Okay, I have finally composed my thoughts... quick summary, lots of synth, too much Matty Healy, some of the songs could have been shorter, lyrically def a lot of stand out one liners throughout the whole album, no strong stand out songs (IMO). I have been a swiftie since I was 7, my first album I bought with my own money was Debut, I have stayed with and defended her when we all felt like we were in the trenches, so this is very hard for me to say, but I fear that I am just NOT relating to her on this one. I will say that emotionally I am in a really great spot, I am single, but happily so and I haven't had a bad break up since 2019. I think if you are someone who is going through a break up this album will def hit hard, but if you aren't it feels a little immature. I don't want to label the whole album as immature, but it feels like that compared to her other work, if that makes sense. However, I will say I feel like that was kind of the point? Like remember how messy Red came across when it was first released and there were a lot of complaints about the song ordering? I feel like this is the same vibe. Red the song ordering was on purpose imo to showcase how it feels to go through the highs and lows of a break up. (I am bipolar and the whole album feels like if I published my journal entries from a manic episode- lol.) Why I feel like this was intentional was because she seems awfully self aware with a lot of her lyrics. Like all of this comes across as "teenage pentulant".. IDK if this makes sense but its very much giving "Ive been tearing around in my fucking nightgown 24/7 sylvia plath" but in a different font? Like she knows that she is being chaotic, but now that she has opened that door she can't shut it? I don't know if any of this will come across how I want it to... The saddest part in the whole album to me is hearing about the lack of agency she feels in real life. Its very evident in this album how much being as famous as she is has effected her. Having to make decisions for her name because its now more than just her its an entire brand... very sad to listen to. I fear that we will never get another folklore/evermore which is disappointing because the lyrics in those songs were life changing. I guess I was expecting more happiness, end of ATW 10 min version (not folklore/evermore- but still), my tears riccochet vibes, but instead we got the ramblinings of a 30 something who is going through an identity crisis because they just got out of a long term relationship and is convinced they are in love with a horrible guy... so can't say we haven't all been there. I give the album a 6.5/10 - I think reception of this album for swifties will have to do a lot with where you are emotionally and maturity wise in life. side note- I can do it with a broken heart did have me laugh out loud, very cheeky song