Xisuma’s Musical Journey: Taylor Swift “Folklore” (2020)
Unlike Swift’s other records I’ve indulged in, Folklore swept me under its spell swiftly… excuse the unspectacular pun. From the very get-go, it establishes a cozy campfire warmth with gentle embrace. Swaying within its own mellow demeanour, soft minimal percussion lines drift in the undercurrent, housing a cast of homely instruments above.
Like a soothing blanket, soft emotive strings, shimmering acoustic guitars, lush pianos and subtle accompaniments croon on a collective textural ambience. With an inspired touch of Americana charm and Dream Pop spirit, these Folk inspired numbers find an easy musical beauty that fails to tire across its sixteen shades of tale telling lore.
Cast afront this gorgeous ensemble, Taylor indulges us as the cool casual. An effortless presence of expression that drifts from the spoken word, to softly sung, to ending in these striding swells of endearing emotion. Often layered and toying with reverberated ambiences, Folklore inspires itself from route writing to artistic painting.
Recorded and released amid the Covid pandemic, its themes seem entirely unrelated to the stresses many were under. Rather, Folklore feels like a set of fictional present memoirs, storeys reflecting on relational situations told from intriguing perspectives. Only on occasion do these tales seem like a device to explore ones own struggles.
Mostly, her lyrics shape up a deep sense of introspection channeled into creative fictions. This leads to a cast of striking one-liners. “When you are young they assume you know nothing”, “I’ve seen this film before and I didn’t like the ending”, “You showed me colours you know I can’t see with anyone else”. Its rich with such gems.
As a whole, Folklore has a stunning depth of artistry and inspiration playing out on all fronts. Despite its nuanced disposition, the quiet cast of instruments stir up aromatic emotions full of warmth, littered with a touch of nostalgic melancholy. Somehow, they spin this calm temperament through an extensive range of soulful resonances.
Rating: 9/10
