Taylor Swift – Lover

[kimberly]

"False God" is my least favorite so far and it's not even that bad, definitely better than "ME!" again. However, the "False God" to "YNTCD" transition was the most jarring thing I experienced today, the production is not cohesive at all.

[Koochie]

So... what happened to the writing on this album? There’s a noticeable dip in quality, or a return to the juvenile novelty of her older works, compared to her last few. Maybe that’s part of the concept, but it’s a turnoff for me. Never liked old Taylor.

The ballads are really strong, though. “The Archer”, “Daylight”, and “Soon You’ll Get Better” (I honestly got a little misty here but it clicked pretty early that this is about her mourning either a loss or someone is terminally ill? Either way it hit very close to home for me) are excellent with the first two being in my top 3, and “Paper Rings” closing it out.

I like more of this than Reputation, but it doesn’t have as many highs or a lot of moments that I want to go back to. Poor sequencing may have something to do with it, but there’s a lot of “almosts” here. Most songs feel like they could have been good, even great, if they’d just left them in the oven a little longer, or if they’d taken the time to unify the production of the album more. Others feel totally out of place. Someone said “The Man” should’ve been the lead single because it made a stronger statement than “ME!”, and it does, but I’m not sure it’s the best way to portray the album or that it even belongs on it. You could make a case for self love, but the latter encapsulates a lot of the album thematically even if it’s s**t.

It’s like a 6/10 for me. Not bad, just nowhere near her best work.

[14887fan]

Oh she came for everyone’s shit with “I Think He Knows.”

[kimberly]

Aug 22, 2019 23:56:29 GMT -5 Koochie said:

“Soon You’ll Get Better” (I honestly got a little misty here but it clicked pretty early that this is about her mourning either a loss or someone is terminally ill? Either way it hit very close to home for me)

It's about her mom's battle with cancer, and felt like a nice throwback Taylor song and loved Dixie Chicks on it. Beautiful track. Today at the live stream event she said it almost didn't make the cut

[woods]

highlights of the non-singles:

Cruel Summer
The Man
I Think He Knows
Paper Rings
Cornelia Street

[TroublemakerOlly]

Aug 22, 2019 18:01:09 GMT -5 born said:

"Daylight" is rumored to be self-produced but no official word yet.

Daylight
Written by Taylor Swift
Produced by Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift
Recorded by Laura Sisk at Metropolis Studios (London, United Kingdom) & Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY, USA)
Recorded by Jack Antonoff at Metropolis Studios (London, United Kingdom) & Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY, USA)
Assistant Recording Engineer: Nick Mills, John Rooney
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA, USA)
Mix Engineer: John Hanes
Vocals: Taylor Swift
Programmed by Jack Antonoff
Electric Guitar: Jack Antonoff
Keyboards: Jack Antonoff
Piano: Jack Antonoff

[TroublemakerOlly]

For anyone who's interested and yet to get a copy of the physical album, here are credits to Cruel Summer and The Man.

Cruel Summer

© 2019 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing / Taylor Swift Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Songs LLC / Ducky Donath Music (BMI), Nail Polish Manifesto Music
(administered by Big Deal Notes/ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Annie Clark
Produced by Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift
Recorded by Laura Sisk & Jack Antonoff at Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY, USA) & Conway Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
Assistant Recording Engineer: John Rooney, Jon Sher
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA, USA)
Mix Engineer: John Hanes
Vocals: Taylor Swift
Guitar: Annie Clark
Programmed by Jack Antonoff
Live Drums: Jack Antonoff
Keyboards: Jack Antonoff
Vocoder: Jack Antonoff
Live Drums: Michael Riddleberger




The Man

© 2019 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing / Taylor Swift Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music Inc. (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Written by Taylor Swift, Joel Little
Produced by Joel Little, Taylor Swift
Recorded by Joel Little at Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY, USA) & Golden Age West (Auckland, NZ)
Assistant Recording Engineer: John Rooney at Electric Lady Studios
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA, USA)
Mix Engineer: John Hanes
Vocals: Taylor Swift
Keyboards: Joel Little
Drums programmed by Joel Little

[Koochie]

Aug 23, 2019 0:11:53 GMT -5 kimberly said:

Aug 22, 2019 23:56:29 GMT -5 Koochie said:

“Soon You’ll Get Better” (I honestly got a little misty here but it clicked pretty early that this is about her mourning either a loss or someone is terminally ill? Either way it hit very close to home for me)

It's about her mom's battle with cancer, and felt like a nice throwback Taylor song and loved Dixie Chicks on it. Beautiful track. Today at the live stream event she said it almost didn't make the cut

I’m so so glad it did. There’s nuance to that song, and particular moments that made it easy for me to identify with. Personal sentiments aside, it’s also very lovely, albeit generally depressing for anyone who can’t relate to it. I’m of the opinion that she’s better at processing negative emotions more than positive in her writing, and this reaffirms that.

[ampersand]

“Cruel Summer” is THAT BITCH. Why was this not the lead single??

“Soon You’ll Get Better” is stunning. My mother has dementia, so this song hit so close to home for me.

[Kinney]

Only one run-through so far, but I think this might be just underneath Red in my ranking of Taylor's albums. We'll see if this album has the same staying power, but she really knocked this out of the park.

My favorites on first listen are Cruel Summer, The Man, I Think He Knows, Miss Americana... , Paper Rings, Cornelia Street, Soon You'll Get Better, Afterglow, It's Nice to Have a Friend and Daylight (in addition to Lover and The Archer).

Just realized I named 13 songs out of 18 as my favorites...

Out of all these absolute gems she released "Me!" first?! Like, the f***.

[kimberly]

Aug 23, 2019 0:27:09 GMT -5 Kinney said:

Just realized I named 13 songs out of 18 as my favorites...

r u secretly taylorswift13 

[14887fan]

“Soon You’ll Get Better” just...annihilated me. My goodness, what a stunning track.

[Future Captain]

in an album full of great songs with hit potential she went with "Me!" and YNTCD for singles? I mean I liked the two enough even though those really quickly burned on me, but Cruel Summer not being the lead or second single is criminal. Cornelia Street and The Man would also be great choices. Miss Americana and Paper Rings would also be interesting choices for a single.

[justlurkingaround]

Her 1 million is coming.

[🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾]

This was an enjoyable listen from start to finish. It's stronger than reputation for me. I love the dreamy 80s Synthpop/Italo Dance feel of many of the songs. "The Man", "Cruel Summer", "Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince", "I Think He Knows", "False God", and "Soon You'll Get Better" are my favorites.

[Snowbeast]

I need to sit and resonate with the material before writing a full review. It’s not as instant as Reputation, which despite the undeserved hate here, was an instant album full of “omg” moments for me. Maybe this album isn’t supposed to garner that reaction

On first listen- it sounds less crafted than her previous releases. It’s the first Taylor album that I feel is monotone. Whether that’s from “blue” showing up (again) too often, or the lack of diversity in the production, songs like “Lover” and “The Man” sound effortless for her - which leaves me perplexed at being able to clearly identity the album’s “highlights”. She could have had a home run 13 song record, and for an artist that rarely doesn’t deliver, I question her thought process for the album as a whole. On first listen, of course.

[bornfearless2000]

OMG Cruel Summer is a future hit. Loveeee

Lover is the best song for me now. Not really feeling the music video because it kinda ruins the mood of the song.

[theflying]

I really like this album. I need to sit with it more. BUT, I do want to say 3 things before the chorus of “sooo much better than reputation”:

- I think reputation had a lot of highs that Lover doesn’t quite have. Whoever said it feels like Lover has a lot of “almost theres” I think is right, as strong as it still is. THAT SAID, Reputation has lower lows. There’s no “Dress” here. Nothing as forced as “I Did Something Bad”. Nothing as jarring as “Ready For It”.
- Reputation is a lot tighter of an album and you “feel” that versus this. As a Christina fan (she loves her bloated tracklists), I’ve generally always thought the more the merrier - if a song is high quality, why not include it? But here, it DOES feel like there’s a kind of diluting effect.
- The writing on Lover is SOOOO much stronger than Reputation. But I’d say the lyrics are a bit squeezed in...there are definitely songs where the melodies and lyrics don’t have the breathing room that would benefit the sentiment of the song.

- A clear strength of Lover over Reputation, though, is how often the lyrics and melodies and production go left of center. If anything, the album has a ton of LITTLE surprises versus omg moments.

With that out of the way:
- Miss America is THAT bop, and I’m very intrigued to actually read what it’s about.
- Death By A Thousand Cuts was one of my favorites. Gorgeous lyrics. Can’t believe how clearly underrated it is.
- The Man is indeed that serve.
- I still think You Need To Calm Down is a certified bop
- That missing “Spelling Is Fun!”....oh man lol.
- I feel like the first half of the album is a bit stronger than the second.
- The Archer is gonna have an acoustic version?! Thank GOD. It really sucks, the melody and lyrics are so gorgeous, but the production (even though I love what they were going for) is such such a miss.

[born]

I'm gonna have a first listen review like I did with 'reputation'. I'm starting the album right now. (to be updated).

(The ratings are more in the vein of "how much I enjoyed the song during the listen" instead of "how good the song is")

1. I Forgot That You Existed (6.5/10) Not exactly blown away. Cute little track. I guess it fits as an opener lyrically but sonically I expected it to be different. The bridge is nice.
2. Cruel Summer (9.5/10) SWEET JESUS. The chords/synths remind me of a different song but I'm loving this. Y'all she's feeding us. Very reminiscent of 'Pure Heroine'. Love it. Very me. [SIDE NOTE: I'm currently on track 12 and I still remember the chorus vibrantly. Single alert.]
3. Lover (7.5/10) Why does this sound so good in the album? I like it much better now. Great lyrics, good production but not as much replay value for me.
4. The Man (8.5/10) This is the one I was most excited about based on the title. I wasn't wrong. Very EMOTION Side B so I'm loving this. It slaps. I was expecting it to be a bit darker/more badass but this works too. 
5. The Archer (10/10)  Yep. That's it. That's the song.
6. I Think He Knows (7/10) This the song they were screaming about? Are we listening to the same album? I can't believe I still take the Sessioners seriously. This is a good song and definitely far from the trainwreck I expected. It's very CRJ too though.
7. Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince (9/10) YES Taylor. Instantly into this track. The sessioners ain't s**t. This is so good. Very "So It Goes..." especially in the chorus. But in an indie pop version. I can definitely see this end up in my top 3. This could be on 'reputation'. 
8. Paper Rings (6.5/10) WTF what's going on in my ears. The melody does remind me of Avril's early stuff. Okay this is better than I expected. I just hope she knows she's making an album, not a theme song for the new GAP collection.
9. Cornelia Street (9/10) Immediately love the melodies. These lyrics are so good. The falsetto infused hook.... it's a YES from me.
10. Death By A Thousand Cuts (7.5/10) She's giving me everything I want with this album but many of these songs sound like album tracks. Which isn't a bad thing but still. Catchy melodies & cute throwback production.
11. London Boy (7.5/10) Sounds good to me so far. Why is it overhated by the gay blogger crowds? Another song that reminds me of 'Pure Heroine' but it's kinda current in the way "Young Dumb & Broke" was. This is an album track too.
12. Soon You'll Get Better (8.5/10) God. "CAUSE YOU HAVE TO" nearly killed me. "I'LL BRIGHTEN UP THE SKY" omg I can't. This song is beautiful.
13. False God (9/10) YAS Taylor get that white Solange meets Miguel hit. I want more of this PLEASE. The sax omg. f**k me up. I just know this will end up being in my top 5 to say the LEAST. I'm not ready for YNTCD to ruin the mood.
14. You Need To Calm Down (7.5/10) What the hell is this transition? Anyways. This sounds better on the album as well. It does sound as a single as it kinda stands out from the rest but still it could've been better.
15. Afterglow (9/10) Love the vibes here. Another soon-to-be favorite. Wish this was a tad less pop.
16. ME! (8.5/10) Another weird transition. But we don't care cause "ME!" is a whole ass bop. I forgot they removed the "hey kids, spelling is fun!" line. It was my favorite part 
17. It's Nice To Have A Friend (8/10) This is actually... really good. I'm so mad at any "leaks" and "spoilers" that came with the Secret Sessions. It stands out a lot in the album, not for a good or a bad reason but it just stands out. It screams "interlude" though.
18. Daylight (9/10) A great closing track. Love the ending. Thank you T. 

First listen rating: 82/100
Overall, it is a solid pop record. I agree that it would work better without 3-4 of the tracks. Many of the songs sound a bit similar, in the same mid tempo retro synthpop ballad style but the important thing is that there aren't any bad songs. I remember that I wasn't blown away by 'reputation' either and it turned out to be my favorite album. Hope 'Lover' has something to say about that.

[bornfearless2000]

Lover somehow sounds like a weak songs leftover of 1989 (I Forgot You Existed and It’s nice to Have a Friend), sister of standout songs from Speak Now (Soon You’ll Get Better, The Archer) and a very very strong songs that should’ve been in Reputation (Cruel Summer, The Man).

After one listen, the album is pretty good.

Me! Is still a bop for me. (Except the hey kids! Spelling is fun!!!!!)
You Need To Calm Down is ok but should’ve remain album track.
The Archer... one of the strongest track of the album
Lover.. the song i will dance to in my wedding if i ever get one.

Cruel Summer should’ve been the lead single. When it’s released, Scott BSta and that guy who bought BM are doomed because it will super successful

[samo🦕]

Only listened to the first five tracks so far, but Cruel Summer is amazing. Hopefully it doesn’t get the Getaway Car treatment.

[deepston]

I might have to delete "Soon You'll Get Better" from the album because I tear up whenever it comes on.

[bornfearless2000]

Highlights for me are :

Lover 🙍‍♀️❤️💁🏼‍♂️
Cruel Summer ☀️☀️👙🔥
Soon You’ll Get Better 🤱🏼😢😢😢
ME!! ☝🏻
The Man 💁🏼‍♂️
The Archer 🏹
Cornelia Street 🌷
Paper Ring 💍

[daddy]

Aug 23, 2019 2:34:12 GMT -5 samo🦕 said:

Only listened to the first five tracks so far, but Cruel Summer is amazing. Hopefully it doesn’t get the Getaway Car treatment.

No way it’s not released as a single. Just surprised it wasn’t already released because of 1. It’s quality and 2. It was just... summer.

You comparing it to “Getaway Car” is interesting because I actually compare it to this song sonically. Am I the only one that hears this? It’s a great thing as “Getaway Car” is a career highlight for me.

Overall I’m loving this album and it’s more instant for me than “Rep”, which I ended up loving. There seems to be a lot of lyrics on this album, which I love. I do think it could have been “better” with a few songs cut, but I won’t complain about more music and nothing is weak to me.

Also, “Lover” has grown a lot and I love it now.

[YourFaveIsAFlop]

I don't understand who decided Me! Should be the first single. I get they figured it would be a sure shot at #1 with Brendan Urie coming off High Hopes and the odds of getting some viral moment out of it. but it is the most unrepresentative track on the album and certainly not the strongest for radio.

[Dylan :)]

I just finished listening to this the whole way through and I’m currently re-listening on shuffle and it’s even better the second time. Weirdly, I prefer Reputation overall, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love this. This is an incredible album and outside of Daylight, You Need To Calm Down, The Archer and Afterglow (which aren’t bad either, except The Archer), I wasn’t bored during any song. Her writing is extremely strong in this and I especially love the production overall. I cannot believe someone listened to this album and thought “that’s IT - Me! and You Need To Calm Down are the singles”. It’s the same what happened last time

My favourites are definitely Cruel Summer, London Boy, The Man and Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince. The songs I loved (apart from those four) were Paper Rings, Cornelia Street, Lover, Soon You’ll Get Better (so so so sad), False God and Me. I still really liked everything else except the four mentioned earlier. The worst songs are The Archer (extremely boring) and You Need To Calm Down (just not good)

Also THE BRIDGES on Cruel Summer and The Man are !!!

EDIT: I just realised I forgot that I Forgot You Existed existed Add that to the list of boring songs

[Nuestro Planeta]

A lot of the album just sounds like recycled old tracks. The only tracks that stood out for me are "Cruel Summer" & "Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince". The 2nd half of the album is a snooze-fest and very forgettable. I wasn't expecting much tbh after the 4 god-awful tracks she released prior to the album.

[Au$tin]

Putting "You Need to Calm Down" in between "False God" and "Afterglow" was a choice.


Edit: omg she removed "Hey, kids, spelling is fun!" from "ME!" As if the removal of that line makes the song immensely better. Actually, now that it's removed, there's just a really awkward empty space which sounds worse.

[bornfearless2000]

Aug 23, 2019 5:32:37 GMT -5 Au$tin said:

Putting "You Need to Calm Down" in between "False God" and "Afterglow" was a choice.


Edit: omg she removed "Hey, kids, spelling is fun!" from "ME!" As if the removal of that line makes the song immensely better. Actually, now that it's removed, there's just a really awkward empty space which sounds worse.

I hate that line but i agree it feels like there’s an empty space, maybe because we are used to the line. They should’ve changed it to ‘Hey Bitch! Spelling is fun!!’

—

Since This year’s CMAs is celebrating women of country music (Queen Carrie is hosting), i bet she will perform Soon You’ll Get Better with Dixie Chicks since they are part of country music history.

[Au$tin]

Well, I just finished it. Honestly, it came out better than I was expecting, which is a good thing for sure, but upon first listen, it didn't sit as well with me as her last 4 albums. I do enjoy this more on first listen than her first two albums. (Please before anyone @s me, read that again. On first listen. Meaning I liked this one first listen more than my first listen of TS and Fearless. That does not mean I like this album more than those albums.)

This might be her most inconsistent album for me. The highs are really good, but the lows are some of the weakest material in her discography. The production helps kind of real everything in, though, so at least sonically it's pretty consistent. I'd say only 1989 and Taylor Swift are more consistent in that retrospect.

Overall, I enjoyed the album for what it is, and I'm happy that she's in such a great place right now mentally. There honestly isn't a single song I disliked, but I do feel a good chunk of this album isn't her best work.

Highlights:
Cruel Summer
Lover
The Archer
Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince
Paper Rings
False God
Afterglow