Wishing a happy The Tortured Poets Department release day to all those who celebrate! Taylor Swift is set to release her 11th studio album at midnight on Friday, April 19, and Life & Style is taking you on the ~journey~ that is sure ensue as I, a self-identified “non-Swiftie” (not a Taylor Swift fan), post my up-to-the-minute live reactions of the record in full, song by song.
Here’s the thing — I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a Taylor hater. No hater energy over here!! I’m just sort of indifferent to the musicality of pop’s reigning princess. Do I like some of her songs? Of course, I know all the words to her biggest hits. Did I recently attend a Taylor Swift night at my fave local bar? Sure — and it was hella fun! I even listened to 1989 (Taylor’s Version) when it dropped in October 2023, which was the first time I’ve ever listened to that album in full since most of the Taylor songs I do enjoy are on that record.
I would say I’m a casual Taylor Swift listener. I dabble in her brand of synth-pop from time to time. I partake in her sad girl anthems. But it’s all very surface-level, and I haven’t been able to get into any of her post-pandemic releases — which is the type of sound I’m expecting her to expand on with TTPD. So, when the clock strikes 12 on April 19, I’m going to open my Spotify app along with millions of Swifties and I’m diving in with an open mind and sharing my honest opinions and reactions.
Check back here at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT time for Life & Style’s liveblog of reactions to Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department.
