The Tortured Poets Department is the eleventh studio album released by singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Released on April 19, 2024 and consisting of sixteen tracks, this is Swift’s most recent declaration of love and heartbreak. The production on the album is phenomenal, and listening to the differences between each track keeps the listener on their toes.
TTPD features two other artists, one of whom, Post Malone, kicks off the opening number, “Fortnight”. This is a smooth, sad song full of yearning, and it is described by Swift as “fatalistic.” It sets the perfect tone for the album, longing and melancholic. “Fortnight” also serves as a direct contrast to the other featured song, “Florida!!!”, with Florence and the Machine, a hard-hitting track about escape and reinvention.
For me, the title track is one of the best examples of the pop-synth vibe of the album. The background synthesizer gives the song a whimsical, airy feeling, even with its downhearted lyrics.
TTPD was released almost a year after the announcement of the breakup between Swift and her former partner Joe Alwyn. This event has inspired some quintessential breakup songs, especially in the form of the most tragic tracks on the album, “So Long, London”, and one of my personal favorites off the album, “loml”. The echoes and harmonies of the former track give it a beautifully haunting sound, while the soft piano of the latter creates a sorrowful but nostalgic sound. These songs are heart-wrenching, indicating that Swift believes Alwyn was truly her person.
Swift continues this trend with a fan favorite breakup song, “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”. This one is especially notable, being an open letter to Swift’s thoughts and feelings while touring, during the heart of her breakup with Alwyn. Fans who have attended the Eras Tour can attest to the strength and truth this song conveys, and everyone can enjoy a good cry while watching the lyric video.
And of course no Taylor Swift album is complete without a song conveying her power and strength, both as an artist and as a woman, and TTPD is no different. For this album, Swift’s power song, “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?”, is a hard-hitting track that conveys her thoughts on her treatment within the music industry. It’s a great song for anyone that needs to hype themselves up, and it’s a great look into the unfair difficulties that Swift has endured in her many years as a musician.
The closing track on the album, “Clara Bow”, is another of my favorites. It’s a beautiful production, introducing the listener to several great female artists, namely Clara Bow, Stevie Nicks, and Swift herself. The acoustic guitar makes for a lovely, soft track that still imbues the listener with Swift’s feelings on how all women are treated within her industry.
Overall, TTPD is a beautiful album that offers fans a great look into Swift’s emotions during the trials and tribulations of her recent life. While all of the tracks are great experiences, and each has something to offer, a few of them can get lost in the cracks as the album goes on. Despite this fact, TTPD is perfect for anyone looking for an collection full of honesty and emotion.
And if you like this album, you might also like Nicole by NIKI or Immunity by Clario.
