• About The Blue & Gold
    • The Staff
  • Contact Us
    • Submissions Policy
  • TAS Website
No Result
View All Result
Thursday, January 28, 2021
The Blue & Gold
25 °c
Taipei City
  • News

    LETTER | The egg tofu building in Jiantan: building an eyesore with public funds

    Middle school camp Taiwan is postponed due to COVID-19

    Middle school camp Taiwan is postponed due to COVID-19

    Dr. Williamson gets published in the Journal of Modern Literature

    Dr. Williamson gets published in the Journal of Modern Literature

    StuGov rented out an amusement park for Halloween

    StuGov rented out an amusement park for Halloween

    “Loveboat, Taipei”: exploring life in Taiwan as an Asian American

    Weekly Highlights: September 28 – October 2

    Weekly Highlights: September 28 – October 2

    Weekly Highlights: September 21-25

    Weekly Highlights: September 21-25

    How are other IASAS schools operating amidst the global pandemic?

    How are other IASAS schools operating amidst the global pandemic?

    Remembering feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg

    Remembering feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg

  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Editorial
    • Letters
    • The Gabfest
    You don’t need a new year to be a new you

    You don’t need a new year to be a new you

    iPad: spend less for more

    iPad: spend less for more

    Everyone should go vegetarian

    Everyone should go vegetarian

    Reality TV needs more diversity

    Reality TV needs more diversity

    You have been diagnosed with Senioritis

    You have been diagnosed with Senioritis

    LETTER | The Past and Present of TAS Speech and Debate

    LETTER | The Past and Present of TAS Speech and Debate

    6 ways to reduce your carbon footprint

    6 ways to reduce your carbon footprint

    Smoking in public areas should be banned

    Smoking in public areas should be banned

    Summer Reading Reflection’s Still Got a Long way to go

    Summer Reading Reflection’s Still Got a Long way to go

    Trending Tags

    • Features
      Chinese New Year traveling has been canceled due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus

      Chinese New Year traveling has been canceled due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus

      Annabelle W. (‘22) participates in triathlon relay in Taiwan and places fourth in her division

      Annabelle W. (‘22) participates in triathlon relay in Taiwan and places fourth in her division

      New weekly advisory meetings raise controversy

      New weekly advisory meetings raise controversy

      Amanda Huang: From former editor in chief of The Blue & Gold to current editor in chief of The Quill at Claremont McKenna

      Amanda Huang: From former editor in chief of The Blue & Gold to current editor in chief of The Quill at Claremont McKenna

      Logan Chen (‘20): Long jumping his way into Emory University

      Logan Chen (‘20): Long jumping his way into Emory University

      Speak about Anything: Abigail C. (‘22) takes part in MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0

      Speak about Anything: Abigail C. (‘22) takes part in MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0

      Rebecca Pinwei Tseng (‘16): Remembering her B&G days

      Rebecca Pinwei Tseng (‘16): Remembering her B&G days

      Gretal’s Graphics: stickers and designs for refugee relief

      Gretal’s Graphics: stickers and designs for refugee relief

      Alumna Rohenne Lee (‘04) pursues a community-building career at Airbnb

      Alumna Rohenne Lee (‘04) pursues a community-building career at Airbnb

      Trending Tags

      • Verdict
        • All
        • Food
        • Movies
        • The B&G Book Corner
        • TV
        Exploring Internet drama: Three hit songs, one love triangle

        Exploring Internet drama: Three hit songs, one love triangle

        annyoung cafe: a cute Korean-style cafe

        annyoung cafe: a cute Korean-style cafe

        Cat private kitchen on the roof: no menu restaurant with personal chefs

        Cat private kitchen on the roof: no menu restaurant with personal chefs

        Visit Nan-Mei Coffee Shop for special dining options

        Visit Nan-Mei Coffee Shop for special dining options

        Lai Sheng Yung Gallery: hidden treasures in Taichung

        Lai Sheng Yung Gallery: hidden treasures in Taichung

        New year’s resolutions to upgrade your 2021

        New year’s resolutions to upgrade your 2021

        excuse me i love you: A close-up high quality concert documentary

        excuse me i love you: A close-up high quality concert documentary

        Winter break self-care musts

        Winter break self-care musts

        “evermore”: Is Taylor Swift’s new album a surprise hit or unexpected letdown?

        “evermore”: Is Taylor Swift’s new album a surprise hit or unexpected letdown?

        Aranzi Cafe: a Japanese Style Cafe in Taipei

        Aranzi Cafe: a Japanese Style Cafe in Taipei

        Holiday music to welcome holiday spirits

        Holiday music to welcome holiday spirits

        Hoshino Coffee: a must-try restaurant in Taipei

        Hoshino Coffee: a must-try restaurant in Taipei

      • Multimedia
      • News

        LETTER | The egg tofu building in Jiantan: building an eyesore with public funds

        Middle school camp Taiwan is postponed due to COVID-19

        Middle school camp Taiwan is postponed due to COVID-19

        Dr. Williamson gets published in the Journal of Modern Literature

        Dr. Williamson gets published in the Journal of Modern Literature

        StuGov rented out an amusement park for Halloween

        StuGov rented out an amusement park for Halloween

        “Loveboat, Taipei”: exploring life in Taiwan as an Asian American

        Weekly Highlights: September 28 – October 2

        Weekly Highlights: September 28 – October 2

        Weekly Highlights: September 21-25

        Weekly Highlights: September 21-25

        How are other IASAS schools operating amidst the global pandemic?

        How are other IASAS schools operating amidst the global pandemic?

        Remembering feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg

        Remembering feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg

      • Sports
      • Opinion
        • All
        • Editorial
        • Letters
        • The Gabfest
        You don’t need a new year to be a new you

        You don’t need a new year to be a new you

        iPad: spend less for more

        iPad: spend less for more

        Everyone should go vegetarian

        Everyone should go vegetarian

        Reality TV needs more diversity

        Reality TV needs more diversity

        You have been diagnosed with Senioritis

        You have been diagnosed with Senioritis

        LETTER | The Past and Present of TAS Speech and Debate

        LETTER | The Past and Present of TAS Speech and Debate

        6 ways to reduce your carbon footprint

        6 ways to reduce your carbon footprint

        Smoking in public areas should be banned

        Smoking in public areas should be banned

        Summer Reading Reflection’s Still Got a Long way to go

        Summer Reading Reflection’s Still Got a Long way to go

        Trending Tags

        • Features
          Chinese New Year traveling has been canceled due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus

          Chinese New Year traveling has been canceled due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus

          Annabelle W. (‘22) participates in triathlon relay in Taiwan and places fourth in her division

          Annabelle W. (‘22) participates in triathlon relay in Taiwan and places fourth in her division

          New weekly advisory meetings raise controversy

          New weekly advisory meetings raise controversy

          Amanda Huang: From former editor in chief of The Blue & Gold to current editor in chief of The Quill at Claremont McKenna

          Amanda Huang: From former editor in chief of The Blue & Gold to current editor in chief of The Quill at Claremont McKenna

          Logan Chen (‘20): Long jumping his way into Emory University

          Logan Chen (‘20): Long jumping his way into Emory University

          Speak about Anything: Abigail C. (‘22) takes part in MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0

          Speak about Anything: Abigail C. (‘22) takes part in MUN Impact Global Summit 2.0

          Rebecca Pinwei Tseng (‘16): Remembering her B&G days

          Rebecca Pinwei Tseng (‘16): Remembering her B&G days

          Gretal’s Graphics: stickers and designs for refugee relief

          Gretal’s Graphics: stickers and designs for refugee relief

          Alumna Rohenne Lee (‘04) pursues a community-building career at Airbnb

          Alumna Rohenne Lee (‘04) pursues a community-building career at Airbnb

          Trending Tags

          • Verdict
            • All
            • Food
            • Movies
            • The B&G Book Corner
            • TV
            Exploring Internet drama: Three hit songs, one love triangle

            Exploring Internet drama: Three hit songs, one love triangle

            annyoung cafe: a cute Korean-style cafe

            annyoung cafe: a cute Korean-style cafe

            Cat private kitchen on the roof: no menu restaurant with personal chefs

            Cat private kitchen on the roof: no menu restaurant with personal chefs

            Visit Nan-Mei Coffee Shop for special dining options

            Visit Nan-Mei Coffee Shop for special dining options

            Lai Sheng Yung Gallery: hidden treasures in Taichung

            Lai Sheng Yung Gallery: hidden treasures in Taichung

            New year’s resolutions to upgrade your 2021

            New year’s resolutions to upgrade your 2021

            excuse me i love you: A close-up high quality concert documentary

            excuse me i love you: A close-up high quality concert documentary

            Winter break self-care musts

            Winter break self-care musts

            “evermore”: Is Taylor Swift’s new album a surprise hit or unexpected letdown?

            “evermore”: Is Taylor Swift’s new album a surprise hit or unexpected letdown?

            Aranzi Cafe: a Japanese Style Cafe in Taipei

            Aranzi Cafe: a Japanese Style Cafe in Taipei

            Holiday music to welcome holiday spirits

            Holiday music to welcome holiday spirits

            Hoshino Coffee: a must-try restaurant in Taipei

            Hoshino Coffee: a must-try restaurant in Taipei

          • Multimedia
          No Result
          View All Result
          The Blue & Gold
          No Result
          View All Result
          Home Verdict

          “evermore”: Is Taylor Swift’s new album a surprise hit or unexpected letdown?

          by The Blue & Gold
          12/17/2020
          in Verdict
          0
          “evermore”: Is Taylor Swift’s new album a surprise hit or unexpected letdown?

          Taylor Swift's new album cover for "evermore'

          0
          SHARES
          29
          VIEWS
          Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

          By: Amanda D. (’21) & Kara M. (’21)

          Less than six months after her wildly successful, in-quarantine album, “folklore,” Taylor Swift released a surprise sister album on Dec. 11 titled “evermore”, containing 15 brand new tracks. Swift herself referenced the new album in a series of social media posts, stating that in the creation of this album, she “felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning.”

          Amanda:

          When listening to the album “evermore”, I was instantly transported into a mystical land of long-lost lovers and fantastical creatures, with the dreamy, evocative melodies carrying an almost otherworldly quality to them. In the first track of the album, willow, accompanied with a fairy-tale like music video, Swift sings about a love that is tumultuous yet beautiful in its enigma. Swift’s voice takes center stage in this first track with minimal guitar accompaniment, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Other songs, like “Gold Rush”, melt into an even softer version of Swift’s typical sing-talk style, with a repeating chorus, refrain, and verse. Lyrics also hide a myriad of easter eggs, referencing everything from her previous albums to past relationships and popular symbols Swift uses in her work. One example is in “Dorothea”, where Swift sings, “But are you still the same soul I met under the bleachers?”, alluding back to her 2009 hit song, “You Belong with Me”, where she sings, “She’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers.” The lyric also references thoughts of nostalgia and youth, a common topic in many of Swift’s past discography. 

          “evermore” feels like a more introspective take on love and life, with many of the songs leaning on Swift’s more mellow, sweet voice, rather than strong belts or power ballads. Swift harkens back to her more traditional style of storytelling through song, with an opening, middle, and closing told through her verses. What is different is the maturity that Swift now gives to the songs, as they grow with her age and experience, and reminisce on her evolution as an individual. 

          Kara:

          There’s nothing I hate about “evermore.” I enjoy listening to all the songs in the album, and I especially enjoy the common scraps of melodies and hints of similar beats threading through the album. Taken on its own, it is definitely an artful album that deserves appreciation. To me, however, “folklore” felt more innovative and catchy, while “evermore” almost fades into the background.

          The album “evermore” incorporates very acoustic and strummy guitar, melodic piano, marimba tones, and even random sample sounds in an alternative pop edging on country style. The effect is a simultaneously very grounded and yet ethereal, untethered sound. However, Swift’s experimentation with a wide variety of sounds and noises sometimes comes back to bite her. In the song “closure,” the use of background noises distracts the listener from the melody, and almost sounds like another video is playing. Some standouts include “no body, no crime,” featuring the band HAIM, which closely resembles some of Swift’s country roots. My personal favorites are “willow” and “ivy,” both of which are more upbeat yet reflective songs. They combine storytelling, lyrical ingenuity, and comforting yet catchy melodies.

          Although I do not regret listening to “evermore,” if I had to pick between it and its sister album, I’d be choosing “folklore.”

          Verdict: 3.75/5

          Tags: highlight
          The Blue & Gold

          The Blue & Gold

          Next Post
          Winter break self-care musts

          Winter break self-care musts

          Latest Print Issue

          January 2020: a Blue & Gold Playlist

          Currently Playing

          Best of 49 | When was the last time you cried?

          Best of 49 | When was the last time you cried?

          00:01:38

          Best of 49 | How many people do you say "I love you" to?

          00:02:36

          B&G Worth It: 100 NT Beef Noodles vs. 10,000 NT Beef Noodles

          00:11:40

          Thoughts on Femininity

          00:03:47

          BOOK RECOMMENDATION | "Throne of Glass" series

          00:06:40

          About B&G

          The Blue & Gold

          The Blue & Gold strives to represent the school as whole, showcasing hidden personalities and covering events and issues that affect the school and community.

          Contact Us

          The Blue & Gold welcomes any questions, opinions, comments, or suggestions. To contact us, please email Natalie S., our Editor-in-Chief, at 21natalies@students.tas.tw. You can also email Ms. Kundel, our advisor, at kundell@tas.tw.

          Submission Policy

          All submissions should be submitted by email to blueandgold@tas.tw. Submissions will then be evaluated by the editors and Ms. Kundel, the Journalism advisor. Submissions will either be published online or in the print edition of The Blue & Gold.

          • ISM
          • ISKL
          • SAS
          • ISB
          • JIS

          © The Blue & Gold 2018

          No Result
          View All Result
          • Home
          • News
          • Sports
          • Opinion
          • Features
          • Verdict
            • Movies
            • The B&G Book Corner
          • Multimedia

          © The Blue & Gold 2018

          Login to your account below

          Forgotten Password?

          Fill the forms bellow to register

          All fields are required. Log In

          Retrieve your password

          Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

          Log In