Is Taylor Swift’s Most Polarizing Era Aging Well? The Tortured Poets Department, One Year Later.

Live From Mars · 2025-04-21

45:37

One year later, we’re revisiting Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department in an unfiltered deep dive into its rollout, reception, and legacy. Was the double album drop a mistake? Which songs still hit hardest? And how does it stack up in Taylor’s discography today?

I’m joined by viral Swiftie and returning guest Nick Palmai (@nickpalmai) to break it all down — from our dream rollout (with trailers + music video concepts) to the songs we’ve grown to love (or skip). Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or still on the fence about TTPD, this episode has something for you.

We discuss:

The one-year anniversary of Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets DepartmentWhy the 31-song release may have hurt the album’s impactJack Antonoff vs. Aaron Dessner: who delivered the better production?What songs have aged well… and which we’ve forgottenFan-submitted questions: Grammy nominations, visuals, and more

Chapters:

00:00 — Intro & Nick returns

03:00 — What the release night felt like

06:30 — Has the album aged well?

10:15 — Our dream rollout strategy (and a music video multiverse)

18:45 — Jack Antonoff vs. Aaron Dessner moments

24:00 — What songs grew on us most

27:45 — Should TTPD have been nominated for AOTY?

31:30 — Cut one track from the album

34:30 — Best/Worst/Fave picks

39:30 — Final thoughts: what’s stuck with us after a year

LISTENER QUESTION:

What’s your Best/Worst/Fav song picks on The Tortured Poets Department? Has your opinion changed in the past year?

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Live From Mars

Welcome to Live From Mars, the ultimate podcast for pop music enthusiasts! Hosted by Alex, known as @vinylbymars, Live From Mars dives deep into the latest hits, hidden gems, and trending music industry news from the pop universe. Each episode blends Alex’s bold opinions, expert album reviews, artist deep dives, and insightful industry commentary to deliver a fresh, authentic take on today’s music scene. From chart-topping singles to underrated tracks, Alex brings listeners along for the ride, creating a space where music lovers can connect, discover new favorites, and explore the stories behind the sounds.

Every episode finds Alex and a mix of music creators, journalists, and songwriters dissecting current releases, exploring music trends, and sharing must-hear recommendations to elevate your playlist. Whether you’re here for the artist rankings, exclusive guest interviews, or to catch the latest music news, Live From Mars promises a pop music experience that keeps you coming back for more.

Tune in, turn it up, and let’s take off—straight from Mars to your headphones!

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