The answer is, I think, the pandemic and the folklore / evermore duo of lyrical complexity that Taylor Swift innovated. It seemed this was the peak of her career. But really it was the beginning of the end. Let me explain. Before Blackpink: Taylor’s prophetic ‘reputation’ era. reputation was made in notoriety. Taylor had been … Continue reading reputation by Taylor Swift is pop perfection — so why is Midnights so terrible?
Tag: Taylor Swift
Blackpink in Dallas, Texas: Dancing in the Moonlight — a Comprehensive Concert Review
What a show. Blackpink’s solid and surprising debut to 20,000 fans at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, South Korea, has been matched by an extremely competent and at times riveting performance to thousands more fans at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The opening ‘How You Like That’ is a perfect way to introduce … Continue reading Blackpink in Dallas, Texas: Dancing in the Moonlight — a Comprehensive Concert Review
Midnights by Taylor Swift 3am Bonus Tracks: That’s More Like It, But It’s Still A Little Empty (Is It?)
Dropping the Kanye/Travis-infused basslines of the first 13 songs of Midnights, Taylor Swift pivots to her signature songwriting of catchy choruses and lyrical verses with moderate instrumentation and light production on ‘The Great War’. The production and lyrical foci of the first half of the album are melded into a musical medley in this last … Continue reading Midnights by Taylor Swift 3am Bonus Tracks: That’s More Like It, But It’s Still A Little Empty (Is It?)
Midnights by Taylor Swift Review: This Is Not Music, And It Is No Art — But It Is Excellent Propaganda
There was once a time when Taylor Swift made music. Then she encountered the music of Billie Eilish, and she decided to make art to rival nemesis Kanye West. But she herself anticipated Billie Eilish’s 2019 LP with her 2017 LP reputation, inspired by Kanye West’s Yeezus. Now Taylor Swift prefers to follow trends rather … Continue reading Midnights by Taylor Swift Review: This Is Not Music, And It Is No Art — But It Is Excellent Propaganda
The significance of Lisa’s MTV Award victory over BTS, Twice, and Itzy
Breaking free from a group is hard. Already three Blackpink members have gone solo, along with two of BTS’ members — albeit in collaborations with Charlie Puth and PSY. Lisa’s solo venture, drawing on Blackpink producer Teddy’s production skills in various styles in global pop and hip hop, is remarkable if only for its sheer … Continue reading The significance of Lisa’s MTV Award victory over BTS, Twice, and Itzy
Sabrina Carpenter’s rocking James Corden show: The heir to the pop throne perfects her craft
YouTube comments are funny things. (I should know.) ‘GIVE THIS WOMAN A GRAMMY ALREADY’ — ‘SHE DOESN’T NEED A GRAMMY. THE GRAMMYS NEED HER. [STAR EMOJI]’ — ‘FRRR’. Or so goes one string of comments that express the vibes of a fan base of a newcomer to celebrity and pop music. But Sabrina Carpenter is … Continue reading Sabrina Carpenter’s rocking James Corden show: The heir to the pop throne perfects her craft
Why Lisa from Blackpink is the next queen of hip hop, but it may take a while for her to break free
K-Pop is paradoxically encaged by its global popularity. Breaking through to the American audience at the beating heart of global capitalism is key to success in modern music. For with commercial success can come the freedom to make truly artistic music. This happened most recently with hip hop, which transformed through its late ‘90s and … Continue reading Why Lisa from Blackpink is the next queen of hip hop, but it may take a while for her to break free
MTV Awards 2022 Review: Ghostly Greats Haunt the Silver Throne
Echoing her dancing to Kanye West's 'All Day' performance at the Brits, Taylor Swift was seen rapping to Nicki Minaj's 'Superbass' at the 2022 MTV Awards, an event which has a history for Swift and West as the moment when the latter interrupted the former, leading to ensuing drama and some of the greatest music … Continue reading MTV Awards 2022 Review: Ghostly Greats Haunt the Silver Throne
Kanye West, Taylor Swift, and the 2010s moment of artistic transcendence in popular music
The headlines about Kanye West and Taylor Swift are deceptive. We learn about them through their controversy, which, when it finally fades from view, reveals two musicians locked in artistic combat and collaboration. Country music and Chicago hip hop are contrasting locations for the artistic birthplace of these two popular musicians. Kanye is older and … Continue reading Kanye West, Taylor Swift, and the 2010s moment of artistic transcendence in popular music
Edmund Wilson 