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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wisconsin chapter.

While the rest of us were being lazy in quarantine watching Tik Toks, and binge-watching Netflix, Taylor Swift was working on one of her greatest albums of all time. She released the album Folklore on July 24, 2020, with a surprise album release and music video for the single “Cardigan”. I wasn’t a huge fan of the album at first, but as time has gone on it has aged like fine wine.

Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift via Instagram

Something I love about this album is that it isn’t only about her. She writes songs about real or imaginary people (hence the title being “Folklore”) and every song follows a different story. The songs August, Betty, and Cardigan all follow a love triangle between three characters. It makes the lyrics fun to unpack as you try to understand the complexity of the stories and how they connect. While this album is too long to dissect track by track, here is my official ranking of tracks (even though they seem to change weekly). 

  1. August

  2. Seven

  3. The 1

  4. Cardigan

  5. My Tears Ricochet

  6. The Last Great American Dynasty

  7. The Lakes

  8. Illicit Affairs

  9. Mad Woman

  10. Betty

  11. Invisible String

  12. Exile

  13. Peace

  14. Mirrorball

  15. Mad Woman

  16. This is Me Trying

  17. Hoax

  18. Epiphany

Taylor Swift on stage in colorful jacket
marcen27
This album was perfect for the ever-changing emotional rollercoaster that quarantine has been. While it doesn’t match the upbeat pop sound that Taylor has created in her last few albums, it is the perfect genre to switch into more alternative and indie music. It perfectly complements her 2012 album “Red” by matching the fall and cozy vibe, while also transitioning into more of an adult sound. This album is definitely her best album lyrically and explores more themes creatively and sonically than ever before. While it isn’t my go-to to sing in the car, Taylor created an album that is perfect for the time we are living in now and a beautiful story to distract us from everything else going on. Until we can hear the album live, I’ll be wrapped in a blanket, drinking pumpkin spice, lighting a candle, and listening to my “Folklore” vinyl.

spotify, phone, headphones, music
Fixelgraphy / Unsplash

Courtney Shady

Wisconsin '23

Courtney is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying psychology, education, and gender and women’s studies. She is from the suburbs of Milwaukee. In her free time, she enjoys drinking coffee, going to concerts, and loves hanging out with friends.
Kate O’Leary

Wisconsin '23

Kate is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin Madison majoring in Biology, Psychology and Sociology. She is the proud co-president of Her Campus Wisconsin. Kate enjoys indoor cycling, spending time with friends, cheering on the Badgers and making the absolute best crepes ever!