Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department': Genius or too clever?

On Friday, April 19, Taylor Swift entered a new era with the premiere of her next album, "The Tortured Poets Department." Social media was abuzz as a massive wave of criticism was unleashed on the singer. But is the latest album truly as disappointing as non-fans claim?

Taylor Swift is a household name. Even those who aren’t fans or outright critics are familiar with her. It's undeniable that she has ascended to international stardom. For almost two decades, she’s been a prominent figure in music, repeatedly shattering listening records. She’s also a multiple Grammy award winner, often likened to the music Oscars.

Currently, Taylor Swift is hailed as the biggest female singer in the world. In early December 2023, "Time" magazine crowned her Person of the Year. She sold out her entire international concert tour spanning nearly two years. Furthermore, she produced a movie from her performances that dominated the box office. Her latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," is now the subject of much discussion. Why has it stirred such a divide among listeners?

Like many Swifties, we eagerly anticipated the release of her latest album, uncertain of what to expect. The album's title, "The Tortured Poets Department," suggested it would explore new lyrical depths. However, the nature of its production remained a mystery. One certainty prevailed: fans would shed tears over the fifth track, "So long, London," depicting her profound, lost love for Joe Alwyn.

Less than an hour after the album became available on streaming services, detractors on social media were calling it a failure. Many proclaimed it the weakest in Taylor’s career, doubting its listenability. Their criticisms stemmed from a single line in the song "The Tortured Poets Department," about a "tattooed labrador," a metaphor referencing The 1975 band leader, Matty Healy.

Matt Stevens and Shivani Gonzalez from the "New York Times" critiqued the album for its complexity and use of obscure language. This sentiment echoed across social media, with TikTok videos claiming Taylor's lyrics were overly intellectual and forced. My stance? If I encounter unfamiliar words, I look them up. Taylor’s critics, however, seem to prefer lamenting over her intelligence.

I admit it might not be Taylor's best album, but labelling it boring or devoid of meaningful lyrics would be unjust. Tracks like "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived", "Guilty As Sin?", "Clara Bow", "I Hate It Here", "Peter", and "The Prophecy" showcase her lyrical prowess. In my view, it's her most heartfelt album to date, akin to sharing a personal diary with her audience.

The constant comparison of Taylor to other female artists, such as the allegations of imitating her friend Lana Del Rey, particularly irks me. Even if Taylor drew inspiration from Lana, with whom she has frequently collaborated, would that diminish her art? Absolutely. When Beyoncé announced a country-style album, the world was intrigued, not sceptical. Why should Taylor face criticism for experimenting with different styles in "The Tortured Poets Department"? It’s an unfair double standard.

What baffles me is how some people who dislike Taylor Swift's music make their disdain part of their identity, obsessively critiquing her without respite. If you're not a fan, why not simply move on and focus on music that does appeal to you?

In conclusion, let’s enjoy our preferred genres and artists without wasting time attacking each other’s tastes. Instead of dissecting Taylor Swift’s lyrics to highlight faults or label her fans as lacking discernment, let’s just let it be.