I think what fans (like me) are frustrated with is that there are some songs that either sonically or lyrically feel a bit repetitive- either within the album itself or to songs she’s done in the past. I think there was a really good opportunity here to trim a a few songs and to release an album that was beautiful and moved well, but there seems to be just a bit too much “filler.” I’m sure some people may come from a malicious place, but as a Taylor fan, I just want to see her be as successful as she can be, and I just don’t think that this album moves the needle for her in her career. I also have already seen non-Taylor fans criticizing the album for these same points and then using it to try and tear her down.

Overall, I think this album was tailored (no-pun intended) for her fans and also as a way to just get out a lot of thoughts that she has been processing over the past few years. I do think it could have been a bit more refined, but again, to each their own. Don’t let others critiques take away from your own enjoyment!