THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY
In standard and extended editions, Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album races to fill the gap between her intimate songwriting and her increasingly outsized persona. It’s unruly, unedited, and even a little tortured.
Each of the record’s 31 tracks unfold as a specific set piece filled with anecdotes, some more cleverly worded than others.
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How does one approach reviewing a Taylor Swift album? Well, with great difficulty, especially when there are no advance review copies or streams. It gets even more complicated when, just two hours after the release of The Tortured Poets Department, Swift casually announces The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, featuring 15 additional songs.
On her 11th album, the American singer-songwriter picks apart her romantic travails in unsparing fashion, while her ability to turn sorrow into songwriting gold remains unparalleled
‘The Tortured Poets Department’ sustains a vibe that’s melancholic without sacrificing hooks, but its minimalism undercuts Swift’s strengths.
Taylor Swift advances the Midnights synth-based and diaristic formula, embracing increasingly sophisticated and minimalistic sonics on The Tortured Poets Department.
Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department (Anthology) review: The future's bright, dazzling
The superstar mercilessly mocks ex-boyfriends Matty Healy and Joe Alwyn in this emotionally insightful, icily vengeful breakup album