Since the surprise releases of Taylor Swift’s folk-inspired albums, folklore and evermore, in 2020, fans have engaged in passionate debates over which album reigns supreme. Both albums dropped unexpectedly, with Swift announcing them less than 24 hours before their midnight releases. Despite their shared essence, each album offers a unique experience tailored to different emotional landscapes.
Listeners often gravitate toward the introspective themes found in folklore, while others are comforted by the weightier songs featured on evermore, like “marjorie.”Nevertheless, while both are remarkable musical achievements, folklore, marking the onset of Swift’s cottagecore era, stands out as the superior album.
How Folklore Redefined Swift’s Career
A Return to Singer-Songwriter Roots
With the release of 1989 in 2015, Swift solidified her status as a leading pop figure, trading her acoustic guitar for synth-driven anthems. Following her pop-centric trajectory with two more albums, folklore marked a significant return to her singer-songwriter roots. Critics and fans alike questioned whether she could still capture the raw emotion of her earlier works, including “All Too Well.”However, folklore demonstrated that Swift could seamlessly merge pop stardom with heartfelt songwriting, affirming that she defies categorization.
The album not only showcased her lyrical prowess but also elevated her from a pop sensation to a timeless music industry legend.
Why Folklore is More Sonically Cohesive
Superior Flow and Cohesion
While evermore experiments with diverse sounds—from the somber “champagne problems”to the lively “long story short”—the tracks in folklore resonate with an acoustic foundation that embodies the folk genre and Swift’s cottagecore aesthetic. The seamless transitions between songs create a cohesive listening experience, whereas some tracks on evermore can feel somewhat disjointed. Given the tumultuous nature of 2020, the varied tones in evermore reflect the chaotic emotional landscape of the time.
In contrast, folklore is a masterfully curated collection, with each track—from tales of lost love and betrayal to the biographical narrative of Rebekah Harkness—harmoniously complementing the others. This intricately woven tapestry of stories illustrates Swift’s ability to pen an album that touches on a myriad of themes, all while maintaining a unified voice.
Folklore Introduced the Captivating Love Triangle
Crafting Intrigue Through Storytelling
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A standout element of folklore is the intricate love triangle narrative explored through the songs “cardigan,””august,”and “betty.”Swift tantalizingly hints at this thematic connection during the “cardigan”music video premiere, with fans quickly piecing together the storyline across the three tracks. By weaving subtle references—like cobblestones and a shared cardigan—Swift ingeniously presents the perspectives of different characters, captivating audiences in the process.
Listeners have speculated whether these storylines drew inspiration from specific films, shows, or literature, a notion supported by Swift’s acknowledgment of the media influences she encountered during lockdown. During the Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions, she revealed her belief that ‘Betty’ ultimately forgives James, while the girl in ‘august’ was merely seeking love, showcasing Swift’s exceptional storytelling abilities.
The Polished Nature of Folklore
Evermore’s Experimental Edge
Crafted during the constraints of lockdown, folklore came across as a meticulously polished project. With ample time to refine her work, Swift curated each track with great care, discarding any songs that didn’t contribute to the album’s overall flow. Conversely, evermore feels somewhat more spontaneous, capturing a rawer, more experimental side of her artistry that aligns with the tumultuous end of 2020.
This distinction is not inherently negative; rather, evermore reflects Swift’s willingness to explore and express the unfiltered emotions of that period. Yet, folklore‘s cohesive craftsmanship presents a more enchanting escape into a fantastical realm of storytelling.
Why Evermore Feels Like a Bonus Album
Tracks That Could Be Considered Vault Material
Although evermore boasts beloved tracks like “champagne problems”and “tolerate it,”it often feels like an extension of folklore, akin to a bonus album. Fans have likened its songs to the “vault tracks”Swift has included in her re-recorded albums, leading to a perception that some of these tracks were leftovers from the previous project. Swift confirmed that the creative process was so fruitful that she produced a second album shortly after completing folklore.
While evermore does have its own identity, the comparison is inevitable, especially after the critical acclaim that folklore received upon its release.
With 16 initial tracks, including “the lakes”as a bonus, it’s easy to see why many view evermore as an afterthought. Swift’s decision to incorporate both albums into a single era during the second leg of The Eras Tour has further contributed to the perception that evermore is merely a continuation of the folklore narrative.
Folklore as the Ideal Pandemic Soundtrack
Released at the Perfect Moment
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 forced Taylor Swift to postpone her anticipated Lover Fest tour, prompting her to shift gears entirely with the launch of folklore in July 2020. At that moment, the world felt uncertain, making the joyous, upbeat vibes of her previous album, Lover, less relevant.
In contrast, folklore encapsulated the sentiments of doubt and confusion pervasive during lockdown. It arrived at a time when the typical summer soundtrack of lively pop tracks felt out of place. As social gatherings dwindled and people embraced solitary moments, the album’s introspective nature resonated deeply.
Although evermore followed later that year, it lacked the profound impact of its predecessor, arriving at a time when many were re-assessing their return to normalcy in 2021. Swift’s folklore era remains a unique moment in her discography—one that captured the spirit of an unprecedented time and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of her most significant works.
In summary, while both albums showcase Taylor Swift’s exceptional songwriting abilities, it is clear that folklore emerged as the defining album of 2020, heralding a transformative era in her career that will resonate with fans for years to come.