Go Track-by-Track Through Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’ on Our New Podcast

Folklore is a dramatic step forward for Taylor Swift, and the newest episode of our IndieLand Music Now podcast takes an in-depth, song-by-song look at the surprise album. Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos join host Brian Hiatt to explain why Swift’s collaboration with Aaron Dessner and other members of the National was less incongruous than it might seem, to delve into the complexities of her three interlocking songs about a high school romance (“meet me behind the mall!”), and much more. Spanos, meanwhile, makes a case for why one of the album’s best tracks, “Invisible String,” could actually be about the saga of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

To hear the entire discussion, press play below or download and subscribe on iTunes or Spotify.

Download and subscribe to our weekly podcast, IndieLand Music Now, hosted by Brian Hiatt, on iTunes or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts), and check out two years worth of episodes in the archive, including in-depth, career-spanning interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Halsey, Ice Cube, Neil Young, the National, Questlove, Julian Casablancas, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Marr, Scott Weiland, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, Donald Fagen, Phil Collins, Alicia Keys, Stephen Malkmus, Sebastian Bach, Tom Petty, Kelly Clarkson, Pete Townshend, Bob Seger, the Zombies, Gary Clark Jr. and many more — plus dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates and explainers with IndieLand’s critics and reporters. Tune in every Friday at 1 p.m. ET to hear IndieLand Music Now broadcast live from SiriusXM’s studios on Volume, channel 106.