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folklore: first impressions rate: the results, I had a marvellous time revealing the results | the winner..

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dandy* View member profile	7th August 2020, 04:08 PM Post #101
Mansonette Joined: 7 March 2006 Posts: 35,336 User: 54	Seven is one of my absolute favourites on the album, did I really only award it 7?


UltraCruelSummer View member profile	7th August 2020, 04:11 PM Post #102
It's a cruel summer. Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 35,256 User: 20,947	QUOTE(dandy* @ Aug 7 2020, 05:08 PM) Seven is one of my absolute favourites on the album, did I really only award it 7? nope you didn't oops I misread the spreadsheet and it was Harry that gave it a 7, so I was right it was the last two voters that gave it a score of 7 but I put you down there oops (you gave it 9.5!) lemme edit that x


UltraCruelSummer View member profile	7th August 2020, 05:17 PM Post #103
It's a cruel summer. Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 35,256 User: 20,947	'only twenty minutes to sleep, but you dream of some epiphany, just one single glimpse of relief, to make some sense of what you've seen' DUnDkI7l9LQ 04. epiphany // 9.02 with you I serve, with you I fall down: London81, UltraFolklore [11], Jade, John-James, Jonjo, JosephStyles, Liam, LJ Jord 7, Nina West, ...Ready For It, [10], Bre, MrAndrewMan [9.5] just a flesh wound, here's your rifle: LmLou, No Sleeep [6] The song commentary: epiphany is the 13th track on folklore, an integral placing on the tracklisting considering how much Taylor is obsessed with the number 13 and unfortunately it's been one of the weaker tracks on streaming (only hoax is rly doing worse tbh) and people aren't giving this masterpiece the time of day it deserves! tf buzzjack has taste, this is the biggest shock in the rate for me! epiphany is another Aaron Dessner produced track in a row and his 3rd highest here - with the battle for #1 between Dessner x2 (cardigan/exile) and Antonoff (august). This unfortunately missed the top 50 and peaked at 57 on the Hot 100, but yasss at it being another top 100 hit for Taylor and increasing her incredible record-breaking tally . <3 Taylor described epiphany in her note on the album as writing stories from people I've known and 'my grandfather, Dean, landing at Guadalcanal in 1942'. epiphany describes someone hoping to find peace in their dreams and a moment of calmness despite the violence and chaos in the world surrounding them. Taylor explores this through her grandfathers experience in the military during WW2 and the current COVID-19 pandemic. This is the shortest song lyrically despite being one of the longest songs on the album! The first verse is about Swift's grandfather Dean during WW2 and the lyrics explore the brutality & physical effects of war and Taylor placed a picture of her grandfather during his service in the cardigan music video. The verse also alludes to PTSD and the long-lasting effects of these tragedies. The lyrics are rife with imagery of these environments & places you so easily into these settings. The 2nd verse parallels the first verse but changes the narrative from war to the battle of the current coronavirus crisis. Taylor creates imagery such as the plastic barriers, how unprepared we are to face a crisis like this and the effects of losing family to this crisis & not being able to say a proper goodbye due to social distancing. Taylor ends both verses with 'and some things you just can't speak about', which parallels the distressing experiences of soldiers in war to those of healthcare workers during the 2020 pandemic. The chorus is made up of two lyrics and relate both to the soldiers & healthcare workers, with them serving on the frontlines of the crisis & making sacrifices and watching people move from in and out of consciousness and the theme of death and dealing with it in the moment. The chorus also shows how we've all come together to help one another during both crisis. The two lines work perfectly together and shows how the respiratory system is attacked in 2020 as a doctor watches a patient dies, and links it to a soldier watching a fellow soldier die as they 'fall down' in battle. There's also an undertone to PTSD experienced by professionals in these two fields. The bridge and outro are the only other lyrics in this song and the outro is the bridge repeated again. The bridge continues to draw parallels between the soldiers & healthcare workers and is that moment of calmness to reflect on what's happening and hoping for some solution to hold on and stay strong. Both soldiers in war & healthcare workers in 2020 are required to work gruellingly long hours without sleep in order to help keep other people safe & alive. This part of the song is Taylor describing their small moment of rest they can sometimes find as these people in peril dream of a sign that will make sense of the trauma & hardship they're enduring. However with the tone of voice and lyrics, this idea of a sign is presented as little more than a dream & all this horror they're experiencing may always be inexplainable. epiphany highlights the sacrifice of honour of these professionals as well as the great tragedy of their difficult & horrifying experiences & work. I love the way this has the least lyrics and I've still managed to write more about this song than most the others the lyrics hit so hard as I think everyone by now knows on here, epiphany is my favourite track on the album Ofc I would've loved it to win the rate but I wasn't even expecting it top half so what a wonderful overperformance epiphany is such an utterly beautiful song and was an instant fave on 1st listen, it was 3rd in my rankings on 1st listen and climbed to 1st on my 2nd listen and has stayed their since and I don't think anything on the album will ever overtake this <3 epiphany is so so gorgeous, the production is minimalistic and beautiful and really places you in the setting of the song and the lyrics are beautiful and hit so hard. This is gonna be the defining song of 2020 for me and the combination of the stories of her grandpa during war + the current pandemic and the entire theme and way she approaches it all, ugh a masterpiece. I think it's my favourite song lyrically on the album, it's got the least amount of lyrics on the album but it all hits so hard. Her voice is angelic on this song and this song is so ethereal, that is the perfect description for this masterpiece. I think this might actually be in my top 10 Taylor songs of all time already! I cannot get enough of it at all <3 it's so stunning with every single listen. also I NEED THIS TO BE USED IN A MOVIE TRAILER ASAP (when the cinema experience is back and things are a bit more normal x). Imagine this being used in a trailer for a war movie. Whew. the feels. It would work PERFECTLY and give so many goosebumps and chilled. If only 1917 came out a year later, it would've worked perfectly for the trailer in that! This being used in the trailer for a war movie or something dramatic needs to happen ASAP and I am writing it into reality. (and it's not impossible with my album tracks faves being used in trailers, hi enchanted x). The rate commentary: Into 4th and we have the biggest shock of the rate as epiphany manages to score a top 5 placing here!! considering its placing as the 3rd or even now 2nd lowest track on the album on streaming + it being bottom 5 for most people off this site (tho if it's not in bottom 5's, its usually in top 5's aha), WHAT AN OVERPERFORMANCE. And I'm so glad <3 My favourite actually smashing and overperforming for once. a rarity. Buzzjack having taste. another rarity. I'm so glad how much this smashed Anyway epiphany just held off TLGAD for 4th spot with a fantastic average of 9.02 and it was actually 6th until the last two votes propelled it into the top 5!! However it was top 5 for most of the rate, most of its lower/average scores came in 4 of the last 6 rates! I'm so glad it stayed top 5 <3 Anyway this received two 11's, one unsurprisingly myself & the other from London81 and received so many 10's and a couple 9.5's too <3 So well deserved <3 I'm still shocked how much this has smashed, I thought this would go down better on buzzjack than elsewhere but I was still not expecting any higher than like 9th! A fabulous addition to the top 5 and that means our top 3 is august v cardigan v exile! Who will come out victorious?! all will be revealed tomorrow. I can reveal for 3rd place, we are having a BIG jump in averages from 4th.


UltraCruelSummer View member profile	7th August 2020, 05:17 PM Post #104
It's a cruel summer. Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 35,256 User: 20,947	I'm so happy how much epiphany overperformed


RabbitFurCoat View member profile	7th August 2020, 05:33 PM Post #105
IncredibleSquirrel Joined: 8 March 2006 Posts: 25,845 User: 118	That is definitely the right top 4 - the best 4 songs on it


Brer View member profile	7th August 2020, 05:42 PM Post #106
is my brain across your walls? Joined: 14 February 2009 Posts: 115,112 User: 8,300	My 4 favourites being the top 4 as well . (snap with RFC x) I wouldn't say it's surprising that 'epiphany' has done so well here, I saw quite a lot of people naming it as a highlight! The general public just has bad taste xx (that and it's right at the end of the album lol). 'epiphany' currently my 2nd favourite from the album but I could see 'august' possibly overtaking it with more listens.


...ready for it View member profile	7th August 2020, 07:34 PM Post #107
I'm not asleep, my mind is alive. Pronouns: she/her Joined: 25 September 2006 Posts: 45,802 User: 1,454	epiphany is beautiful.


London View member profile	7th August 2020, 08:22 PM Post #108
London Boy Joined: 6 July 2014 Posts: 3,027 User: 21,053	Love this


UltraCruelSummer View member profile	7th August 2020, 09:21 PM Post #109
It's a cruel summer. Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 35,256 User: 20,947	QUOTE(Bré @ Aug 7 2020, 06:42 PM) I wouldn't say it's surprising that 'epiphany' has done so well here, I saw quite a lot of people naming it as a highlight! The general public just has bad taste xx (that and it's right at the end of the album lol). Idk I'd say it was aha, maybe an overperformance was expected due to many naming it a highlight but I definitely wouldn't have thought it'd been strong enough to break the top 5! Idek if we can use the towards the end of the album excuse anymore It def has some impact but it's falling below peace now on streaming which is lowkey worrying about how this is holding up in regards to the album oops (and betty which is after it is now in the top 10 of the album, just for you .!)


UltraCruelSummer View member profile	7th August 2020, 09:31 PM Post #110
It's a cruel summer. Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 35,256 User: 20,947	THE VOTERS AVERAGES: #3 03. ...Ready For It // 9.44 The raters commentary: and as we kick off our top 3 of the voters' averages, we lose our 2nd mod as Ready For It departs in 3rd place!! However we love a mod stanning an album massively and RFI proves exactly that with a terrific average of 9.44 Whew, we love to see it <3 <3 congrats for even even even higher averages though (that are verging on loony now and I oop) so this means the top 2 is a battle of Billy vs Myself. Who's going to pull off top spot here Who you thinking will do it?! Will the averages go above 9.5 So tomorrow we'll be finishing off the rate! #3 will be posted late morning, the voter's winner about 3am and the final two just before 7! we're nearly there!


Cremey View member profile	7th August 2020, 09:33 PM Post #111
on a bench in coney island Joined: 9 August 2007 Posts: 17,594 User: 4,089	So glad august has made the top three What a song. Second only to invisible string for me, and already one of my all time favourites of hers. Great top three overall.


...ready for it View member profile	7th August 2020, 10:43 PM Post #112
I'm not asleep, my mind is alive. Pronouns: she/her Joined: 25 September 2006 Posts: 45,802 User: 1,454	I could give more 10s now, I think.


Tafty³³³ View member profile	7th August 2020, 11:24 PM Post #113
I found the love, I found the love in me Pronouns: He/Him Joined: 13 December 2007 Posts: 87,468 User: 5,042	epiphany is absolutely STUNNING. I really, REALLY need it to soundtrack a huge war movie. Hopefully an edit of the song over the Dunkirk or 1917 trailer will come out soon. My 3rd fave after exile & Betty, but it's SO close to overtaking the latter! Seriously gorgeous.


UltraCruelSummer View member profile	8th August 2020, 05:28 AM Post #114
It's a cruel summer. Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 35,256 User: 20,947	the way I'm tempted to drop #3 now cos I ain't sleeping


UltraCruelSummer View member profile	8th August 2020, 11:20 AM Post #115
It's a cruel summer. Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 35,256 User: 20,947	'canceled plans just in case you'd call, and say meet me behind the mall' nn_0zPAfyo8 03. august // 9.46 august slipped away like a bottle of wine: HarryEzra, John-James [11], Billy, Cremey, Dandy, HausOfGhibli, Jade, Jay, Nina West, No Sleeep, UltraFolklore [10], Josh, MrAndrewMan [9.5] august slipped away into a moment in time: Jonjo, SKOB [8], one 8.5 The song commentary: august is the 8th track on folklore, incredibly fittingly with august ofc being the 8th month of the year and has proven to be immensely popular as it's become the 5th/6th highest track on streaming and is constantly holding up well on the buying platforms + social media buzz! august is the final Jack Antonoff track to drop out, being by far his most successful song here and the only one of his tracks to score a 9+ average. This slayed the charts and peaked at 23 on the Hot 100, we love another top 40 hit .* <3 I wouldn't be surprised to see this become a future single at some point! august is part 2 of the teenage love triangle and is told from the point of view of the girl James cheated on Betty with. However unlike most middle chapters, august cements itself as unforgettable and a standout. Antonoff called this song one of his favourite things they've done together and Swift said the song is inspired by 'the sun drenched month of August, sipped away like a bottle of wine'. the song has been highly praised for the storytelling and the production, especially the wonderful outro! the opening line of salt air can be applied to the Rhode Island setting on a couple of the other folklore songs snd reinforces this was a summer fling. we love beach like imagery in Jack Antonoff tracks . (hi green light x). The first verse also makes a reference to never have I ever and has some sexual connotations. the chorus emphasises how nameless is the other girl with James never being hers and the repetition amplifies the tone of resignation the speaker has with the inevitable end of the summer fling. The 2nd verse is reminiscent of Taylor's debut hit Tom McGraw as both songs explores a teenage protagonist experiencing a summer romance that she fears will end once school restarts. The second verse flashes forward to the present and the summer is now gone with things being different. the bridge is fabulous and really highlights the other girl's perspective and highlights the secrecy of the affair, with meet me behind the mall mirroring meet you at the back door of church from speak now. This lyric was also one of the alternative folklore covers and was one of the 2 I bought (so ofc this is now being sold in target so ain't gonna be that rare now x). the song highlights no matter how sweet the memories of the relationship are, the dream cuts to reality and it's all gone now, a metaphor just like how season's change. the outro is a career highlight and 'get in the car' links directly to Betty as James describes this incident from his perspective in that song. and get in the car can be linked to getaway car, iconic x Damn I love this love triangle so much and I need a movie asap. I adore august. would I have it in my personal top 3, nope. But it's still an easy 10/10 and highlight on the album that's in my top 10 in my personal ranking. I love the whole concept of the teenage love triangle from different perspectives so much and the production is so good on this + that outro whew . I imagine this song being from the perspective from dark haired Taylor in you belong with me x meet me behind the mall & get in my car are instantly iconic . It's fab I now have a song to define another month (following back to December) and this is always a delight to listen to <3 a whimsical, fabulous song and I'm not surprised at this masterpiece becoming an instant fan favourite cos it deserves to be! The rate commentary: Kicking off our top 3, we take a massive leap as august scores an incredible average of 9.46, meaning its average increase from 4th place is the biggest bump in averages in the rate, since... peace to illicit affairs right at the start of the rate!! We have an incredibly runaway top 3 here. I'm not surprised that august came top 3 considering its a major fan favourite and well received by everyone but I am slightly surprised just how comfortably it managed to pull of this feat! august scored two 11's, including one from Taylor mod John-James and it's field of nine 10's and 9.5's is impressive but not amongst the absolute biggest in the rate BUT on the other hand, it is the most consistently loved song in the rate as it has the joint highest amount of scores being 9 or more (and wins cos the other song has 2 scores below 8 x). I think that's probably why august slayed so much, it got so many 9's and is seen as such a major album highlight, a masterpiece whew. august was never really in contention for the win but it actually came very close to snatching 2nd place at the last possible second due to a barrage of late really high scores!! now that would've been a slight shock. so that means our top 2 battle is (unsurprisingly) between lead single cardigan and fan favourite/future single exile. Which song will take the crown in this rate?! Not long to go to find out! However we will be heading over to finding out who the top average scorer was before we reveal the winner!


Brer View member profile	8th August 2020, 05:27 PM Post #116
is my brain across your walls? Joined: 14 February 2009 Posts: 115,112 User: 8,300	QUOTE(UltraFolklore @ Aug 7 2020, 10:21 PM) Idk I'd say it was aha, maybe an overperformance was expected due to many naming it a highlight but I definitely wouldn't have thought it'd been strong enough to break the top 5! Idek if we can use the towards the end of the album excuse anymore It def has some impact but it's falling below peace now on streaming which is lowkey worrying about how this is holding up in regards to the album oops (and betty which is after it is now in the top 10 of the album, just for you .!) Oh I'm not saying it's only doing poorly because of being at the end of the album (I commented as much in another thread, specifically about it being behind 'betty', we hate to see it x), just I imagine it would be doing a bit better if it was earlier in the album. I guess it's maybe not the most replayable song on the album. (But then neither is 'peace' so... public having bad taste xx). Hoping that 'cardigan' will win this but expecting 'exile' to pip it! I think 'august' actually probably sounds the most like a song that could work well as a single, I think it probably has the strongest chorus on the album.


Tafty³³³ View member profile	8th August 2020, 08:56 PM Post #117
I found the love, I found the love in me Pronouns: He/Him Joined: 13 December 2007 Posts: 87,468 User: 5,042	Surely Betty has the strongest chorus? Well at least to me it does. 'august' is the one I can never remember by memory, but when it starts I'm singing along like I never forgot it in the first place It's stronger than 'seven' for me! It's been a grower too.


London View member profile	8th August 2020, 09:02 PM Post #118
London Boy Joined: 6 July 2014 Posts: 3,027 User: 21,053	QUOTE(Jonjoliday @ Aug 8 2020, 09:56 PM) Surely Betty has the strongest chorus? Well at least to me it does. 'august' is the one I can never remember by memory, but when it starts I'm singing along like I never forgot it in the first place It's stronger than 'seven' for me! It's been a grower too. This ! I think Exile has the win. So this probably means Cardigan has got it


UltraCruelSummer View member profile	8th August 2020, 11:17 PM Post #119
It's a cruel summer. Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 35,256 User: 20,947	THE VOTERS AVERAGES: THE TOP 2 02. Billy // 9.56 01. UltraFolklore // 9.88 The raters commentary: and I oop---- and now we have arrived at the absolute biggest folklore loons as we have 2 raters who both manage to zoom past the 9.50 average!!!! Billy takes the runner-up spot with a terrific average of 9.56, what an average and its insane that isn't even #1 in this rate!! However I have managed to outloon myself at nearly my worst times and become the biggest folklore stan on here, as my average score for each song averages just under 10 omg and it lowkey would probs hit 10 now hahaha!! Damn imma crazy stan. but I'm pretty sure this has a shot of becoming my fave album of all time! a masterpiece, perfection <3 congrats for even even even even ridiculously higher averages though (that are now completely loony) I hope y'all enjoyed going through the voters average, it's been a fun spin-off to the main rate aha! Now the voters averages are done, that means there is only ONE thing left to reveal. the winner. of. the. rate. who's it gonna be cardigan or exile? your FINAL chance to predict, the winner will be announced tomorrow morning haha


dandy* View member profile	9th August 2020, 03:12 PM Post #120
Mansonette Joined: 7 March 2006 Posts: 35,336 User: 54	Hoping that Exile somehow manages to win but fully expecting it be Cardigan. Love seeing August make the top 3 though, definitely a potential single there.