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"I won't even address the gaylors, because I don't negotiate with terrorists" I'M FLYING

you literally can't find this type of content and work elsewhere online, the most clear, centered and objective analysis on taylor and her work all whilst balancing being a swiftie and a reasonable critic

Critics completely misunderstood Red and Rep as well and those are fan favorites. I think TTPD is going to become a classic for Swifties.

It’s funny because they said the same thing about red and now red is considered one of her best albums

One thing that’s really pissing me off is everyone complaining that she’s swearing. Don’t like the swearing? Easy solution - listen to the clean version!!! Like my god people just complain about anything.

The criticism to TTPD to me is really wild because imo it’s stronger than Midnights, both lyrically and instrumentally. Midnights’ lyrics were so vague and lacked true confessional songwriting that Taylor is know for (probably to not invite gossip into her and Joe’s troubled relationship) while TTPD harkens back to Fearless and Red’s very emotional and diaristic writing, as well as having strong unique Western and Country genre shifts. I just don’t get the criticism it’s very solid to me.

I respect your ability to differentiate between your feelings and opinions as a fan and as a critic SO MUCH, it’s something I need to work on myself and think a lot of other swifties would benefit from tbh

Every time I say that I love this album someone always says, “doesn’t she say that lyric about wanting to be in the 1800’s without racists or something?” Everyone just wants to intentionally miss the point of the album and it drives me INSANEEEE

I agree with you 95% of the time but hard disagree on who’s afraid of little old me? It’s VERY clear to me. It’s dripping in sarcasm used as a coping mechanism. The overall feel and message to me is, “look this is the person I’ve had to become because life has molded me into this but it’s not how I see myself. I’m trying to balance being on the offense to protect myself but not so much that it plays into the lies people say about me” The “but what if it is?” And “but what if they did?” I think plays into the “I don’t want to be this way but this is what I’ve become.” Anxious, biting, paranoid- and for good reason. I don’t think she has to say more than that. We all know everything is about her and people constantly try to hurt her. So people telling her not to feel that way seems like gaslighting, honestly. What in her power is to try not care about those things being true. Which I cannot imagine how difficult that would be. The mixed metaphors are a general call to the various ways people treat her and/or she feels like a monster (explicitly stated back in Anti-Hero). Also, a witch is jumping from the gallows and scaring people only happens because she was PUT in the gallows to begin with. A tiger has lost its teeth in the circus because it was PUT into the circus. Both examples are the consequences of a situation they didn’t ask to be in. This is not me going against the “but she chose her life” comments, yea she did. I’m not saying you say that, but plenty of people do. But she chose it as a child. I imagine being truly famous is like becoming a parent. You see other people doing it everyday and think you understand, but you never will until it happens to you and there’s no true way to prepare for it no matter how hard you try. And once you’re in it, you’re in it. There’s no going back to who you were before. I also personally don’t think it’s too long. I think the dynamics are perfect and move the song along and keep me interested and entertained. But ANYHOO, love your channel!!!!!

Might sound unrelated, but stick with me here: I work in the TV space and TV writing specifically and there is an interesting thing that happens when watching people write TV for network and TV for streaming. When you write for a show like The Office or Seinfeld, you only get 22 minutes and you can’t say everything you wanna say (re: cursing, sexual language, etc). And so as a result, you have to chop off some really funny shit to make sure you fit those 22 minutes and executive criteria. But what happens with Netflix or HBO Max shows is that there aren’t those time constraints and you can kinda just say or show anything, and boy does it show. Writers get so excited that they can say and write as much as their writer hearts desire, that the end result is a bit messy to say the least. If you ever watch the Office Fan Edition it’s basically just The Office episodes with deleted (often worse) scenes. Fans eat it up, cause isn’t it so cool to get more content from your favorite show, but man, if that’s what The Office was putting out in 2006, it would not have the reputation and legecy it has now. So, I agree with your assessment of her hyper productivity. I think she must be a little resentful and bitter about the restraints of her first 6 albums, especially cause she had a falling out with the main guy in charge, and she can be mad at Scott Bourchetta but that doesn’t mean she has to also disregard all his methods. She started swinging the pendulum the other way as early as with Lover, when we see her in the board room saying she wants this to be a long 18-20 song album. She then felt the gradification and vindication of putting out more through the re-recordings. She must have had a real “I told you so” moment when All 10 Well and Is It Over Now went #1. But that shouldn’t be her sign to throw spaghetti (no matter how yummy the spaghetti is) at the wall. I would love her next album to be a super tight Melodrama type album. 11-12 songs, one sound, tight as hell tracklist, one story, maybe even an interlude. She can clearly make great songs, but she has it in her to make a great album, which is arguably harder.

I actually love all the alien stuff in down bad. She’s using it as a metaphor for love bombing and the juxtaposition of the unreality to the reality is kind of the point. You feel swept up and otherworldly when you’re being treated like the chosen one but then you come crashing down and realize it was never true. I love how unbiased and critical you and be of our HBIC though ❤

i‘m also so annoyed by some people who just joined the fandom at midnights…because it shows. not saying that you had to be fan forever in order to understand the album but i just can’t stand people searching for songs about travis, being bored by her adapting her folklore/evermore writing style again (especially for the anthology) and being bored by her just being honest about her feelings and giving us an insight on a topic we may not have expected (the ratty situation) or the worst thing - not accepting any other criticism you can still be fan even if you criticise her - may i say you’re maybe even more of a fan if you’re honest and reflect on her work instead of always praising it?

The 1830s controversy is soooo strange and weird…

Thank you SO MUCH for bringing up Paste Magazine. As a former journalism student and Swiftie, I was incredulous at their hit piece under the guise of an album review. It was infuriating.

I do feel like the chorus of down bad sounding more realistic is an obvious reference to now they left her behind the aliens dropped her back down and she wants them to come pick her back up again. so those parts are down to earth and realistic because she's literally down bad as in they dropped her back down to earth.

Ngl, sometimes being a swiftie is embarrassing....and it's not because of Taylor.

i know you already broke down ttpd in your podcast but id love for you to do a more produced and traditional breakdown. the podcast just feels like two friends talking about ttpd which i love but honestly i prefer a video in the standard style with just you, your camera and your mic

Peter was arguably the best song on both albums. (In my opinion) Peter is about Matty Healy “you said you’d come get me but you were 25” they met when he was 25, also at the end she changes the chorus from “you said you were gonna grow up, then you were gonna come find me” to just “you said you were gonna grow up”…. As in he came back but did not grow up, so to me, that makes sense to be on this album. Also with the Peter losing Wendy line from cardigan & her doing that weird ass “this is about you” thing before it on the Eras tour the same way he did… leaves me to think MAYBE he was also the muse for Cardigan. Idk, just some food for thought and why i definitely see Peter as a great song on this album.

Time? people nowadays have the attention span of a gerbil. I am taking my time with this album. Love your content and your calm discourse about this new project. Social media is a train wreck of histrionics and over reactions about everything.

mark my words, TTPD will age like fine wine✨

I am older than Taylor and I confess I had difficulty connecting with her earlier music although I do appreciate it. This album reflects a more mature attitude, and her unvarnished thoughts on the double-edged sword of fame are a refreshing departure. The Prophecy in particular is a song I connect with. Beautifully written and relatable. I think this critical reception may be a bit of overexposure backlash, but this does not diminish the merit of the work.

As a historic Taylor swift fan, most of the fun about her new albums is speculating about meanings, discussing how there can be more than one meaning depending on what lenses you apply, and then settling on the meaning you enjoy, which allows you to feel the songs in a more personal way according to how you’ve landed on this. I agree that some of these songs are very clear about their muse(s), some less so. The aggressive messaging since a lot of younger and newer fans have joined is the problem. Not all fans, but the toxic social media type in particular. It no longer feels like the open minded discussion amongst fans who share a mutual love of someone they’ve grown with over the years. I’m in my 30s and it all feels like an immature speculative fandom since the shift during folkmore.

15:04 I interpreted “daddy” in BDILH as the “righteous fandom”, the Speak Up Now folks. Still ridiculous, not because of her age, but because people thought they had any say in who she loves.

I can see what people are saying about editing and condensing to create a perfect album like 1989 or Fearless, or even maybe folklore (minus epiphany). However, I don't really care how it's perceived by the masses. I am willing to put up with a couple of superfluous songs to get a more free and uninhibited Taylor. Some of the lyrics on TTPD were actually jaw-dropping to me because I couldn't believe she would say something so honest. I respect it so much. She's unprecedented levels of famous and the most scrutinised person alive, which would probably cause most people to censor themselves heavily and craft a prettier narrative. She instead wrote her most uninhibited and honest album yet, diving into the deeper and more rageful parts of herself for all of us to pick apart. And the result is fucking incredible. This is my favourite album because I just feel like I believe every single thing she is singing on here. While I've always seen her as an honest and confessional writer, I have found a couple of songs on her last few albums kind of hollow or wrote, almost like she didn't believe what she was actually singing. She was withholding. I truly felt like I could see straight through her in this album, and I loved it. I cried so much, which I haven't done with another album. I could palpably feel her emotions. It was truly a life altering experience for me. Not since hearing ATW for the first time did I feel this much rawness from her. It's got Red vibes all over it for me, but waaaay darker and more angry. And I truly love almost every song, with my only unnecessary ones being thanK you aIMee and Robin. Maybe Florida!!! as well, but it's okay and not an actual skip. All the others are giving me a large look into her mind right now, which is the most fascinating thing to see.

Taylor hit the depth of her mid 30s. you start becoming truly self-aware because you stopped caring about what other people think. It’s raw and real. I’m 41 and I felt this album to my core.

One of the big points that clicked for me and that I haven't seen discussed much is this: people don't seem to like that so much of the album is (seamingly) about Matty. But for all the accusation of retreading old grounds here, there is one confession that very few speculated about pre-release: how important Matty had been to her. As the podcast pointed out before, for the fandom, Matty was "not enough". Not handsome enough. Not accomplished enough. And not enough to live in their self-insert fantasies (as opposed to Travis). This album reveals that FOR YEARS, she had been yearning for that guy, flaws and all, and when she got him, the fandom said "He's not good enough FOR US." So people were hyping up the album thinking she would give them tea on the end of a six years relationship; not because they really cared, but because it's salacious AF (How Did It End?). And most of all, they wanted to ignore that blip that was so unpalatable to them. So what did she do, she did a whole album almost exclusively about that very dude; super sexual, revealing even worst stuff about him, making herself look bad, making him look bad, and saying to her public: fuck you if I can't have him. And then she even wraps up with what she knows will be the blokback; she just exposed a huge, previously unknown part of her inner life that she hid for years, and the crowd just yells for MORE (i.e. do something different, do something better, reinvent yourself again, etc.)

She said on her Director on Director talk interview “you don't have to belabor it [art] and polish the doorknob so long you forget to open the door,” and I think she’s been using that philosophy and she’s found success with that philosophy with the re-recording vault tracks, sister folkevermore albums, and the length of the eras tour, but it’s kinda run its course. Like, why not polish the doorknob? If you have the money, time, and resources to do so (and Taylor definitely does) why not have a polished doorknob, song, album, etc. I also think she doesn’t have anyone around her telling her this anymore whether that be her team or her fans. It’s all “you go, Taylor.” When maybe it should be “you go edit, Taylor.” Rules, and limitations, and challenges are good for creativity. Beyonce is a good example of that. She could have wasily seatled in her original style and you go girl pop anthems, but she always is challenging herself. Taylor can do it too and it doesn’t have to be externally enforced rules or limitations, she can give herself the challange. She just needs to stop hearing the crowd saying “more.”

I've been wondering why no review I've read so far on TPD has seemed genuine. Thanks for putting words to this. I wish more people would sit with a work longer before publishing their opinions, good or bad

I never join anything but I literally joined Patreon because you deserve to be paid for the amount of high quality content you pump out consistently

Zach, phenomenal intro. I'm seated for Tay's messiness, frustration and anger; & annoyed at "hot takes" who don't know the lore, are poking for click bait, and not doing analysis. Meanwhile, this albums are GREAT but has half a dozen skips. Maddy's recommendation to have split it into two separate drops (by a fortenight) is a great idea. Edited to make shorter within 15 minutes of posting.

As a 60 year old lady, I loved the entire albumn. Is it for everyone? Nope!!! This project was from a period in time that hopefully not many ever have to experience themselves but if you did, you get it completely. There are some songs everyone will like and others that will fly right over their heads. I’m not a swifty but I have enjoyed Taylor’s music since she started. Just like any artist I like, not every song resonates with me, but this double albumn did.

I feel like I have had to literally be the one swiftie who is basically saying you just don’t get the album. So many new swifties are saying they like her because she has individual eras and her story telling yet their favorite albums are always her pop albums with catchy songs.

I see the chorus of Down Bad as a crash back to reality. A stark juxtaposition to the cosmic love.

the swiftologist single-handedly saving the taylor swift discourse. I either see mindless haters or swifties who worship taylor. you are one of the very few sane swifties around here.

Hi, thanks for the video. Loved it as usual. I was watching the 1975’s oh Caroline video and there are direct visual references to Taylor’e Delicate video. I gather that these people were writing songs that referred to each other’s work for quite some time. I would love it if you talk about that a little bit when you are in the mood to. This secret communication between two great artists absolutely blows my mind. I know they are at odds now. I do look forward to Matty’s take on what went down as you asked in the last Evolution of a Snake podcast: “what did you do to him?” There’s a part of the story we don’t know yet. Maybe it was the media circus/ the pressure of being a controversial person that Sarahs and Hannahs were quick to villainise or maybe he actually couldn’t cope with the whole guarded way in which one is to behave at that level of fame like Taylor. Or, he just chickened out. But his song Fallingforyou and Iamgonnagetyouback have direct parallels. He is an atheist and Taylor says she will choose them Religiously- all these contradictions it seems are very fundamental to the way Tay created TTPD. Almost to show her rage and hurt but also to show how inspiring his art has been for her. He is inspired by Peter Pan and those references to Peter. And, he has lyrics about putting things on the shelf and so does Tay. I just find this so intriguing. And I trust your take on everything Swift. I really wonder what your thoughts would be on this, Zach.

You've been busy babe. We appreciate it! ❤

OK, some text based arguments for The Alchemy being a Travis song: *Why all the football metaphors if not? She doesn’t usually choose her imagery willy nilly. *Alchemy: the process of turning mundane things into gold. Nobody thought Matty and Taylor were golden, but Miss Americana and the best tight end in the NFL? People went nuts. *The placement in the album. We’ve just had 14 tracks taking us through the Joe breakup and Matty interlude, ending with The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived: “Good riddance,” “I don’t miss you,” “I don’t miss what we had,” … why would she go back all of a sudden to the beginning of the relationship for one track? Makes more sense to me that this is a pivot away from the past and towards the future, and then we just get that gorgeous meditation on the industry in Clara Bow *The joke “Heroine with an E,” sure it coulddd be Matty making fun of himself, but the first 14 tracks indicate he is maybe not a drug-free as it had seemed, and isn’t just as likely that Travis made fun of Matty by saying, essentially, “Yeah, babe, YOU’RE my drug of choice.” OK, that’s it 💫

YES thank you, I’ve been a Taylor Swift fan since debut but recently I’ve felt completely alienated by most of the fandom just because I don’t care to talk about her current boyfriends and exes beyond what’s in the music. I find it funny that it used to be that fans focused more on the music and the general media focused more on her boyfriends and now it almost feels flipped.

I personally love TTPD, but I'm very aware that I'm a big swiftie, I'm familiar with the lore and have had time to sit with the album. I completely agree with you on most of your points. Is this a bad album? NO, absolutely not!! But, I don't think it's her best album. That is partly because Taylor has set a very high bar with her discography, but also, I think that Taylor had so much to say and is obviously very talented that sometimes the message didn't always land the way she wanted. The Paste article was actually ridiculous and, like you said, your words lose their merit when you don't put your name on it. That being said, no one should receive death threads and the fact that people go to the length of (verbal) violence is absurd. I do think that Taylor receives more criticism than most artists about having a similar sound on multiple albums, given the fact that most artists stick to one genre of music, but we should want her to keep challenging herself to be great/better/BEST.

Loved your analysis. I hope all the criticism and mixed reviews lead to something great. I trust in her words: “People greatly underestimate how much I’ll inconvenience myself to prove a point”. That’s how Speak Now, 1989, Reputation and Folklore were born.

Yes, taking your time with the album and replaying it all the way through has made me fall in love with so many songs. It also made me go back and watch old music videos of hers to see her progression. I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift since Tim McGraw. Knowing what we know now and going back to watch her while she was sick and then become healthy, but also people pleasing…. I saw a lot of that with ‘you need to calm down’. This album feels very much like hey I can’t do that anymore. I’m going to tell you the truth regardless of how you feel about it.

Swiftologist they could never make me hate you.

Yes please please make a video about Chappel Roan, her story is so interesting! Also.. Amy Winehouse? Please!

A Gaylors theory I saw on TikTok was that the whole album is about Karlie kloss 😂

I love Taylor's music and have all the lyrics memorized but I couldn't care less about her "lore". So to me Down Bad was a contrast between the sort of ethereal, "cosmic", feeling you feel when you're in love vs. the "down", grounded, more realistic version of it when it all comes crashing "down". Hence bringing up staring at the sky, yearning for that "heavenly" feeling again. ---- From my perspective the difference in the vibe of the verses vs. the chorus makes sense. Hopefully my comment does too lmaoooo

I can’t believe that this isn’t in people’s top 5 albums! This is one of the most raw and honest albums made in recent years. There are so many bops (MBOBHFT, Down Bad, imgonnagetyouback) and heartbreaking ballads or poetic moments (loml, Chloe et al., and The Manuscipt) Overall a 9/10 album.

the I hate it here controvery is dumb imo, yes its an odd lyric, but the amount of hate she would’ve gotten had she NOT mentioned “without the racists” would’ve been worse. It’s a clunky lyric and I think it could’ve been said better but i don’t see it as offensive.

Zack, you deserve to get PAID for this kind of content, truly. If I weren't already a patron, I'd be rushing over to sign up now, b/ c this is the kind of quality journalism I want to consume! I don't agree with all of your points, but you are def. making me think, and I can tell you didn't rush to any of these assertions quickly or lightly. Bravo!

I don’t understand the disturbing obsession people have with Taylor and Travis, it’s so creepy. I can’t imagine it being healthy for a relationship either when people are out here planning their wedding and if they’re gonna have kids. Just beyond disturbing and para social

honestly the way that online fandoms are now compared to how they used to be is really disheartening. i'm sure there have been thinkpieces about it, but the general inability to have a conversation online about ANYTHING has really driven me off a lot of platforms and out of fandom spaces generally. i'm not saying we didn't have discourse - og tumblr is literally famous for being feral - but it never felt like the conversation STARTED with someone telling you to unalive yourself the way it does now. everyone is just so mad for no reason. anyway great video as usual!!! thanks for churning out content like this, YOU are one of the writers/critics i consistently come back to for good, earnest takes

When the album was announced, people were outraged because they expected it to be a brutal grilling of Joe, a relatively small public person. That didn't happen, so now they need a quick excuse to villainize her and all this crap is the result. Sure, the lyrics are up for debate, but that should be a fun discussion, not a cross to bear.

Would you ever consider doing a video about your favorite lyrics in her discography? & what makes them so great? I found your commentary on show not tell really insightful as a fellow writer (not songs, novels). Would love to get some content diving into her writing style & what sets her apart from her peers.

Zach, here is my take on what you said about critics: I understand that you try to position yourself in a “middle ground” space, and you believe that this allows you have a completely “objective” bird’s eye view that isn’t tainted by either fanaticism or blind hate. However, I do think you are also falling into a bias by trying to stay objective, because well - objectivity doesn’t actually exist. As someone who studied Sociology in university, I can tell you that pretending to want to study/analyze something that you are a part of from an objective perspective will always be misleading, it’s utopian, it’s impossible. That’s my problem with journalism, this obsession to be “objective” and always see “both points of views” and “find the middleground” when the absolute TRUTH is a concept that does not exist. We are always speaking from a certain established position, a certain background we can’t erase, and I believe the best kind of journalism is the one that acknowledges that position, makes it transparent, and understands that we are speaking from a specific history with the topic at hand, a certain set of beliefs. I feel it is unfair for you to say that Rob Sheffield isn’t objective because he is a fan. So that means that people that are fans can’t be critical of the thing they love? Just because someone is a fan doesn’t mean he can’t be objective, just like you claim to be. He is speaking as a music critique that has been a follower of Taylor’s music for a while (which he speaks about), and he has an opinion on this album that is completely valid. Maybe you don’t agree, but it’s his experience with it. Other critics that haven’t connected with this album and maybe don't like it, are ALSO speaking from their own histories with Taylor’s music. No one is coming to this (or any opinion ever, be it political or entertainment) without a personal subjectivity that’s intertwined there. And in that sense, so are you. There isn’t an objective truth about this album that somehow you are going to get to by “taking off” different hats. I am a fan of Taylor’s , and I believe I am very capable of critical thinking. With that said, I believe that this album is her best work ever and I have a handful of reasons why I believe that (which I won’t go into because it’s not the place). I don’t think my condition as a fan makes this opinion less valuable or real. Music is SUBJECTIVE. You can try to create all the rules you want, like “pop music should sound like this” “albums should tick this and that box” but the reality is that music is ART, and ART is ever changing, dynamic, subjective, it connects to a part of us that is not RATIONAL. Of course there are works of art that are better than others, but if someone is creating something artistic that is resonating with SO MANY PEOPLE, then that means something. And being critical doesn’t necessarily mean trying to find things that are wrong with it just to prove that you are “objective”, of course nothing is going to be perfect, perfection doesn’t exist. Being critical also means analyzing, understanding, breaking things down, which you do SO well and it’s why I love your videos. But when there is something that massively resonates so much with so many people, maybe people should try to understand why that is. No one has the right to tell someone else that they can’t feel a certain way about art. The only thing that matters when critiquing art is being respectful and open minded. That’s it.

If you consider Taylor’s last two years, her relationship with Joe coming to an end, the conception of the Era’s tour and the extreme hard work, being lonely, being somewhat isolated for a while, the whole Ratie thing, being vulnerable, the new relationship with Travis and her mom’s ongoing illness. These songs seem like Throwing up her emotional pain. I can always find songs I like on her albums. I think this was a risk for her to put out as she often does not portray well. Good video.

Love your videos, Zack! I am an online lurker and rarely comment on anything. I really appreciate your knowledge and perspective. I’m two years older than Taylor and have been a fan since the very beginning with her debut album. I do definitely see where newer fans have “lost the plot”. Like you said, Taylor has always been very messy in her dating life. I vividly remember the Calvin Harris, Tom Hiddleston, Joe Alwyn drama. This current drama reminds me of that time period. The obsession with Travis Kelce is odd with a lot of fan projection. I have also been thinking about purpose of TTPD from a legacy standpoint. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Taylor decided to reveal Matty Healy as a longtime muse on the same album she name drops Stevie Nicks. The cover is even a bit reminiscent to Rumours. What narrative is more interesting: a pop star in love with an unproblematic B-list actor or a pop star in a tumultuous romance with a troubled rock star? I know which of those options I find more compelling and memorable. But Daddy I Love Him and The Black Dog are really great songs. Looking forward to further breakdowns from you.

This album is about the swifties not realizing we do the things her exes and snakes did. In fact, i would say we caused way more damage than kim ever did. This album is a breakup album to us. Shes leaving us in the hallway. We are vile, judgmental, vipers. One bad seed ruins the garden. We are scary and dangerous to her. Stop crashing weddings and waiting outside her door, creepers.

You always have so much to bring to the table Zach! Thank u for another amazing video with so many thoughtful takes and new perspectives to the conversation. Just wanna say that I’m a big fan of yours and hope you keep doing what you’re doing and reaching more and more people. Sending love from Brazil 💚

I eat up everything you put out but these critical video essays are my favorite. It’s such a breath of fresh air in the Swiftie space and I really value your opinion. I think my biggest thing with this project is how immense it is, and especially dropping the second album on the same night. I think it would have heightened my experience if we had been given a week or two to digest TTPD before The Anthology. And as much as I do love all the songs for different reasons, I agree that there were some that probably could have been left off to make it a cleaner product. Part of what makes The Vaults so special is getting access to something we didn’t have for years. But they were vaults for a reason, and we would look at them differently if they were all there from the start. I’d be perfectly happy if she just continued that idea and dropped vault tracks of albums she owns maybe in a period where she’s slowed down a bit. Having distance from the original work will make them more special, imo. As for Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, I’m super content with them continuing to work with her and I understand the comfort and trust she has is super important in her collaborations, but I would also love to see her branch out with new sounds from other production styles. Doesn’t have to be an entire album, but just to see her stretch herself. I also love the idea of her working with Liz Rose again or someone similar.

I was waiting for this video! I still have trouble articulating my feelings about this album. After my first listen I felt so overwhelmed because there is just SO MUCH going on on this album, and those big, messy lyrics you have pointed out don't really help. I still have trouble remembering which lyrics belong to which song, which made me feel a bit stupid. But 'but daddy I love him'? I've already remembered that because it's so catchy!

I love so much what you say about the Alchemy not being about Travis, as I thought it could also be about her re-finding the love and magic of performing live the Eras Tour as she spend the 1st part internally miserable and heartbroken. I also don’t care about who she’s dating and Tavis fans need to stop thinking they have a say in who she will end up with. Plus, her dating him doesn’t make him a stand up guy and perfect boyfriend (ask his exes about that) who deserves all the fame and acclaim he, and all his family and friends, are getting (like the podcast he cohosts with his brother, or selling out his jersey). Swifties used to love that Joe was private and helping Taylor being less over exposed, and no one is saying anything at how much Travis, and his family and friends, are using her name for their personal gains and hyper over exposing her. My social feeds are filled with quotes from Kelce and his relatives and buddies all saying their favorite Taylor songs is either “Shake it off” or “Bad Blood”, or other comment on Taylor no one cares or asked for, Dads proud to say they’re paying attention to their daughters now that they watch football with them, boy Moms transforming their son into mini Kelce… and other stuff i don’t care about, just because I’m a Swiftie… Plus So High School isn’t that flattering IMO, unless you’re into 34 year old frat boys who watches 1990s-2000s comedies and if you like to spend your evenings watching him play video games with his bros…😅. This song really takes me back to high school romances and it wasn’t my favorite era, but it can also mean that their relationship is still young and a bit superficial, which doesn’t mean it’s forever. Stop putting so much pressure on Taylor and entertaining this weird parasocial relationship… she’s going to do what she wants as she should since it’s her life and you dont get a say!

Thanks for the content zacky i was hungry 💀

Loved this! Zach, I always appreciate how much of a balanced perspective you bring. As someone who has followed Taylor from the very beginning, I appreciate the depth of insight you bring. I feel often feel frustrated with critics who just don’t get it because they do not take the time or careful insight to review the magic of her writing AND focus on the damn music not their opinion of who she is as a person! As a former literature teacher, I absolutely love her writing and I have used her songs in my classes to teach literary devices. I mean… “ you call me up again just to break me like a promise so casually cruel in the name of being honest. I’m a crumpled up piece of paper lying there because I remember it all too well”-it just doesn’t get much better than that! At the same time, I agree with you that it would be made better by having someone like Liz Rose who would really help her hone her skills yet again. Good writing is always made better by engaging collaboration- “ iron sharpening iron” and a good editor! Thanks so much for your content. I also really enjoy your writing and I’m grateful for the kind of journalistic integrity that you bring to your work 😊

Tell them. Also re: Liz Rose, i absolutely agree. I think part of the magic of that collaboration was that Taylor was working with a woman. I’d love to see her work with female producers because (and I love the Jack and Dessner collabs) it would inevitably bring something different out of Taylor. Jack is a talented and capable producer who has been able to work with many different artists and is very able to produce for those artists in vastly different ways. But I think it is undeniable that working with a female producer or producers of color would absolutely bring something different to the table and perhaps help Taylor elevate her artistry.

Love your videos as always! You are very good at articulating your thoughts in a well-concise and clear manner 👏🏼 Curious, how did you learn to do that so well?

Wow, what a well thought out, organized, and well articulated response to TTPD. I appreciated your insight into certain songs, considering they were contrary to how I had interpreted their meaning/poetics upon first listen. But I really appreciate your critique because it doesn't disparage her or her character, but instead looks at what the music or lyrics are missing and how they can be improved. Great video ❤

loved the video Zach, and I'd love to see more of this specific topic (music criticism on taylor, or general artist). I didn't connect too much with that idea that some songs were "unnacessery'', etc. But hearing it here, with more context, made me understand. Would you like to do a video about the ''internal" coherence and cohesion in an album? Loved this concept. I don't know if you have that feeling, but have you ever thought about the idea that Taylor doesn't have an album that is THE album? her unarguably best, like a really remarkable album in music history (for me a comparison would be Melodrama, Lemonade, Norman Fucking Rockwell, for recent albuns, and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Rumors, The Hounds of Love, or other albuns that i don't know, but I'd expect they are of artists like Fiona Apple, Joni Mitchel, Stevie Wonder, Bjork, etc). Have you ever thought about it in a similar way? I'd definitely watch a video about this!! Are you going to do a video (would love to see it featuring Madeleine) reorganizing the tracklist? i found it very confusing with the addition of The Anthology. Waiting anxiously for this!! Sorry for my mistakes, english is not my mother language, but i really love to watch your content, and it helps me a lot to expandmy knowledge of vocabulary and, ofc, Taylor Swift haha. thanks for your work, it's actually very necessary considering the level of swifities currently!!

This is hands down your best analysis yet, Zach. Every point is clear, well supported, and elegantly phrased. Your unconditional sympathy for Taylor mixed with your willingness to objectively critique the changes to her recent writing make you completely unique among people talking about her work right now, and a breath of fresh air in a world of nuance-less stan culture. As a writer, it’s cathartic to hear a non-hater give a technical breakdown of all the things that irritate me about TTPD. I feel like I can stop brooding about them now because another fair-minded person agrees with me.

I think she should work with Finneas next for her production, and it will give her such a new fresh challenge that she desperately needs.

Well written and insightful analysis! Thank you! Although I would add that I personally love Anthology, but agree that it seems out of place with TTPD. I wish it had been released more than 2 hours later. I don't think it's getting the slow, thoughtful attention it deserves because people can only get through the first 15 songs on TTPD before they are overwhelmed. Maybe her missive about closing the chapter truly is the reason why she released it all at once. It's a purge. I hear a woman who held a secret obsession in her heart for 10 years, only to come face to face with the reality of an addict. But that dream had been her secret hope of rescue from "the prophecy." Imagine the heartbreak-- but also the world-shaking range of emotions-- disappointment, anger, hurt, hollowness, etc. If that secret fantasy had been holding her up for years...Now that it's gone she may have experienced an existential schism and certainly felt an aching hole. No wonder the album is long and sometimes chaotic, and definitely inconsistent. The release seems hasty because it's an emotional purge. Editors be damned! She's ready to move on. I love it, and see greatness, but am still processing the fallout.

New to your work but am LOVING your work. Really great quotes and information pulled in from other sources and your own thoughts are wonderfully nuanced and complex. This makes my brain cells happy and has them fizzing off in new directions of their own about how I feel about and think about TTPD.

The hooks in these videos are truly on a different level!! Making an engaging 7 minute intro before even introducing yourself is so impressive and does not go unnoticed.

Hello Zach! Although I love the Madeline content, I've missed your solo analyses! I know you are still so busy, but when things calm down, I would love a video essay on the life and times of Jack Antanoff!

@theswiftologist hi i have a question for you. I know this will most likely NEVER happen and not sure how fitting the styles would be but your thoughts on taylor working with finneas? I mean what better than a HUGE PRODUCER such as finneas and the huge writer and vocalist as taylor. What are your thoughts on this collab? And do you think theres any world where it could happen? I dont think finneas would ever do a full album outside of himself or billie but what about a song or two on an album? I appreciate any thoughts shared wether positive or negative. Thank u.

My individualistic opinion is, I’m enjoying this non-edited version of albums. The scathing, vulnerable, tyrannical, forever heartbroken raw version of an artist. All the scribbles and legit art pieces combined in a double album. I believe this album is the closest that we will ever get to know our favourite artist Taylor Swift personally.

Love your hot takes Zack. I love that you’re not a brain dead swiftie as many other youtubers are. You constantly challenge the status quo and broaden the conversations to be had! I wish Taylor’s writing was more consistently great (looking at you, So High School😐). She’s got the artistry and the brains to do it, but seems bogged down. She and Jack can do some serious sonically different music like Fresh Out The Slammer and Guilty As Sin as you mentioned (both my faves from this album and her discography). I love Aaron’s work too and would like to see him being challenged more as well. My gripe with the Anthology is that I expected it to have a different sonical sound like the main album (debatable but I love the country elements without going truly back to her roots). What we got was folklore and evermore which had been done back to back. Like in your podcast yesterday, the second album wasnt needed and couldve easily been combined to the main whilst continuing the story and not diluting the material.

You cooked with the Travis thing king, everyone is way too invested with the most vanilla relationship!!!

That last line 👏🏽 This was spectacular as all your analysis videos tend to be. So well spoken, so fair. Take care!

Thanks for mentioning how weird people are with the Travis thing! I see so many disgusting comments about them that are mostly a projection of what they want: the marriage, the kids, the picture perfect life without an actual interest on the artistry of Taylor

I have been loving your takes lately. This video hits the nail on the head for how I have been feeling about the response to the album and my personal feelings about the album. Also, I have laughed out loud at the last few episodes of Evolution of a Snake.

I’m loving the amount of content u r giving us!! And the QUALITY ‼️‼️

I loved your video, and agreed with much of what you said, you covered so much, and expressed it all so well. I had a hard time getting through TTPD my initial listen, but I was exhausted before I even started, so that didn't help matters. Sonically, a lot of it did sound bland, tracks a bit too similar, no lyric videos were available, a must for me to comprehend the meaning of songs, so I barely got thru the 16 tracks, and unaware of the second album. I concluded that this album was likely just not my cup of tea, until I approached the next evening with the music video & lyric videos, I had a much more pleasant experience, and liked many of the tracks immediately, but quite a few took 3 listens to comprehend and appreciate. It really was a lot of work trying to assimilate, decode, & comprehend just half of it. I agree with much of the criticism, however I have to be honest, I really did end up liking most of the album,even the second album, but had I not been a fan, I likely would not have done the amount of work it took to get there. I am glad that I did though, but a casual listener would likely not take the time it requires to grasp everything enough to be able to appreciate it. This is not something one can consume in one sitting. I understand that this was a cathartic experience for her, and am grateful she wanted to share her unhinged, honest, embarrassing, and vulnerable experiences and state of mind. I personally can relate to everything she has shared, but suspect there are a lot of people who can not relate to it. I happen to like the title track "ttpd", and I understand why it needs to be there, and the picture she paints is likely an accurate one.

Bravo! Thoughtful and compelling as always. You have a sharp and beautiful mind and I always enjoy listening to your insights. Thank you.

One thing, not to be delusional: the Alchemy literally references trophies, (British) “blokes” sitting the bench, them being on a winning streak (back to back Grammys and Super Bowl, etc.), and the lyrics video has football stadium lights as an art piece 😅

Why did your thesis statement at the end make me wanna sob 🥹 powerful & well said. Love all your work!!! ✨

You have such an eloquent way of articuling your thoughts. I've really been struggling with my thoughts and feelings about this album as a from-the-beginning fan, and this helped a ton. I love your channel!

Great thoughts! Also, very interested in a chappell roan video like you mentioned in the intro!

Honestly, I think ttpd was for Taylor, not the fans. I agree that she’d benefit from finding different collaborators to work with, but I suspect she chose the comfort of a close friend over the potential of reinventing her sound once again.

also i feel like the dad in “but daddy i love him” is her fighting against her fans and the media

Zach, I’m new to your channel…and new to Swiftiehood (got into her when my 17 year old daughter started listening in summer 2022) BUT, I just had to comment that I love your insight and your lectures and your points. Excellently done. I’ll be eagerly awaiting new thoughts and perspective from you.

I absolutely agree with you that a visit to Liz would benefit Taylor lol I enjoy your videos, even when you are critiquing my favorite tracks. I love this album. There are some soul crushing songs on here. There are some tragic bops. Who’s Afraid…is my favorite and I don’t care if it’s too long-she does put narcotics in her songs 😅 I completely get the Travis stuff is creeping you out, it’s so weird how obsessed people are with who Taylor dates. It’s not newsworthy when they hold hands or he opens a car door. This album has turned everyone into music critics- when political commentators give a full review, while completely missing all of the meaning, it’s really just a hate bandwagon. Thank you for your honest reviews from a writer that is a fan perspective. You always give me something to think about 😊

I love watching your videos- it's SO refreshing seeing a swiftie who isn't afraid to offer criticism, which is a very welcome break!

Excellent analysis here. Especially the point you made about breaking away from jack and Aaron. Fabulous.

The thing that has been pissing me off is the fact that people shit on her for naming her album The Tortured Poets Department because it's a a stretch to call herself a tortured poet. And I'm just thinking that people absolutely did not understand a single thing about the album's name or theme....

Stop with the online bullying in general. It’s so uncalled for

I’ve been a fan since Fearless and this new album had left me a bit cold upon the first hearing. While I I could pinpoint the faults of the album very early on it was harder for me to see its virtues. Watching your reaction and the videos with Madeline has helped me a lot with that. It takes a while to digest and I enjoy it a lot more after a few days. But even though I see its brilliance now there is still something off. Your critical approach while still being a hardcore fan is fantastic and refreshing. I LOVED this video.

Zach. Thank you. Really. Hearing your well researched ideas about all of these topics is a breath of fresh air. We all love Taylor, but that shouldn’t be a impediment to have some criticism of our own. So thank you for this video. It was as expected as the new album itself. ❤

Thanks for your critique, Zach! You always get me thinking. For me TTPD needed a lot of repetition. After a week it’s feeling more cohesive, but I think that’s because I’m getting used to it. I view it as a giant “catch us up” session - basically closing chapters while telling us what she’s learned. Kind of like when you get together with a good friend you haven’t seen for a while and stuff just comes spilling out. Closing the Matty Healy chapter required providing a lot of information because she hid the importance of that relationship for a decade while secretly swirling him into all of her poems. She grinds the Kimye axe one more time, but there’s some new information: “This turned out to be a blessing in disguise,” along with “I win.” There is some material that doesn’t fit my notion of “Let’s review what I’ve been up to and what I’ve learned, then we’re going to leave this behind” but it’s my working theory. Sonically I love this album, though eventually there might be a few skips. She may or may not rein herself in for the next album - I agree that now that she’s in charge, who knows? Only recently she said during a speech that she’s been doing a lot less what other people think she should do and a lot more of whatever the hell she wants. I’m here for it, messy or tidy. 🤩

THANK YOU for being sane. I mean, you're typically saner than the average Swiftie, but after the last week and a half this video is a breath of fresh air.

Zack can you do a video on Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? The song is vague and also feels like so many things: a a genuine reflection on how fame treats young women as Taylor said; Taylor actually threatening and warning everyone not to mess with her, kind of owning her reputation for draconian control and retaliation; and sometimes reads as a justification for her behavior, even maybe referencing punching down at Olivia. Just analyzing it. Can you do a video on TTPD addition to Taylor talking about fame?