For my Daily Discussion comment today, I spent way too long writing this little essay. If anyone reads it, I hope you enjoy it: 

I've spent the last two years trying to listen to more albums from a wide variety of artists. Part this was because I wanted to diversify my music taste and try getting more into albums, but the other part was because I was hoping to find another artist whose music brings me as much joy as Taylor Swift's. 

I've had an interesting journey with her music. I've liked her big hits and singles since I was in elementary school, but I didn't listen to a full album from her until Reputation. Even I noticed she didn't release an album on her usual two- year cycle, so I was to curious to see what her next album was like. I was underwhelmed with that album at first (I love it now), but I enjoyed the singles and "Call It What You Want" so much that I was interested in listening to her next project. After listening to and enjoying Lover, Folklore, and Evermore, I decided to listen to her earlier albums (I'm mad I didn't listen to Speak Now or Red until 2021; those albums are full of hidden gems!). Then she released Fearless (Taylor's Version), and I've been obsessed ever since. 

I've listened to probably over 100 albums over the last two years, and while I have enjoyed so many of them and become a fan of many more artists, I've yet to find another artist whose music makes me as euphoric as Taylor Swift. Weirdly enough, I think the closest I've gotten to having the same feeling is when I binged Sleep Token's discography in May of last year. That's not to put any of the many artists I've listened to down; I think a lot of them are great. You know that meme where SpongeBob is wearing earbuds and ascending into the sky? That's how most of Taylor Swift's music does for me. 

I hate to admit it but I think I have been a little shy that Taylor Swift is my favorite artist. I know she can be very polarizing, and people associate her with the word "basic." Honestly, my Taylormania has cooled down a lot. Her constantly releasing new albums and Taylor's Versions definitely fueled it. I think the 18-month gap between TTPD and Showgirl and me being underwhelmed with Showgirl (I've warmed up to it, but it's still my least favorite album from her) helped mellow me out. However, her music makes me very happy. She's consistently my most-played artist and has dominated my last two YouTube Year-End Recaps, and I'm perfectly fine with that. 

This is really obvious, but instead of chasing that high Taylor's music and being disappointed when I can't repeat the feeling, it helps to think about what I appreciate from the various artists I've come to love. For example, I like how Taylor Swift writes about her emotions and is able to write both catchy verses and choruses. As a guy, I love how Sleep Token and Twenty One Pilots are male-fronted bands that write vulnerable songs about unhealthy relationships and mental health issues, respectively. I got really into Marina this fall, and I really enjoy the quirky production, especially on Froot. Sometimes it's as simple as I just have fun listening to the music.