Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department (April 19)

[Choco]

I mean she turned a 3 month fling with Jake Gyllenhaal into a 10 minute #1 hit. Not exactly surprised she's turning a fuckbuddy thingy into an album lol.

Excited to hear but the reception overall seems way more muted than Midnights? Weird.

[👑 Eloquent ™]

Apr 18, 2024 16:17:10 GMT -5 Choco said:

I mean she turned a 3 month fling with Jake Gyllenhaal into a 10 minute #1 hit. Not exactly surprised she's turning a fuckbuddy thingy into an album lol.

Excited to hear but the reception overall seems way more muted than Midnights? Weird.

It's crazy to think they only dated 3 months looking back. Meanwhile after 6 years with Joe she writes nothing? Hmm.

[KeepDeanWeird]

Wouldn't it be great if Taylor being Taylor *leaked* the version out now, but releases the *real* version with a completely different mix?

You know, '2'

[austin]

Apr 18, 2024 16:54:42 GMT -5 KeepDeanWeird said:

Wouldn't it be great if Taylor being Taylor *leaked* the version out now, but releases the *real* version with a completely different mix?

You know, '2'

The version that leaked has all of the lyrics she released, so that squashes that theory - but the 2 may mean surprise double album ! After 3am edition I rule out nothing.

[clsvltn]

Wait, so almost all the album is about Matt? Lol that is certainly bizarre

[Deleted]

Ngl, I’m super curious now to see what the Charlie Puth bump in streaming this weekend looks like, you know it’s gonna happen.

[Taylor.]

I care less about the length of their relationship and more that Matty is a shitty human being having love songs written about him including one calling out her fans for being against it, lol.

She does end up destroying him on “the smallest man who ever lives” so the arc is there but still a bit iffy on it all.

[clsvltn]

Is Charlie really not that big though? He has 3 songs that are all nearly 2 billion streams on Spotify alone not to mention countless others near 1 billion and many top 10 hits etc. Over 35 million monthly listeners on spotify as well. I mean maybe he isn't like the biggest person in the world obviously but someone like Troye Sivan in that case would be a better use. Someone who is respected that is shunned overall by mainstream media. I would consider Charlie a pretty healthy big star overall

[Deleted]

Apr 18, 2024 17:08:43 GMT -5 clsvltn said:

Is Charlie really not that big though? He has 3 songs that are all nearly 2 billion streams on Spotify alone not to mention countless others near 1 billion and many top 10 hits etc. Over 35 million monthly listeners on spotify as well. I mean maybe he isn't like the biggest person in the world obviously but someone like Troye Sivan in that case would be a better use. Someone who is respected that is shunned overall by mainstream media. I would consider Charlie a pretty healthy big star overall

It shoulda been “Carly Rae should be a bigger artist…”, if only she’d use her powers for good lol.

[ampersand]

Apr 18, 2024 16:13:44 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

Maybe she dated him for longer than we were aware of? She clearly fell for him a lot more than we would have expected and resents the backlash she got from it. I honestly didn't even think of Matty once listening to the album initially until people started pointing it out? I know nothing about him tho...so. Which songs are about him and how did people deduce they were about him? I get the one tattoo line in "TTPD", but the others?

I think the consensus in the fandom is that Taylor and Matty had a brief fling during the 1989 era when they first met and that they continued to orbit each other until finally getting together last year. If you read the prologue to the album, she pretty much says the album is her defence to the "department" about why she had a a passionate fling she describes as "manic" and a form of "self-harm" after leaving a long-term relationship. She alludes to him being an old flame that returned as well.

[Deleted]

Apr 18, 2024 17:07:05 GMT -5 Taylor. said:

I care less about the length of their relationship and more that Matty is a shitty human being having love songs written about him including one calling out her fans for being against it, lol.

She does end up destroying him on “the smallest man who ever lives” so the arc is there but still a bit iffy on it all.

You have to look at the optics. Is she going to write an album about how she couldn’t deal with Joe’s depression or one where she trashes the guy even the Swifties were mad at her for being with? Again, not having heard it myself (since it seems you’re implying some of her matty stuff is positive)?

[👑 Eloquent ™]

Apr 18, 2024 17:07:05 GMT -5 Taylor. said:

I care less about the length of their relationship and more that Matty is a shitty human being having love songs written about him including one calling out her fans for being against it, lol.

She does end up destroying him on “the smallest man who ever lives” so the arc is there but still a bit iffy on it all.

Maybe it's just me, but I could not care less about any of my favorite singer's romantic partners (likely why I didn't get the references). I certainly don't feel entitled enough to have a say in who she dates or that my opinion holds any weight as it shouldn't. Lol

[born]

I wonder what the ✌️ thing is about. I doubt it was just the "Fortnight" single announcement. When I wake up it'll probably already be out there but I'm still intrigued. I wouldn't mind the double album everyone has begged for over the years, but if it was the case, I feel like the promoted TTPD would have been shorter (like 12 tracks) to make room for more tracks on a separate album. Whatever. They dragged the “We hereby conduct this post mortem.” thing way too much so maybe it's another 3am type deluxe, e.g. the Post-Mortem version lol. Less than 6 hours left!

[Marooned@Midnight]

The Black Dog is a gut punch. Holy hell it hits hard. Career highlight. How is this not track 5?!?!

It’s really wild to me that ICDIWABH isn’t the focus single. I hope they are planning to release it at some point. It’s the radio smash of the album IMO.

[Koochie]

Honestly? She’s got balls for this one. Tackling a case of the ex with honesty– good, bad, or (realistically) both– is a raw move. Especially since she’s getting dicked down by Travis atm. That’s real shit.

Haven’t heard it yet, but will definitely be checking this out.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

Apr 18, 2024 17:09:44 GMT -5 @pikandru said:

Apr 18, 2024 17:08:43 GMT -5 clsvltn said:

Is Charlie really not that big though? He has 3 songs that are all nearly 2 billion streams on Spotify alone not to mention countless others near 1 billion and many top 10 hits etc. Over 35 million monthly listeners on spotify as well. I mean maybe he isn't like the biggest person in the world obviously but someone like Troye Sivan in that case would be a better use. Someone who is respected that is shunned overall by mainstream media. I would consider Charlie a pretty healthy big star overall

It shoulda been “Carly Rae should be a bigger artist…”, if only she’d use her powers for good lol.

Haven't not seen the rest of the lyrics, I was under the impression there was a hint of sarcasm in there tbh.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

Apr 18, 2024 17:31:37 GMT -5 Marooned@Midnight said:

The Black Dog is a gut punch. Holy hell it hits hard. Career highlight. How is this not track 5?!?!

I knew it would be as soon as I saw the title. Arlo Parks has a song called "Black Dog" from a few years back and it's absolutely in my top 3 of the decade so far.

[Marooned@Midnight]

Initial top tracks…

The Black Dog
Down Bad
So Long, London
ICDIWABH
Florida
TTPD

[👑 Eloquent ™]

Come to think of it, writing a whole album whose title is directed at him, but whose content is directed at the intense love she had for the fling who came after their 6-year relationship is probably one of the most f**k you moves I've seen. lol

[Taylor.]

Record stores are teasing a special announcement at 11:55PM ET. If you register for the email it says (1/2) III.XI.V.V.

vertigovinyl.com/ttpd-email

[Ling-Ling]

I'm surprised by the divisive reaction to this, it's a very typical Taylor album. Maybe that's the issue? People wanted something more adventurous? Midnights meets Lover is probably the most apt description I've seen. I also disagree with the consensus that there aren't any hits on here, I hear a handful.

But overall, it's another okay/nice album from her. I'd probably trim it down to about 11/12 tracks. But yeah, she does need to switch it up. Listening to a lot of these songs, I felt like I could cut and paste elements of them into about a dozen other Taylor songs.

[Marooned@Midnight]

Apr 18, 2024 18:31:38 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

Come to think of it, writing a whole album whose title is directed at him, but whose content is directed at the intense love she had for the fling who came after their 6-year relationship is probably one of the most f**k you moves I've seen. lol

I really read it as she was so damaged by the “love of her life” that she got messed up and made some terrible decisions when it ended. Cue the volatile rebound spiral. The few Joe focused songs are really on another level though. I’m glad that he seems like what he always came off as - a great guy.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

Apr 18, 2024 18:38:39 GMT -5 Taylor. said:

Record stores are teasing a special announcement at 11:55PM ET. If you register for the email it says (1/2) III.XI.V.V.

vertigovinyl.com/ttpd-email

My local shop only got one variant of the vinyl and Cd so far. The manuscript one. They also usually post their RSD titles by now but haven't yet until tomorrow.

[ampersand]

Apr 18, 2024 18:55:37 GMT -5 Marooned@Midnight said:

Apr 18, 2024 18:31:38 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

Come to think of it, writing a whole album whose title is directed at him, but whose content is directed at the intense love she had for the fling who came after their 6-year relationship is probably one of the most f**k you moves I've seen. lol

I really read it as she was so damaged by the “love of her life” that she got messed up and made some terrible decisions when it ended. Cue the volatile rebound spiral. The few Joe focused songs are really on another level though. I’m glad that he seems like what he always came off as - a great guy.

Yeah, I think that is the narrative I got too. I really encourage people to read the prologue—it really helps contextualize the album for those who are irritated that there are a lot of Matty Healy tracks. It sounds like she was so disillusioned from the breakdown of her relationship with Joe that she ran into the arms of someone who was love bombing her (and who seemed to even be promising her marriage, which was clearly a no-go with Joe).

I'm glad Joe comes off well. I was really worried this would be an album blasting someone who seemed to otherwise be such a good presence in her life, but the tracks about Joe portray their relationship as very complex and doesn't assign him any blame.

[schnetzka]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C57BKuWO8CA

[HEADOFTHEPACK]

There's a prologue?

Unrelated, this isn't even out yet and I am exhausted.

[thezatch]

The video seems very “Poor Things”-inspired.

[Marooned@Midnight]

The video looks epic. I can definitely see visuals like that giving the song some life.

[Koochie]

Apr 18, 2024 19:22:05 GMT -5 HEADOFTHEPACK said:

There's a prologue?

probably more. a truly seasoned swifty can find lore in the shadows dancing on the walls of the cave

[Acid Eyes]

First day and first week Spotify numbers for reference/comparison

US Spotify - 10/21/22

1(DEBUT) Anti-Hero 7,786,096
2(DEBUT) Lavender Haze 7,644,139
3(DEBUT) Maroon 6,847,851
4(DEBUT) Snow on the Beach 6,719,156
5(DEBUT) You're On Your Own, Kid 6,074,375
6(DEBUT) Midnight Rain 5,987,889
7(DEBUT) Vigilante Shit 5,696,233
8(DEBUT) Question...? 5,519,609
9(DEBUT) Karma 5,182,717
10(DEBUT) Bejeweled 5,096,200
11(DEBUT) Labyrinth 4,770,853
12(DEBUT) Sweet Nothing 4,464,243
13(DEBUT) Mastermind 4,450,320
14(DEBUT) The Great War 1,864,956
15(DEBUT) Bigger Than The Whole Sky 1,864,394
16(DEBUT) Would've, Could've, Should've 1,819,160
17(DEBUT) Paris 1,735,119
19(DEBUT) High Infidelity 1,633,494
21(DEBUT) Glitch 1,507,534
22(DEBUT) Dear Reader 1,427,824

US Spotify - Week 10/27/22

1(DEBUT) Anti-Hero 31,469,658
2(DEBUT) Lavender Haze 25,867,191
3(DEBUT) Maroon 23,477,267
4(DEBUT) Midnight Rain 23,233,034
5(DEBUT) Snow on the Beach 23,101,126
6(DEBUT) You're On Your Own, Kid 21,707,937
7(DEBUT) Karma 21,116,254
8(DEBUT) Vigilante Shit 20,408,333
9(DEBUT) Question...? 19,850,901
10(DEBUT) Bejeweled 19,373,760
11(DEBUT) Labyrinth 16,787,104
12(DEBUT) Mastermind 16,773,328
13(DEBUT) Sweet Nothing 16,204,102
15(DEBUT) Would've, Could've, Should've 10,099,298
17(DEBUT) Bigger Than The Whole Sky 9,355,397
18(DEBUT) The Great War 9,191,051
19(DEBUT) Paris 8,427,020
20(DEBUT) High Infidelity 7,959,904
21(DEBUT) Glitch 7,280,121
23(DEBUT) Dear Reader 6,795,775