2 minute read

SWIFT’S SWIFT Taylor Swift lost her voice

MARS

MEYER | REPORTER

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Taylor Swift’s song titles had some potential in her new album, “Midnights.” But that’s where the good ends. “Lavender Haze” sounds magical and enticing. A lavender haze is a term from the 1950s about being in the honeymoon phase of a relationship, and I would love to hear a song about someone’s lavender haze. Instead, Swift describes sexism and how a lavender haze creeps up on her – how she would love to stay in the lavender haze.

While “Lavender Haze” is tolerable, “Anti-Hero” is overplayed and repetitive. It has bad lyrics too: “Sometimes I feel everybody is a sexy baby,” or “I have this dream that my daughter-in-law kills me for the money,” and last but not least “It’s me, Hi! I’m the problem, it’s me.”

“Snow On The Beach,” which features Lana Del Rey, isn’t the worst. It’s reminiscent of her old, better music – for instance, “Fifteen,” from her second studio album. Like all of her songs do, it tells a story. Her voice was softer and more powerful back then, her voice could fill a room and make people feel like they knew her and where she comes from. revolves around how people often don’t take many measures to protect the “sunshine” that we’re so “addicted” to, it holds a more personal message to me about preserving what’s left of our youth.

For example: “When all you wanted was to be wanted.” This lyric shows how she felt unwanted by someone she loved. Many of us can relate too, as we’ve all been in a place where someone we loved hasn’t loved us back. Or, “Back then, I swore I was gonna marry him someday. But I realized some bigger dreams of mine.” These two lines show the story of how she grew up. Learning that her dreams are more important than marrying a man.

‘Following Fools’ draws you in with its slow to fast-moving pitch, accompanied by the Leimbach brothers’ oldie sound. The chorus melts into an upbeat, sunny melody as they repeat the lines, “we just wanna love you, we just wanna love you.” Lyrics like these symbolize the toxic masculinity ingrained within society due to men often attempting to appear as strong and powerful, rather than admitting and owning up to their weaknesses. Young men are more-so in need of guidance, love, and role models, as they are also commonly held to unrealistic standards when it comes to emotional well-being and vulnerability.

Beginning with a short intro from Leimbach, ‘That’s Life’ then follows a high-pitched, pixelated-sounding beat accompanied by a peaceful, continuous strum of guitar. Leimbachs’ voices sound far away and longing, yet the lyrics are centered around living in the present moment. They sing, “Yeah, in one moment, could all be gone. It’s more about the things that you haven’t done.” This masterpiece has a funky, beachy-feeling ambience that sets a nostalgic mood – despite its deeper meaning about the guilt people feel for constantly worrying over the future – in which the listener can truly just enjoy the present as these tunes fill their ears.

Lime Cordiale manages to capture both a sweet, savory sound that evokes a juvenile, high-spirited feeling, taking you back to the most freeing memories embedded in your brain. The Leimbach brothers have remarkable voices that are individual to them and the type of incredible music they together create. Utilizing a diverse range of euphonious instruments, track sounds, and their own blissful voices, Lime Cordiale is a bittersweet sound for all music-enjoyers to eagerly consume and add to their playlist.

It’s almost as if she isn’t representing herself as a whole anymore. More like she is representing someone else’s stories. Taylor Swift’s old music has always been better than new. She had a stronger voice back then and now she’s quiet. SWIFT