Elizabeth Powderly-Hahn

This feels like the first album Swift has made that was truly just for herself and not necessarily anyone else (which, I could argue, she’s earned the right to do at this stage of her career); it very much felt like she needed to purge this tumultuous time in her life from her system as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, in doing so, the album sounded like long, unedited diary entries put to muted melodies. Without taking a longer time to reflect on the material, Swift’s messaging on this album frequently falls flat, is toxic, or becomes outright grating when put into context – a significant regression from more recent albums. Too often, the lyrics come across as bizarre or elementary; the ideas, one-dimensional; the imagery, bloated and repetitive. Any bright spots – and there are definitely some – become diluted by the sheer volume of songs. The end product wasn’t particularly relatable, thought-provoking, or, frankly, all that enjoyable to listen to. I am typically a fan of Swift's work, and am not of the opinion that she – even as TIME’s Person of the Year – isn’t allowed to share her personal challenges through her music. Yet, to use that platform this go around to almost exclusively attack and blame everyone and everything in her life, without offering any real introspection, did not sit well at all. She is at the height of her influence and popularity. This is how she chooses to use that power?