“Folklore” Reveals Changing Music During Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and quarantine seems to last forever, many people are desperate for entertainment. New content is instantly devoured, and yet many are left unsatisfied, impatient, and starved for the next thing. Luckily, isolation has inspired one artist to emerge with the content we so desperately crave.
On July 24, 2020, Taylor Swift announced the release of her surprise album “Folklore,” along with a music video for her song “Cardigan.” The album has stayed at number one for three consecutive weeks on the “Billboard 200” list.
The new songs, written by Swift over quarantine, contain introspective lyrics as her music departs from her typical pop into the indie genre, returning her music to her country roots.
Swift’s only collaboration was with the band Bon Iver on “Exile,” a song that talks about the separation of a couple and the emotional impact on both individuals. While some fans may be confused by this choice, it is appropriate for a quarantine album because Bon Iver is known for their Grammy winning indie folk album, “For Emma, Forever Ago.” Singer-songwriter Justin Vernon wrote this album under unusual circumstances, where he voluntarily isolated himself in a cabin in the woods for several months until the album was complete. Since isolation was a strong influence for Swift’s writing process for “Folklore,” Bon Iver is an excellent collaboration choice.
Swift’s album gets its name from her use of storytelling throughout her songs, and her focus on developing characters. “The Last Great American Dynasty” tells the story of an eccentric widow who previously owned Swift’s Rhode Island home. Swift also describes the death of a soldier in “Epiphany,” a character that is based on Swift’s grandfather, and later a funeral in “My Tears Ricochet.”
“Betty,” “Cardigan,” and “August” (or possibly “Illicit Affairs”) come together to create a story Swift calls “The Teenage Love Triangle.” The songs tell the story of a summer affair from three different perspectives: Betty, James, and an unnamed third person. “Betty” is told from James’s point of view as an apology, and “Cardigan” is told from Betty’s as she agrees to take James back and give their relationship a second chance. While Swift has not yet confirmed whether the third song of the love triangle is “August” or “Illicit Affairs,” both songs could fit as the third person gives her point of view of her summer affair with James, and his ultimate rejection of her when he returns to Betty. Interestingly, the song “Betty” features the names James, Inez, and Betty which all happen to be the names of the daughters of Swift’s close friends, Ryan Renyolds and Blake Lively.
Swift also references movies and stories in her songs referencing Peter Pan in “Cardigan,” and writes lines like “you know the greatest films of all time were never made” from “The 1,” “I think I’ve seen this film before/and I didn’t like the ending” in “Exile,” and “You’re a flashback on a film reel” in “This is me trying.” The line that particularly stands out, however, is “passed down like folk songs/the love lasts so long” in “Seven” since it is a reference to the album’s name.
“This is me trying.”
– Taylor Swift, FOLKLORE
Swift also released a self-directed music video for the song “Cardigan,” which features her wandering through different environments with various magical pianos. The video follows Taylor as she starts in a small room with a piano and a fireplace, and changes when golden dust begins to flow from the piano, transporting her to a magical garden, a stormy sea, and then finally back home where she wraps herself in a cardigan. According to Rolling Stone, Swift was inspired by period and fantasy films she watched during quarantine.
The video is especially noteworthy because it was filmed during quarantine and had to follow strict guidelines, yet still managed to have such high production value. In a video released by Swift on her YouTube channel, she explains that everyone involved took social distancing very seriously; there was a health inspector on site, and Swift even did her own hair and makeup as an extra safety precaution. The video was shot using a techno crane to further limit potential COVID-19 exposure, and even editing was done at two separate locations.
“Folklore” expresses the overall feeling of quarantine, and its soft ballads are comforting in a time of isolation. The album is made for longtime fans of Taylor Swift and has songs that are reminiscent of her older tunes like “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.” “Folklore” has a timeless feel and is an interesting commentary on the effects the pandemic may have on music and entertainment moving forward.