After the surprise release of her eighth studio album, “folklore,” most suspected that Taylor Swift would take a well-deserved break from the lengthy process of creating music.  Instead, she has released a so-called sister album titled “evermore.”  With 15 songs and a melancholic, tragically beautiful storyline, Swift has delved into her imagination and produced a record that once again surpasses her own creative history.  While the album could easily be described as perfect, there are a few stand out tracks that need to be emphasized further.  

“champagne problems:”
This track highlights the maturity of Swift’s songwriting skills and her ability to formulate a narrative that is so separate from her own life yet personal to thousands of listeners.  While the title may be deceiving, the song follows the story of a young woman who has turned down a proposal during the holidays to protect her mental health.  As heartbreaking as this song is, it’s themes of rejection and self-worth stand out among her lyrics and the slow piano creates a spotlight for the lyrics to shine.
Favorite lyric: “She would’ve made such a lovely bride, what a shame she’s f***** in the head” 

“no body, no crime” (feat. HAIM): 
Like everyone during the pandemic, Swift found herself lost in true-crime shows and podcasts, which inspired her to create this very fitting song.  With police sirens as the instrumental introduction and a country-esque sound, Swift paints the perfect crime scene featuring an affair, a revengeful best friend and a framed mistress.  The song is as catchy as the storyline and Swift compliments HAIM’s vocals perfectly.
Favorite lyric: “Good thing my daddy made me get a boating license when I was fifteen
and I’ve cleaned enough houses to know how to cover up a scene”

“marjorie:” 
Swift has made a recent habit of naming songs after people in her life (see “Betty” from folklore), but this song is an homage to her late grandmother, Marjorie, who passed away in 2003.  The production on this song is captivatingly simple and after one line, “I can hear you singing to me now,” Marjorie’s vocals from her career as an opera singer can be heard echoing in the background.  Swift’s tribute is vulnerable and her lyrics describe childhood memories from her idolization of her grandmother, something many people can relate to and sympathize with.  
Favorite lyric: “Watched as you signed your name Marjorie, all your closets of backlogged dreams, and how you left them all to me”

“ivy:” 
While it may be concerning that some of the songs discuss themes of infidelity, Swift sings it innocently and from different perspectives.  This track describes a woman who finds solace in the hands of another man, who’s not her own.  It’s slightly more upbeat than the other songs on the album and the bridge is one of her bests, featuring the lines “It’s a fire; it’s a goddamn blaze in the dark and you started it.”  Her creative imagery and description of a romantic getaway in the woods is dream-like.
Favorite lyric: “My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand, taking mine, but it’s been promised to another”

This album will easily stand the test of time and Swifities alike will cherish it forever, as well as anyone who’s looking for songs with deep meaning yet a catchy tune.