Whenever I think of summer, it’s sandy beaches, sticky, syrup-covered snow cones, and the shining sun that come to mind. I think of fun trips to my cousin’s lake and sleeping in all day. Summer is always a blissful time of the year. Not only do images and feelings like these come about when I consider this season, but so does the music I have or had listened to over the course of these special three months. In 2019, the soundtrack to my summer was Taylor Swift’s seventh studio album, Lover.
Released on August 23rd, Lover celebrates all different forms of love through its joyful lyrics and upbeat productions. Coming off Reputation–the musical artist’s divisive and noticeably darker album–Swift wanted to create a work that would bring about positivity and happiness. This is visible throughout much of the project as Lover kicks off with the opening track “I Forgot That You Existed,” a song about dismissing those who have wronged you in the past. The singer’s carefree attitude can also be found in songs such as “I Think He Knows” and “London Boy,” both of which capture her love for her long-term boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.
The fun atmosphere captured within the album is also captured in the more heartbreaking tracks, “Death By A Thousand Cuts” and “Cornelia Street.” The former discusses a devastating breakup, and the latter focuses on Swift’s fears at earlier stages in her relationship with Alwyn. Even though the sadness is apparent in the lyrics and the singer’s voice, these are songs that will make you want to scream out the words alongside Swift as you drive with the windows down. This is true for the politically charged singles “The Man,” “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince,” and “You Need to Calm Down,” which have sonic elements that encourage listeners to dance along to the beat or passionately sing along.
The end of the work, “Daylight,” chronicles Swift’s past struggles and how she has come out the other side stronger than ever. This triumphant track signals a sense of accomplishment within listeners as they’ve gone on an eighteen-song journey through all various forms of love, from self to platonic to romantic to familial. If you are interested in an easy-to-listen-to album with summer vibes, check out Lover. You won’t regret it.