Taylor Swift Folklore Recommendations

In 2020, Taylor Swift dropped her eighth studio album during the peak of the Covid-19 lockdown. Apparently, she was using this time in isolation to focus on her storytelling, and, in late-July she blessed the world with an album rich in escapism and fantasy exactly when we needed it.

Some of us still struggle to tear our ears away. So, if you're one of the lingers, the listeners unable to withdraw from the whimsical tale of Cardigan or the melodic tunes of August, I have some recommendations for you, inspired by the four chapters of Folklore: The Escapism chapter, The Sleepless Nights chapter, the Saltbox House Chapter, and the Yeah I showed up at your Party chapter. Enjoy!

The Escapism Chapter

Featuring The Lakes, Seven, Epiphany, Cardigan, Mirrorball, Exile

The escapism chapter whisks you away to cold mountain ranges, enchanted forests, and serves you a warm cup of tea to soothe the chill left by love unrequited, heart-break, and loss. Like a fairy-tale, with moments of grim.

If you want to escape into a grim fairy-tale, listen to The Genius Next Door, by Regina Spektor.

If "But not without my Muse" is your favourite lyric, listen to Black Keys by Brianna Carpenter.

If Seven is your favourite song, watch My Neighbour Totoro. An animated Japanese film, My Neighbour Totoro lets you revisit the magic of childhood. The lyrics "I've been meaning to tell you your house is haunted" paint a pretty picture of what you can expect from this movie.

If you want to escape banality of the daily grind, read Peter Pan by J.M Barry or Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi.

The Sleepless Nights Chapter

Featuring Exile, Hoax, My Tears Ricochet, Illicit Affairs, This is me Trying, Mad Woman

The Sleepless Nights chapter laments the pains of indiscretion, disloyalty, and yearning. It dares us to look in the mirror and confront what we see; a witch, an adulteress, or the rageful face of a woman too often misunderstood.

If Illicit Affairs is your favourite song, watch the Netflix show, Gypsy.

For Sleepless Nights, watch August Rush. Starring Freddie Highmore, Kerri Russel, Jonathon Rhys Myers, and Robin Williams, August Rush is the story of a young musical prodigy separated from his parents at birth.

For stargazing, listen to Space Song by Beach House

If you're struggling to name what you see in the mirror, listen to On My Own by Delta Goodrem

For tales of Witches and 'Mad Women', read Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue. A fairy-tale retelling that explores the complex relationships women have with society, each other and themselves.

The Saltbox House Chapter

Featuring The Last Great American Dynasty, August, Seven, Peace, Betty

The Saltbox House chapter explores tales of rambunctious women whose dreams get caught in clouds. We follow the story of two lovers willing to lose it all for a one night stand, and their sorrowful and sometimes audacious pleas for forgiveness.

If August is your favourite song, listen to Try by Hatchie or This Side of Paradise by Hayley Kiyoko. Additionally, if you enjoyed the dreamy tones of August, Mirrorball, or This is Me Trying listen to any song by Hatchie.

For tales about wild women, listen to Wild at Heart, by Lana Del Rey.

For stories of audacious women, watch Dynasty. A Netflix original, Dynasty doesn't take itself too seriously. But if you're a fan of audacious characters, lead woman Fallon Carrington might be your cup of tea.

The Yeah I Showed up at Your Party Chapter

Featuring Betty, The 1, Mirrorball, The Last Great American Dynasty, Invisible String, Cardigan

Stories about the ways we traipse into people's lives, sometimes as a passing storm, a light-house in the distance, or a valentines gift wrapped in red-foil. An ode to the potency of love, both new and old, bursting at the seams or warm like a fire.

For the one you dream about, listen to Don't Delete the Kisses by Wolf Alice or Fireworks by First Aid Kit.

For stories about love new, old, bursting at the seams, or warm like a fire watch Euphoria.

If your favourite song is The Last Great American Dynasty, listen to Hotel by Kita Alexander. Hotel captures the desires of seeking a luxurious life, with lyrics such as "one day you'll find me where the champagne's always free".

All song recommendations: The Genius Next Door by Regina Spektor - Black Keys by Brianna Carpenter - Space Song by Beach House - On My Own by Delta Goodrem - Try by Hatchie - This Side of Paradise by Hayley Kiyoko - Wild at Heart by Lana Del Rey - Don't Delete the Kisses by Wold Alice - Fireworks by First Aid Kit - Hotel by Kita Alexander

All movie/tv recommendations: My Neighbour Totoro (movie) - Gypsy (show) - August Rush (movie) - Dynasty (show) - Euphoria (show)

All book recommendations: Peter Pan by J.M Barry - Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi - Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue

Authors Note: Thanks for reading! If you happen to love any of these recommendations, please let me know by leaving a heart or a small tip!

And for more stories about Witches, click here