Rosie Kurylo

Almost every song on Folklore sticks in your head, and just weaves its way into your thoughts. Every second of this work isn't forced. The songs sneak up on you. Each one is prismatic and intensely beautiful, but everytime I listen, I have replayed a different song. I have never skipped a song on a Swift CD because it was difficult or hard to listen to emotionally. But "seven" was not one I wanted to listen too the first few times.It is not a song I can play every time. It is like she has given us liner notes on being human, in raw complexity. I love "hoax", it couldn't end another way. I love "mirrorball" because it made me feel like someone called my name in front of a crowded room, but also like it was ok. I love "illicit affairs", because it is perfect in how monstrous being human can be- I will never forget those lyrics. But the song I will hear forever in my sleep, and hum everyday will be "my tears ricochet". I have never had an answer for : if you were trapped on an island and could only take....- Those questions annoy me. But now I would say, if asked again, or more likely placed in total COVID lockdown; I would take every version of Folklore.