The album’s track “Guilty as Sin” has been a particular focal point of criticism. It juxtaposes unrequited love with religious imagery, drawing parallels that some listeners find uncomfortable.
Lines like “What if I roll the stone away?” and “They’re gonna crucify me anyway” have not only intensified the backlash but also incited accusations of blasphemy from various quarters.
Amidst the spotlight, some fans support Swift’s artistic direction, arguing that her music has evolved along with her audience. “Taylor isn’t for the little girls anymore, she grew up and so did we,” stated Emily LaCroix, a long-time fan defending Swift’s new artistic expressions.
Parents, however, are finding it challenging to navigate this new phase of Swift’s music with their children. Discussions about excluding younger listeners from the album or limiting them to the cleaner versions of her songs are rampant. “She is writing about adult stuff… However, there is a non-explicit version so if you’re worried about the language itself that shouldn’t be an issue,” suggested Anna Wells, proposing a compromise. The track has been seen by some as a new low for Swift, who has otherwise been celebrated for her songwriting prowess that often encapsulates the zeitgeist.
My heart really feels for Taylor Swift. I related with her songs more before I found true freedom in Christ. She’s desperate for what only Jesus can offer, turning to men and Spirituality instead. She needs our prayers. This world offers temporary highs and big lows.
— Alicia, M.Ed. ✞ 🩸 (@npealicia) April 19, 2024
“The Tortured Poets Department. An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time – one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure,” Swift wrote on Thursday on Instagram.
“This period of the author’s life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed. And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted. This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page. Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it.”
“And then all that’s left behind is the tortured poetry,” she finished.
The reactions have been polarized. While introspective and complex, the album may have overstepped in its use of religious metaphors; CNN’s review paints a picture of an album that appreciates the lyrical craftsmanship but also notes the potential for backlash given the sensitive nature of the comparisons. The album arrives amidst a larger cultural moment for Swift, who continues to dominate the pop music landscape with her innovative sound and narrative songwriting.
