Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions
Starring: Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner
Directed By: Taylor Swift
Despite the countless difficulties of 2020, Taylor Swift has managed to bring joy to her fans with some major surprises throughout the year. In July, Swift announced her eighth studio album: Folklore, less than one year after her successful album Lover. Swift is known for her songwriting ability and artistry. From the country storytelling of her early records (Taylor Swift, Fearless) to the crossover appeal that catapulted her into the star that she is today (Speak Now, Red), to the pop perfection of her later work (1989, Reputation, Lover), she is a multifaceted artist. Swift isn’t afraid to take risks.
For Folklore, Taylor Swift teamed up with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff and founding member of The National, Aaron Dessner, to create an album amidst the COVID lockdown. It may be her most poetic yet, telling stories from her own life, the lives of others, and creating fictional tales specifically for the album. It’s the most stripped-down she’s ever been in terms of production, appealing to more of an indie-pop and alternative crowd than your typical top-40 radio masses. As a fan, I’ve listened to this album countless times, but watching The Long Pond Studio Sessions opened my eyes to the interpretation of each song.
Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions is part concert/part up close and personal look at Taylor Swift’s latest album. The setting of Long Pond Studios perfectly matches the cozy atmospheric vibe that you feel while listening to Folklore. Picturesque trees, fairy lights, and a beautiful pond surround Swift and her collaborators as they discuss the album. As a huge fan of Swift and her latest album, I was thrilled to hear live acoustic performances of Folklore. Obviously, 2020 won’t allow a tour of the album but watching it in our homes is the next best thing.
Taylor Swift in The Long Pond Studio Sessions. Photo Belongs to Disney Plus
What I love about this documentary is that we get to see Taylor and her collaborator’s explanation of each song and the process that went into writing them. These are songs about love, loss, and coming-of-age. They all come together wonderfully to fit together on the album. Songs like “My Tears Ricochet” and “Mad Woman” come from a deep place of personal hurt. While “Cardigan,” “Betty,” and “August” are a trilogy of songs following a fictional love triangle. “Mirrorball” and “Epiphany” are two standout tracks directly inspired by the coronavirus lockdown. It’s interesting that she was able to turn something so upsetting into such beautiful songs. Even Swift’s boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, helped her write some of the lyrics and melodies of a few songs under the pseudonym William Bowery. I’d like to talk about each song here, but it’s much more impactful to hear her explain the meanings behind her lyrics.
If you’ve ever seen a Taylor Swift concert, you know that it’s an unforgettable production of lights, costume changes, and dancers. However, The Long Pond Studio Sessions proves she is just as commanding with a guitar and her voice. Folklore is an album that almost demands to be played acoustically due to its production. Taylor Swift’s vocals are getting better with each album released, and that’s obvious here. She has some standout moments while singing Exile with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, My Tears Ricochet, Seven, and Peace.
Grab your cardigans because Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions is a must-watch for Taylor Swift fans (and anyone who enjoyed the album.) The behind-the-scenes look into each song brings a whole new layer to the album. While the acoustic performances are like a Folklore concert brought right to your living room!
Now Streaming on Disney Plus