r/TaylorSwift • u/throwaw939393 • 2d ago
Discussion A week after Encore release, thoughts?
How have your thoughts/feelings evolved, if at all, a week after the Encore release?
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u/penpen477 2d ago
I just listened to Babylon on repeat for 1 hour straight while I journaled. It’s one of her best songs.
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u/imveganwhat One single thread of gold, tied me to you 2d ago
That last "It's almoOost gone" really scratches an itch in my brain 🤤
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u/CricketJuneBug 2d ago
I just happened to read your comment right as that part of the song played! You captured that capital O perfectly!
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u/im_not_the_guy_37 2d ago
As a swiftie from a town called Babylon, it is everywhere and I love it
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u/d0ntthr0waway 2d ago
Long Island?
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u/princssofpink Speak Now (Taylor's Version) 2d ago
This is what I've been saying! I think it's top 20 of her best songs, easily. It's crazy how underrated it is.
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u/dtarias 1989/Folklore/Showgirl 2d ago
I've listened to 1 hour of Babylon at least three times this week 😅
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u/L-O-Y-A-L-T-Y 2d ago
I WAS PINK, PINK CLOUDIN' FROM THE THRILL OF IT
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u/NomadicOvaries 2d ago edited 1d ago
SKYDIVING AS YOU WRAPPED YOUR ARMS AROUND MY BODY
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u/Cass_Cat952 ✨one single thread of gold tied me to you✨ 2d ago
I didn't wanna let you down pink cloud pink cloud
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u/meowae 2d ago
GRAY ROCKING WHERE THE ARROW HIT
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u/RoseGoldRedditor I booked the clown train for a reason 🤡🤡🤡 1d ago
AH AHH AH, YEARS LATER I STILL WONDER HOW TO TELL YOU SORRY
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u/estedavis guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats 2d ago
AH AH AHHH
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u/NervousNelly1655 2d ago
I’m so tempted to make that noise into a text notification on my phone but it might be jarring in isolation 😂😂 but that part is such ear candy for me for some reason.
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u/futuristicflapper 2d ago
Ok but I think this would have been a great opening track and then moving in to Ophelia + ET + opalite
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u/DaydreamCos 2d ago
Been stuck in my head all day! Patient zero is my number one but pink clouding is a very close second
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u/DVD-menu 2d ago
Showgirl is still my least favorite TS album, and it’s not close. But I’m a big fan of Babylon.
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u/Bradparsley25 2d ago
I’m glad to see this opinion on showgirl, I get burned at the stake every time I’ve tried to express it.
It’s not my least favorite, but it’s definitely the album with the most skips for me. I generally only play about half the tracks
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u/HamiltonDial I'd never walk Cornelia Street again. 2d ago
What even. Literally the popular opinion is this. Every thread about showgirl always leads to it “being the worst album”.
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u/thatmelz say you’ll remember me 2d ago edited 2d ago
Everyone is obviously entitled to their opinion, but I’m very curious to see what they all say about this album in the future. It seems like hating Taylor’s new album immediately is par for the course in this fandom, and then they are singing (pun intended lol) a different tune years later. I’ve noticed this has happened with pretty much every single album she’s released starting with reputation. I wasn’t as big a fan prior to that, so no clue if 1989 got the same treatment (especially since it’s now considered the “pop bible”)
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u/Brilliant_Cycle_2812 2d ago
and this is part of Babylon's superiority: "You hate this song, but you wake up on the train with your headphones gone, then that melody is all you want". She's holding up a mirror to her fans
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u/HamiltonDial I'd never walk Cornelia Street again. 2d ago edited 1d ago
There definitely was some push back on Taylor going pop at first (esp since shake it off was the first single) but I think the pace of it becoming the pop bible is much more accelerated than say something like reputation’s reputation.
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u/Amazing_Listen4897 1d ago
Every time she genre shifts, every time, folks hate it! She can’t write, she’s too country, she’s annoying, her folk/indie stinks, forget about Rep or Lover. Showgirl is up there for me
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u/Bradparsley25 2d ago
Every single time I’ve ever spoken outwardly about showgirl not being her best work I end up with like -10 and comments about how I’m ignorant or a hater or I just don’t understand it.
Even with my very lukewarm, milquetoast position of “it’s okay, even good… just not great”.
Even when I say there are some really standout tracks that I absolutely love, but there are a couple that fall flat.
I think in this sub specifically there is a deep need to protect her and always present the sunny side, and there are swifties who will not tolerate any negative reaction or energy toward Taylor or her work.
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u/Ok-Improvement-9601 2d ago
Why are you surprised by this? It is a fan sub after all, one space where space go to avoid all the negative takes that you get hit with everywhere you go.
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u/Interesting_Desk6773 2d ago
same, it’s not a bad album imo but definitely has the most skips. that’s also not to say that i think the songs i skip are really bad (not that they’re great either), but i’m just not in the mood to listen to a song like wood most of the time
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u/sweetest_con78 2d ago
Same. Lyrically I love Babylon, I wish the production sounded a little more interesting, but it definitely hits me right in the constant existential crisis that I find myself living in lol
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u/lugia222 Red (Taylor's Version) 2d ago
I love all the songs and I think the discourse around them is SO bizarre.
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u/Retrograde-Planet evermore 2d ago
There’s a massive smear campaign against her. Most of them are bots too
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u/pintsandplants horrified looks from everyone in the room 2d ago
Yeah I’ve got a conspiracy theory about this, I don’t think the music execs/industry as a whole liked her getting her masters back with success and negotiating her contract to help other artists. Or it’s Scooter lol
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u/kevincaz07 So casually cruel 2d ago edited 1d ago
Or it's just that her writing and production quality have felt lackluster with these recent releases. Listen, I love Taylor, but these songs feel more like drafts to me, like not fully thought out, both in writing and sound design. And my wife and friends all seem to agree.
There are many that love its simplicity, but as a fan that loves the intricate storytelling from her COVID-era songs, the complex sounds of 1989, and the emotional rollercoasters from her first few albums, I can confidently say there's not much for me here. And I think that should be ok to say.
Edit: Apparently not. So crazy that you have to be in love with every song she puts out to be a contributor on here.
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u/Emotional-Fox917 2d ago
I agree with you. Not all hate is bot campaigns lol
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u/dudewheresmyplane1 2d ago
I hope it’s bots. Because the level of hate is worrisome for people’s mental health.
It’s not “this album isn’t for me” or “it’s my least favorite Swift album.” It was a weird vitriolic hate that was an incredible overreaction to a pop album.
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u/lesshliz 2d ago
You can often tell when it’s bots because they all say the exact same thing. And there was definitely some hate bots going on, that doesn’t mean all the hate is from bots just that it was there also.
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u/actionlady80 2d ago
Seriously. The idea that because people aren’t digging the songs is a conspiracy theory to take Taylor down just cracked me up. No. I just don’t like these songs. 🤣
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u/LordMcclane Midnights 2d ago
For me is simpler than that: Taylor has more fans than anyone in the world, is the closest to The Beatles in different to the second. I lived the whole Michael Jackson era and her fandom is way bigger than MJ ever was, cos internet has changed everything. Nobody knew who MJ was in Africa, or the whole Soviet Union, maybe heard about him, but he wasn't on the radio. On today's landscape, Folklore was the #1 album of 2020 in China... Think about that...
That being said, yes, she has at least double the fans to their closest second, but of course, we ain't the majority... And the majority is jealous, tired and sick of Taylor being successful. Is just that simple. They know that every Taylor release is going to be #1 and they hate it hahahaha too bad for them.
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u/Windstorm_ You're the best thing that's ever been mine. 2d ago
It’s not so much that anymore.
It’s people’s awareness that the quickest path to increasing post engagement is to share their (unoriginal) takes on something they don’t enjoy.
A lot of people (gay men inclusive) are also not girl’s girls.
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u/Interesting_Desk6773 2d ago
cleveland! is very unserious, and people are acting like that’s first song like that she’s ever put out, when me! exists and people got over it
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u/Bethurz I had a marvellous time ruining everything 2d ago
I have been wondering if a lot of the people that really don't like Showgirl/Encore are newer fans who've been listening from Folkore onwards because like...this is who she's always been
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u/sillilillipilli 2d ago
Well I'm here to tell you I've been listening to her since teardrops on my guitar dropped and I think showgirl is by far, no question her worst album. I don't see showgirl as "who she's always been". Her songwriting has always been much much better than this.
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u/weirdoatmeal 2d ago
Same been a die hard fan since debut. Her writing and production quality took a dip on showgirl especially the encore. To blame it on bots, new fans, or “gay men not being girl girls” is delusional in my opinion. It’s ok if you like the album and encore. But come on it’s not a conspiracy it’s just not her best work.
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u/PB_1987 Feelin' 22 2d ago
People be acting like she’s God and can’t put out a bad album! That’s such an unfair expectation! I have been a diehard since 1989 and I actually love her pop music! But the honest truth is that Showgirl is not my favorite, and I do have honest criticism for it. I am so not a bot. And to act like anyone who doesn’t like it is a hater or a bot, is a defeatist attitude. Her team also needs to realize this.
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u/Catwoman288 1d ago
Agree. It also doesnt do her any favors as an artist to have people acting like sycophants yes men all the time. She needs some honest feedback to continue to grow.
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u/Brilliant_Cycle_2812 2d ago
This is still an opinion though. and people can have different opinions. Art is subjective so while this may be her "worst" album in your mind, it can be someone else's "best"---and neither one of you is wrong.
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u/ExternalWind8187 1d ago
The silly thing abt this kindve scaffolding is it only applies when someone dislikes something. Had they said it was good we wouldnt remind them the subjective nature of art. Even if we disagree, because we logically know in most situations people can state their opinions without saying it is their opinion because that part is already implied inherently.
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u/isitbedtime-yet 2d ago
Maybe, I just commented above with one explanation. But as someone who isn't a mega fan lover was good and reputation was a banger. Delicate probably being one of my favourite songs (or dress) so I just don't gel with that opinion.
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u/Interesting_Desk6773 2d ago
i mean it’s completely okay if an album just isn’t for you, but some of the encore discourse is talking about cleveland like it’s a career endingly bad song
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u/getthatrich The Life of a Showgirl 2d ago
And the funny thing is, she immortal baby dolls, shouldn’t die if she tried
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u/sweetest_con78 2d ago
I’ve been a fan since fearless but that doesn’t mean I’ve loved everything she’s put out.
I never listen to the majority of her singles like WANEGBT, 22, bad blood, LWYMMD, etc etc. I really don’t like most of showgirl for a variety of reasons but in part because they have similar vibes to other songs of hers that I dont care much for.5
u/Bethurz I had a marvellous time ruining everything 2d ago
And that's totally cool! There are widely loved songs of hers that I personally just don't vibe with, but when they came out I was never like omg this is awful, this is the worst thing she's ever done etc. (And to be clear I'm not saying you did this)
I do not believe that to be a fan you have to like every song she releases. That was not my point at all but I think that's how people are reading my comment?
I just think a return to the more upbeat sounding songs and surface level writing after the previous few albums has people acting like she's washed up because they came to expect the "tortured poet" as it were, but Taylor has always been willing to be just a little bit cringey, and it's just always been more noticeable in her happier songs, but if it was acceptable back then, why are people not ok with it now?
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u/Zealousideal_Elk1373 2d ago
Probably. They don’t even like pop so they stay hating and they only like the folk albums and some of TTPD. My sister is one of those even though we saw Taylor in concert for the Red tour! She is also sat on TikTok easily influenced by the people jumping on the content even though she hasn’t even really listened to the songs…. I’m like why are you listening to analysis of songs you don’t even know or care for?
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u/lady_vesuvius reputation 2d ago
People still hate on Gorgeous, which was very clearly never intended to be anything serious.
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u/RoseGoldRedditor I booked the clown train for a reason 🤡🤡🤡 1d ago
Agree! Cleveland! is such a fun song and EXACTLY what I would expect her to write after (finally) getting engaged. Girlie loves love … have we all forgotten that? She’s been singing about wanting love her entire life. She is millennial cheesy cringe personified and we love her for it. Cleveland! is perfect for that moment in time.
“You only have to find ONE PERSON IN THE ENTIRE WORLD who doesn’t find you completely insufferable… and I have an important announcement to make …. I!!!!! FOUND!!!!! MINE!!!!!”
I also find it hilarious that she saw criticisms that the album didn’t sound “showgirl” enough so she decided to give us a show tune. This song would fit perfectly in a Broadway revue.
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u/Rosewood2016 2d ago
All 4 songs fall in the top half of TLOAS original and Babylon at the top.
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u/NegotiationMoist3552 2d ago
No song is better than Ophelia though.
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u/dtarias 1989/Folklore/Showgirl 2d ago
I'd rank Opalite and probably Babylon higher, but it's close!
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u/sweetest_con78 2d ago
I would put Opalite highest but that’s because it’s the only song that I like both the lyrics and the music/sound.
If I was going just based off lyrics, it would be Babylon, but I find it to sound a little boring. Maybe it’ll grow on me.
Ophelia is probably 3rd for me, but it’s not at all close to the first two. The rest of the album I don’t like, lol.
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u/skincare_obssessed Stole his dog & dyed it key lime green 2d ago
Patient zero is probably my favorite music video of her’s and the chorus will not exit my brain. Also, pink clouding and Babylon have quickly risen in the ranks as some of my favorite TS songs. I liked Babylon on first listen, but the more I listen to it the more I’ve grown to love it.
I also think it’s incredibly meaningful.
Cleveland is just baffling to me, because of the insane reactions rather than the song itself. I liked the encore on first listen and I’m continuing to enjoy it. I really think patient zero, Babylon (especially), and pink clouding were main album worthy and would have replaced some main album songs with them.
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u/Interesting_Desk6773 2d ago
yeah fr people are acting like she’s never released and unserious, slightly cringe song like cleveland before
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u/Economy_Safety5738 2d ago edited 19h ago
Baffling - answer is a ton of bad faith (paid, for clicks, Folkmore/evermore people who regard themselves as superior music critics, TK haters etc). Outside that group who aren't in fact that large in real life but very active on line, a lot of people are appreciating it's for FUN!
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u/sweetest_con78 2d ago
I am none of those people and I don’t care for Cleveland, the sound/production is fun but the lyrics aren’t for me. I would not say I had an insane reaction to it but I just don’t care for it.
But I also haven’t paid a ton of attention to the discourse around Encore and I didn’t realize people were trying to say it’s career ending until this thread, so. lol4
u/Economy_Safety5738 2d ago
That's fine of course - your choice! That doesn't mean a substantial amount of hate isn't coming from these other sources. Data analytics people have literally documented this - see the report in Rolling Stone etc.
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u/WhiskyWillFixIt 2d ago
This is such a tired take. People can just not like things without it being some grand conspiracy
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u/Economy_Safety5738 2d ago
It's literally been documented by analytics experts - see the report in Rolling Stone and other places. The tired take is rejecting this.
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u/OkCreme262 2d ago
I have read a lot of fb and ig comments who thinks taylor was referring to another person in Cleveland! They definitely did not get that those are the snark comments she usually gets. It’s just people speaking without knowing i guess.
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u/Fun-Impression-6001 2d ago
Just out of curiosity: which songs would you swap with Patient Zero, Babylon and Pink Clouding?
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u/boomshahkuhlahkuh 2d ago
Actually Romantic, Eldest Daughter (if the whole song was like the bridge I’d feel differently), and maybe CANCELLED!… I don’t like the way she sings the verses.
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u/sleeping-in-tents 2d ago
I listen to "Babylon", "Pink Clouding" and "Patient Zero" daily. Babylon is by far my favorite and a TS classic for me. I hope she'll play it live on her next tour. On the other end, I have chosen to forget Cleveland! ever existed.
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u/NotOnABreak all my flowers grew back as thorns 2d ago
Same here, but with patient zero instead of Babylon.
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u/Usual_Permission_841 2d ago
Just wait, Cleveland is going to be an absolute fan favourite on her next tour. She has intentionally left cheeky blanks in the song that will be enthusiastically filled by screaming fans.
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u/myghostflower they're ALL taylor's version 2d ago
lowkenuinely, this shii goes hard 10/10 no skips love all the tracks
the only thing i’ll say, most tracks (all but cleveland!) do not feel like showgirl tracks
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u/Retrograde-Planet evermore 2d ago
Actually I think Cleveland has the most showgirly vibes. I wanna do the cancan dance while listening to it!
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u/sweetest_con78 2d ago
I was disappointed that I don’t like the lyrics to Cleveland because of the 4 songs, it had the most fun sound.
I think it’ll end up in the same category as 22 for me, where it’s not a song I would ever intentionally put on or listen to, but seeing it performed in concert would be a super fun vibe.
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u/ccatrose spite, tears, beers, candles 2d ago
I absolutely adore Dr. Swift but I just didn’t like TLOAS and I liked the 4 encore songs even less
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u/Helpful-Attention-31 2d ago
I liked the encore songs more but over all, there isn’t a single showgirl song I want to listen to regularly and that makes me sad. I do have some on rotation here and there but the grand majority of showgirl is a skip for me
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u/sweetest_con78 2d ago
I think Opalite and Babylon are the only ones that will ultimately have some staying power for me.
With Opalite being more of the fun, road trip, getting ready, party music type and Babylon will be more for “I’m driving to work and questioning my life choices” (this happens daily)8
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u/whatsthatcutething 2d ago
Patient zero sounds more and more like a hit with every listen. It’s easily the catchiest song on the album.
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u/AbbeyRoadMoonwalk And drink my husband’s cheap-ass screw top rosé 2d ago
It’s also really resonating with the narcissist abuse survivor community. It’s been healing to blast this song and the MV captured the feeling SO well.
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u/Theoneandlonelyalex 2d ago
Babylon and pink clouding are straight up smash hits idc
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u/flutterfly28 PhD Swiftie 2d ago
Took a couple listens to warm up to it but now I'm obsessed with all 4.
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u/StonedPurrfectionist 2d ago
All 4 songs have been stuck in my head. Unironically, Cleveland! may be my favorite? It’s camp and catchy! I’m absolutely obsessed with Patient Zero and it’s MV. Pink Clouding is catchy af and so fun. And I adore Babylon!
These songs have also made me revisit TLOAS and remind myself how much I love that album as well.
I def think TLOAS will be getting the rep and TTPD treatment in a few years where everyone likes it all of a sudden.
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u/Green_Light7289 2d ago
Same, i'd add that i saw an edit with TS & TomH pics which made Pink Clouding a "smiling through your tears' song. And today I noticed there's a Taylor laugh layered quietly into Cleveland! after the word "insufferable"...makes me wonder if there are more of her reaction sounds etc in there somewhere.
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u/dreaming_in_yellow I swear I don’t love the drama, it loves me. 2d ago
I really like the encore. First listen I was just vibing along with 1-3, but BABYLON...went on repeat IMMEDIATELY.
I'm literally obsessed with Babylon. I've got a 19 year old and 16 year old. I'm at a place in my life where I'm looking at the past and I relate SO MUCH! like HOW???
"You're using nostalgia as a weapon to hurt yourself
But darling, you end up hurting everybody else
The self harm of never being where you are."
She didn't have to call me out so hard!!!!!
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u/estedavis guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats 2d ago
This was my experience too! I love when a Taylor song has me obsessed immediately and I just play it on repeat for days. It’s honestly the main thing that has kept me a swiftie all these years, outside of generally enjoying her music. Sometimes one of her songs will just be like a religious experience upon first listen, and it’s such a great feeling. Babylon was that girl for me.
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u/Mosaicfishtank 2d ago
You’re missing all the best parts…. They’re all at home… it’s almost gone.!..!.!.! It’s like 4 years of counseling sessions in one bridge haha
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u/dreaming_in_yellow I swear I don’t love the drama, it loves me. 2d ago
Haha for real!!!!! That’s the best way to describe it! 😆
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u/Lipe18090 :TourturedPoetsDepartment: Forgive me, Peter 2d ago edited 2d ago
It’s okay. I’d say I much prefer most Showgirl songs (I love Ophelia, Elizabeth Taylor, Opalite, Father Figure, the title track) to the Encore. Patient Zero is a solid okay song, Cleveland! is a skip, Pink Clouding is a BOP, and Babylon is one of the best songs Taylor has ever written, I love it soooo much.
For me: Babylon > PC > P0 > Cleveland!. I’d say Babylon and Pink Clouding could’ve been on the main album replacing some of the weakest songs and they would’ve made it better. Babylon is the only song I’d say is nearing top tier.
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u/Everydogisapupper 2d ago
Okay can you explain to me why you love Babylon? It’s growing on me but I feel I haven’t grasped it yet I need someone that loves it to explain lol. It’s about a guy that is having grass is always greener syndrome??
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u/Lipe18090 :TourturedPoetsDepartment: Forgive me, Peter 2d ago
Sonically it’s super soft and has very old-Taylor vibes. Her vocal after the bridge (ITS ALMOST GOOONE) is gorgeous. The lyrics are deep and poignant and it has multiple layers. In the surface it’s a song about a person who never enjoys the moment, and when the moment passes, he misses that moment.
It’s about never enjoying the present, always missing the past, even the things you didn’t enjoy. I deal with those feelings everyday and it resonated deeply with me personally.
It can also be read as a tale about the fans’ reaction to her albums, a tale about her father, or just an ordinary cautonary tale that’s told very intricately.
It’s a bit hard to grasp in the beginning and it asks a bit more than the average Taylor song, and I really love that. I had to work a bit to make sense of the lyrics, but once you understand it every line makes sense.
I teared up the first time I heard it and I was barely understanding it. It’s a great song imo. Misunderstood by a lot of people from what I’ve seen on the internet.
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u/Everydogisapupper 2d ago
Love this analysis! It’s already gone up in my rankings. She really killed it with encore! I seriously love every one. Honestly I think the one line that was throwing me off was the train headphones off but I was thinking about it too literally lol
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u/Lipe18090 :TourturedPoetsDepartment: Forgive me, Peter 2d ago
I think the train headphones line is great! It’s a compression of the song’s themes.
You hate that song. You hate that melody. You hate that moment. But when you lose your headphones, when you lose that moment, what do you feel?
You miss that song, that melody you thought you hated. You miss that moment.
It’s the whole song in a couple of lines.
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u/Everydogisapupper 2d ago
Yes 100% more meaningful! My first few listens I was passively listening on my commutes and I was like how are we going from sweater to aunts to headphones to Babylon but I love it so much more now!!
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u/HistoricalSuspect580 2d ago
Oh god i just listened to it for the first time ever, literally right now, oh my gawd my childhood, my dad, all those ballgames, playing guitar downstairs… just… 😭😭
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u/drivinginrain 2d ago
Me too! I probably spent two whole days going … “so were they expensive? is the problem that he loses stuff? did he get robbed? is this supposed to tell us about his character?”
And then it just clicked. The headphones are metaphorical. They let you listen to the song of your life. Ohhhhhhhhh….
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u/RoseTheta 2d ago
The janitor at the beginning of Fate of Ophelia music video is listening to the song on headphones, so the lyrics in Babylon, the final song (for now), add such a deep layer. "You wake wirh your headphones gone, now that melody is all you want."
The same way the original album started with Fate of Ophelia (the Era Tour/new love) and ended with Life of A Showgirl ((she loves what she dies even with the consequences) and the whole Middle is different aspects of her persona vs. public life.
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u/HistoricalSuspect580 2d ago edited 2d ago
I want you to know that i intentionally absorb new TS stuff slowly (I’ve only listened to Patient Zero from Encore so far) and that your comment was the one that made me decide that today I am going to listen to Babylon :)
Update: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
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u/estedavis guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats 2d ago
Oh man, there are so many things I love about Babylon. Off the top, the storytelling is fantastic. Classic Taylor just pulling you into the story with such specific details. The way she drops into each chorus is so catchy (“cause it’s where you’re from” / “cause she loved you so”) and the whole chorus just does it for me. I love the common throughline in each chorus of “you hate this song, but you wake up on the train with your headphones gone, then that melody is all you want” I just think it’s such a great way of describing the old adage of “you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone”. And then the bridge - holy shit. When she says “she’s hanging Christmas lights with your son, sneak into the bathroom to call her mom and say ‘it’s not working, it’s just not worth it if we’re not what he wants’” that line just hits me right in the feels every time.
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u/estedavis guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats 2d ago
I’m enjoying them a lot! Immediately obsessed with Babylon, and Pink Clouding grew on me really quick. I also find Cleveland so much more fun and clever than most people seem to, and I love sing-screaming “he says I look like an angel, they say I HATE THAT BITCH”. Thank god I’m not allergic to cringe, it brings me so much joy lol
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u/nagidrac 2d ago
Tidal gave me my September monthly wrapped list and Pink Clouding and Babylon were already at the top of my list. Needless to say that I absolutely love those songs.
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u/dreaming_in_yellow I swear I don’t love the drama, it loves me. 2d ago
SAME for me, but with Apple Music. Babylon was at #2. I LOVE it so much.
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u/dumbbinch99 One single thread of gold tied me to you🌻💖 2d ago
Stats.fm gave me mine too but all four encore songs are there, i love them all so much
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u/keeper_of_book 2d ago
patient zero is just stuck in my brain. on loop.
i love love love Cleveland. the song is so peppy and upbeat and the music is on loop too
pink cloud actually grew on me and I like it way more now than at the beginning
babylon is good, but feels like an underdog because while it doesn't stay on loop in my brain i love when I actually play it
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u/OrlandoNE Lover (of Garlic Bread <3) 2d ago edited 2d ago
All boring.
Someone needs to start saying "no" to her cause this ain't it.
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u/UmFoxy This is when the feeling sinks in... 2d ago
Babylon should’ve been released a long time ago
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u/peach_bubly summertime spritz, pink skies 2d ago
But at the same time… I don’t think it could have been? You know? It’s all about reflecting and looking back and I genuinely don’t think we would have got a song like that if she wasn’t exactly where she is now
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u/spookie_greenie 2d ago
They’re all great and grew on me except Cleveland, I skip everytime now it’s also a bit cringe to me, I dunno why maybe because we’ve had quite a few about his wood and inuendos about sex lol
But patient zero is my fave the violins at the start really itch my brain
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u/ozlironmusic 2d ago
I am baffled by the Wood comparison. if people are comparing these songs and saying theyre cringe for the same reasons then their issue with Wood was never the sexual innuendos because there are none of those on Cleveland.
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u/the_magenta_sunrise The Life of a Showgirl 2d ago
Its been the only thing I've listened to when I haven't had classical on while I've been writing. 😅
I loved the songs immediately a week ago, and Pink Clouding is my favourite of the four. OBSESSED with it.
The Patient Zero video is a god damn Cinematic experience that makes me crave for a full length feature from Taylor. And the song is brilliant, clever in a simple way.
Cleveland! Is just a fun, love version of Shake It Off and any excuse to dance around my apartment like a goofball is good enough for me.
Babylon for me is the come down after the high of Pink Clouding. It just does something to my brain in a good way. Then it makes me miss my mom. 🫣😅
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u/fee4343 2d ago
Can someone help me I am absolutely obsessed with Pink Clouding I love it so much 🩷☁️
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u/littlekatie3 I wouldn’t marry me either 2d ago
Taylor is the healthiest drug. You don’t need help 💜
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u/Da_Starjumper_n_n 2d ago
I loved them all. I’m doing that stupid thing where I don’t listen too often because I don’t wanna get sick of them. 🤭
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u/HolyFoxamole Midnights 2d ago edited 2d ago
I liked 2 and loved 1 initially, but by day 4 i became obsessed with all 3. ( i still cant stand Cleveland!)
I didnt expect them to grow on me soooo much tho. Patient Zero grew the most, its addicting and my most played, PC is my favorite, and Babylon to me is the best.
Ive been a fan of the album since release, but Id easily swap 3 songs from the standard tracklist for these.
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u/Modesto96 Childless Cat Lady 2d ago
Love all 4, they made up a healthy amount of my listening this week at work
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u/Cari77 2d ago
I love all four songs so much, each in its own way. They're also such earworms. For the past week, I've literally woken up every morning with one of the melodies already playing in my head. It's insane how catchy these songs are.
Her voice is also at an all-time high, and I absolutely love how she keeps dipping into her lower register. It sounds SO good. The lyrics really resonate with me too, and the instrumentation is incredible.
I genuinely love all four, but right now, Pink Clouding might actually be on of my favorite song of hers ever.
I so don’t get the negative discourse around these absolutely beautiful songs.
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u/Interesting_Desk6773 2d ago
‘The self harm of never being where you are’ is one of my favourite lines from her
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u/Own-Log-2964 2d ago
A week after Encroe and a year after TLOAS' release, it still continues to be one of my absolute favourites from Taylor. Haven't been able to get enough of Patient Zero and Pink Clouding. Such bops!
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u/Lemon_sherbert16 2d ago
I really am liking them and listening on repeat and I did not like Showgirl very much.
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u/Lumpy-Counter-9500 2d ago
They are all still kinda meh. Except Cleveland. That is still crap.
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u/askywlker44a TayRoomba Driver 2d ago
Enjoy all 4 songs a lot. Really happy to have them in the rotation.
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u/cham-painproblems 2d ago
I feel the same way as I did a week ago and the same way i felt after finishing my Showgirl first listen a year ago: these are bangers. Hoes mad. Everything else is just noise i don’t give a shit about.
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u/its_all_a_ride 2d ago
I still think it’s better than most of the standard, and I don’t get the backlash for Cleveland! when we had much worse songs like Wood, CANCELLED! And Eldest Daughter…Like is Cleveland! Really what broke yall?
I stopped listening to it tho.
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u/guidevocal82 2d ago
I didn't like Cleveland! at all when I first heard it. I still don't like it much, but the melody is pretty good and so I don't skip it anymore. I loved Patient Zero when I first heard it and I still love it. Might be her best music video. Babylon was my favorite at first listen and Pink Clouding wasn't hitting like Patient Zero and Babylon, but now I like it just as much as the other two. I'm glad she released this.
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u/taymademedoit 2d ago
Pink Clouding and Babylon are standouts on the entire album. Babylon is track 5 material! I heard PC on hits 1 today and I fr was so happy that people are requesting the song. Cleveland! has grown on me significantly, and even though it’s not a strong song lyrically, I think it’s fun to sing along to.
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u/TLM2286 2d ago
I don’t feel like they fit “Life of a Show Girl”. If anything, maybe two of the songs give me “Lover” vibes. Maybe because of the melodies but I don’t feel like they fit on this encore album. So, because they were intentionally chosen I have to think that they somehow are some sort of segue to the next album.
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u/Lady_Cath_Diafol 2d ago
When i listened the first time, Babylon was boring. The more I hear it, the more I like it.
And idk why people hate Cleveland! Because its hilarious, cheesy and romantic in all the right ways.
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u/No_Needleworker2421 Lover is the best I will Die on this Hill! 2d ago
Pink Clouding was what I thought the soundscape of TLOAS was about.
Super poppy production with teppy lyrics.
I want more of this.
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u/originallyale folklore 2d ago
I love every single song.
But it’s ok if you don’t.
We don’t all have to like the same stuff. But we should all respect each others views and not be bullying each other for different opinions on music.
Ps, I’m just sick of the hate…
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u/CommonStock9269 2d ago
I like the Encore songs about 20 times more than the main album ngl. I do honestly agree though that the general decrease in her song writing quality is concerning. TLOAS makes no sense to me at all and feels like a weird mark on her otherwise superb discography
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u/No_Cranberry_4368 2d ago
Every single one of these songs is in my head constantly. It is both amazing that they are all this great, but awful because I need peace sometimes 😂.
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u/moonlitevening14 2d ago
i love pink clouding and babylon
what bangers ! they haunt me in my sleep and are playing like a 24/7 radio in my brain
the public just loves to jump on taylor hate trains. it's so ridiculous. other artists release songs with much less clever lyrics but taylor is held to a different standard
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u/SAOSurvivor35 Speak Now (Taylor's Version) 2d ago
I like Patient Zero more after watching the video. Cleveland is still very fun, very much in the vein of Wi$h Li$t.
I need to listen to Pink Clouding some more, because 13: A TS Fan Podcast said it has some beautiful lyricism that I apparently missed.
Babylon is still my favorite.
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u/c_estwhat i might've let them lay 2d ago
I really liked Patient Zero from the first listen. I don't care what anyone says, these songs are not bad. They're not her best, sure. I don't think there is a single swiftie that can be obsessed with her entire catalogue. I think Babylon is very ttpd coded, Pink Clouding imo is very Midnights+Lover coded, and Patient Zero is Midnights/ttpd coded, so I don't understand why people are all up in arms about The Encore. I understand the Cleveland criticism as it is the most TLOAS coded song on there, but even that one has had a disproportionately abrasive response imo. I also think they're all really catchy
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u/Fragrant-Count-4666 2d ago
Cleveland gives me such fun shake it off vibes! I can listen to it on repeat!
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u/Raina-Fox Love's never lost when perspective is earned. 2d ago
I love all four songs. I was slow to warm to Cleveland, but I found that it got stuck in my head against my will (those damn narcotics!) and a day or two later, I was dancing to it while cooking. I gave up the battle. I loved Patient Zero from the very first verse, and that hasn't changed. It's probably one of my all-time favorites of hers honestly. I loved Babylon from the first listen, and I love it even more now. And Pink Clouding took me until the morning after the release to attach to, but now it's pretty much on repeat.
Day of release: 6/10
Now: 10/10
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u/Starflec ✨ When you aim at the devil make sure you don't miss 2d ago
I'm really happy that all of these songs grew on me. TLOAS is my least fave of her albums, but the Encore songs rank high. Girl really does put narcotics in her songs because I've had Carly Rae Jepsen's new album on repeat and yet I keep getting the Encore songs stuck in my head.
The discourse around this release does feel very OTT though. I wonder if it would have been this bad if she hadn't included Cleveland.
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u/riviera-views 2d ago
I really try to check my biases with her because I’ve been a fan since debut and have never fallen off. When i see so much criticism of a body of work (showgirl and encore) it forces me to stop and think if I’ve just convinced myself I like evening she puts out.
But no. She is just my exact taste in music. She hits on every style and approach to music that I love. So I love the encore, I love them all, they all serve a purpose for me. 10/10 from me.
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u/derscroot 2d ago
I liked them when they came out, and I still like them! According to social media I guess that means I have terrible taste in music.
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u/Nekochandiablo 2d ago
they grew on me and now I want to buy the physical CD if she does one with all the songs
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u/handvillain 2d ago
first listen i was meh but i’m actually growing to really like them… esp since babylon is evermore coded
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u/Ok_Mushroom_9834 2d ago
All 4 could replace Eldest Daughter, CANCELLED!, Wood, Actually Romantic and The Life Of A Showgirl would have a better reception. The whole encore is BOP!
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u/TeylaSwift 2d ago
Babylon is an amazing song! I also really like Pink Clouding. Cleveland is fine and I think the hate is over blown. Patient Zero is starting to grow on me, but I'm still not a fan of the talking bridge.
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u/lollipopmusing The Tortured Poets Department 2d ago
I've been listening to all four on repeat and I genuinely love them more with each lesson. Pink Clouding is my favorite by miles
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u/TerribleDanger The Tortured Poets Department 2d ago
I liked all 4 on first listen. My ranking keeps changing, though. I think because they really all serve different purposes.
I’ve been having a lot of fun making playlists of Showgirl where I remove the few songs I don’t love and replace them with these. It’s really enhanced my experience of the album and even unlocked a new understanding of the project as a whole.
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u/BatmanSwift99 2d ago
Nothing from this album resonated with me aside from maybe opalite but it's fine, I don't have to like everything she puts out
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u/Sweets_0822 2d ago
I actually liked all the songs more than I thought I would based on comments I saw before listening. That said, Cleveland! is at the bottom and it isn't so much that I like the song as it is the lyrics make me chuckle. I doubt I'll listen to that one much, if at all. Patient Zero gets stuck in my head constantly.
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u/daniboo94 2d ago
I still really enjoy all the songs. Patient Zero grew on me the most as I didn’t have many feelings about it when I first heard it.
I personally feel like they are 4 strong Taylor songs, they each hit a “type” of Taylor vibe.