The media cannot pick a side. Hardly anyone has a “neutral” opinion about the blonde pop star these days. After the release of her brand new album, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT (TTPD), and her growing popularity in the past decade, the media is divided. Fans have her songs on repeat, and non-fans dis her at every chance they get; a toxic division has festered.
In more recent times, post-Midnights frenzee and TTPD release, the media (specifically critics) have seemed to have taken a step back from producing Taylor Swift media. No matter the specific reason, “fence-sitters” have picked sides. Unsurprisingly, news outlets and critics raced to release reviews about the two hour long album, some releasing only hours after the release. If you have not yet listened to the 32-track album, it is not something to digest and criticize/review in one listen. As the new sound from the album grows on the listeners, themes and old meanings click; it takes a second or two to take in this much art. Critics judged and judged away, tarnishing the reputation (hardly) of this hefty piece of work. Publishers who used to give dazzling reviews seem to turn on Swift, calling her newest work messy. The New York Times hopped on the bandwagon and recently released an article, “Taylor Swift Has Given Fans a Lot. Is it Finally Too Much?” Stir on social media platform, Tik Tok, even rose as passionate fans question whether Swift has a chance to win any more deserved awards. Claiming TTPD deserves awards such as album of the year compared to Midnights (which most people believe only won due to its impact [Eras Tour] it had in 2023-2024. After two years of high praise from the media, is it over now? But after a questionable few weeks, critics walked with their tails between their legs as they rushed back with a change of heart. A CNN writer comes out with “I judged Taylor Swift’s album immediately after it came out. Here’s why I was wrong.”
It’s truly difficult to tell whether or not Swift has run into overexposure and what impact it will have on her career. After Midnights, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), 1989 (Taylor’s Version), and her public relationship launch with Travis Kelce, the general media has given a split reaction to the amount of Taylor Swift the United States and the world has received. Even with the growing weariness of Swift, TTPD still exploded on social media. With first day streams, Swift not only beat her own record by a landslide—(1989 (Taylor’s Version) first day streams: 185.58 million. TTPD first day streams: over 300 million), but now holds the top five spots for “top first day streaming performance” in Spotify history. TTPD became the quickest album to reach a billion streams. Additionally, Swift dominated the Billboard 100, filling the top 14 spots with songs from TTPD, and today remains on the charts (as of May 8). She is the charts.
Although she has an overwhelmingly massive fan base, it is interesting to note the growing resentment other musicians and listeners could grow towards Swift for dominating the charts and award ceremonies left and right. I personally enjoy Swift’s music and am delighted to see her success explode, but my eyes are open, ready for the media’s reaction as Swift continues to produce content. What will be of her career once the media has had their way with her. I wonder what position she would be in if she was a man?