Reviews of Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’ album are in. Here’s what critics are saying

“Exquisite,” “introspective,” “emotionally raw,” “breathtaking” and “radically intimate” are just a few ways critics have described Taylor Swift’s surprise new album, “Folklore,” which debuted Thursday night after the pop star unveiled the title and track list Thursday morning. “The album is ruminative and dreamy, the work of an artist who, cut off from the everyday world, turned inward, following the rushing rapids of her imagination and scooping up songs as they flowed past.” Variety called “Folklore” the singer-songwriter’s “most overtly contemplative — as opposed to covertly reflective — album since the fan favorite ‘Red.’” “Actually, that’s an understatement,” Variety’s Chris Willman wrote. “‘Red’ seems like a Chainsmokers album compared to the wholly banger-free ‘Folklore,’ which lives up to the first half of its title by divesting itself of any lingering traces of Max Martin-ized dance-pop and presenting Swift, afresh, as your favorite new indie-electro-folk/chamber-pop balladeer.” USA Today similarly lauded Swift for “switching up her sound once again” and reminding audiences that “she’s the most gifted songwriter in music today.” “Every track on the decidedly un-radio-friendly album is a treasure trove of evocative metaphors and diary-like lyrics, managing to capture familiar feelings in ways you didn’t know were possible,” USA Today’s Patrick Ryan wrote. “‘My Tears Ricochet’ feels like a sister to the Imogen Heap co-written ‘Clean’ from ‘1989’, only this time a megawatt pop song is encased in layered vocals and twinkling music box instrumentals.” Several publications, including Teen Vogue, particularly complimented the storytelling prowess Swift brings to the “character-driven” lyrics on “Folklore.” “‘Folklore’ comprises mini-narratives that shape themselves around the after effects of emotional blasts, those feelings that ricochet after the initial hit and the subsequent euphoric shock,” wrote Teen Vogue’s P. Claire Dodson. “It’s the album embodiment of sitting with uncomfortable feelings or with months of isolated self-reflection.” The Independent compared the song “Cardigan” — the emotional music video for which Swift created in quarantine and released along with the album — to the “yearning cadence” of Lana Del Rey, while also commending Bon Iver singer Justin Vernon’s “pummeling lower register” as a featured artist on “Exile.” “There are no pop bangers here, just exquisite, piano-based poetry,” the Independent’s Roisin O’Connor wrote.