Blondie has done the impossible once again. Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department”, captivated fans, including 31 mesmerizing new tracks. 
After Swift announced the album’s release date at the 2024 Grammy Awards, fans excitedly anticipated Swift’s 11th original studio album. Luckily, Swift did not disappoint. “The Tortured Poets Department” marks the beginning of a new era, focusing on a new type of synth-pop sound.
While “The Tortured Poet’s Department” explores a style and lyricism pattern different from her previous albums, some songs may remind older fans of her other eras. Songs including “loml” and “Clara Bow” sound similar to songs on Swift’s earlier albums, “Fearless” and “Red.” 
Of the 31 new songs, “Fortnight” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” have quickly become my new favorites despite the titles being a mouthful. “Fortnight” could have highlighted featured artist Post Malone’s vocals more. However, the lead single has quickly become an instant addition to my playlist because his voice blends so well with Swift’s.
Many fans have complained that the songs blend together, and the album feels harder to listen to than some of her previous work. In my opinion, each song includes an individual message and carefully crafted lyrics that sound different than previous songs.
While some fans have mixed feelings about this album, many applaud her vulnerability with her new lyrics. Swift’s most vulnerable song on the album is “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart,” which reminisces on the singer’s experience touring while she was going through a breakup with her long-time boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. The lyrics entail the pop star’s pain, which she hid under fake smiles and electric performances.
After releasing the first set of songs on “The Tortured Poets Department,” Swift surprised fans by dropping another set of new songs at 2:00 am. These 15 songs are part of an addition to the album “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.”
While these extra songs shocked many fans, they did not stop listeners—like me—from staying up late and listening to all 31. Songs such as “Peter,” which connect to her “Folklore” album, sounded just as amazing as the songs on the first part of the release.
With this new album, Swift has left her prior Eras Tour theme behind and given listeners many relatable songs to match her new style. Each song leads into the next, like a story told one scene at a time.
Both newer and older listeners can relate to aspects of songs on the album, such as heartbreak and success. Although the album includes a few breakup songs, it also focuses on themes such as moving on through challenging times in life.
“The Tortured Poet’s Departments” has very few skips. Each piece is relatable and thought-provoking because of Swift’s ability to use lyrics to convey the feeling of a broken heart beautifully.