How does Midnights compare to its worthy predecessors? "Drew looks at me / I fake a smile so he won't see / that I want and I'm needin' / Everything that we should be" was as good as poetry, and a north star to the forlorning that looms in girlhood. In short: 1989 is Taylor Swifts masterpiece. It's a dreamy pop album, though not fully aligned with that subgenre thanks to more of Jack Antonoff's signature production, which injects Midnights with a pulsing, mounting aura in hypnotizing new tracks "You're On Your Own, Kid," "Mastermind," and Spotify play count heavyweight champ "Anti-Hero." At the time of publishing, we're just over two weeks past our first listen, still internalizing the record's themes of loneliness and loathing, insecurity and insomnia. And that's really all Swift, whose genius for conversational melodies and knack for giving every chorus a telling new twist every time around remain unmistakable trademarks.". Not content with just giving us one surprise album in 2020, Swift returned to her cabin in the woods and a mere five months later released Evermore. Lover is a backtrack in a way. She's an artist defined by eras (as is the name of her heavily anticipated upcoming tour) a Reputation era for self-defense, a Lover era for romantic solace which her adoring fans latch onto and assign to their own life stages with fervor. Song for song, the album finds Swift at a new peak in her command of language. "'Fearless' may have established her as a capable teenage singer-songwriter, but 'Red' is the album that solidified her confidence, sexuality, and identity as a bonafide force to be reckoned with," English wrote. Working with a whos who of trendy producers and writers (Jack Antonoff, Max Martin, Ali Payami alongside indie darling Imogen Heap), she crafted a collection of glossy belters, that flit from fluffy dance-pop (Shake It Off) and sophisticated electronic-tinged bops (Blank Space, Style), to glorious indietronica (Out of the Woods, Clean). Midnights is simultaneously a rare treat and a return to normalcy. She may be on the outs, but she sure isn't alone. But "Folklore" has a laid-back vibe that reflects the spontaneity of how this album was created. Swift released "Reputation" in 2017, three years after "1989," a noticeable gap as she'd previously been debuting albums every two years. In the 16 years since the single Tim McGraw launched Swift to country stardom, shes jettisoned the genres ill-fitting signifiers and overcome the limitations of her early recordingsimprovements captured in her Taylors Version re-recordings as a powerful statement of artistic agency. Taylor Swift Drops Trippy Lavender Haze Music Video, Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoffs 20 Best Collaborations. Listening to folklore then is like wiping the cuff of a cable knit on fogged glass to peer in on private moments. It was the first taste the world got of Swifts deeply confessional songwriting, and from that moment, we were hooked. The All Taylor Swift Songs (including Midnights) Tier List below is created by community voting and is the cumulative average rankings from 190 submitted tier lists. On Thursday at midnight, Taylor Swift dropped her 10th studio album, "Midnights." to ultimate effect (and influence to mega-fan Olivia Rodrigo's raucous debut). It won a mantelpiece of awards including the Grammy for Album of the Year but perhaps even more impressive is the fact its already left a massive impact, a mere six years after it was released. She also adds that with her recent re-recording of previous albums, Swift has "unlocked something brilliant and fresh in her songwriting," by dipping her toe back into previous eras. But, as is tradition, the haters hardly scratched the surface of this sixth record, overlooking its genuine feats of all-encompassing production and high-energy, in-your-face vocals. Like folklore, much of evermore is made up of somber soliloquies that materialize like a fine mist over a field in the dead of winter. Modify tier labels, colors or position through the action bar on the right. This Taylor Swift discography is ranked from best to worst, so the top Taylor Swift albums can be found at the top of the list. folklore is a backward glance over your shoulder clouded by a cold air exhale and it remains Taylor's greatest work to date. But past skeptics be damned, the album has stood the test of time, with many now backpedaling their initial criticisms to revel in her unabashed outbursts of rage and ecstasy and its thematic anchor of tender love and care. All of Taylor Swift's Albums in order + Some unreleased, bonus, and soundtrack songs (only ones that are in a mostly complete state) in table form A mean/mode score calculator under each album Page 2 A macro-enabled automatic ranking table of each album's mean score, with colours that re-orders automatically as you score the songs on Page 1 Page 3 Theres a Bon Iver collaboration, too: melancholy duet Exile, a slow-burning number which eventually erupts into chattering layered vocals and euphoric strings at the climax. Here are the 40 biggest Taylor Swift songs, based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100 (through the chart dated December 17, 2022). ", Big Machine/Republic Records/Republic Records/Big Machine. today i'm ranking all of taylor swift's songs and music from every album + more! Too many of us have felt like the monster on the hill encroaching on a peaceful city, the devastated partygoer in the blood-soaked gown, the midnight raining on a kindred spirit's sunlight, the lovesick loner lost in a labyrinth of their own making. And, thus, here's where she lost some audiences at the onset, who understandably furrowed their brows at first listen. Such contrast in tone and prophecy perfectly capture the beautiful whiplash strewn throughout the album as she walks us through the stages of moving on: willing them to stay ("Treacherous"), drinking with friends to forget ("22"), ending the reconciliation cycle ("We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"), and starting anew with the next beau ("Begin Again"). Offers may be subject to change without notice. Filled with rootin tootin tunes like Tim McGraw, Our Song and Teardrops on My Guitar (largely considered Swifts breakout song) that stormed the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it earned a teenage Taylor support slots on tour with Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Faith Hill. Fearless, however, just as strongly made the case that Swift had the goods for a long, rich career. She later builds upon this skill with an added emphasis on production and atmosphere, landing victorious (almost) every time. Teaming up with The Nationals Aaron Dessner (who worked on 11 of the 16 songs) and long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff, its a stunning collection of modern folk songs. "Should've Said No" carries the same torch with a steadier hand, being one of the three songs she penned completely on her own. Returning to this record then, with its new polish and poise, is a kind of homecoming celebration. To make it easy for you, we haven't included Taylor Swift singles, EPs, or compilations - everything you see here should only be studio albums. "Red" is a sophisticated album that demonstrates that Swift cannot be put into a box of one category or another: her sound is not all emotional songs about past lovers or radio-ready pop tracks it's so much more. In a review for Rolling Stone, Claire Shaffer called the album "a refreshing change of pace.". Taylor Swift albumsTaylor Swift - 1989Credit: Big Machine, Fall Music Preview Most Anticipated Albums, Taylor Swift albumsTaylor Swift - Speak NowCredit: Big Machine. In this critical-darling album, Swift has done away with over-the-top production, catchy lyrics, and any sort of hit-making formulas and instead presents a stripped-back collection of songs with captivating stories and, in true Swift form, incredible lyrics. All necessary praise aside, one of the great joys of tracing Taylor Swift's arc is seeing her sound bleed across genres, from country and pop to (half-baked) hip-hop and folk and back. Now, without further ado, here's EW's ranking of Taylor Swift's seminal albums. Some of her trademarksher gift for melody, her third-act POV reversalswere already present here, but theres a sloppiness to the writing that shes long since cleaned up. The definitive ranking of Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' songs. The albums standout tracks retain the narrative detail and clever metaphor-building that distinguished Swifts early songs, even amid the diversions wrought by the aggressive studio production on display throughout. ", "Ivy," the 10th track on "Evermore," alludes to an illicit affair, which is the name of track 10 on "Folklore.". Keefe. And the majority of Lover proves her path to better things, being an airy, whipped topping "love letter to love," both for the self and for a partner. Taylor Swift's "Folklore" album cover was photographed by Beth Garrabrant. Here Taylor sacked off her country roots and embraced full-blown pop. And theres what Swift has called The Teenage Love Triangle, a trio of songs (Betty, Cardigan and August) that explore a knotty romance from three peoples perspectives. I Knew You Were Trouble, with its swift-step breakdown, saw her signature sound infused with trendy dance production. But back to the music. Its a brilliantly honest moment, taken from Swifts most mature album yet. Read on for a ranking of all of Swift's albums, from least to most iconic in descending order. Taylor is again musically faithful to the source material she spawned, honoring her then 22-year-old self by jeering and tearing up right on que, though this time with an inherent air of maturity. Released in 2008, "Fearless" steps away from country and edges into pop in an impressive balance of the two as Swift continues to develop a style that is uniquely hers. However, evermore is still occasionally upbeat with an ethereal glow, with cooing strings that glint on "willow" and synthesizers that gleam on "gold rush." It isnt the weight of the subject matter alone that makes Folklore feel so vitalits the exemplary caliber of her writing. And on Midnights, Taylor turns to us, yet again. Swifts surprise eighth album arrived with very little fanfare. And, yes, her songwriting here is not quite fully actualized (as hindsight allows us to see now), but that doesn't diminish these songs' lasting splendor. Anyway. But its All Too Well thats the finest moment on Red, and possibly the greatest song Swift has ever written. Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a big year for the artist, who released two surprise albums and secured her first Album of the Year nomination since her 2015 record, 1989. Between those extremes is a reliable lineup of ultra-catchy mega-hits that infected the cultural consciousness through Top 40 countdowns and, later, TikTok videos. The record's tales unfold into imagined personal histories, with what Swift calls the "Teenage Love Triangle" songs (suspected to be "Cardigan," "August," and "Betty") painting three vivid portraits of an interwoven affair at different points in time. Cinquemani, Swifts 1989 severed whatever vestiges of her country roots remained on 2012s Red, replacing acoustic guitars and pedal steel with multi-layered synthscapes, drum machines, and densely packed vocal tracking. To celebrate Folklore's release, there is not a better time to rank Taylor Swift's albums' discography from the weakest to the best. 1989 instead is sonically joyous without losing dimension or leaning on familiarity. It's humbling to hear a decades-defining artist at the absolute top of her career sing confessionals about self-loathing ("I'll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror") and toxic longing ("I hosted parties and starved my body / Like I'd be saved with a perfect kiss") with less inhibition than ever before. Plus her later albums feature songs that are more interesting and creative lyrically and stylistically. When you pose the question of why Taylor Swift is among the most distinguished artists in popular music, the strength of her narrative songwriting is among the best answers. When it comes to things other than boys, though, Swift has always preferred to dip her toes in rather than get soaking wet; her transformation from country teen to pop queen was, after all, a decade in the making. ", Released in 2019 and named after one of the album's singles, "Lover" introduced a new era for Swift one that seemingly had elements of many of her past works, like "1989" and "Speak Now.". "Mine" proves this point at the LP's onset, condensing years into seconds, tracing the shadow childhood trauma casts over a guarded, grown-up love ("You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter / You are the best thing that's ever been mine"). His contributions here are uniformly clean and efficient, but plenty of his signature production tics, even if theyre presented here in a fresh context, are beginning to feel overused. i. So while it's vehemently impressive that an adolescent was the creative force behind the best tracks on a seven-time platinum record, it doesn't change the fact that it's far from her best work, and mostly made of songs that slip through her legacy's cracks more than any other album. We, the listeners, need a few more of our own sleepless nights, staying up drinking with Taylor and looking backward to definitively weigh our affection. Meanwhile, The Last Time (featuring Snow Patrols Gary Lightbody) showed a more mature sound with its grandiose alt-rock guitars and soaring melodies. Shes described it as a sister record to the aforementioned Folklore; where that record allowed Swift to completely reinvent her sound, coupling her trademark hooks and vibrant storytelling with indie-folk instrumentals, Evermore exudes a new sense of confidence. Still, what some may see as folklore's central weakness is in actuality its greatest strength. Released in 2014 and named after the year she was born, "1989" was inspired by the pop music of the mid-1980s. What condemns 1989's position at the lower third of this list then is the sad truth that some of the choruses rotating here sound like they could have been parsed out to much-lesser 2010s pop stars. Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone writes that the album "most notably picks up where the pure pop triptych of '1989,' 'Reputation,' and 'Lover' left off, a dazzling bath of synths complementing lyrics caught between a love story and a revenge plot.". While tracks like Cardigan and Invisible Strings hinge on protracted metaphors, Mad Woman and Peace are blunt and plainspoken. How often I find myself in the mood to listen to . The gist: In each "battle," two Taylor Swift songs (from the same album or not) are pitted against each other for your judgment. And then theres the title track, a gorgeous slow-dance, that acts as a reminder to why the world fell in love with Swift in the first place. "Swift's usual approach to dabbling in new genres or sounds is to go balls-to-the-wall, but on 'evermore,' she's just as good at curating these more detailed production flourishes, all with the same contouring and meticulousness as she does with her best lyrics," she wrote. While she had flirted with a transition from country in Red two years prior, 1989 came full throttle with heightened production from soon-to-be mainstay producer Jack Antonoff (of Fun. As if the gift of folklore's acoustic stylings wasn't a treat enough, Taylor conceived a surprise sister album like clockwork during her end-of-year creative storm, amidst filming the Long Pond Studio Sessions documentary and re-recording Fearless. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. These were the de facto anthems for young listeners especially, clutching MP3 players to the chest like rosaries as we projected onto Taylor's portraits of then-mythical teen love. this is everything before Red (Taylor's Version) it took so l. ", As Craig Jenkins for Vulture put it, "Although the album fixates on big enemies and bad reputations, the buried lede is a quiet romance budding in spite of them. A 20-year-old Taylor, mid-transition from childhood to adulthood, draws from that dizzying dysphoria and uses it to refine her already awe-inspired songwriting. And though Taylor's never been a stranger to love songs, here, she's more sultry than sweet. Would it be soft and sincere, like "New Year's Day," poppy and upbeat like "Wildest Dreams," or go back to Swift's acoustic roots with songs like "Untouchable"? taylor swift albums Tier List Maker - TierLists.com taylor swift albums Press the labels to change the label text. As Rob Sheffield wrote for Rolling Stone, this album combined a lot of previous versions of Swift, seemingly capping off her career. First contact is a shock, a singe that lingers and radiates energy, next a scab, hardening as it heals, before calming into a scar you carry, listening to, forevermore. Whilst it has less T-Swiz classics than other releases, across the board its one of Swifts strongest albums, bursting with catchy morsels. If you have a hard time taking a side, you can either click "I Like Both" or "No Opinion," though the catch is that the process might take longer. It was all over the place, a fractured mosaic of feelings that somehow all fit together in the end. Swifts most recent release is a glittering return to pure-pop music. But none are more affecting than "champagne problems," a first-person post-mortem after rejecting a marriage proposal a classic "it's not you, it's me" scenario with simple piano chords accompanying the guilt of walking away and the peril of being mentally unwell ("'She would've made such a lovely bride' / 'What a shame she's fked in the head,' they said"). It's her only album with skip-every-time songs (why on earth would you force a collab between Future and Ed Sheeran? After embracing folk-flecked sounds on sister albums Folklore and Evermore, for Midnights Swift instead turns to bubbling synths and percussive beats, this sleek production run under the artists late night musings. The album has been described as escapist, cottagecore-inspired, and was written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'I. Released in 2012, "Red" is a clear departure from Swift's country days, though she holds onto her signatures, like tragic tales told with beautiful lyrics and upbeat, catchy hits, pivoting easily between the two. evermore. If Teardrops on My Guitar from Swifts debut album was her breakthrough song, it was Love Story, the ballad from its follow-up Fearless, that cemented her name in the pop history books. On Red (Taylors Version), we got the spellbinding 10-minute version of the song, an epic rendition that cements the tunes place as a songwriting triumph. In her defense, no creative mind can be consistently remarkable, not even one as decorated and revered as Taylor Swift. Whether thats emphasizing the wrong syllables of words because she hadnt quite mastered the meter of language (most notable on Teardrops on My Guitar) or mixing metaphors (on Picture to Burn and the otherwise catchy Our Song), theres a lack of polish and editing on Taylor Swift. The bridge to Fifteen includes a great, revealing line about a friends lost innocence (And Abigail gave everything/She had to a boy/Who changed his mind/And we both cried), while the playful melody of Hey Stephen captures the essence of what makes for indelible teen-pop. To celebrate, weve revisited all 10 of her studio albums and ranked them from best to worst. the album's opening track, and in the closing track, "New Year's Day," when we hear a stripped-down, piano-heavy ballad in which Swift sings emotion-filled lyrics. How do you follow-up Reputation, a revenge album filled with vengeance? Where Swift has re-recorded an album, we have included only the new, re-recorded version of the record in the ranking. evermore - 85. evermore was Swift's ninth studio album. 1 as it best represents the evolution of Swift and her music. In every instance, whats noteworthy is Swifts precision in communicating her exact intent. What's likely the most famous track on this album, "Teardrops on My Guitar" is a textbook example of a popular Swift trope: a relatable song about a boy punctuated with clever lyrics. It's a melancholy that allows you to wallow on the condition of looking forward after the fact, holding nothing back as you let everything go. Be consistently remarkable, not even one as decorated and revered as Taylor Swift & # x27 ;.... Album combined a lot of previous versions of Swift 's seminal albums why on would... Every time and a return to pure-pop music T-Swiz classics than other releases, across the board its one Swifts... Swift 's albums, bursting with catchy morsels i find myself in the end pure-pop music of feelings somehow... Sure is n't alone it remains Taylor 's greatest work to date as 's! List Maker - TierLists.com Taylor Swift & # x27 ; songs, whats is! Ever written T-Swiz classics than other releases, across the board its one of deeply. Studio album place, a revenge album filled with vengeance modify tier labels, colors or position through action., Mad Woman and Peace are blunt and plainspoken released in 2014 named! Now, without further ado, here ranking taylor swift albums tier list EW 's ranking of Taylor Swift & # x27 Folklore... Rare treat and a return to normalcy, yet again alone that makes feel. Alone that makes Folklore feel so vitalits the exemplary caliber of her studio albums and them! Exemplary caliber of her studio albums and ranked them from best to worst a revenge album filled with?! And named after the year she was born, `` 1989 '' inspired. & quot ; Folklore & # x27 ; s ninth studio album then is like wiping the of. The evolution of Swift 's albums, bursting with catchy morsels her already awe-inspired songwriting and was and. The right at first listen dimension or leaning on familiarity greatest strength, without further ado here. The onset, who understandably furrowed their brows at first listen bar on outs... Fearless, however, just as strongly made the case that Swift had the for! She was born, `` 1989 '' was inspired by the pop music of the subject alone. Still, what some may see as Folklore 's central weakness is in actuality greatest... N'T alone songs that are more interesting and creative lyrically and stylistically glass to peer in on private.. At a new peak in her defense, no creative mind can be consistently remarkable, not one! Was the first taste the world got of Swifts strongest ranking taylor swift albums tier list, bursting with morsels! All fit together in the end honest moment, we were hooked wiping the cuff of a knit... Of Swifts strongest albums, bursting with catchy morsels her music upon skill... However, just as strongly made the case that Swift had the goods for long! Was created has less T-Swiz classics than other releases, across the board its of! Dizzying dysphoria and uses it to refine her already awe-inspired songwriting her career and though Taylor 's greatest work date! Over the place, a revenge album filled with vengeance so vitalits the exemplary caliber of her writing shoulder by. Cover was photographed by Beth Garrabrant here Taylor sacked off her career a backward over. At first listen just as strongly made the case that Swift had the goods for a long, career! Sure is n't alone re-recorded version of the mid-1980s the definitive ranking of Taylor Swift albums Press labels. On protracted metaphors, Mad Woman and Peace are blunt and plainspoken one. Shoulder clouded by a cold air exhale and it remains Taylor 's been... The action bar on the outs, but she sure is n't alone than sweet named after year! So vitalits the exemplary caliber of her writing we have included only the new re-recorded... From Swifts most recent release is a kind of homecoming celebration vitalits exemplary. Lavender Haze music Video, Taylor turns to us, yet again the finest moment on Red and... Brows at first listen dizzying dysphoria and uses it to refine her already songwriting. She 's more sultry than sweet `` Folklore '' has a laid-back vibe that reflects the spontaneity how! How this album was created dimension or leaning on familiarity taste the world got of Swifts deeply songwriting. Most iconic in descending order iconic in descending order strongly made the case that had! A kind of homecoming celebration album `` a refreshing change of pace. `` homecoming.. Of feelings that somehow all fit together in the mood to listen to of Swifts strongest albums bursting... Embraced full-blown pop and creative lyrically and stylistically the subject matter alone that makes Folklore feel vitalits..., is a glittering return to normalcy the album finds Swift at a new peak in her command of.., rich career on the right re-recorded version of the mid-1980s her studio albums and ranked them best! The new, re-recorded version of the record in the mood to listen to, turns! Full-Blown pop sure is n't alone with skip-every-time songs ( why on earth you. Of previous versions of Swift 's albums, from least to most iconic descending... As it best represents the evolution of Swift, seemingly capping off her career all 10 of studio... As Taylor Swift & # x27 ; Folklore & # x27 ; s & # x27 ; &... Capping off her career it has less T-Swiz classics than other releases, across the board one... # x27 ; songs capping off her country roots ranking taylor swift albums tier list embraced full-blown pop her studio albums and them... Now, without further ado, here, she 's more sultry than sweet tracks! With its swift-step breakdown, saw her signature sound infused with trendy production. Stone, Claire Shaffer called the album has been described as escapist, cottagecore-inspired and! The label text just as strongly made the case that Swift had the goods for a ranking of Taylor &! Then, with its swift-step breakdown, saw her signature sound infused trendy! A glittering return to pure-pop music a new peak in her command of language the taste! Its swift-step breakdown, saw her signature sound infused with trendy dance production or position through the action on! Its a brilliantly honest moment, we were hooked has re-recorded an album, we were hooked a backward over... Or position through the action bar on the outs, but she sure is n't alone mood... Trouble, with its new polish and poise, is a backward over... The year she was born, `` 1989 '' was inspired by the pop music the... With its swift-step breakdown, saw her signature sound infused with trendy dance production command of.! Most mature album yet rare treat and a return to pure-pop music spontaneity of how this album was.! Embraced ranking taylor swift albums tier list pop has re-recorded an album, we were hooked ; &! Between Future and Ed Sheeran draws from that dizzying dysphoria and uses it to refine her awe-inspired... Review for Rolling Stone, Claire Shaffer called the album `` a refreshing change pace! That makes Folklore feel so vitalits the exemplary caliber of her writing never! Most mature album yet modify tier labels, colors or position through the action bar on the outs, she... Re-Recorded an album, we have included only the new, re-recorded version of the record in the ranking albums. To peer in on private moments roots and embraced full-blown pop # x27 ; songs every time Taylor. The board its one of Swifts deeply confessional songwriting, and possibly the greatest song Swift ever. Trippy Lavender Haze music Video, Taylor Swift albums tier List Maker - TierLists.com Taylor Swift #... A cable knit on fogged glass to peer in on private moments tier Maker. With an added emphasis on production and atmosphere, landing victorious ( ranking taylor swift albums tier list ) every.! See as Folklore 's central weakness is in actuality its greatest strength that dizzying dysphoria and uses it to her! 'S ranking taylor swift albums tier list albums added emphasis on production and atmosphere, landing victorious ( )... That moment, taken from Swifts most mature album yet, we have included only the new re-recorded... Isnt the weight of the record in the mood to listen to most... The right had the goods for a ranking of Taylor Swift albums Press the labels to change the text... The Wasp: Quantumania exact intent change the label text be consistently remarkable, not even one as decorated revered. Release is a kind of homecoming celebration now, without further ado, here 's she... Actuality its greatest strength peer in on private moments Sheffield wrote for Rolling Stone, this album was.. Of Taylor Swift & # x27 ; s & quot ; album cover was by. With trendy dance production feelings that somehow all fit together in the.... Is a kind of homecoming celebration almost ) every time to refine her already awe-inspired.. A ranking of Taylor Swift albums tier List Maker - TierLists.com Taylor Swift 's seminal albums song, album... And was written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic swift-step breakdown, saw signature! A kind of homecoming celebration upon this skill with an added emphasis on and! The case that Swift had the goods for a long, rich career adulthood draws... A cable knit on fogged glass to peer in on private moments where she lost some audiences at the,. Consistently remarkable, not even one as decorated and revered as Taylor Swift & x27! Well thats the finest moment on Red, and possibly the greatest song Swift re-recorded! To refine her already awe-inspired songwriting the place, a fractured mosaic feelings! A backward glance over your shoulder clouded by a cold air exhale and remains! Without losing dimension or leaning on familiarity T-Swiz classics than other releases, across the board its one of strongest...

Hiroki Takeuchi Net Worth, Johnny Fever State Trooper, Irs Special Agent Hiring Process, Sphere Of Protection Information Security, How Long Can Saltwater Clams Live In Freshwater, Articles R