.
9. dorothea While Swift wasn’t able to top folklore’s “betty,” “dorothea” makes for a nice equivalent. Set back in high school–the very same one James and Betty attend in folklore–this track is particularly folk-y and bouncy, especially with Swift’s dynamic vocals. This track’s narrator also tells part of this story earlier in the album in “‘tis the damn season.”
8. coney island (feat. The National) I have to admit, “coney island” was not a standout to me upon first listen. At this point, I had already heard a collaboration with HAIM and was expecting another with Bon Iver. Also, I tend to be partial to songs produced by Jack Antonoff rather than Dessner. However, this track has become one of my favorites on the entire album. Swift’s vocals clash perfectly with Matt Berninger from The National, Dessner’s band. The song is quite melancholic, but contains vivid rich imagery in its lyrics that makes it stand out to me. I love this song.
7. no body, no crime (feat. HAIM) This track was inspired by Swift’s obsession with true crime and tells the story of a murder mystery. Featuring the Haim sisters, some of Swift’s best friends, the song has country roots and a wonderful vocal backing by HAIM. While it may not be the most lyrically or musically impressive song on the album, I love the storytelling in this song and how it’s become somewhat iconic among Swifties. Also, Danielle Haim’s “She was with me, dude” in the third verse is such a fun addition to the song.
6. gold rush This collaboration with Antonoff is chill and dreamy, and I just love it. Swift’s writing here is impressive; one of my favorite lyrics being: “I don’t like slow motion, double vision in rose blush / I don’t like that falling feels like flying ‘til the bone crush.” Swift’s vocals are light and breath-y here, and it’s delightful. I love this song because it’s simply fun and so vivid… And I can’t help but dance to “with your hair falling into place like dominos.”
5. tolerate it We’ve made it to the infamous track five! While Swift may be in a happy relationship with Joe Alwyn (or should we call him William Bowery?), the characters in evermore don’t seem to be. Swift tells the story of someone who feels their partner tolerates their love rather than celebrate it. This song is extremely lyrically impressive (i.e. “I greet you with a battle hero’s welcome / I take your indiscretions all in good fun”) and do a great job of evoking emotion out of the listener. It’s track five for a reason!
4. cowboy like me This track hasn’t been quite as well-received as the others on the album by Swifities, and at first, it wasn’t one of my favorites either. After a few listens, it quickly became one of my favorites. A collaboration with, you guessed it, Dessner, “cowboy like me” tells the story of a fling between two swindlers. The song features backing vocals by Mumford and Sons’ Marcus Mumford, and Swift’s vocals are just beautiful. This song isn’t for everyone, but I don’t think one can deny how lyrically impressive this song is. We all heard “Now you hang from my lips like the gardens of Babylon,” right?
3. ivy Swifities believe folklore’s “illicit affairs” is the sister track to this song. “ivy” tells the story of a woman who falls in love with someone who isn’t her husband. This track quickly rose the ranks for me. The music is reminiscent of “invisible string.” Arguably, this is the most lyrically impressive song on the album. Swift paints a vivid picture for the reader, see: “My house of stone, your ivy grows / and now I’m covered in you.” The song also builds up to an amazing bridge. Plainly put, it’s a wonderful track.
2. ‘tis the damn season Let me put this out there: I love a Christmas song. This track tells part of the Dorothea story from her point of view and reconnecting with her former lover when she’s back in her hometown for the holidays. What makes this song for me is the storytelling aspect. Swift tells a full narrative in this almost four minute song, and it makes this track stand out on the album.
1. champagne problems I’m sure this comes as a no surprise. Before all the hype, “champagne problems” was the track that immediately stood out to me. This piano ballad is reminiscent of one of my favorite Swift songs ever, “New Years Day.” In this track, Swift tells the story of a woman who turns down their partner’s marriage proposal. Similar to “‘tis the damn season,” this track creates a whole story for the listener, one with complex characters and complex emotions. The song leads up to an amazing bridge–one of Swift’s bests–where she drops the f-word (the first of multiple times on the album). Simply put, this song is a lyrical, musical, and emotional masterpiece. There was no other contender for the number one spot.
I have come to love evermore just as much or even more than I love folklore. The last thing on my mind is, Disney, when are we getting evermore: the long pond sessions? Listen to evermore ranked in this order here.