folklore
by Taylor Swift
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Jul 24, 2020
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 17537 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15,823 out of 17537
  2. Mixed: 241 out of 17537
  3. Negative: 1,473 out of 17537
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  1. poulam1
    Jul 26, 2020
    10
    Sonically cohesive, Matured Lyrics, you just cant stop listening to this album. Her best work till date.
  2. markzov
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Jack, too, is present and accounted for on “Folklore,” to a slightly lesser extent, and together Antonoff and Dessner make for a surprisingly well-matched support-staff tag team. Swift’s collabs with the National’s MVP clearly set the tone for the project, with a lot of fingerpicking, real strings, mellow drum programming and Mellotrons. You can sense Antonoff, in the songs he did with Swift, working to meet the mood and style of what Dessner had done or would be doing with her, and bringing out his own lesser-known acoustic and lightly orchestrated side. As good of a mesh as the album is, though, it’s usually not too hard to figure out who worked on which song — Dessner’s contributions often feel like nearly neo-classical piano or guitar riffs that Swift toplined over, while Antonoff works a little more toward buttressing slightly more familiar sounding pop melodies of Swift’s, dressed up or down to meet the more somber-sounding occasion.

    For some fans, it might take a couple of spins around the block with this very different model to become re-accustomed to how there’s still the same power under the hood here. And that’s really all Swift, whose genius for conversational melodies and knack for giving every chorus a telling new twist every time around remain unmistakable trademarks. Thematically, it’s a bit more of a hodgepodge than more clearly autobiographical albums like “Lover” and “Reputation” before it have been. Swift has always described her albums as being like diaries of a certain period of time, and a few songs here obviously fit that bill, as continuations of the newfound contentment she explored in the last album and a half. But there’s also a higher degree of fictionalization than perhaps she’s gone for in the past, including what she’s described as a trilogy of songs revolving around a high school love triangle. The fact that she refers to herself, by name, as “James” in the song “Betty” is a good indicator that not everything here is ripped from today’s headlines or diary entries.    … Expand
  3. Afief
    Jul 30, 2020
    10
    This Album is unbelieveble. this is such a masterpiece! Ms Swift success to show her amazing skill as a songwriter. 10/10 don't trust the critics cause some of them are biased af
  4. shovellyjoe
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    This albums is the epitome of the Taylor Swift sound. Personally, I see this as Swift at best. Her vocals are soothing thus so fitting on the overall theme the album's trying to convey. Swift had been able to master control her voice. Her lyricism and how the poetry is delivered throughout the album is superb and consistent. TAYLOR SWIFT IS THE MUSIC INDISTRY. PERIOD.
  5. JoseLuisCN
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    It's pretty good, I can feel the poetry of the lyrics and it makes me feel so nostalgic
  6. LUZERO
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    Es el mejor album de Taylor Swift. SE VE TODO SU ESFUERZO. SALUDOS DESDE ARGENTINA.
  7. Andresbustamant
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Her best album ever, such a masterpiece. The production, the lyrics, her voice. EVERYTHING… Expand
  8. Kly211
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Her lyrical skills are just beyond insane. She brought us to a new world with this album.
  9. Nukidos
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Folklore is like the oasis in the middle of the pandemic. It's calming, perfect album in this situation. I am in love with folklore.
  10. dxvidr13
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    album of the year. amazing lyrics, amazing production, amazing sounds. taylor swift is the best songwriter of this generation. .
  11. Will161203
    Jul 26, 2020
    10
    Can't believe that the same person who wrote music like shake it off and look what you made me do could make this crazy revolution of music genres in just a few years and make a lot of good song melodically and lyrically in this beautifully produced album!
  12. Shiny29
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    The most mature album by Taylor Swift ever. The production is dream like, her vocals are soothing and the showstopper is, of course, her ingenious songwriting.
  13. Lazlo1
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Taylor Swift lo hizo de nuevo. Una genia en su terreno: la lírica. Su mejor álbum hasta la fecha.
  14. michalknotyours
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This literally is her best album yet. She keeps pushing genres and progressing musically and it’s quite amazing.… Expand
  15. theeee
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is different than the recent albums of Taylor. I love how she expands herself in a peculiar way which is so amazing because she always puts her heart and soul to it. No wonder why i was with her from FEARLESS TO FOLKLORE and to the next album of her. She is a Legend.… Expand
  16. jessicalondon
    Aug 5, 2020
    10
    I really liked this album, it's my favourite of hers and probably one of my favourites of all time. I think its her most cohesive work so far. All the songs feel different, yet have a similar enough sound to give them a collective identity. The lyrics are simple but really beautiful, and the music is nothing alike anything in any of her other songs. The slower tempo really compliments herI really liked this album, it's my favourite of hers and probably one of my favourites of all time. I think its her most cohesive work so far. All the songs feel different, yet have a similar enough sound to give them a collective identity. The lyrics are simple but really beautiful, and the music is nothing alike anything in any of her other songs. The slower tempo really compliments her voice, which I think sounds great on this album. I used to be a massive fan of her in her country days then stopped listening, but this album completely immersed me from start to finish, and got me back into all of her previous music too. The fact that this was written and recorded in 3 months under quarantine makes it all the more impressive to me.… Expand
  17. erentuf9
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    Perfect album that showcases Swift's strongest aspect: storytelling. "folklore" contains some of her best work with songs like "seven", "mirrorball", and "betty".
  18. katiecopp13
    Jul 29, 2020
    10
    Listening to this album feels like reading 16 different novels. The album is a mosaic of songs that blend together extremely well, but each song could stand alone. Each song has its own story to tell. The lyricism is reminiscent of some of Taylor’s greatest B sides.
  19. nickserys
    Jul 29, 2020
    9
    What a wonderful album. So different from what Taylor has put out before, yet that doesn’t diminish its singular beauty.
  20. VictorSalu
    Jul 30, 2020
    10
    The way this album takes you to another world when you’re listening is impressive, everything makes me say this is my favorite album from Taylor, not because the high quality of these lyrics but how she told a story singing her songs. Folklore is absolutely amazing.
  21. saribal
    Jul 29, 2020
    10
    amazing album, Taylor keep outdoing herself, this is her best album lyricly along with red also this her first album that i liked every single song a lot.
  22. sasharyabushko
    Jul 29, 2020
    10
    If you asked me what was my favorite Taylor Swift album a week ago, I'd say 1989 without hesitation. Now I'd have to think very well before answering. AMAZING!
  23. BranPorter
    Jul 29, 2020
    10
    Taylor Swift always has a formula that we can recognize. This time, she tried something different, more mature, It's not predictable at all and the quality really stands out. There's no skips, not that I can say that with previous records. You can tell she's not trying to impress the Top 40 and pop radio charts. She literally recorded a masterpiece where she could deliver amazing lyricsTaylor Swift always has a formula that we can recognize. This time, she tried something different, more mature, It's not predictable at all and the quality really stands out. There's no skips, not that I can say that with previous records. You can tell she's not trying to impress the Top 40 and pop radio charts. She literally recorded a masterpiece where she could deliver amazing lyrics and perfect instrumentals.… Expand
  24. riverchild
    Jul 30, 2020
    10
    There's no doubt Taylor has become a household name in the music industry. With the release of Folklore, she has proven why she is indeed Artist of the Decade!
  25. Akauan
    Jul 30, 2020
    10
    Just perfect. I really feel that Taylor Swift was born to write this brilliant album. All I can say is: congratulations and keep on working on that style. It fits her so well
  26. manashavi
    Aug 2, 2020
    10
    An album that has the brilliant touch of everything from lyrics to the production of every single song. There's not a single skip in this album!!
  27. Jessibg
    Aug 2, 2020
    10
    I actually enjoyed this more than Lover, even though I know that’s likely to bring some heat! Very listenable, and full of bangers
  28. Jonathas_v
    Aug 2, 2020
    10
    I think the word that sums up this album well is perfection. Everything in it is very cohesive. The sonority. The instruments. The vocals. It's amazing how an album or song transports us to another universe. The memories, the images that are formed in our imagination are very special and unique. At the same time connected with those of other people.
  29. Jecarsoos
    Jul 29, 2020
    10
    Este álbum tiene buena armonía. Su concepto está muy bien hecho y maneja excelentemente los ritmos. Las letras son demasiado bunas y la cantante tiene buena expresión vocal.
  30. amscray
    Jul 29, 2020
    10
    this is some of taylor's best writing in a long time. poetic and heartfelt lyrics with an atmospheric aesthetic that fits her voice well. in my opinion, there isn't a single dud on the album, with "cardigan", "august", and "exile" being some of my personal favorites. call me a crazed swiftie all you want, but folklore is a refreshing and vulnerable experience that is worth appreciating!
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2020
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Uncut
    Aug 13, 2020
    90
    It's a sharp turn to the left for Swift and a fine reminder that she is more than just a gleaming pop phenomenon, but a remarkable songwriter too. [Oct 2020, p.36]
  2. DIY Magazine
    Aug 7, 2020
    90
    A modern-folk masterpiece which finds her moving from her previous pop bangers into stunningly simple yet sharp melodies, ‘folklore’ will be going down in Swiftie history as one of her most unexpected, and undoubtedly one of her best.
    Read full review
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 3, 2020
    60
    These 16 tracks (17 on the deluxe version) play out quite pleasurably in their entirety, the joins between Swift, Dessner and Antonoff ultimately only of niche interest. But Swift’s powerful songs reach their climaxes with bittersweet orchestrations, rather than blows to the solar plexus or a ringing in the ears. Everything hovers; little truly lands.
    Read full review
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