Alright, I had 1 (one) listen of the album without the bonus tracks, as I need to work.
Here are first impression, immediate thoughts on each track.
Keep in mind, every album needs to brew for 2 weeks before I fully get it and know my favorites.
Lavander haze: indeed about bearding; she doesn't want to marry him for real (1950 shit), she just wants to stay in the haze. "Off my desk" - very business term, she's the boss
Maroon: sounds like something from 1989, but lyrics are an ode to "Red". Now that the old ex love has matured like blood, it's not bright red, but maroon. Taylor also made Red(TV) maroon, not bright red like it used to be.
Anti-hero: lots of self-loathing. Interesting lyric about staring at the sun and interesting mention of "teatime".
Snow on the beach: sounds like a good trip. References of light, like her lover is pure light. Interesting that it feels "impossible" for her to be wanted by the person she wants.
You're on your own kid: this one will take several listens. Noting the use of "you" and "he". The story of Daisy Mae and the misspelling of her name to "May".
Midnight rain: young love where she "realized some bigger dreams of hers" so had to leave the person and her hometown?
Question...?: about a relationship where someone didn't fight for you when you were stressed/uncertain. I think the "dare kiss" at a party is a reference for love in the open. At one point it got "too much" for Taylor and her partner didn't want to fight for her, but gave up
Vigilante shit: not about Taylor revealing a husband's affair to his wife, but revealing his crimes. Someone is going down. Such a bop, rep vibes.
Bejeweled: when you're not loved and prioritized the way you prioritize your partner, so despite deep sadness you dress up and go out and light up the room. This is a unique power of women and we've all been there.
Labyrinth: at first seems like a breakup song, but it's about getting through a very difficult situation with your partner. Her partner clearly loves her deeply and would do anything for her and so she is falling in love again with the same person. You can experience that kind of reset in a relationship after a tough time. "I thought the plane was going down, how'd you turn it back around?'
Karma: clearly about SB (Spider Boy, Scooter Braun). "My pennies made your crown" - a dig that her masters made him rich. I love the bad bitch bridge "Ask me why so many fade, but I'm still here". I mean the whole song is bad b energy to the max.
Sweet nothing: huge expectations and users in her career, meanwhile her partner has no expectations or wants from her. Their home is peaceful, which is contrasted by the chaos in her career "outside they're push and shoving".
Mastermind: we know Taylor is a try-hard (and I don't mean it in an offensive way, she just cares). Once she saw who she wanted, she plotted to get them. It's determination, not deceit. We all do it to an extent. The good news is, her partner knows. Noting "the touch of hand lit the fuse" because "the consequence of you touching my hand in a darkened room" sounds like the same event when they met and sparks flew.
3 notes
·
View notes