From her early days as America’s curly-haired and bright-eyed country princess to the media’s latest “good girl gone wrong” best known for her celebrity feuds, Taylor Swift has done it all, most recently completing her album “Lover” released Aug. 22. After announcing in her previous album “Reputation” that “the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now…because she’s dead,” America thought they had seen the last of the pop star. “Lover” sees her comeback, personalities and phases melding together to create an album that appears to be authentically her. 

Opening with “I forgot that you existed,” the song reflects on the time she wasted thinking about her haters and “[living] in the shade [they] were throwing.” She continues singing on the progress and success she found by simply ignoring the drama, a nod––and conclusion––to her long term feud with rapper Kanye West. The upbeat song sets the stage for her confidence-oozing and colorful album. With a central theme of self-discovery, the 14 songs that followed explored the depths of her musical past and future, in addition to highlighting social and political issues. 

The successful start continues with “Cruel Summer,” a song that explores the excitement of summer romance. Swift has been in a steady relationship with Joe Alwyn, a man who she has frequently associates–albeit ambiguously–with the color blue. She sings, “It’s blue, the feeling I got,” introducing the motif of color in her album, something she previously alluded to in her November 2017 song “Dancing with Our Hands Tied.” This romantic theme continues in her next song, “Lover.” Grab your favorite cardigan and holiday movie for this one because its wintertime vibes are sure to elicit feelings of coziness and warmth. “Lover,” for which the album is named, details her total infatuation with Alwyn. Continuing her color association, she claims that her “heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue.” Sure to melt even the coldest of hearts, she creates an image of the perfect relationship, something we all long for.

Her romantic euphoria is highlighted in arguably her best song of the album, “Paper Rings,” as she sings about how despite her love of luxury, she’d be happy with simplicity if she was with a person she loved. Here she chronicles accidentally falling in love with Alwyn, documenting “how [she] hates accidents except when we went from friends to this.” Fans of the “Old Taylor” will rejoice at this song and its early 2000s vibes. Originally teased in her “ME!” music video, where a paper ring is displayed in the upper right corner of the video screen, “Paper Rings” contains themes from every part of the album, connecting all the songs together. 

Breaking up the love fest is “The Man.” This album’s feminist anthem poses the question of how life would be different if she was a man. She speaks of the disparities between genders, singing “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can, wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man.” Political themes continue in “Miss Americana and the Heartbreaker Prince,” which describes a high school romance–with political undertones. New to politics, her first notable political opinion was in support of the Equality Act, which she introduced in the “You Need to Calm Down” music video. This song’s early release succeeded in drumming up anticipation for her album. 

While “Lover” has many upbeat songs, “The Archer” departs from that with it’s sad, dreary melody. It quickly ending the album’s joyous mood…and my personal joy. Easily the worst song on her album, she details her experience as “the archer,” the one who ends a relationship and “the prey,” the one who gets dumped. With no noticeable climax, the song blends together, becoming easily forgettable. 

Her last truly great song is “London Boy,” eliciting nostalgia for summer nights spent with friends…and more than friends ;). She once again chronicles her relationship with Alwyn, the “London Boy” she’s referencing. Swift may be known as an artist who flies from boyfriend to boyfriend, but it seems she has found her true “lover” in this album, demonstrated by the sheer number of songs about him and the overall vulnerability in her lyrics. 

“Lover” will make you fall back in love with Taylor Swift. Through creative songs, dual meanings and catchy beats, Swift has effectively––and once again––captured the hearts of her listeners and everyone in between. For fans of the “Old Taylor,” the “New Taylor” and anyone who loves a good romance, “Lover” by Taylor Swift will not disappoint. 

The Parkway West Pathfinder gives “Lover” an 8.2/10!