Love or hate her Taylor Swift she demands attention. She may not challenge you musically but with each release you can at least appreciate her strengths. Her conversational lyrics may not be profound but they are inviting. And her musicianship has grown with each release. It’s clever hook laden pop with just enough complex arrangements to trick you into thinking it’s art. Cruel Summer has a rich wall of sound that will rattle you into submission. The title track Lover works as a romantic anthem that drags the listener into an echo of passion. Back to her sweet up-tempo phase with The Man she plays us with this bubblegum song. The Archer leaves her voice too far in the background to work her magic. Paper Rings gives some variety with a driving beat and her talk sing interludes that she has become famous for. Tracks nine through thirteen fall into a lethargic funk. Things pick up with You Need to Calm Down. She lets her voice bellow to excellent effect. On It’s Nice to Have a Friend there is a gorgeous brass surprise. The grand finale Daylight has a beautiful mature philosophy

I wanna be defined by the things that I love
Not the things I hate
Not the things I’m afraid of, I’m afraid of
Or the things that haunt me in the middle of the night
I, I just think that
You are what you love

Taylor Swift – Lover – YouTube

Taylor Swift – Wikipedia