'The Tortured Poets Department' review: Great sad pop, meditative theatre from Taylor Swift

'The Tortured Poets Department' reflects the artiste who – at the peak of her powers – has spent the last few years re-recording her life’s work and touring its material. — Republic Records

Who knew what Taylor Swift's latest era would bring? Or even what it would sound like? Would it build off the moodiness of Midnights or the folk of evermore? The country or the '80s pop of her latest re-records? Or its two predecessors in black-and-white covers: the revenge-pop of Reputation and the literary Americana of folklore?

The Tortured Poets Department is an amalgamation of all of the above, reflecting the artist who – at the peak of her powers – has spent the last few years re-recording her life’s work and touring its material, filtered through synth-pop anthems, breakup ballads, provocative and matured considerations.