ethanhunt
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Post by ethanhunt on Dec 11, 2020 1:08:33 GMT -5
I guess (based on looking through the thread) it would be a hot take if I said I think it's pretty much better than Folklore across the board
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nickd
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Post by nickd on Dec 11, 2020 1:09:39 GMT -5
Title track is great.
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Post by ificanthaveyou on Dec 11, 2020 1:12:07 GMT -5
Is Taylor a genius? How many pop stars have aged out of pop music. Britney, Jlo, Bey, Britney, Christina, Kelly, Kesha, Katy, the list goes on. So before that happens, she beats radio programmers to the punch and takes away that power. Curious to see if she returns to pop or if she follows this path now.
P.s. loving the album but there hasn’t been a “moment” like the exile/my tears ricochet combo. That left me utterly breathless. Still thoroughly enjoying this and it blends so well.
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firefox
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Post by firefox on Dec 11, 2020 1:16:56 GMT -5
faves from first heard: willow no body, no crime tis the damn season champagne problems long story short
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nas
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Post by nas on Dec 11, 2020 1:18:32 GMT -5
The stand outs on very first listen (which will inevitably change):
willow no body no crime ivy happiness long story short closure
There is so much to absorb here. It's somehow lighter and more freewheeling yet more complicated and sadder than "folklore." I think "folklore" is a lot easier to love, it's sharper and simpler. This definitely does NOT feel like a B side album. It evokes a completely different feeling. I like the analogy to siblings. This is definitely the younger, moodier one.
She truly has set herself in a completely different conversation from any of her contemporaries.
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Eloqueen™
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Post by Eloqueen™ on Dec 11, 2020 1:23:53 GMT -5
I feel like "Tolerate It" was that wow moment for me. "Marjorie" is particularly touching as well paired with the video!
It is impossible to say if this is as good as Folklore on immediate listen (as that album has had time to sit with me), but like Folklore, there isn't a single bad song. Each and every one has redeeming qualities. I do feel the strongest melodies here are catchier than those featured on Folklore. "Willow", "Long Story Short", "Gold Rush", "No Body, No Crime" etc. There is even more vulnerability and transparency lyrically as well ("Happiness", "Gold Rush", "Champagne Problems", "Tis The Damn Season", "Tolerate It" etc). Several "Peace" level lyrics throughout (well given some of these are about her own life or mirror her own life in some way). The star here, as with her sister album, is the lyrical landscape.
My top 5 in no order:
Tolerate It Marjorie Gold Rush No Body, No Crime Coney Island
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MOWE
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Post by MOWE on Dec 11, 2020 1:38:48 GMT -5
Wow... this is fantastic! 'Folklore' is hard to top, and it is way too soon to know if I will end up enjoying this more than that one. However, some of the songs on this album feel more immediate and accessible to me than 'Folklore' as a whole did on first listen. For me, I think this is because of the inclusion of more up-tempo songs like 'Long Story Short' and 'Gold Rush'. Other than 'The Last Great American Dynasty', all the songs on 'Folklore' were very down-tempo so on first listen none of them really jumped out for me. I'm not having that issue with 'Evermore'. On the other hand, on subsequent listens I grew to appreciate the poignant lyrics and artistic perfection that 'Folklore' is. Not sure 'Evermore' measures up in that regard, but we'll see in time. Regardless, I am glad 'Evermore' isn't simply 'Folklore' 2.0. While there are similarities, it is also clearly a different album with its own different overall vibe. I cannot get over how impressive and talented Taylor Swift is. I appreciate all that she has given us fans to help us all through this difficult year.
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born
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Post by born on Dec 11, 2020 1:41:19 GMT -5
First listen review of evermore. 1. willow (8/10) | Wow great intro. Old school Taylor vibes! Track 1 and she's already killing it with the lyrics. I love the last chorus where she takes it down an octave. 2. champagne problems (9/10) | Don't drag me when I say that this has "All Too Well" acoustic vibes. I am loving this. 3. gold rush (9/10) | Okay I lost it at this intro. This song sounds... luxurious. Pull through key change! "Green Light" tease. 4. 'tis the damn season (9/10) | Melody wise this is probably my favorite so far. It sounds so winter-ish 5. tolerate it (8.5/10) | Very interesting song. I love the melodies and the sound of the "beat". I'm gonna hold out on giving it a 9 immediately cause I need the tempo to grow on me. 6. no body, no crime (9/10) | Not gonna lie, this is the song I was most excited about. Great vibes so far. Very "Before He Cheats" meets "Dirty Laundry". 7. happiness (8/10) | Ten seconds in and this has a potential to be a favorite. I'll be back in 5 minutes to confirm. I'm back. This song felt like a lot of information. The production is cool. 8. dorothea (8/10) | The way she sings this puts a smile on my face. Love the lowkey guitars. 9. coney island (9/10) | Very instant. Can't wait to see where it will go from here. I love Matt's voice on this. 10. ivy (8.5/10) | This is an improvement on "invisible string" imo, even though that one was a tad catchier. I like how it's connected to "illicit affairs". And they're both track 10 on their respective albums. 11. cowboy like me (8/10) | Yesss slowing it down! Cool harmonies from Marcus Mumford! I'm getting "False God" even though it sounds nothing like it. 12. long story short (9/10) | This is how I wanted "the last great american dynasty" to sound. So feelgood. Tbh I would prefer a more organic drum pattern, make it an indie rock song like "Kyoto". But I'll take it. This is a standout. 13. marjorie (9/10) | Love the vocals and the one-liners here. YES she went to bridge city again I don't mean to imply that the rest of the tracks have multiple flaws but this one seems like it has the least, if that even makes sense? I have no notes. 14. closure (7/10) | Oooh I see we have a Fiona Apple moment here. I love her accent in the chorus. I'm not a huge fan of the melodies on first listen. The lowkey experimental production lifts the song though. 15. evermore (9/10) | This is a beautiful closer. The tempo change caught me by surprise. It felt chaotic for a minute and I can relate to that First listen rating: 85.3%First listen review: Wow. This album was everything and nothing like I thought it would be. We got a really soft collection of songs, & a sadder one too. I noticed a lot more country influences on this album. This was the album I was expecting to get from Taylor much later on. Not mad about it though. The melodies in general are more experimental and we got even less hooks & potential singles. I like how the albums make sense together and how folklore was an essential predecessor.
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Post by ificanthaveyou on Dec 11, 2020 1:42:21 GMT -5
folklore is her magnum opus. It will be very hard to top that because of the perfect storm surrounding it. The surprise factor, the change of sound, the cohesiveness of the album, the chaos of the upcoming election and the pandemic, it was almost an escape from the world feeling like it was going to end. Nothing on evermore remotely touches the magic of exile, which I was so desperately hoping she could recapture. This is an amazing album, don’t get me wrong. I will thoroughly enjoy it for months to come. But at the end of my first listen of folklore, I legit just remember being floored and wowed. That didn’t happen this time.
I’m excited to see which songs grow on me over time, the way illicit affairs and seven did. I can’t see a second single for this album, which means I hope they revisit exile and make it a third single from this project.
Top 5 (so far) 1) happiness 2) willow 3) ‘tis the damn season 4) tolerate it 5) evermore
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Chelsea Press 2
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Post by Chelsea Press 2 on Dec 11, 2020 1:42:32 GMT -5
Enjoyed this a little more than folklore.
My favorites so far are "Gold Rush", "Tolerate It", "No Body, No Crime", "Cowboy Like Me", "Dorothea", and "Marjorie."
Did not dislike any songs.
This is a proper sonic companion piece to folklore. It is a continuation that does not feel reductive. Vocally it's really good and the songwriting is ace.
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Post by ificanthaveyou on Dec 11, 2020 1:44:44 GMT -5
I'm up to "tolerate it" and nothing punches at me on first listen the way "exile" did so far, but I respect it all so much, if that makes any sense. The melodies seem less instant other than "willow" which is incredibly catchy. This definitely feels more experimental than "folklore." OK, "no body. no crime" is INSTANT. Damn. This! This actually feels more “alternative” than folklore. Folklore is more folk than this. Willow was the correct lead single though. Hopefully this one gets some traction on CHR.
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ethanhunt
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Post by ethanhunt on Dec 11, 2020 1:45:26 GMT -5
Man i think "happiness" might very well be the best song she's ever written
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ampersand
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Post by ampersand on Dec 11, 2020 1:46:20 GMT -5
My instant favourites are "gold rush," "'tis the damn season," "tolerate it," "Dorothea" and "Marjorie," and "closure" (yes really).
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firefox
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Post by firefox on Dec 11, 2020 1:49:42 GMT -5
i think i liked evermore than folklore 😁
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matty005
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Post by matty005 on Dec 11, 2020 1:53:26 GMT -5
Like ificanthaveyou said so perfectly, the things that made Folklore so special can't be recreated. So my expectations were lower. And yet, here I am, almost done thru listen two and I am still floored. No, not as much as Folklore, but the simple fact that I can even compare the two is mind boggling. "Tis The Season," is automatically being added to all my Christmas playlists. Was not expecting a Christmas song (and I know it's technically probably not, but to me it is). Thank you Taylor. Thank you for the jolt we all needed during the depressing times of the pandemic when you brought us joy with Folklore. And thank you for this album which will hopefully get us thru the lest few months.
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born
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Post by born on Dec 11, 2020 1:55:55 GMT -5
I watched the music video twice and "willow" has already grown on me. I think it's really the equivalent of "cardigan" for this album.
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on Dec 11, 2020 2:01:26 GMT -5
I'm up to "tolerate it" and nothing punches at me on first listen the way "exile" did so far, but I respect it all so much, if that makes any sense. The melodies seem less instant other than "willow" which is incredibly catchy. This definitely feels more experimental than "folklore." OK, "no body. no crime" is INSTANT. Damn. This! This actually feels more “alternative” than folklore. Folklore is more folk than this. Willow was the correct lead single though. Hopefully this one gets some traction on CHR. I was investigating this and realized almost all of evermore is produced and co-written by Aaron Dessner. "gold rush" is the only song Dessner didn't produce.
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Joe1240
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Post by Joe1240 on Dec 11, 2020 2:17:22 GMT -5
This is a great album from Taylor Swift, not one bad song on this album at all. My favorites so far are Gold Rush,Cowboy Like Me,Happiness & Ivy. Folklore is a masterpiece of an album coming from Taylor but this is still a good album although. The duet in this album with Bon Iver is kinda forgettable compared to Exile on Folklore althrough.
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nas
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Post by nas on Dec 11, 2020 2:17:50 GMT -5
For anyone who hasn't, watch the marjorie lyric video. For anyone who's lost the people who have shaped them, it's cathartic. The tears won't stop.
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fearlessarrow
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Post by fearlessarrow on Dec 11, 2020 2:19:28 GMT -5
Although this doesn't reach the heights folklore reached for me, it's a solid album. I'll obviously have to let this sink in over time, but early favorites include "willow", "no body, no crime", "dorothea", "coney island", "ivy", "cowboy like me", and "long story short".
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pancakes
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Post by pancakes on Dec 11, 2020 2:25:58 GMT -5
Ranking after one listen: 1. no body, no crime 2. willow 3. long story short 4. marjorie 5. gold rush
The two collaborations with indie bros are duds.
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Post by ificanthaveyou on Dec 11, 2020 2:48:04 GMT -5
This! This actually feels more “alternative” than folklore. Folklore is more folk than this. Willow was the correct lead single though. Hopefully this one gets some traction on CHR. I was investigating this and realized almost all of evermore is produced and co-written by Aaron Dessner. "gold rush" is the only song Dessner didn't produce. Makes sense! That’s why it feels so much more alternative and folklore still has a folky pop vibe from Jack.
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Post by ificanthaveyou on Dec 11, 2020 2:49:30 GMT -5
Wonder what this opens with. Hopefully the Deluxe next week at least secures two weeks at #1.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2020 3:12:45 GMT -5
Wonder what this opens with. Hopefully the Deluxe next week at least secures two weeks at #1. There is zero competition at the moment so I think this might stick around at no. 1 mid-January, maybe even later if no major act drops anything soon. Drake is going to release his album in January so that might remove it from no. 1.
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Post by ificanthaveyou on Dec 11, 2020 3:16:32 GMT -5
Does anyone feel like the track listing is... off? Like it doesn’t blend as well as folklore. I reworked the track listing and I love it so much more! evermore at the end of the album felt weird.
My preferred track list:
1) evermore 2) willow 3) gold rush 4) closure 5) coney island 6) tolerate it 7) ivy 8) long story short 9) cowboy like me 10) marjorie 11) dorothea 12) champagne problems 13) ‘tis the damn season 14) happiness
I feel like no body, no crime sticks out like a sore thumb, so I’ll listen to it separately but not a fan of it as a piece of the story.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2020 3:16:56 GMT -5
The inevitable Folklore comparisons do have me sad, but personally I think this is as good as Folklore. The highlights are stronger, and the lower points are a little lower. Willow sounds like Invisible String's sister (& a potential smash) and Ivy like Illicit Affairs from a happier perspective. Long Story Short is a career highlight. Closure and Marjorie are excellent. No Body No Crime and Champagne Problems are amazing and remind of Should've Said No/Two Black Cadillacs and Back To December respectively. Gold Rush's verses are heavenly. Evermore and Coney Island disappointed me a little, because of Matt Berninger's voice on Coney Island and the fact that I was expecting Exile 2.0 with Evermore (though the duet part in the latter is stunning). I think Folklore will overshadow it, and that is a damn shame because I think this may actually grow on me even more than Folklore. Overall an excellent album, and an excellent addition to her already excellent discography.
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born
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Post by born on Dec 11, 2020 3:30:38 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2020 3:36:49 GMT -5
Yeah unfortunately I don't think this will have 81+ score. Maybe a 75? The numbers are going to be lower everywhere, and people seem to like it less than Folklore. I personally love it, and I am probably going to avoid getting two much info on its reception for as long as I can. I don't want that to ruin my personal enjoyment of the album.
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joesuda
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Post by joesuda on Dec 11, 2020 3:47:11 GMT -5
Yeah unfortunately I don't think this will have 81+ score. Maybe a 75? The numbers are going to be lower everywhere, and people seem to like it less than Folklore. I personally love it, and I am probably going to avoid getting two much info on its reception for as long as I can. I don't want that to ruin my personal enjoyment of the album. I think it still can achiece a 80+ score, but it will be lower than folklore. So in the range 81-84. NME gave this a 5 when folklore was a 4. I would not be surprised if more indie/alternative leaning publications appreciate this more than folklore and more mainstream publications appreciate this less than folklore as I feel this album in some ways is more experimental than folklore. Also folklore was a lightning in a bottle moment and the situation cannot be recreated which will warrant lower scores.
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born
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Post by born on Dec 11, 2020 3:53:44 GMT -5
I can't see it having a score over 80 either. And that's okay.
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