folklore

2020

Taylor Swift's "folklore" era, which began with the album's release on July 24, 2020, represents an introspective and experimental phase in the artist's career. This album, created largely during the COVID-19 pandemic, is often described as a darker, more narrative work, marking a departure from the more mainstream pop sound that characterized her previous eras.

"Folklore" presents a musical style that combines indie folk, alternative rock and synth-pop. The production is minimalist, with instrumentation that includes pianos, violins and acoustic guitars, creating a softer, more ethereal sound. Taylor collaborated with Aaron Dessner of The National and Jack Antonoff, developing a soundscape that complements his narrative lyrics.

The album's themes are varied and cover stories of love, loss, nostalgia and the complexity of human relationships. Rather than focusing on her own life, Swift takes a more fictional approach, creating characters and telling stories that resonate with universal experiences. Tracks like "cardigan," "exile" (featuring Bon Iver) and "illicit affairs" deeply explore sadness, betrayal and emotional vulnerability.

"Folklore" received widespread critical acclaim, receiving praise for its sophisticated lyrics and innovative sound. The album was a huge commercial success, debuting at the top of the Billboard 200 and breaking several streaming records. The song "cardigan" stood out as one of the lead singles, while the track "exile" also garnered a strong reception.

The visual aesthetic of the "Folklore" era is marked by a rustic simplicity and a sense of nostalgia. The album and single covers feature black and white images and photos of natural environments, such as forests and fields, evoking an intimate and contemplative atmosphere that perfectly matches the theme of the work.

The "folklore" era represents a new phase in Taylor Swift's artistic evolution, where she moves away from the glitz and extravagance of her previous eras and delves into deeper, more emotional narratives. This album not only expanded her musical repertoire, but also demonstrated her ability to tell stories in a unique and impactful way, further solidifying her place as one of the music industry's top songwriters.

Photoshoot

Singles

Music Videos

Direction: Taylor Swift

Release: July 27 2020

Tour

Like the previous album, "folklore" also had no promotional tour. Instead (like Lover), it got a performance on The Eras Tour.On the first leg of The Eras Tour, 7 songs from Folklore were performed:

First leg setlist:

- the 1

- betty

- the last great american dynasty

- august

- illicit affairs

- my tears ricochet

- cardigan

For the European leg, Taylor added the album "The Tortured Poets Department" to the setlist, thus making some changes to some of the acts, particularly with "folklore".

Taylor excluded the folklore act and combined it with it "sister album" evermore, thus forming the "folkmore" act that combines songs from folklore and evermore.

Setlist: