Artwork for Taylor Swift's latest single, "Carolina".
It's the newest member of her folklorian family.
Since releasing her latest rerecorded album, Red (Taylor’s Version) in November of 2021, Swift has kept a relatively low profile. Fans have been speculating that her next project will be HUGE with rumors ranging from a double album release to a long-awaited stadium tour.
But while fans have kept busy trying to decipher Swift’s famous Easter eggs, she’s been dropping singles like a boat along a lazy river, slowly and randomly.
Her newest single, “Carolina”, was written for the motion picture Where the Crawdads Sing which is scheduled to release July 13, 2022. The single dropped this past Friday, and I’m here to give you my “first listen review”.
I am immediately reminded of her first alternative album folklore released in 2020. It’s had a clear influence on this single from Swift’s raw, breathy vocals and stripped-down guitar to the black and white single cover with woodland trees. She is once again working with American musician Aaron Dessner which is apparent in the unique arrangement of strings.
Swift is regarded highly for her songwriting ability which leaves her vocal talent often overlooked. “Carolina” beautifully captures Swift’s ability to shift from a full-bodied lower register to an airy head voice. She does something incredibly unique in the latter half of the song by peppering in warm humming sounds over her lighter, higher vocals to create a beautiful contrast.
As always, I am captivated by her lyricism. My favorite lines are:
Oh, Carolina creeks runnin’ through my veins /
Lost I was born, lonesome I came
Lonesome I’ll always stay
This song makes several references to North Carolina which is where the story takes place and the life of Kya, the protagonist. And although this is a motion picture single, there are moments in this song that are pure Taylor. “Blue as the life she fled” is only one of many metaphors Swift has created with the word blue. She also makes a reference to a stained dress, similar to her 1989 track “Clean” where she writes:
You’re still all over me
Like a wine-stained dress I can’t wear anymore
Could this be another hint that she’s dropping 1989 (Taylor’s Version)? We can never be too sure.
Overall, this song is resemblant to a wartime ballad. It carries a dark undertone that reminds me of two tracks she wrote for the soundtrack of The Hunger Games in 2012, “Safe & Sound” (feat. The Civil Wars) and “Eyes Open”.
“Carolina” is a treat for her folklore fans and confirmation that she is still relishing in her newfound alternative genre. We can only hope that we’ll be hearing more of this mystical, fairytale sound soon.
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