Well keep in mind this is more or less initial impressions, I've only given it one listen in full so far, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think my only big criticism is that a lot of the production is a bit samey, but the quality of the vocals and lyricism allows me to look past that. I don't think that this album is necessarily her being more "mature" as some have said, but the big difference is she's taking the pen and pointing it away from herself and crafting songs that are more or less stories she's created that feel inspired by her own personal life and feelings. I think that framing makes this album feel much more "mythical" and I think that was the intent. It's easy to see several Taylor albums as concept albums but this feels like one where that is explicitly the case. I know a lot of snobby dude bros seem to think this album was Taylor trying to get "indie cred" or something but I highly doubt she is looking for approval from fans of the National. I think the more organic (if that's the word?) sound of the album just came naturally from being composed in quarantine and reflects the downbeat nature of that kind of isolation. She clearly had plenty of time to reflect and dig deep for some inspiration and pulled out, in my opinion, a really impressive achievement.
