Flexing on us? Dude is clearly unhappy that his girlfriend finds a good deal of Swift’s recent discography so relatable… and what that might say about their long-term relationship prospects.
Mustard loves this and your comments regarding music journalism. As a condiment who interviews independent musicians from all over the globe they receive requests pretty frequently. Often times PR firms will reach out to Mustard to request a review. Their main selling point often time is how many Spotify streams they have and popular sites like you mentioned that have highlighted them. Mustard could care less about Spotify streams. Mustard is more likely to set up an interview with an artist if they reach out directly. It feels more personable that way. These firms also do not care that you currently have submissions closed. They will continue to reach out without accepting that this condiment has no plans to do anything else. It is partially a reason why Mustard is closing shop in June.
Oh sorry to hear that you're stopping in June. I feel your frustration, but I really dig the music community here on Substack. Your work is important in fighting the good fight.
Sam, you caught me on the very heels of trying to give her new album a go (which I also did two weeks ago with Cowboy Carter). I continue to be unbelievably perplexed by these two middling talents who have been marketed to perfection. Your post is absolute music to my ears - every single line.
Your line about Swifties not actually being familiar with any real folk music hit me right in the heart. This is what I keep saying. Have any of these people actually listened to Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Damien Rice, or more obscure artists like Beth Orton or Erin McKeown? Incredible lyricism, musicality, and blessed with voice-as-instrument talent. How they are missing out.
I was intrigued on TPD by the track with Florence + The Machine. When Flo enters the track, it’s such a stark representation of just how out of her depth Swift is. Florence Welch could sing the phone book and it would be art. Swift is just treacly gumball vocals, even if she turns a clever lyric now and then.
"Florida" was actually the standout track on that album for me, and the contrast between Florence and Taylor was what made it interesting. Comparing most vocalists to Florence is a bit unfair because she is truly a once-in-a-generation talent, but the loud-soft dynamic was fantastic.
And, yeah, I have no personal beef with Swift as a musician. She makes easy-listening pop music that is reflective of the current mood/trends, and that's completely fine if you enjoy it. Just don't tell me that bubblegum break-up songs are making some profound and essential statement on the feminist struggle lol
I'm with you for most of the article, but not on this point: "Taylor Swift is Elon Musk for women."
Elon Musk has no *actual skills* beyond having continuously failed upwards for his whole life as a hyper-privileged child of wealth, while constantly aspiring to ruin ever-greater spheres of public life.
Taylor Swift can play instruments and sing. Her music isn't for me, but I'm not about to compare anyone who can actually *do things* to Elon Musk.
I agree but my comparison is not that literal. I'm more comparing the fandoms between the two, and how the devotion has gotten so intense that they cannot accept any criticism of T-Swift or Elon.
It feels like a media assault. She's on every magazine cover -- I saw three on a row at the grocery store. Why do they want me to care about her? What is it about this particular industry meat puppet? People refer to "Taylor" as if she's a mutual friend of ours. I don't know anyone named Taylor. The Taylor Swift worship was already weird ten years ago (and seemed most prevalent amongst catty people who don't take responsibility for their poor choices). Leave me alone to die, people.
I asked my son what's up with this Taylor Swift stuff about ten years ago and he says she is and has great marketing business person. Before he told me that, I was thinking has my music tastes gone bad, like when I have a cold and eating anything tastes like 'nope', my tastebuds are saying 'you don't like this' now.
What you're saying is spot on. I really like how you wrote this piece and what it says.
I here people want her to run for President for crying out loud. You've heard people say this about any celebrity that's popular. Swift had not made anything of her political leanings and that was great! Then everyone is creating her belief system to be the same as theirs. Is it people are desperate for a candidate they could possibly like? IDK
The damn political attacks to preventively make her not or yes tell people her opinions on candidates was stupid. I thought they only do that because they liked the looks of that person or candidate and they MUST think like us.
I barely payed attention to her until everyone starts saying she doesn't like who we don't like. I'm saying "who cares" about what they like or don't, I care that I'm able to determine my own thinking.
Damn the conformation of thought were supposed to have. Well I don't care if I get cancelled, I do stuff all the time that my family cancels me for.
I think she actually endorsed Bernie for president in 2020 and she’s come out for pro-LGBTQ rights. Anything I know about her political beliefs, she’s a standard-issue liberal.
But yeah the people who obsess over her need help and a personality.
Great write up, especially points on music reviews. I’ve never been a fan of good v bad in reviews. Just the feelings the music invokes. The worst criticism? “I feel nothing.”
I’m not a huge TS or B fan. The new TS album sounded like a sequel to me as well, so her fans will love it. Cowboy Carter? I consider it a masterpiece in genre bending bliss. American Requiem would have wowed Woodstock and is the social cry of the decade.
For sure. It just seems like Taylor and Jack as partners have hit a creative lull, or maybe Taylor just has too much going on with her tour and re-records to fully flesh out a fresh album concept, but it just felt very derivative of her previous work and even her contemporaries (Lana del Ray, Ariana Grande, Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo, etc.).
There are some great songs on Cowboy Carter, but I have the same issue with it as I do with Taylor Swift's album, which is they're fairly one-dimensional songwriters, which isn't really conducive to albums that are 20-30 tracks or have a 1-2 hour runtime. To be fair, that's generally my criticism of double albums or bloated tracklists of artists I also like.
Absolutely! Or the huge debate over "Kid A" that raged there and everywhere else — it was thrilling.
As far as Taylor Swift....as I've written here before, I don't even know whom to compare her to (in terms of finding a meaningful critical context). John Denver? Cher? Liberace?
No one rants better than you, Sam. But if you know what's good for you, you will not show this post to your girlfriend. And btw, where are the stories (and pics) of your South America trip?
Would you believe I only know two things about her? 1 She's a billionaire and 2 Her music sucks (I know this because I happened to accidentally hear a couple of fragments just because I mistook her for Emma Swift
That whole article is just you flexing on us that you have a swifty girlfriend.
lol I have already listened to her new album twice without having to press play
is that even a flex?? poor sam.
highly debatable
Flexing on us? Dude is clearly unhappy that his girlfriend finds a good deal of Swift’s recent discography so relatable… and what that might say about their long-term relationship prospects.
Mustard loves this and your comments regarding music journalism. As a condiment who interviews independent musicians from all over the globe they receive requests pretty frequently. Often times PR firms will reach out to Mustard to request a review. Their main selling point often time is how many Spotify streams they have and popular sites like you mentioned that have highlighted them. Mustard could care less about Spotify streams. Mustard is more likely to set up an interview with an artist if they reach out directly. It feels more personable that way. These firms also do not care that you currently have submissions closed. They will continue to reach out without accepting that this condiment has no plans to do anything else. It is partially a reason why Mustard is closing shop in June.
Oh sorry to hear that you're stopping in June. I feel your frustration, but I really dig the music community here on Substack. Your work is important in fighting the good fight.
Sam, you caught me on the very heels of trying to give her new album a go (which I also did two weeks ago with Cowboy Carter). I continue to be unbelievably perplexed by these two middling talents who have been marketed to perfection. Your post is absolute music to my ears - every single line.
Your line about Swifties not actually being familiar with any real folk music hit me right in the heart. This is what I keep saying. Have any of these people actually listened to Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Damien Rice, or more obscure artists like Beth Orton or Erin McKeown? Incredible lyricism, musicality, and blessed with voice-as-instrument talent. How they are missing out.
I was intrigued on TPD by the track with Florence + The Machine. When Flo enters the track, it’s such a stark representation of just how out of her depth Swift is. Florence Welch could sing the phone book and it would be art. Swift is just treacly gumball vocals, even if she turns a clever lyric now and then.
Bravo, and thank you for this.
"Florida" was actually the standout track on that album for me, and the contrast between Florence and Taylor was what made it interesting. Comparing most vocalists to Florence is a bit unfair because she is truly a once-in-a-generation talent, but the loud-soft dynamic was fantastic.
And, yeah, I have no personal beef with Swift as a musician. She makes easy-listening pop music that is reflective of the current mood/trends, and that's completely fine if you enjoy it. Just don't tell me that bubblegum break-up songs are making some profound and essential statement on the feminist struggle lol
📈📈 banger
Hey no dissing the Scatman
I was being facetious, but I love the Scatman, and "Break Stuff" is on my running/workout playlist.
I'm with you for most of the article, but not on this point: "Taylor Swift is Elon Musk for women."
Elon Musk has no *actual skills* beyond having continuously failed upwards for his whole life as a hyper-privileged child of wealth, while constantly aspiring to ruin ever-greater spheres of public life.
Taylor Swift can play instruments and sing. Her music isn't for me, but I'm not about to compare anyone who can actually *do things* to Elon Musk.
I agree but my comparison is not that literal. I'm more comparing the fandoms between the two, and how the devotion has gotten so intense that they cannot accept any criticism of T-Swift or Elon.
In that sense then, yes. They both have truly gravity-warping standoms
I can't get past the cover photo of Beyonce's Country Carter. Sort of Velcrod awkwardly to the side of a horse.
It looks very poorly photoshopped
Hard to believe no one on her team noticed that it looked ridiculous. (Just sit on the damned horse?!)
Not to mention the flying hair.
So tremendously tiring. And even without any swifties in the family, I cannot get away because there's no block feature for phrases on threads. 😞
It's the new Keeping Up with the Kardashians
I love a good hate read about a good hate listen.
The other day in my local vinyl haunt I heard one girl sneer to another girl that Swift’s new album was “very light beer,” and then they giggled.
It feels like a media assault. She's on every magazine cover -- I saw three on a row at the grocery store. Why do they want me to care about her? What is it about this particular industry meat puppet? People refer to "Taylor" as if she's a mutual friend of ours. I don't know anyone named Taylor. The Taylor Swift worship was already weird ten years ago (and seemed most prevalent amongst catty people who don't take responsibility for their poor choices). Leave me alone to die, people.
I'm so sorry you have to listen to that. Stay stronk brother
I asked my son what's up with this Taylor Swift stuff about ten years ago and he says she is and has great marketing business person. Before he told me that, I was thinking has my music tastes gone bad, like when I have a cold and eating anything tastes like 'nope', my tastebuds are saying 'you don't like this' now.
What you're saying is spot on. I really like how you wrote this piece and what it says.
I here people want her to run for President for crying out loud. You've heard people say this about any celebrity that's popular. Swift had not made anything of her political leanings and that was great! Then everyone is creating her belief system to be the same as theirs. Is it people are desperate for a candidate they could possibly like? IDK
The damn political attacks to preventively make her not or yes tell people her opinions on candidates was stupid. I thought they only do that because they liked the looks of that person or candidate and they MUST think like us.
I barely payed attention to her until everyone starts saying she doesn't like who we don't like. I'm saying "who cares" about what they like or don't, I care that I'm able to determine my own thinking.
Damn the conformation of thought were supposed to have. Well I don't care if I get cancelled, I do stuff all the time that my family cancels me for.
I think she actually endorsed Bernie for president in 2020 and she’s come out for pro-LGBTQ rights. Anything I know about her political beliefs, she’s a standard-issue liberal.
But yeah the people who obsess over her need help and a personality.
Great write up, especially points on music reviews. I’ve never been a fan of good v bad in reviews. Just the feelings the music invokes. The worst criticism? “I feel nothing.”
I’m not a huge TS or B fan. The new TS album sounded like a sequel to me as well, so her fans will love it. Cowboy Carter? I consider it a masterpiece in genre bending bliss. American Requiem would have wowed Woodstock and is the social cry of the decade.
Yet, it’s all subjective. Isn’t it?
For sure. It just seems like Taylor and Jack as partners have hit a creative lull, or maybe Taylor just has too much going on with her tour and re-records to fully flesh out a fresh album concept, but it just felt very derivative of her previous work and even her contemporaries (Lana del Ray, Ariana Grande, Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo, etc.).
There are some great songs on Cowboy Carter, but I have the same issue with it as I do with Taylor Swift's album, which is they're fairly one-dimensional songwriters, which isn't really conducive to albums that are 20-30 tracks or have a 1-2 hour runtime. To be fair, that's generally my criticism of double albums or bloated tracklists of artists I also like.
All valid points. I enjoy these discourses. They help me broaden my perspective. 🤓
Oh, for the days when Rolling Stone continued to hate Led Zeppelin through most of the 'Seventies, EVEN THOUGH they were the #1 act in rock.
Sometimes negative reviews are necessary. Massive respect to Pitchfork for giving Greta Van Fleet's debut album a 1/10.
Absolutely! Or the huge debate over "Kid A" that raged there and everywhere else — it was thrilling.
As far as Taylor Swift....as I've written here before, I don't even know whom to compare her to (in terms of finding a meaningful critical context). John Denver? Cher? Liberace?
That was great. Two things I learned from it..
Wine Moms is a thing. Back in the 90s it was just called Moms.
and
There is a good time to stop ranting...sometimes I forget that... and often go mid rant mid story...
No one rants better than you, Sam. But if you know what's good for you, you will not show this post to your girlfriend. And btw, where are the stories (and pics) of your South America trip?
This article could lead to The Great War if he really is Who's Afraid of Little Old Me 🤭
no
Ho god what did I summon…
I’m dying 😂
thank you AMY!!!!! 😂
I’m no Swiftie (see my comment to Sam), but this was well-played 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Don't encourage her
Oh, she read a rough draft while I was in the bathroom...
Would you believe I only know two things about her? 1 She's a billionaire and 2 Her music sucks (I know this because I happened to accidentally hear a couple of fragments just because I mistook her for Emma Swift