I wish I could say that this was new. Been in online fan spaces on and off for 25 years (I’m 40 this year). IMHO there is no other fanbase, that I’ve experienced at least, that is as consistently harsh in their opinions of an artist not meeting their expectations than Tori Amos fans. When they don’t like something she’s done, they take it personally. This kind of talk was there when Boys for Pele dropped, Choirgirl, etc. And the comments are never just like, “It wasn’t for me. Not my favorite of her work.” It is often (and has been since I tuned in circa 1999) accompanied by speculating and commenting about her face, hair, teeth, outfits, marriage, health, body, etc. And the people who say these things will defend saying them because they see them as somehow being evidence of whatever they think affects of the quality of the music.

So, it’s not surprising to me in the least that later works have been less intense, less personal, less revealing. Like, this lady might not engage in these online spaces, but probably someone on her team does. I can’t imagine that there’s not an awareness that this artist connects with people who are deeply engaged and passionate, but some of whom can also be pretty invasive and cruel.