'The Tortured Poets Department' Is So Lana Del Rey-Coded That It's Frustrating

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of The Tortured Poets Department. I know this might not sit well with Swifties out there, but I just finished listening to it for the second time, and my opinion hasn't changed. I'm still not sold on it. Don't get me wrong though, I don't think it's a bad album. If anything, I think it has the potential to be great, but only in a world where Lana Del Rey had created The Tortured Poets Department.

Hey there, you have two options: either brace yourself for what I'm about to say or simply close this tab. I'll give you an out because what I'm about to say might be unpleasant. But it's the truth, and the truth is that this album does not represent Taylor Swift at all. If you're familiar with Lana Del Rey's music, you'll understand what I'm trying to convey. This album doesn't fit in with the Taylor Swift universe of 2024; instead, it resembles the special edition of Born To Die which can be found in the vinyl section of Urban Outfitters from 2014.

Honestly, I wouldn't say that I'm a huge fan of Taylor Swift. I only started listening to her music after she released folklore, which caught my attention because Bon Iver was featured. But I soon became enamored with her ability to tell stories and her talent for writing songs. I even went to the Eras Tour with my best friends and sang the bridge of "Cruel Summer" at the top of my lungs. I also received a friendship bracelet from a crying 13-year-old who was sitting next to me. "‘tis the damn season" was on my Spotify Wrapped for two years in a row! Taylor is a powerhouse and a truly gifted artist who deserves all the accolades she receives, including Album of the Year. So when TTPD dropped at midnight on April 19, I was among the thousands who immediately logged on to Spotify to listen to it. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

As soon as Taylor started singing in the song "Fortnight", I could tell that there was something strange about it. When she sang the lyrics, "I was supposed to be sent away / But they forgot to come and get me / I was a functioning alcoholic / ‘Til nobody noticed my new aesthetic”, her voice sounded different. It didn't seem more sophisticated, practiced or anything like that, it felt exaggerated or satirical. Towards the end of the song, I was feeling very frustrated trying to figure it out. However, when I heard "Florida!!!" and "Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?", it suddenly made sense to me. The Tortured Poets Department is written with a similar style to Lana Del Rey's music, it's so noticeable that it's almost painful.

I have been a devoted listener of Lana's music since the year it aired (around 2010, to be exact). Yet, this does not mean I am oblivious to the talent of other artists out there. That being said, it's impossible to deny the influence Lana has had on the music world, even more so on big names such as Taylor Swift.

I dare you to listen to songs such as "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)" and "Fortnight" and claim that Taylor's singing is not on par with Lana's. With lyrics like "The dopamine races through his brain / On a six-lane Texas highway / His hands so calloused from his pistol / Softly traces hearts on my face" and the smoky, sultry, Western-Americana feel of the music, Taylor's vocals easily rival Lana's. Can an AI program replicate Lana singing these songs instead of Taylor? I'm curious to find out.

Taylor Swift's new album, TTPD, has many songs with dark themes such as drinking, smoking and dating a bad boy, which seems like a new persona for her. She is portraying herself as a bitter and tormented artist who is now using blood and alcohol to create her lyrics instead of her usual glitter pen. Fans of Swift probably find this change very cool and exciting, but as someone who is familiar with her work, it may be difficult for her to continue this new direction.

It should be noted that Taylor has praised Lana in the past for her impact on pop music. During the 2024 Grammys, Taylor invited Lana on stage with her, even though Lana had just lost in that category. She stated that many female artists wouldn't be where they are today without the influence and inspiration from Lana's work. The two musicians joined forces on the song "Snow On The Beach" from the album Midnights, which was created with the help of Jack Antonoff. It's important to mention that Antonoff has also contributed to Lana's albums, Normal F*cking Rockwell, Chemtrails over the Country Club, and Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard?

Lana Del Rey has had a distinct style since the start of the 2010s. Her songs often touch on subjects like drug and alcohol abuse, sexual encounters, rebellious men, elder gentlemen, illegal activities, and the roughness of American culture. Despite having a noticeable impact, Lana is viewed as an outsider and indie darling with a fashionable look that might not yet suit the popular crowd. However, if you merge her unique style with the catchy tunes and captivating narrative of Taylor Swift, it could result in something that the mass audience would adore.

In my opinion, I don't believe Taylor intentionally imitated Lana for her song "The Last Great American Dynasty." It's clear that Lana has had a significant impact on Taylor's creative process over the years, and they have worked together in the past. It's natural that some similarities may arise. However, I don't believe Taylor's album presents anything new or innovative, and it doesn't feel genuine to me.

While many may enjoy the Tortured Poets Department, I personally don't think it compares to a Taylor Swift album. Perhaps my hearing isn't as keen as a true Swiftie's or maybe I'm just bitter because I wanted Lana to win a Grammy. However, it's alright that this album isn't my taste. I'm allowed to have preferences. Instead, I'll be listening to Blue Banisters and letting others debate whether they'll grab their pitchforks or choose to listen to Lana's music.