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((Short description|2020 studio album by Taylor Swift))
((good article))
((Use American English|date=July 2020))
((Use mdy dates|date=October 2022))
((Infobox album
| name         = Folklore
| type         = Studio
| artist       = [[Taylor Swift]]
| cover        = Taylor Swift - Folklore.png
| border       = yes
| alt          = Cover artwork of Folklore, a black-and-white photo showing Swift standing in the woods
| caption      = Standard cover
| released     = ((start date|2020|07|24))
| recorded     = 2020
| studio       =
* [[Conway Recording Studios|Conway]] (Los Angeles)
* [[Samuel Goldwyn Estate|Kitty Committee]] (Los Angeles)
* [[Electric Lady Studios|Electric Lady]] (New York City)
* Long Pond ([[Hudson Valley]])
* Rough Customer (Brooklyn)
| genre        = <!-- Genre should come from a [[WP:RS]] and be stated and referenced in the article body-->
* [[Indie folk]]
* [[alternative rock]]
* [[electro-folk]]
* [[chamber pop]]
* [[indietronica]]
| length       = 63:29
| label        = [[Republic Records|Republic]]
| producer     =
* [[Aaron Dessner]]
* [[Jack Antonoff]]
* Taylor Swift
* [[Joe Alwyn]]
| prev_title   = [[Lover (Live from Paris)]]
| prev_year    = 2020
| next_title   = [[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions#Live album|Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions]]
| next_year    = 2020
| misc         = ((Singles
 | name        = Folklore
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]
 | single1date = July 27, 2020
 | single2     = [[Exile (song)|Exile]]
 | single2date = August 3, 2020
 | single3     = [[Betty (Taylor Swift song)|Betty]]
 | single3date = August 17, 2020
))
))
'''''Folklore''''' is the eighth studio album by the American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]]. It was a [[surprise album]], released on July 24, 2020, via [[Republic Records]]. Following the outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in early 2020, Swift canceled the concert tour for her seventh studio album ''[[Lover (album)|Lover]]'' (2019). She conceived ''Folklore'' during quarantine as "a collection of songs and stories that flowed like a [[stream of consciousness]]", working with producers [[Aaron Dessner]] and [[Jack Antonoff]] virtually; Dessner and Antonoff operated from [[recording studio]]s in the [[Hudson Valley]] and New York City, respectively, while Swift recorded her vocals in a home studio at [[Samuel Goldwyn Estate|her Los Angeles residence]].

Departing from the mainly upbeat [[Pop music|pop]] production of its predecessors, ''Folklore'' consists of mellow [[sentimental ballad|ballads]] driven by piano, guitars, [[String instrument|strings]], and muted [[Percussion instrument|percussions]], pursuing [[indie folk]], [[alternative rock]], and [[Electroacoustic music|electro-acoustic]] styles. Influenced by the isolation of quarantine, Swift explores themes of [[escapism]], empathy, nostalgia and [[romanticism]] in the album, using a set of characters, fictional narratives, and [[story arc]]s, in contrast to the autobiographical tone of her previous projects. The title was inspired by the lasting legacy of [[Folk music|folk songs]], whereas its visual aesthetic reflects [[cottagecore]].

Upon release, ''Folklore'' topped the charts in various countries and is [[Music recording certification|certified platinum]] or higher in Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it was Swift's seventh number-one album and spent eight weeks atop the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and it became the [[List of best-selling albums by year in the United States|best-selling album of 2020]]. Three of its tracks, "[[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]", "[[The 1]]", and "[[Exile (song)|Exile]]" featuring [[Bon Iver]], reached the top 10 on music charts in eight countries, with the former becoming Swift's sixth number-one single on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].

''Folklore'' received widespread critical acclaim that centered on its emotional weight, poetic lyricism, and relaxed pace. Critics found its [[Introspection|introspective]] essence timely for the pandemic and regarded its sound a bold reinvention of Swift's artistry. The album was featured on numerous 2020 year-end rankings and nominated for several awards, and ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' included it in their 2023 revision of the [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]. It won [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] at the [[63rd Annual Grammy Awards]], making Swift the first woman in history to win the honor three times. She discussed ''Folklore'' and performed it live in the [[Disney+]] concert documentary ''[[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions]]'', premiering on November 25, 2020, and released ''Folklore''(('s)) sequel record, ''[[Evermore]]'' (2020), two weeks later. Several artists cite ''Folklore'' as a source of inspiration.

== Background ==
In April 2020, [[Taylor Swift]] was set to embark on a concert tour in support of her seventh studio album ''[[Lover (album)|Lover]]'' (2019), which was cancelled following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="Lipshutz" /> On July 23, 2020, nine photos were uploaded to Swift's [[Instagram]] account, all without captions, forming a black and white image of the singer standing alone in a forest. Subsequently, she made another post across all her social media accounts, announcing that her eighth studio album would be released at midnight; Swift stated: "Most of the things I had planned this summer didn't end up happening, but there is something I hadn't planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my 8th studio album, ''Folklore''". She confirmed the image as the album's cover artwork and revealed the track list.<ref>((cite news|last=O'Kane|first=Caitlin|date=July 23, 2020|title=Taylor Swift announces surprise album, recorded 'in isolation'|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taylor-swift-folklore-new-album-surprise-recorded-isolation/|url-status=live|access-date=September 3, 2020|publisher=[[CBS News]]|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802193701/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taylor-swift-folklore-new-album-surprise-recorded-isolation/))</ref> ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' opined that the surprise announcement "caught fans and the music business off-guard".<ref>((Cite news|last=Shah|first=Neil|date=July 23, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's New Album ''Folklore'' Is Making a Surprise Debut|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swifts-new-album-folklore-is-making-a-surprise-debut-11595538735|url-status=live|access-date=September 3, 2020|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909231822/https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swifts-new-album-folklore-is-making-a-surprise-debut-11595538735))</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' stated that it "blindsided the pop music world", arriving as "exciting news" during [[COVID-19 lockdowns|lockdown]].<ref name="Billboard List">((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9494859/best-albums-2020-top-50/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020: Staff Picks|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207193345/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9494859/best-albums-2020-top-50/|url-status=live))</ref> ''Folklore'' was released eleven months after ''Lover''—the fastest turnaround for a Swift studio album at the time, beating the one year and nine months gap between ''[[Reputation (Taylor Swift album)|Reputation]]'' (2017) and ''Lover''. In another post, Swift announced that the music video for the track "[[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]" would release at the same time as the album.<ref name="Reilly">((cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-to-release-surprise-eighth-album-folklore-tonight-2713735|title=Taylor Swift to release surprise eighth album ''Folklore'' tonight|last=Reilly|first=Nick|magazine=[[NME]]|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806100753/https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-to-release-surprise-eighth-album-folklore-tonight-2713735|url-status=live))</ref>

During the [[YouTube]] premiere countdown to the "Cardigan" music video, Swift hinted that the album lyrics contained many of her signature [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]]: "One thing I did purposely on this album was put the Easter eggs in the lyrics, more than just the videos. I created character arcs and recurring themes that map out who is singing about who... For example, there's a collection of three songs I refer to as the Teenage Love Triangle. These three songs explore a love triangle from all three people's perspectives at different times in their lives".<ref name="Rolling Stone" /> She referred to the album as "[[Melancholia|wistful]] and full of [[escapism]]. Sad, beautiful, tragic. Like a photo album full of imagery, and all the stories behind that imagery",<ref name="E!">((cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1173463/taylor-swift-s-folklore-album-lyrics-decoded-love-loss-and-a-quot-mad-woman-quot|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Album Lyrics Decoded: Love, Loss and a 'Mad Woman'|last=Cohen|first=Jess|publisher=[[E!]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724190454/https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1173463/taylor-swift-s-folklore-album-lyrics-decoded-love-loss-and-a-quot-mad-woman-quot|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref> described "Cardigan" as a song that explores "lost romance and why young love is often fixed so permanently in our memories,"<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/listen-to-new-taylor-swift-song-cardigan-watch.html|title=Wrap Yourself Up in Taylor Swift's 'Cardigan' Music Video|last=Kircher|first=Madison Malone|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726035706/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/listen-to-new-taylor-swift-song-cardigan-watch.html|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live))</ref> and pointed-out the self-written track, "[[My Tears Ricochet]]", as the first song she wrote for the album.<ref name="E!" /> ''[[Uproxx]]'' narrated, "on Thursday night, that hand-drawn 'T' and 'S' could be seen up and down the timeline. Music fans and critics across genres unveiled hot takes, quoted lyrics like [[Myspace]] teens writing on the back of textbooks or crafting the perfect [[AIM (software)|AIM away message]], and debated ''Folklore''<nowiki/>'s place in the unimpeachable Taylor Swift canon."<ref>((cite web|last=Cosores|first=Philip|date=July 27, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Burns Bright in Dark Times|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-folklore-review/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132326/https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-folklore-review/|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=September 3, 2020|website=[[Uproxx]]))</ref>

== Conception ==
Swift did not expect to create an album in early 2020.<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> After the cancellation of Lover Fest,<ref name="Lipshutz">((cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9423659/taylor-swift-folklore-review-first-listen|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'': There's Nothing Quiet About This Songwriting Tour De Force|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724042030/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9423659/taylor-swift-folklore-review-first-listen|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref> Swift [[quarantine]]d herself, during which she watched numerous films and shows, such as ''[[Rear Window]]'' (1954), ''[[L.A. Confidential (film)|L.A. Confidential]]'' (1997), ''[[Pan's Labyrinth]]'' (2006), ''[[Jane Eyre (2011 film)|Jane Eyre]]'' (2011), ''[[Marriage Story]]'' (2019),<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> and ''[[The Last Dance (miniseries)|The Last Dance]]'' (2020),<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Warner|first=Denise|date=November 25, 2020|title=11 Things We Learned From Taylor Swift's ''Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions''|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9490082/folklore-the-long-pond-studio-sessions-taylor-swift-things-learned-taylor-swift|access-date=December 3, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126015900/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9490082/folklore-the-long-pond-studio-sessions-taylor-swift-things-learned-taylor-swift|url-status=live))</ref> and read more books than she ever did, books that "dealt with times past, a world that doesn't exist anymore", such as ''[[Rebecca (novel)|Rebecca]]'' (1938) by [[Daphne du Maurier]].<ref name="Doyle-2020">((Cite magazine|last=Doyle|first=Patrick|date=November 13, 2020|title=Musicians on Musicians: Taylor Swift & Paul McCartney|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/paul-mccartney-taylor-swift-musicians-on-musicians-1089058/|access-date=November 13, 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130060712/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/paul-mccartney-taylor-swift-musicians-on-musicians-1089058/|url-status=live))</ref> The fictions inspired Swift to venture beyond her usual autobiographical style of songwriting, and experiment with different narrative standpoints.<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> In isolation during the lockdown, she let her imagination "run wild", ensuing in a set of imageries and visuals that consequently became ''Folklore''.<ref name="Primer" />

((Quote box|bgcolor=#f0f0f0|align=right|width=40%|salign=right|quote=It started with imagery. Visuals that popped into my mind and piqued my curiosity. Stars drawn around scars. A [[Cardigan (sweater)|cardigan]] that still bears the scent of loss twenty years later. [[Battleship]]s sinking into the ocean, down, down, down. The tree swing in the woods of my childhood. Hushed tones of "let's run away" and never doing it. The sun drenched month of August, sipped away like a bottle of wine. A mirrored disco ball hovering above a dance floor. A [[Whisky|whiskey]] bottle beckoning. Hands held through plastic. A single thread that, for better or for worse, ties you to your fate. Pretty soon these images in my head grew faces or names and became characters. I found myself not only writing my own stories, but also writing about or from the perspective of people I've never met, people I've known, or those I wish I hadn't.|author= – Swift on developing ''Folklore''|title=|source=''Billboard''<ref name="Primer" />))

Some of the imageries the singer developed include: "An exiled man walking the bluffs of a land that isn't his own, wondering how it all went so terribly, terribly wrong. An embittered tormentor showing up at the funeral of his fallen object of obsession. A seventeen-year-old standing on a porch, learning to apologize. Lovestruck kids wandering up and down the evergreen [[High Line]]. My grandfather, Dean, [[Guadalcanal campaign|landing at Guadalcanal]] in 1942. A misfit widow getting gleeful revenge on the town that cast her out".<ref name="Primer">((cite magazine|date=July 24, 2020|title='It Started With Imagery': Read Taylor Swift's Primer For ''Folklore''|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9423740/read-taylor-swift-primer-folklore|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724184421/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9423740/read-taylor-swift-primer-folklore|archive-date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> Swift "poured all of [her] whims, dreams, fears, and musings" into the songs, and reached out to her "musical heroes" to collaborate with.<ref>((cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9423029/how-taylor-swift-wrote-folklore-songs-in-hours|title=Taylor Swift ''Folklore'' Collaborator Reveals How They Wrote Songs in Just Hours|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132326/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9423029/how-taylor-swift-wrote-folklore-songs-in-hours|url-status=live))</ref> She initially planned to release ''Folklore'' in early 2021, but it "ended up being done" sooner, and released in July 2020 without giving it second thoughts. She approached the album's creation without subjecting herself to any rules, and explained that she "used to put all these parameters on [herself], like, "How will this song sound in a stadium? How will this song sound on radio?" If you take away all the parameters, what do you make? And I guess the answer is ''Folklore''."<ref name="Doyle-2020" />

== Writing and recording ==
Swift's songwriting drifted towards escapism and [[romanticism]] for ''Folklore''.<ref name="Doyle-2020" /> She enlisted two producers to achieve her desired sound—her longtime collaborator [[Jack Antonoff]], who worked with her on ''[[1989 (Taylor Swift album)|1989]]'' (2014), ''Reputation'', and ''Lover'', and first-time collaborator [[Aaron Dessner]], guitarist of American [[indie rock]] band [[The National (band)|the National]].<ref name="PitchforkCredits" /> Due to COVID-19 concerns, Swift, Antonoff and Dessner quarantined remotely, separate from each other, creating ''Folklore'' by continually exchanging digital files of instrumentals and vocals.<ref name="Blistein-2020">((cite magazine|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=November 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift to Release New ''Folklore'' Film, ''The Long Pond Studio Sessions''|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-movie-long-pond-studio-sessions-1094615/|access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124135743/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-movie-long-pond-studio-sessions-1094615/|url-status=live))</ref> The album ensued from a [[Do it yourself|DIY]] process,<ref>((Cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift unveils William Bowery's identity, and more revelations from ''Folklore'' concert film|url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-folklore-concert-film-revelations/|access-date=December 26, 2020|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-date=August 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806120124/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-folklore-concert-film-revelations/|url-status=live))</ref> [[Mixing engineer|mixed]] and [[Audio engineer|engineered]] by personnel scattered across the US.<ref name="Billboard List" />

((multiple image
| image1 = Aaron Dessner at Way Out West 2014.jpg
| alt1 = Man playing a guitar on stage
| width1 = 160
| image2 = Antonoff in Tucson (cropped).jpg
| alt2 = Man playing a red guitar
| width2 = 135
| footer = ''Folklore'' features production from [[Aaron Dessner]] (''pictured'' left) and [[Jack Antonoff]] (right); Dessner produced the majority of tracks.
| align = left
| total_width = 300
| footer_align = left
))

Swift had previously met the National on a ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' episode in 2014, and attended one of their concerts in 2019, where she talked to Dessner and his twin brother [[Bryce Dessner|Bryce]].<ref name="DessnerPitchfork">((cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-nationals-aaron-dessner-talks-taylor-swifts-new-album-folklore/|title=The National's Aaron Dessner Talks Taylor Swift's New Album ''Folklore''|last=Sodomsky|first=Sam|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725001630/https://pitchfork.com/news/the-nationals-aaron-dessner-talks-taylor-swifts-new-album-folklore/|url-status=live))</ref> She asked Aaron Dessner about his songwriting technique, because it is her "favorite thing to ask people who I'm a fan of", and he replied his band members live in different parts of the world, and that he would make instrumental tracks and send them to the lead singer, [[Matt Berninger]], who would write the lyrics—this ignited Swift's idea to create music in quarantine.<ref name="Doyle-2020" />

Due to the pandemic, all recording studios were closed, so Swift built a home studio at her [[Samuel Goldwyn Estate|Los Angeles residence]], named Kitty Committee, with help from engineer Laura Sisk.<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> Antonoff, with whom Swift worked on five songs from the album, operated from New York City while Sisk recorded Swift's vocals in Los Angeles. "My Tears Ricochet" was the first song written for ''Folklore''. Swift wrote it about her ties with [[Scott Borchetta]], founder of [[Big Machine Records|her old record label]], coming to an abrupt end.<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> Antonoff compared the writing process of "[[Mirrorball (song)|Mirrorball]]" and "[[August (song)|August]]" to that of "[[Out of the Woods (song)|Out of the Woods]]" (2016).<ref>((cite web|title=jack antonoff on Instagram: "folklore:: working with taylor is a full connection to all of the wonder of making music. knowing her and making work with her gives me…"|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CDB0Gz3pIeY/|access-date=August 4, 2020|publisher=Instagram|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132326/https://www.instagram.com/p/CDB0Gz3pIeY/|url-status=live))</ref> Swift wrote "Mirrorball" following the cancellation of Lover Fest, as an ode to fans who find solace in her music and concerts.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Hess|first=Liam|date=November 27, 2020|title=5 Things We Learned Watching Taylor Swift's Surprise New ''Folklore'' Documentary|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/folklore-documentary-takeaways|access-date=November 30, 2020|magazine=[[British Vogue]]|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065626/https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/folklore-documentary-takeaways|url-status=live))</ref> She wrote "August" about a fictitious [[Mistress (lover)|mistress]], and "[[This Is Me Trying]]" based on multiple narratives, such as dealing with addiction, and her own mental health in 2016–2017 when she felt she was "worth absolutely nothing."<ref name="Suskind-2020" />

In late April, Swift approached Dessner to co-write some songs remotely. He worked on eleven of the album's 16 tracks over the next few months.<ref name="BB Announcement">((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9422960/taylor-swift-releasing-surprise-eighth-album-folklore|title=Taylor Swift Was Bummed About Her Summer Plans Not Panning Out, So She's Releasing a New Album... Tonight|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723132414/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9422960/taylor-swift-releasing-surprise-eighth-album-folklore|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live))</ref> Dessner "thought it would take a while for song ideas to come" and "had no expectations as far as what we could accomplish remotely", but was surprised that "a few hours after sharing music, my phone lit up with a voice memo from Taylor of a fully written song—the momentum never really stopped."<ref name="DessnerVulture">((cite web|last=Gerber|first=Brady|date=July 27, 2020|title=The Story Behind Every Song on Taylor Swift's ''Folklore''|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-aaron-dessner-breaks-down-every-song.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728234347/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-aaron-dessner-breaks-down-every-song.html|archive-date=July 28, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]))</ref> Swift and Dessner "were pretty much in touch daily for three or four months by text and phone calls."<ref name="DessnerPitchfork" /> He would mail her folders of instrumentals, and she would write the "entire top line"—melody and lyrics, and "he wouldn't know what the song would be about, what it was going to be called, where [she] was going to put the chorus."<ref name="Doyle-2020" /> The first song the duo wrote was "Cardigan", which is based on one of Dessner's sketches called "Maple".<ref name="DessnerVulture" /> "Cardigan" was followed by "[[Seven (Taylor Swift song)|Seven]]" and "[[Peace (Taylor Swift song)|Peace]]".<ref name="DessnerRS">((cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/aaron-dessner-taylor-swift-interview-folklore-1033870/|title=How Aaron Dessner and Taylor Swift Stripped Down Her Sound on ''Folklore''|last=Blistein|first=Jon|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729093538/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/aaron-dessner-taylor-swift-interview-folklore-1033870/|url-status=live))</ref> Upon hearing the composition of "Peace", Swift felt an "immediate sense of serenity" that roused the feeling of being peaceful, but felt it would be "too on-the-nose" to sing about finding peace; she instead wrote about complex "conflicted" feelings contrasting the track's calming sound,<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> and recorded it in one vocal take.<ref name="DessnerPitchfork" />[[File:Rebekah Harkness publicity photo.jpg|thumb|[[Rebekah Harkness]], the former owner of [[Holiday House (Watch Hill)|Swift's Rhode Island house]], is the muse behind the third track "[[The Last Great American Dynasty]]".|alt=|250x250px]]A few weeks later, when Swift and Dessner had written "six or seven" songs, she explained him her concept of ''Folklore''.<ref name="DessnerRS" /> She told him about the work she had done earlier with Antonoff, concluding that both of her works resonate as an album.<ref name="DessnerVulture" /> Swift and Dessner also wrote "[[The Last Great American Dynasty]]", "[[Mad Woman]]", and "[[Epiphany (Taylor Swift song)|Epiphany]]", the first of which has an array of electric guitars inspired by [[Radiohead]]'s 2007 surprise album ''[[In Rainbows]]''.<ref name="DessnerVulture" /> The lyrics document American socialite [[Rebekah Harkness]], whom Swift had been wanting to write about ever since she bought the [[Holiday House (Watch Hill)|Holiday House]] in 2013.<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> Dessner composed the piano melody for "Mad Woman" with his earlier work on "Cardigan" and "Seven" in mind.<ref name="DessnerRS" /> On "Epiphany", he slowed down and reversed the sounds of different instruments to create a "giant stack of harmony", and added piano for a cinematic trope.<ref name="DessnerVulture" /> Swift wrote the song based on the experiences of her [[veteran]] grandfather, and healthcare workers in the pandemic.<ref name="Suskind-2020" />

Swift wrote two songs, "[[Exile (song)|Exile]]" and "[[Betty (Taylor Swift song)|Betty]]", with her then boyfriend, English actor [[Joe Alwyn]]. She developed "Exile" as a [[duet]], and Dessner recorded a draft of her singing both the male and female parts.<ref name="DessnerRS" /> Swift and Dessner ran through candidates for the male partner, and Swift liked the voice of [[Bon Iver]]'s [[Justin Vernon]], who is one half of the American indie rock band [[Big Red Machine (band)|Big Red Machine]] along with Dessner.<ref name="DessnerPitchfork" /> Dessner sent the song to Vernon, who liked the song, added his own lyrics and sang his part.<ref name="DessnerVulture" /> "Betty" is the only song on the album produced by both Dessner and Antonoff; Swift was influenced by [[Bob Dylan]]'s ''[[The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan]]'' (1963) and ''[[John Wesley Harding]]'' (1967) for its composition.<ref name="DessnerRS" /><ref name="DessnerVulture" /> Alwyn used the pseudonym William Bowery for his credits. Upon the album's release, [[mainstream media]] and fans pointed out Bowery's lack of online presence,<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-new-album-folklore-release-date-1032962/|title=Hear Taylor Swift's New Album ''Folklore''|last=Blistein|first=Jon|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725062452/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-new-album-folklore-release-date-1032962/|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="BB Announcement" /> and presumed that it was actually a pseudonym for Alwyn, which was later ultimately confirmed by Swift.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Bailey|first=Alyssa|date=July 24, 2020|title=Is Taylor Swift's Boyfriend Joe Alwyn Credited as William Bowery on ''Folklore''?|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a33405200/taylor-swift-joe-alwyn-william-bowery-folklore-songwriter-theory/|access-date=October 28, 2020|magazine=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031043203/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a33405200/taylor-swift-joe-alwyn-william-bowery-folklore-songwriter-theory/|url-status=live))</ref><ref>((Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=July 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift fans are trying to work out who the mysterious William Bowery is|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-folklore-william-bowery-exile-betty-a9635711.html|access-date=October 28, 2020|work=[[The Independent]]|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031165542/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-folklore-william-bowery-exile-betty-a9635711.html|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="Aubrey">((cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-confirms-the-identity-of-folklore-song-co-writer-william-bowery-2825041|title=Taylor Swift confirms the identity of ''Folklore'' song co-writer William Bowery|first=Elizabeth|last=Aubrey|magazine=[[NME]]|date=November 25, 2020|access-date=November 25, 2020|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117010559/https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-confirms-the-identity-of-folklore-song-co-writer-william-bowery-2825041|url-status=live))</ref> Swift added that he also penned the chorus of "Betty", and the piano line and first verse in "Exile".<ref>((Cite news|date=November 25, 2020|title=Taylor Swift confirms boyfriend Joe Alwyn is mystery ''Folklore'' co-writer|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55076602|access-date=November 26, 2020|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125170335/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55076602|url-status=live))</ref> The last two songs written were "[[The 1]]" and "[[Hoax (song)|Hoax]]", the first and last songs on the album respectively; Swift wrote both in a span of few hours.<ref name="DessnerVulture" /> Speaking about his collaboration with her, Dessner commented "there's a palpable humanity and warmth and raw emotion in these songs that I hope you'll love and take comfort in as much as I do."<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swfit-folklore-national-who-is-aaron-dessner-1234714584/|title=Who Is Aaron Dessner, Taylor Swift's Main Collaborator on ''Folklore''?|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132327/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-folklore-national-who-is-aaron-dessner-1234714584/|url-status=live))</ref>

In a November 2020 ''Rolling Stone'' interview with [[Paul McCartney]], Swift stated she began using words in the album's lyrics that she always wanted to use, not worrying about whether it would suit radio. She used "bigger, flowerier, prettier" words such as "[[Epiphany (feeling)|epiphany]]", "[[Elegy|elegies]]" and "divorcée", just because they "sound beautiful". Swift disclosed that she maintains lists of such words, and recalled using one such, "[[kaleidoscope]]", in "[[Welcome to New York (song)|Welcome to New York]]" (2014).<ref name="Doyle-2020" /> In a December 2020 ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' interview, Swift said the lyrics, melodies, and production of ''Folklore'' are the way she wanted them, without subjecting to others' expectations.<ref name="Suskind-2020" />

((Blockquote|text=Taylor has opened the door for artists to not feel pressure to have "the bop". To make the record that she made, while running against what is programmed in radio at the highest levels of [[pop music]]—she has kind of made an anti-pop record.|author=Dessner on Swift's new sonic direction in ''Folklore''|source=''Billboard''<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/9449110/aaron-dessner-taylor-swift-folklore-grammys|title='There Were Fireworks, Musically': Aaron Dessner Opens Up About Making ''Folklore'' With Taylor Swift|last=Havens|first=Lyndsey|date=September 17, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919183723/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/9449110/aaron-dessner-taylor-swift-folklore-grammys|url-status=live))</ref>))

''Folklore'' was written and recorded in secrecy. Swift, her boyfriend, family, management team, Antonoff, and Dessner were aware of the album's creation; she did not disclose the news or play the album to her friends as she did with her previous works.<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> Near the end of ''Folklore''<nowiki/>'s recording process, Dessner reached out to his regular collaborators, including the National bandmates, to provide instrumentation remotely.<ref name="DessnerRS" /> Bryce [[orchestration|orchestrated]] several songs, while [[Bryan Devendorf]] performed the drums in "Seven".<ref name="PitchforkCredits" /> Dessner kept Swift's involvement confidential from his family and colleagues until announcement.<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/aaron-dessner-says-he-kept-taylor-swift-collaboration-secret-from-8-year-old-daughter-2715178|title=Aaron Dessner says he kept Taylor Swift collaboration secret from 8-year-old daughter|last=Richard|first=Will|magazine=[[NME]]|date=July 26, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801045723/https://www.nme.com/news/music/aaron-dessner-says-he-kept-taylor-swift-collaboration-secret-from-8-year-old-daughter-2715178|url-status=live))</ref> While filming the "Cardigan" music video, Swift wore an earpiece and [[Lip sync|lip-synced]] to the song to prevent it from leaking.<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-rodrigo-prieto-folklore-1037586/|title=Taylor Swift's Cinematographer: How We Shot ''Folklore'' Video During a Pandemic|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 31, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802035644/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-rodrigo-prieto-folklore-1037586/|url-status=live))</ref> Dessner stated that Swift's label, [[Republic Records]], was unaware of the album until hours before its launch.<ref name="DessnerPitchfork" />

== Music and lyrics ==
((Quote box
| bgcolor = #f0f0f0
| align = right
| width = 40%
| salign = right
| quote = A tale that becomes [[folklore]] is one that is passed down and whispered around. Sometimes even sung about. The lines between fantasy and reality blur and the boundaries between truth and fiction become almost indiscernible. Speculation, over time, becomes fact. Myths, ghost stories, and [[fable]]s. Fairytales and [[parable]]s. Gossip and [[legend]]. Someone's secrets written in the sky for all to behold. In isolation, my imagination has run wild and this album is the result, a collection of songs and stories that flowed like a stream of consciousness. Picking up a pen was my way of escaping into fantasy, history, and memory. I've told these stories to the best of my ability with all the love, wonder, and whimsy they deserve. Now it's up to you to pass them down.
| author = – Swift on the concept of ''Folklore''
| source = Instagram<ref name="Intro post">((cite news|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAsU8BDzLt/|title=Taylor Swift on Instagram|date=July 24, 2020|publisher=[[Instagram]]|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132347/https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAsU8BDzLt/|url-status=live))</ref>
))

The standard edition of ''Folklore'' is about an hour and three minutes long, consisting of 16 tracks, while the deluxe edition adds a bonus song, "[[The Lakes (song)|The Lakes]]", as the seventeenth track. Bon Iver is featured on "Exile", the fourth track. ''Folklore'' was written and produced by Swift, Dessner, Antonoff, and Alwyn, with additional writing credit to Vernon, the lead vocalist of Bon Iver, on "Exile".<ref name="PitchforkCredits">((cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releases-new-album-folklore-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/|title=Taylor Swift Releases New Album ''Folklore'': Listen and Read the Full Credits|last1=Strauss|first1=Matthew|last2=Minsker|first2=Evan|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132536/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-releases-new-album-folklore-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="TheLakes" /> It is Swift's first album to carry an [[Parental Advisory|explicit content label]].<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Urbanek|first=Sydney|date=November 26, 2020|title=''Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions'' review – A triumphant debut from Taylor Swift|url=https://lwlies.com/reviews/folklore-the-long-pond-studio-sessions/|access-date=November 29, 2020|magazine=[[Little White Lies (magazine)|Little White Lies]]|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127222816/https://lwlies.com/reviews/folklore-the-long-pond-studio-sessions/|url-status=live))</ref>

=== Composition ===
Critics mostly categorize ''Folklore'' as an alternative, [[indie folk]], and [[electro-folk]] album departing from the pop [[maximalism]] and [[Synthesizer|synth]]-driven sound of Swift's previous works.<ref name="genre">((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9429444/grammys-taylor-swift-folklore-pop-or-alternative|title=Will the Grammys Classify Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' as Pop or Alternative?|first=Paul|last=Grein|date=August 4, 2020|access-date=November 23, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125051611/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9429444/grammys-taylor-swift-folklore-pop-or-alternative/|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="Bruner-2020a">((cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5915313/best-albums-2020/|title=The 10 best albums of 2020|last1=Bruner|first1=Raisa|first2=Andrew R.|last2=Chow|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=November 27, 2020|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128223940/https://time.com/5915313/best-albums-2020/|url-status=live))</ref> It also incorporates indie rock,<ref name="Johnson-2020">((cite magazine|last=Johnson|first=Ellen|date=July 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Morphs Her Sound Yet Again on the Stunning ''Folklore''|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/folklore-album-review/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725181901/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/folklore-album-review/|archive-date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]))</ref> [[electronica]],<ref name="Snapes" /> [[dream pop]],<ref name="Nguyen">((cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/taylor-swift-s-new-album-is-a-fever-dream-you-won-t-want-to-wake-up-from-20200724-p55f4s.html|title=Taylor Swift's new album is a fever dream you won't want to wake up from|access-date=July 24, 2020|last=Nguyen|first=Giselle Au-Nhien|date=July 24, 2020|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724073328/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/taylor-swift-s-new-album-is-a-fever-dream-you-won-t-want-to-wake-up-from-20200724-p55f4s.html|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref> [[Country music|country]],<ref name="Mylrea" /> and [[folk rock]] elements.<ref name="Slant review">((Cite magazine|last=Winograd|first=Jeremy|date=August 23, 2021|title=Review: Big Red Machine's ''How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?'' Is a Group Effort|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/big-red-machine-how-long-do-you-think-its-gonna-last-album-review/|access-date=August 25, 2021|magazine=[[Slant Magazine]]|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825205250/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/big-red-machine-how-long-do-you-think-its-gonna-last-album-review/|url-status=live))</ref> ''[[NME]]''(('s)) Hannah Mylrea wrote the album "dives headfirst into the world of [[Folk music|folk]], [[alternative rock]] and indie",<ref name="Mylrea" /> while the same magazine's Gary Ryan classified it as [[indietronica]] and [[chamber pop]].<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Ryan|first=Gary|date=March 9, 2021|title=The best lockdown albums – ranked on order of greatness|url=https://www.nme.com/features/the-best-lockdown-albums-ranked-folklore-nick-cave-carnage-2896069|access-date=March 9, 2021|magazine=[[NME]]|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309194010/https://www.nme.com/features/the-best-lockdown-albums-ranked-folklore-nick-cave-carnage-2896069|url-status=live))</ref> Kaelen Bell of ''[[Exclaim!]]'' said ''Folklore'' is a laid-back pop record,<ref name="Bell-2020">((cite magazine|last=Bell|first=Kaelen|date=July 27, 2020|title=Despite Her Best Efforts, Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Is Still a Pop Album|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/taylor_swift_folklore_album_review|access-date=February 21, 2021|magazine=[[Exclaim!]]|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306080815/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/taylor_swift_folklore_album_review|url-status=live))</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''(('s)) Chris Willman<ref name="Willman-2020" /> and ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''(('s)) Jillian Mapes specified it as chamber pop,<ref name="Pitchfork" /> Michael Sumsion of ''[[PopMatters]]'' described it as a blend of chamber-pop and [[Indie folk|alt-folk]],<ref name="PopMatters-2020">((cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/best-albums-of-2020-2649094823.html|title=The 60 Best Albums of 2020|website=[[PopMatters]]|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207164123/https://www.popmatters.com/best-albums-of-2020-2649094823.html|url-status=live))</ref> and Raisa Bruner of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' deemed it "alternative [[Folk-pop|pop-folk]]".<ref name="Bruner-2020" /> Music journalist [[Amanda Petrusich]], reviewing for ''[[The New Yorker]]'', felt ''Folklore'' is a "genre-less" record that drifts toward atmospheric pop rather than folk.<ref name="newyorker">((cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/taylor-swifts-new-album-folklore|title=Taylor Swift's Intimate 'Indie' Album, ''Folklore''|first=Amanda|last=Petrusich|author-link=Amanda Petrusich|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129174031/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/taylor-swifts-new-album-folklore|url-status=live))</ref> In disagreement, ''[[The New York Times]]'' critic [[Jon Caramanica]] called it an atmospheric [[Rock music|rock]] album abandoning pop.<ref name="NYTimesReview" /> Spencer Kornhaber of ''[[The Atlantic]]'' said the album "swims through intricate [[Classical music|classical]] and folk instrumentation" held together by electronic music.<ref name="Kornhaber-2020" />

Devoid of radio-friendly pop songs,<ref name="Rolling Stone" /><ref name="Keefe-2020">((cite magazine|last=Keefe|first=Jonathan|date=July 27, 2020|title=Review: With ''Folklore'', Taylor Swift Mines Pathos from a Widening Worldview|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-with-folklore-taylor-swift-mines-pathos-from-a-widening-worldview/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132417/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-with-folklore-taylor-swift-mines-pathos-from-a-widening-worldview/|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|magazine=[[Slant Magazine]]))</ref> ''Folklore'' eschews the mainstream sound of Swift's older works.<ref name="Willman-2020" /> It consists of mellow, cinematic, slow-paced [[Sentimental ballad|ballads]],<ref name="DessnerVulture" /><ref name="McCormick" /><ref name="Willman-2020" /> with a [[Minimal music|minimal]],<ref name="Pitchfork" /> [[Lo-fi music|lo-fi]] production,<ref>((Cite news|last=Brown|first=Helen|date=December 11, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's new album ''Evermore'' is full of haunting tales – review|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-review-evermore-b1769916.html|access-date=September 24, 2021|work=[[The Independent]]|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212001529/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-review-evermore-b1769916.html|url-status=live))</ref><ref>((Cite web|last=Young|first=Alex|date=November 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift announces ''Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions'' concert film|url=https://consequence.net/2020/11/taylor-swift-folklore-the-long-pond-studio-sessions-film/|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415060254/https://consequence.net/2020/11/taylor-swift-folklore-the-long-pond-studio-sessions-film/|url-status=live))</ref> and elegant [[Melody|melodies]], together lending a modern spin on traditional songwriting.<ref name="McCormick" /> It is built around soft,<ref name="Snapes" /> sparse<ref name="Pitchfork" /> and sonorous pianos,<ref name="McCormick" /> moody,<ref name="Pitchfork" /> picked<ref name="McCormick" /> and burbling guitars,<ref name="Snapes" /> glitchy and fractured [[Electronic music|electronic]] elements,<ref name="Snapes" /> subliminal,<ref name="Bell-2020" /> throbbing percussions,<ref name="Carson" /> mellow [[Drum machine|programmed drums]], [[Mellotron]],<ref name="Willman-2020" /> sweeping orchestrations<ref name="Pitchfork" /> with ethereal [[String (music)|strings]]<ref name="Nguyen" /> and meditative [[Horn (instrument)|horns]].<ref name="McKenna-2020">((cite news|last=McKenna|first=Lyndsey|date=July 24, 2020|title=Stream Taylor Swift's New Album, ''Folklore''|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/24/894861412/stream-taylor-swift-new-album-folklore|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724154304/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/24/894861412/stream-taylor-swift-new-album-folklore|archive-date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|publisher=[[NPR]]))</ref> The album does not fully avoid plush synths and programmed beats characteristic of Swift's pop music, but instead dials them down to a subtle texture,<ref name="McCormick" /> delivering an [[Electroacoustic music|electro-acoustic]] soundscape,<ref name="Sumsion-2020">((cite web|last=Sumsion|first=Michael|date=July 29, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Abandons Stadium-Pop for a New Tonal Approach on ''Folklore''|url=https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-2646821264.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731005457/https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-2646821264.html|archive-date=July 31, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020|website=[[PopMatters]]))</ref> which highlights Swift's voice and lyrics.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Campbell|first=Caleb|date=July 29, 2020|title=''Folklore''|url=http://undertheradarmag.com/reviews/taylor_swift_folklore|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809205350/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/taylor_swift_folklore/|archive-date=August 9, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020|magazine=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under The Radar]]))</ref><ref name="Willman-2020" /><ref name="Nguyen" /> ''Rolling Stone'' stated the album's tone resembles "[[Safe & Sound (Taylor Swift song)|Safe & Sound]]", Swift's 2012 single for ''[[The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond]]''.<ref name="Rolling Stone" /> ''[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]'' noted that Antonoff confers a synth-based style to the record, while Dessner contributes a piano-leaning sound, and linked ''Folklore'' to two songs on ''Lover''—"[[The Archer (song)|The Archer]]" and "It's Nice to Have a Friend"—as Swift's albums "usually have a couple tracks that harken back to the previous album or wind up connecting them to the next".<ref name="Princiotti-2020">((Cite web|last=Princiotti|first=Nora|date=July 24, 2020|title=The ''Folklore'' FAQ|url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2020/7/24/21337262/taylor-swift-folklore-explained-joe-alwyn-bon-iver|access-date=November 7, 2020|website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017235459/https://www.theringer.com/music/2020/7/24/21337262/taylor-swift-folklore-explained-joe-alwyn-bon-iver|url-status=live))</ref>

=== Themes ===
''Folklore'' consists of songs exploring points of view that diverge from Swift's life, including [[third-person narrative]]s<ref name="McKenna-2020" /> written from perspectives of characters that interweave across the tracks.<ref name="DessnerVulture" /> Its songwriting style combines [[ballad]]eering with autobiographical experiences and character-driven storytelling,<ref name="Weatherby-2021">((cite web |last=Weatherby |first=Taylor |date=March 10, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Road To ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/taylor-swift-folklore-2021-grammys |access-date=November 24, 2021 |publisher=[[The Recording Academy|Grammy.com]] |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125232010/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/taylor-swift-folklore-2021-grammys |url-status=live ))</ref> and is primarily distinguished by themes of wistfulness, escapism,<ref name="Irish Times">((Cite news|last=McRedmond|first=Finn|date=July 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift: ''Folklore'' review – A triumph of wistful, escapist melancholy|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/taylor-swift-folklore-review-a-triumph-of-wistful-escapist-melancholy-1.4312625|access-date=September 24, 2021|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230090909/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/taylor-swift-folklore-review-a-triumph-of-wistful-escapist-melancholy-1.4312625|url-status=live))</ref> [[nostalgia]],<ref name="DessnerVulture" /> contemplation,<ref name="Bromwich-2020">((Cite news|last=Bromwich|first=Kathryn|date=December 8, 2020|title=The 50 best albums of 2020, No 9: Taylor Swift – ''Folklore''|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/08/the-best-albums-of-2020-no-9-taylor-swift-folklore|access-date=December 30, 2020|work=[[The Guardian]]|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721115636/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/08/the-best-albums-of-2020-no-9-taylor-swift-folklore|url-status=live))</ref> and [[empathy]].<ref name="Kornhaber-2020" /> Although Swift opted for a new sound, the album retains stylistic aspects of her trademark songwriting, such as mournful delivery and [[bildungsroman]] passion.<ref name="Princiotti-2020" />

Compared to much of her older discography, ''Folklore'' reflected Swift's deepening self-awareness,<ref name="Snapes" /> introspection,<ref name="PopMatters-2020" /> and vivid storytelling<ref name="Mylrea" /> that showed a higher degree of fictionalization and fewer self-references,<ref name="Willman-2020" /> culminating in an outward-looking approach.<ref name="Kornhaber-2020" /> The lyricism is both personal and fictional, and a blend of both at times.<ref name="Pitchfork-2020">((cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2020/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208145103/http://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2020/|url-status=live))</ref> The emotional and narrative range of ''Folklore'' is widened by expanding the focus from Swift's personal stories to imagined characters and [[Anthropomorphism|personifications]].<ref name="Bromwich-2020" />

The narratives described in ''Folklore'' include a ghost finding its murderer at its funeral, a seven-year-old girl with a traumatized friend, an old widow spurned by her town, recovering [[Alcoholism|alcoholics]], and a [[love triangle]] between the fictional characters Betty, James, and an unnamed woman,((NoteTag|Though not mentioned in the album, Swift refers to the unnamed narrator of "August" as Augustine or Augusta.<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-movie-disney-1095464/|title=The Thanksgiving Miracle of Taylor Swift's Acoustic ''Folklore'' Session|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 25, 2020|access-date=September 23, 2021|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|author-link=Rob Sheffield|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217214326/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-movie-disney-1095464/|url-status=live))</ref><ref>((Cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=July 24, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Releases 'The Lakes (Original Version)' on ''Folklore'' One-Year Anniversary: Listen Now|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9605979/taylor-swift-the-lakes-original-version-folklore-one-year-anniversary/|access-date=September 23, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724150145/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9605979/taylor-swift-the-lakes-original-version-folklore-one-year-anniversary/|url-status=live))</ref>)) as depicted in the tracks "Cardigan", "Betty" and "August", with each of the three songs written from each of the character's perspective in different times in their lives.<ref name="Rolling Stone" /> [[NPR]]'s [[Ann Powers]] defined ''Folklore'' as a "body constructed of memory, a shared sense of the world, built of myths, heard stories", based on the idea that "we each have our own folklore", with the album being Swift's folklore.<ref>((cite news|date=July 28, 2020|title=Let's Talk About Taylor Swift's ''Folklore''|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/28/896193188/taylor-swift-folklore-critics-roundtable|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730020352/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/28/896193188/taylor-swift-folklore-critics-roundtable|archive-date=July 30, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|publisher=[[NPR]]))</ref> Many songs on the album exude a cinematic quality in their lyrics,<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020">((cite web|last=Ahlgrim|first=Callie|date=July 30, 2020|title=Every detail and Easter egg you may have missed on Taylor Swift's new album ''Folklore''|url=https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-folklore-lyrics-easter-eggs-2020-7|access-date=August 5, 2020|website=[[Business Insider|Insider]]|archive-date=December 2, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211202000344/https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-folklore-lyrics-easter-eggs-2020-7|url-status=live))</ref> and reference objects and phenomena in nature, such as a [[solar eclipse]], [[Saturn]], [[aurora]]s, purple-pink skies, [[Sea spray|salt air]], [[weed]]s, and ''[[Wisteria]]''.<ref>((Cite news|last=Opperman|first=Jeff|date=March 12, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Is Bringing Us Back to Nature|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/opinion/taylor-swift-grammys-nature-lyrics.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/opinion/taylor-swift-grammys-nature-lyrics.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=March 12, 2021))((cbignore))</ref>

=== Songs ===
"The 1", the opening track, is a [[soft rock]] tune<ref name="Willman-2021">((Cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=January 1, 2021|title=Year in Review: The Best Songs of 2020|url=https://variety.com/lists/best-songs-2020-year-review/|access-date=January 1, 2021|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101212954/https://variety.com/lists/best-songs-2020-year-review/|url-status=live))</ref> driven by a bouncy arrangement of piano, [[Minimal music|minimal]] percussion, and electronic accents.<ref name="Snapes" /> In the perspective of Swift's friend, "The 1" describes a new-found positive approach to life and past love, wishing they could have been [[soulmate]]s.<ref name="Mylrea" /><ref name="DessnerVulture" /> The slow-burning "Cardigan" is a [[Folk music|folk]]<ref>((cite web|last1=Ahlgrim|first1=Callie|last2=Larocca|first2=Courteney|date=July 25, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' might be the best album of her entire career|url=https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-tracklist-breakdown-2020-7|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=[[Business Insider|Insider]]|archive-date=December 2, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211202000949/https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-folklore-review-tracklist-breakdown-2020-7|url-status=live))</ref> ballad driven by moody, stripped-down instrumentals consisting of drums and tender piano;<ref>((cite web|last=Ivie|first=Devon|date=August 8, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Doesn't See 'Betty' As Queer Canon|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/08/taylor-swift-confirms-folklore-theories-about-betty.html|access-date=September 16, 2021|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|archive-date=September 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916040148/https://www.vulture.com/2020/08/taylor-swift-confirms-folklore-theories-about-betty.html|url-status=live))</ref><ref>((cite magazine|date=July 24, 2020|title=''Folklore'' Is Taylor Swift's Smoldering Pop Rebellion – Finally|url=https://www.spin.com/2020/07/folklore-is-taylor-swifts-smoldering-pop-rebellion-finally/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726204709/https://www.spin.com/2020/07/folklore-is-taylor-swifts-smoldering-pop-rebellion-finally/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]))</ref> Swift sings from the perspective of a fictional character named Betty,<ref name="Carson" /> who recalls the separation and enduring optimism of a relationship with a boy named James.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" />

"The Last Great American Dynasty" is an alternative [[indie pop]] tune with classical instruments like [[slide guitar]], [[viola]], violins, drums and glitchy production elements.<ref name="Mylrea" /><ref name="Esquire">((cite magazine|last=Ovenden|first=Olivia|date=August 3, 2020|title=Dance Away The Bad News with the Best Albums Of 2020 (So Far)|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a30427570/best-albums-2020/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527233331/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a30427570/best-albums-2020/|archive-date=May 27, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2020|magazine=[[Esquire (UK Edition)|Esquire (UK)]]))</ref> The [[Satire|satirical]] song tells the story of Rebekah Harkness, the founder of [[Harkness Ballet]], when she resided in Swift's Rhode Island mansion. It details how Harkness married into an upper-class family, was hated by the town, and blamed for the death of her then-husband and heir to [[Standard Oil]], William Harkness (referred to in the song as Bill), and the fall of his family's name, and draws parallels with Swift's life.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=July 27, 2020|title=6 Things to Know About Rebekah Harkness, the Muse Behind Taylor Swift's 'The Last Great American Dynasty'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9425348/6-things-to-know-rebekah-harkness-taylor-swift-the-last-great-american-dynasty|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730090259/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9425348/6-things-to-know-rebekah-harkness-taylor-swift-the-last-great-american-dynasty|archive-date=July 30, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref><ref name="Bruner-2020">((cite news|last=Bruner|first=Raisa|date=July 24, 2020|title=Let's Break Down Taylor Swift's Tender New Album ''Folklore''|url=https://time.com/5871159/taylor-swift-folklore-explained/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731135229/https://time.com/5871159/taylor-swift-folklore-explained/|archive-date=July 31, 2020|access-date=August 4, 2020|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]))</ref> "Exile" is a [[Gospel music|gospel]]-influenced,<ref name="Sumsion-2020" /> indie folk<ref name="Vulture222">((cite web|last=Curto|first=Justin|date=July 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift and Bon Iver Find Perfect Harmony on 'Exile'|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-exile-bon-iver-song-review.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725004440/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-exile-bon-iver-song-review.html|archive-date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]))</ref> duet with Bon Iver, fusing Swift's soft vocals with Vernon's growling [[baritone]],<ref>((cite magazine|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=July 24, 2020|title=What's Your Favorite Song on Taylor Swift's ''Folklore''? Vote!|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9424164/favorite-folklore-song-taylor-swift-poll|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726054241/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9424164/favorite-folklore-song-taylor-swift-poll|archive-date=July 26, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> serving as an unspoken, argumentative conversation between two former lovers.<ref name="Vulture222" /> It begins with a plodding piano and reaches a dramatic climax accompanied by strings, synths<ref name="E!22">((cite web|last=Nilles|first=Billy|date=July 25, 2020|title=The MixtapE! Presents Taylor Swift, Brandy and More New Music Musts|url=https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1173607/the-mixtape-presents-taylor-swift-brandy-and-more-new-music-musts|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725151952/https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1173607/the-mixtape-presents-taylor-swift-brandy-and-more-new-music-musts|archive-date=July 25, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|publisher=[[E!]]))</ref> and harmonies.<ref name="Nguyen" />

((listen
| type         = Music
| filename     = Mirrorball by Taylor Swift.ogg
| title        = "Mirrorball"
| description  = The instrumentation of "Mirrorball", the sixth track, is characterized by its [[jangle]],<ref name="CoS" /> [[tambourine]],<ref name="Kornhaber-2020">((Cite news|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|date=July 28, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Is No Longer Living in the Present|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-review-power-storytelling/614698/|access-date=October 3, 2020|work=[[The Atlantic]]|archive-date=October 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004103310/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-review-power-storytelling/614698/|url-status=live))</ref> and "nervous dance-floor" sensibility.<ref name="Rolling Stone" />
| filename2    = Seven by Taylor Swift (music sample).ogg
| title2       = "Seven"
| description2 =  The seventh track, "[[Seven (Taylor Swift song)|Seven]]", opens with Swift's "lustrous" [[Register (music)|upper register]].<ref name="Rosen-2020" />
))

Sung from the perspective of a deceased lover's ghost, "My Tears Ricochet" is an icy [[Arena rock|arena]]-[[Gothic rock|goth]] song<ref name="Wood-2020">((cite news|last=Wood|first=Mikael|date=July 26, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'': All 16 songs, ranked|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-26/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked|access-date=September 24, 2020|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archive-date=March 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329230604/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-26/taylor-swift-folklore-songs-ranked|url-status=live))</ref> that reflects on the tensions following the end of a marital relationship,<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> using [[funeral|funereal]] imagery—a [[metaphor]] for Scott Borchetta and [[Taylor Swift masters dispute|his sale of the masters of Swift's older catalogue]].<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" /><ref name="Suskind-2020">((Cite magazine|last=Suskind|first=Alex|date=December 9, 2020|title=Taylor Swift broke all her rules with ''Folklore'' – and gave herself a much-needed escape|url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-entertainers-of-the-year-2020/|access-date=December 8, 2020|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-date=March 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312063543/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-entertainers-of-the-year-2020/|url-status=live))</ref> It encompasses a [[music box]], backing choir, [[Reverberation|reverbed]] [[Ad libitum|ad-libs]] in the [[Bridge (music)|bridge]], and reaches a tumultuous climax over shuddering drums.<ref name="Mylrea" /><ref name="Rosen-2020">((cite news|last=Rosen|first=Jody|date=July 24, 2020|title=Review: Taylor Swift's radically intimate ''Folklore'' is the perfect quar album|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-24/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review|access-date=August 13, 2020|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811075211/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-24/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review|url-status=live))</ref> "Mirrorball" is a folk-tinged dream pop song,<ref name="Johnson-2020" /> driven by [[Pedal steel guitar|pedal steel]] and twanging guitars.<ref name="Kaplan-2020">((cite magazine |last=Kaplan |first=Ilana |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Is at Her Most Emotionally Raw On Surprise New Album ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/taylor-swift-folklore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725223013/https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/taylor-swift-folklore |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020 |magazine=[[British Vogue]]))</ref><ref name="Wood-2020" /> Its lyrics portray Swift as a [[disco ball]], pertaining to the reflective quality, describing her ability to entertain people with her music by making herself her vulnerable and sensitive.<ref name="Gutowitz-2020">((cite web |last=Gutowitz |first=Jill |date=July 24, 2020 |title=What Is Every Song on Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Actually About? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-every-folklore-song-explained.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730194750/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-every-folklore-song-explained.html |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |access-date=August 4, 2020 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]))</ref><ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" />

In "Seven", Swift sings in an innocent tone,<ref name="Gutowitz-2020" /><ref name="Snapes" /> reminiscing about an abused friend from her childhood in Pennsylvania,<ref name="EW" /> whom she cannot fully remember but still has fond memories of, over a resonant arrangement consisting of flurrying strings and piano.<ref name="Snapes" /> "August" is a gloomy dream-pop song<ref name="Nguyen" /> that captures the summer affair between two young lovers—a naive girl who is seen holding on to a boy that "wasn't hers to lose";<ref name="Carson" /> the boy is revealed to be James, later in the album.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" /> The song depicts the girl grieve and yearn over her love, using Swift's light and breezy delivery, "[[yo-yo]]ing" vocal yelps, and a grandiose production driven by acoustic guitar, glistening vocal reverb, and [[Modulation (music)|key changes]].<ref name="Nguyen" /><ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" />

The ninth track, "This Is Me Trying", is an [[orchestral pop]] song detailing the accountability and regret of an [[Alcoholism|alcoholic]] who admits feeling inadequate.<ref name="Wood-2020" /><ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" /> It contains Swift's "ghostly", reverberated vocals and a gradually growing, dense production.<ref name="Snapes" /><ref name="Gutowitz-2020" /> Over an acoustic arrangement of finger-plucked strings and soft horns,<ref name="Nguyen" /> "[[Illicit Affairs]]" unfolds the infidelity of a disloyal narrator, and highlights the measures they carry out to keep the affair a secret.<ref name="Gutowitz-2020" /><ref name="Kaplan-2020" /> "[[Invisible String]]" is a folk song<ref name="AVClub" /> that provides a glimpse into Swift's love life with Alwyn, recounting the "invisible" connection between them that they were not aware of until they met, [[Allusion|alluding]] to an East Asian [[Folklore|folk myth]] called the [[red thread of fate|Red Thread of Fate]].<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" /> It comprises an acoustic riff, thumping vocal [[backbeat]]s,<ref name="AVClub" /><ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" /> a distinct [[Passive voice|passive]] writing style,<ref name="Keefe-2020" /> and references her older songs.<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" />

[[File:Lake Windermere on a misty morning.JPG|thumb|In the seventeenth track "[[The Lakes (song)|The Lakes]]", Swift sings about her vacation with her lover to [[Windermere]], the largest lake in England.|alt=|left|250x250px]]

"Mad Woman" tackles the [[taboo]] linked with female anger,<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" /> using sarcastic remarks at [[sexism]],<ref name="Carson" /><ref name="Kaplan-2020" /> as ''Folklore''(('s)) moment of vituperation.<ref name="Willman-2020" /> It metaphorically describes Swift's dispute with Borchetta and [[Scooter Braun]],<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> painting the story of a deviant widow getting revenge, with references to [[Witch-hunt|witch hunts]].<ref name="Bruner-2020" /> "Epiphany" is an [[Ambient music|ambient]] [[hymn]].<ref name="Johnson-2020" /><ref name="Kaplan-2020" /> It depicts the devastation of the pandemic, paying homage to healthcare workers, with whom she empathizes, comparing them to traumatized military soldiers,<ref name="Carson" /> such as her [[veteran]] grandfather, Dean, who fought at the [[Guadalcanal campaign|Battle of Guadalcanal]] (1942).<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" /> The song is carried by a glacial piano,<ref name="AVClub" /> and a howling [[Brass instrument|brass]].<ref name="Rosen-2020" />

The fourteenth track, "Betty", is a country and folk rock song with prominent harmonica.<ref name="Mylrea" /><ref name="Kaplan-2020" /> It describes the relationship narrated in "Cardigan", but in the perspective of the cheating boyfriend James,<ref name="Carson" /> who had a summer fling with the female narrator of "August".<ref name="Kaplan-2020" /> James apologizes for his past actions but does not fully own up to them, citing excuses.<ref name="Bruner-2020" /> Its characters (Betty, James, and Inez) are named after the daughters of [[Blake Lively]] and [[Ryan Reynolds]].<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Huff|first=Lauren|date=July 29, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's teenage love triangle songs on ''Folklore'' explained|url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swifts-teenage-love-triangle-songs-folklore-explained/|access-date=August 12, 2021|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216183726/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swifts-teenage-love-triangle-songs-folklore-explained/|url-status=live))</ref> The [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]-inclining "Peace" features [[jazz]]y vocals with a complex vocal melody.<ref name="Wood-2020" /><ref name="DessnerVulture" /> over a [[Pulse (music)|pulse]] juxtaposed with three lushly harmonized [[bassline]]s,<ref name="Carson" /><ref name="DessnerRS" /> complemented by minimal synths and a drizzling piano.<ref name="Sumsion-2020" /> Lyrically, "Peace" is an [[ode]] to Swift's lover,<ref name="Wood-2020" /> dissects the effects of hectic stardom on her relationship and warns the subject of future challenges.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Gardner |first=Abby |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift ''Folklore'' Album Review: Breaking Down All the References and Easter Eggs |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806063805/https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 4, 2020 |magazine=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]))</ref><ref name="Gutowitz-2020" />

The standard edition of the album closes with "Hoax", a slow piano ballad with emotionally raw lyrics that detail a flawed but everlasting relationship,<ref name="Bruner-2020" /><ref name="DessnerVulture" /> ending the album on a despondent note of sadness.<ref name="Willman-2020a">((cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=August 8, 2020|title=Taylor Swift, Prince, Bon Iver and More in Fri 5, the Best Songs of the Week|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-lakes-prince-cosmic-day-bon-iver-omar-apollo-alexander-23-best-songs-1234729122/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808011012/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-lakes-prince-cosmic-day-bon-iver-omar-apollo-alexander-23-best-songs-1234729122/|archive-date=August 8, 2020|access-date=August 8, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref> The deluxe bonus track, "The Lakes", is a string-laden [[Tempo|midtempo]] song<ref name="Willman-2020a" /> that introspects on Swift's semi-retirement in England's [[Lake District]];<ref name="Rolling Stone" /> the location is also mentioned in "Invisible String".<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020" /> Imagining a red rose growing out of [[tundra]] "with no one around to tweet it", Swift fantasizes about a social-media-free [[utopia]],<ref name="Willman-2020" /> referencing [[William Wordsworth]], an English poet known for his Romantic writings.<ref name="Willman-2020a" />

== Art direction ==
((Blockquote|text=From the very beginning, Taylor had a clear idea of what she wanted for the album's visuals. We looked at [[Surrealism|Surrealist]] work, imagery that toyed with human scale in nature. We also looked at early [[Autochrome Lumière|autochromes]], [[ambrotype]]s, and photo storybooks from the 1940s.|title=Meet the photographer behind Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' artwork|source=''[[i-D]]''<ref>((cite news|url=https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/z3ed8e/beth-garrabrant-photographer-behind-taylor-swift-folklore-artwork|title=Meet the photographer behind Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' artwork|last=Whitfield|first=Zoe|date=September 24, 2020|magazine=[[i-D]]|access-date=October 16, 2020|archive-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904153719/https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/z3ed8e/beth-garrabrant-photographer-behind-taylor-swift-folklore-artwork|url-status=live))</ref>|author=Beth Garrabrant))
''Folklore''(('s)) album art, packaging, and lyric videos were created through a DIY approach.<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> Swift collaborated with photographer [[Beth Garrabrant]] for the artworks, without a technical team due to COVID-19 concerns. The photoshoot marked a change from Swift's older shoots, where she would have "100 people on set, commanding alongside other people in a very committee fashion." She styled herself, including hair, makeup and wardrobe, and prescribed Garrabrant a specific [[Mood board|moodboard]].<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> The photographs are characterized by a [[grayscale]], black and white filter.<ref name="Frank-2020">((cite web|last=Frank|first=Allegra|date=July 24, 2020|title=The 6 songs that explain Taylor Swift's new album, ''Folklore''|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/7/24/21337105/taylor-swift-folklore-lyrics-best-songs-rebekah-harkness|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725095618/https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/7/24/21337105/taylor-swift-folklore-lyrics-best-songs-rebekah-harkness|archive-date=July 25, 2020|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]))</ref><ref name="Keefe-2020" />

=== Cover artwork ===
The standard cover art depicts Swift as a 19th-century pioneer [[sleepwalking]] in a nightgown.<ref name="Suskind-2020" /> She is seen standing alone in a misty forest covered by morning fog,<ref name="Decker-2020" /> wearing a long, [[double-breasted]] [[Tartan|plaid]] coat over a white [[prairie dress]],<ref name="Huber-2020" /> gazing at the height of the trees.<ref name="Wohlmacher-2020">((cite web|last=Wohlmacher|first=John|date=July 27, 2020|title=Album Review: Taylor Swift – ''Folklore''|url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728162240/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/|archive-date=July 28, 2020|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]]))</ref> On the backside cover, she stands turned away from the camera, wearing a slouchy [[flannel]]-lined denim jacket slumped around her arms, and a white lace [[frock]], with two loose [[braid]]ed [[Bun (hairstyle)|buns]] low over her nape, similar to [[American Girl]] doll [[Kirsten Larson]].<ref name="Huber-2020">((cite web|last=Huber|first=Eliza|date=July 24, 2020|title=Will Prairie & Cottagecore Fashion Define Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Era?|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/07/9931460/taylor-swift-folklore-fashion-clothing-trend|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132415/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/07/9931460/taylor-swift-folklore-fashion-clothing-trend|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|publisher=[[Refinery29]]))</ref><ref name="Decker-2020">((cite web|last=Decker|first=Megan|date=July 23, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Did Her Own Hair For Her ''Folklore'' Drop|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/07/9929546/taylor-swift-buns-hair-folklore-album-release|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132423/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/07/9929546/taylor-swift-buns-hair-folklore-album-release|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|publisher=[[Refinery29]]))</ref> The album title is written in an [[Italic type|italicized]] roman font reminiscent of "a ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia|Chronicles of Narnia]]'' scrawl".<ref>((cite magazine|last=Spellings|first=Sarah|date=July 23, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Unveils a Surprisingly Moody Look for Her New Album|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-unveils-a-new-look-for-her-album-folklore|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728100710/https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-unveils-a-new-look-for-her-album-folklore|archive-date=July 28, 2020|access-date=August 15, 2020|magazine=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]))</ref><ref>((cite magazine|date=July 28, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Appears to Alter ''Folklore'' Album Merch After The Folklore Calls Her Out|url=https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/taylor-swift-folklore-merch-rip-off-the-folklore|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809141922/https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/taylor-swift-folklore-merch-rip-off-the-folklore|archive-date=August 9, 2020|access-date=August 15, 2020|magazine=[[InStyle]]))</ref>

[[File:TS folklore Wordmark.svg|thumb|''Folklore'' logo]]
In December 2020, [[Jimmy Kimmel]] interviewed Swift about the presence of the word "Woodvale" on the cover of "Hide and Seek" edition of ''Folklore'', which some suspected to be the title of a new album after ''[[Evermore]];'' Swift denied it and said she did not reveal ''Folklore''(('s)) title to anyone until just before its release and used "Woodvale" as a code name, which was included in an artwork for reference, but was accidentally printed in the final products.<ref>((cite news|last=Carras|first=Christi|date=December 15, 2020|title=Another new Taylor Swift album in 2020? 'This takes a bit of explanation', she says|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-12-15/taylor-swift-evermore-jimmy-kimmel-woodvale-rumors|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216015355/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-12-15/taylor-swift-evermore-jimmy-kimmel-woodvale-rumors|url-status=live))</ref>

=== Aesthetic and fashion ===
Reflecting its lyrical motifs of escapism,<ref>((cite news|last=Bowman|first=Emma|date=August 9, 2020|title=The Escapist Land Of 'Cottagecore', From Marie Antoinette To Taylor Swift|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/09/900498227/the-escapist-land-of-cottagecore-from-marie-antoinette-to-taylor-swift|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831041449/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/09/900498227/the-escapist-land-of-cottagecore-from-marie-antoinette-to-taylor-swift|archive-date=August 31, 2020|publisher=[[NPR]]))</ref> ''Folklore'' sees Swift embracing a [[Rural area|rustic]],<ref name="Keefe-2020" /> [[nature]]-focused,<ref name="Frank-2020" /> [[cottagecore]]<ref name="Huber-2020" /><ref>((cite magazine|last=Valentine|first=Claire|date=July 24, 2020|title=18 ''Folklore'' Lyrics For Your Next Cottagecore Post|url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/folklore-lyrics-to-caption-your-next-cottagecore-post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132427/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/folklore-lyrics-to-caption-your-next-cottagecore-post|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|magazine=[[Nylon (magazine)|Nylon]]))</ref> aesthetic for the project, moving away from the "[[technicolor]] [[Festival|carnival]]" of its predecessor, ''Lover''.<ref name="Handler-2020">((cite web|last=Handler|first=Rachel|date=July 28, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's Freaky ''Folklore'' Movie Mood Board|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swifts-freaky-folklore-movie-mood-board.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801001508/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swifts-freaky-folklore-movie-mood-board.html|archive-date=August 1, 2020|access-date=August 15, 2020|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]))</ref> The music video for "Cardigan" expands on cottagecore, and starts with her sitting at a [[Vintage (design)|vintage]] piano in a cozy [[Cottage|cabin]] in the woods. The video features a [[moss]]-covered forest and a waterfall-producing piano. On her website, Swift sold replicas of the "folklore cardigan" she wore in the video—a cream colored [[Cable knitting|cable knit]], with silver embroidered stars on the sleeves' chunky elbows, and navy blue [[Piping (sewing)|piping]] and buttons.<ref name="Huber-2020" />

''[[W (magazine)|W]]'' regarded the cardigan the "pièce de résistance" of the aesthetic, and thought the eight cover artworks of ''Folklore'' have Swift "frolicking through the woods like a cottagecore queen".<ref>((cite magazine|last=Munzenrieder|first=Kyle|date=July 23, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Has Discovered Cottagecore|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/taylor-swift-cottagecore-folklore/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823120510/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/taylor-swift-cottagecore-folklore/|archive-date=August 23, 2020|magazine=[[W (magazine)|W]]))</ref> ''[[Irish Independent]]'' wrote that she became a "rural tunesmith communing with the birds and the trees", dressed up in a bulky "[[The Clancy Brothers|Clancy Brothers]]-style" [[Aran jumper|Aran sweater]].<ref>((Cite web|last=Power|first=Ed|date=July 28, 2020|title=The arrival of Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' is proof folk music is having a moment – but she's late to the shindig|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/the-arrival-of-taylor-swifts-folklore-is-proof-folk-music-is-having-a-moment-but-shes-late-to-the-shindig-39403153.html|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=[[Irish Independent]]|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810030003/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/the-arrival-of-taylor-swifts-folklore-is-proof-folk-music-is-having-a-moment-but-shes-late-to-the-shindig-39403153.html|url-status=live))</ref> [[RTÉ]] thanked Swift for putting cardigans "back on the map once more".<ref>((Cite news|date=July 27, 2020|title=A brief history of the cardigan, from Coco Chanel to Taylor Swift|url=https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/fashion/2020/0727/1155783-a-brief-history-of-the-cardigan-from-coco-chanel-to-taylor-swift/|access-date=November 13, 2020|publisher=[[RTÉ]]|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119184344/https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/fashion/2020/0727/1155783-a-brief-history-of-the-cardigan-from-coco-chanel-to-taylor-swift/|url-status=live))</ref> Noting that her album eras have been defined by their own color scheme, fashion and cultural motifs, ''[[Teen Vogue]]'' described ''Folklore'' as simple, neutral-toned wear, with the cardigan helping in understanding the sentimental role clothing plays.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Haran|first=Samantha|date=October 21, 2020|title=On Taylor Swift's 'Cardigan' and the Importance of Sentimental Value to Clothing|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/taylor-swift-cardigan-sentimental-value-clothing|access-date=October 26, 2020|magazine=[[Teen Vogue]]|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028210818/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/taylor-swift-cardigan-sentimental-value-clothing|url-status=live))</ref> Cottagecore faced resurgence on the internet after Swift used the aesthetic,<ref>((cite magazine|last=Clark|first=Lucie|date=July 27, 2020|title=What is cottagecore? The phenomenon made popular by Taylor Swift|url=https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/lifestyle/what-is-cottagecore-the-phenomenon-made-popular-by-taylor-swift/news-story/6f4f501ffaee50c73f394d64f1ada174|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132434/https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/lifestyle/what-is-cottagecore-the-phenomenon-made-popular-by-taylor-swift/news-story/6f4f501ffaee50c73f394d64f1ada174|archive-date=September 10, 2020|magazine=[[Vogue Australia]]))</ref> with a sales surge of hand-knitted Aran sweaters in Ireland and the US.<ref>((Cite news|last=Corr|first=Julieanne|date=January 17, 2021|title=Taylor photo sparks Swift sales jump for Aran sweaters|work=[[The Times]]|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-photo-sparks-swift-sales-jump-for-aran-sweaters-s75xckv7k|access-date=January 17, 2021|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117114424/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-photo-sparks-swift-sales-jump-for-aran-sweaters-s75xckv7k|url-status=live))</ref>

Comparing it with her past albums, ''[[The Guardian]]'' characterized ''1989'' as sleek and suave, ''Reputation'' as [[Goth subculture|gothic]] and dangerous, and ''Lover'' as jovial and pastel-hued, whereas ''Folklore'' is the [[monochrome]] tale of a songwriter returning to folksy roots.<ref name="Bromwich-2020" /> [[Refinery29]] dubbed the aesthetic as Swift's return to her "truest self",<ref name="Huber-2020" /> and compared her new look to that of a "classic [[English rose (epithet)|English Rose]]".<ref>((Cite web|last=Midkiff|first=Sarah|date=October 22, 2020|title=The Coziest Costume Of 2020 Is Taylor Swift-Inspired, Duh|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/10/10063653/taylor-swift-folklore-halloween-costume-ideas|access-date=October 26, 2020|publisher=[[Refinery29]]|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027121203/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/10/10063653/taylor-swift-folklore-halloween-costume-ideas|url-status=live))</ref> ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'' found Swift opting for a [[pastoral]] palette, and drew parallels to the music video of her 2012 single "Safe & Sound".<ref name="Kaplan-2020" /> ''[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]]'' deemed the aesthetic reminiscent of works by painters [[Grant Wood]], [[Andrew Wyeth]], and [[Lionel Walden]], especially Wood's ''[[American Gothic]]''.<ref name="Wohlmacher-2020" /> ''[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]'' defined ''Folklore'' as "an eerie black-and-white [[Independent film|indie]] [[Historical drama|period]] [[horror film]]" that pays homage to various [[Cult film|cult classic films]], especially [[A24]] horror films, with its songs evoking cinematic visuals.<ref name="Handler-2020" /> The album's aesthetic has been compared to the visuals in multiple films, including ''[[Ivan's Childhood]]'' (1962), ''[[Picnic at Hanging Rock (film)|Picnic at Hanging Rock]]'' (1975), ''[[The Blair Witch Project]]'' (1999), ''Pan's Labyrinth'' (2006), ''[[The Babadook]]'' (2014), ''[[The Witch (2015 film)|The Witch]]'' (2015), ''[[The Beguiled (2017 film)|The Beguiled]]'' (2017), ''[[Woodshock]]'' (2017), ''[[The Lighthouse (2019 film)|The Lighthouse]]'' (2019), ''[[Midsommar]]'' (2019) and ''[[Little Women (2019 film)|Little Women]]'' (2019).<ref name="Handler-2020" /><ref>((cite magazine|last=Aquilina|first=Tyler|date=July 25, 2020|title=Nicole Kidman shouts out Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' fashion in Instagram post|url=https://ew.com/music/nicole-kidman-shouts-out-taylor-swifts-folklore-fashion-in-instagram-post/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132432/https://ew.com/music/nicole-kidman-shouts-out-taylor-swifts-folklore-fashion-in-instagram-post/|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]))</ref><ref name="Huber-2020" /><ref name="Kaplan-2020" />

== Release and promotion ==
''Folklore'' was a [[surprise album]]. It marked the first time Swift abandoned her traditional album rollout, opting to release suddenly due to intuition; she stated, "If you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world." She unveiled the album via her social media on July 23, 2020, 16 hours prior to its release to [[Streaming media|digital music platforms]] at midnight.<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-folklore-surprise-album-1033102/|title=Taylor Swift Finally Abandoned the Traditional Album Rollout|last=Leight|first=Elias|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828191217/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-folklore-surprise-album-1033102/|url-status=live))</ref> Swift informed Republic Records about the new album only a few hours before its release,<ref name="DessnerPitchfork" /> thus it was not widely and immediately available at [[retail]].<ref name="Caulfield-2020" /> Deluxe CDs and vinyl LPs with seven other alternate covers were sold exclusively on Swift's website.<ref name="versions">((cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-8-deluxe-album-covers.html |title=Which of Taylor Swift's 8 ''Folklore'' Covers Are You? |last=Haylock |first=Zoe |date=July 23, 2020 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724185513/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-8-deluxe-album-covers.html |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |url-status=live ))</ref> The standard edition "In the Trees" CDs of ''Folklore'' were released to retail on August 7, 2020,<ref>((Cite news|last=Fekadu|first=Mesfin|date=August 3, 2020|title=Lucky No.7: Taylor Swift nabs 7th No.1 album with ''Folklore''|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/lucky-no7-taylor-swift-nabs-7th-no1-album-with-folklore/2020/08/03/88bb1638-d592-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705233009/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/lucky-no7-taylor-swift-nabs-7th-no1-album-with-folklore/2020/08/03/88bb1638-d592-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html|url-status=live))</ref> while "Meet Me Behind the Mall" CDs were made exclusive to [[Target Corporation|Target]].<ref name="Target">((cite web|title=Taylor Swift – ''Folklore'' (Target Exclusive, CD)|url=https://www.target.com/p/taylor-swift-folklore-target-exclusive-cd/-/A-80914995|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906163425/https://www.target.com/p/taylor-swift-folklore-target-exclusive-cd/-/A-80914995|archive-date=September 6, 2020|access-date=August 22, 2020|publisher=[[Target Corporation|Target]]))</ref> In the United Kingdom, CDs were made available on August 4, 2020, by [[EMI Records]].<ref>((cite web |title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' gets early CD release in the UK |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swifts-folklore-gets-early-cd-release-in-the-uk__30691/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132515/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swifts-folklore-gets-early-cd-release-in-the-uk__30691/ |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]))</ref> The formerly physically exclusive ''Folklore'' deluxe, featuring the bonus track "The Lakes", was released to digital platforms on August 18, 2020.<ref name="TheLakes">((cite magazine|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=August 18, 2020|title=Listen to a Delightful Bonus Song From the Deluxe Edition of Taylor Swift's ''Folklore''|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9435934/taylor-swift-the-lakes|access-date=August 18, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819073419/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9435934/taylor-swift-the-lakes|url-status=live))</ref>

Starting on August 20, 2020, a limited number of autographed ''Folklore'' CDs were delivered to various [[Record shop#Independent stores|indie record shops]] in the US and Scotland to support [[small business]]es in the pandemic.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Hissong|first=Samantha|date=August 20, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Starts Frenzy at Indie Record Stores With Surprise Signed ''Folklore'' CDs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-signed-cds-indie-stores-1047417/|access-date=August 21, 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822065811/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-signed-cds-indie-stores-1047417/|url-status=live))</ref><ref>((cite magazine|last=Lavin|first=Will|date=September 19, 2020|title=Taylor Swift sends 40 signed copies of ''Folklore'' to Edinburgh record store|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-sends-40-signed-copies-of-folklore-to-edinburgh-record-store-2756909|access-date=September 20, 2020|magazine=[[NME]]|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927232032/https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-sends-40-signed-copies-of-folklore-to-edinburgh-record-store-2756909|url-status=live))</ref> Swift mailed her ''Folklore'' cardigans to celebrity friends and well-wishers.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Tannenbaum|first=Emily|date=August 1, 2020|title=All the Celebrities Who Received a ''Folklore'' Cardigan From Taylor Swift|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-sent-folklore-cardigans-to-a-ton-of-celebrities|access-date=September 20, 2020|magazine=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001192349/https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-sent-folklore-cardigans-to-a-ton-of-celebrities|url-status=live))</ref> Four six-song compilations of ''Folklore'' tracks were released to streaming, based on the thematic cohesion between them; ''The Escapism Chapter'', ''The Sleepless Nights Chapter'', ''The Saltbox House Chapter'' and ''The Yeah I Showed Up at Your Party Chapter'' were released in August–September 2020.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Rowley|first=Glenn|date=September 21, 2020|title=Here are All of Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Chapters (So Far) in One Place|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9452986/all-of-taylor-swifts-folklore-chapters-so-far|access-date=September 23, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030180307/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9452986/all-of-taylor-swifts-folklore-chapters-so-far/|url-status=live))</ref> Swift's ninth studio album, ''Evermore'', is a sequel to ''Folklore.'' She dubbed them "sister albums".<ref>((Cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift to release surprise ninth album ''Evermore'' tonight|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-to-release-surprise-ninth-album-evermore-tonight-2835851|access-date=December 10, 2020|magazine=[[NME]]|date=December 10, 2020|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210131229/https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-to-release-surprise-ninth-album-evermore-tonight-2835851|url-status=live))</ref>

=== Singles ===
((listen
| filename = Cardigan_by_Taylor_Swift.ogg
| pos = right
| title="Cardigan"
| description="[[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]" is a [[Folk music|folk]] [[ballad]] with Swift's vocals over stripped down piano, drums, a buoyant [[riff]] and escalating [[String (music)|strings]].<!--Sourced in body-->
))

"Cardigan" serves as the lead single of ''Folklore''.<ref>((cite web|last=McHenry|first=Jackson|date=July 23, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Wants to Sell You a 'Cardigan' Cardigan|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-merch-store-cardigan-album-bundle.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723145415/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-merch-store-cardigan-album-bundle.html|archive-date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]))</ref> It was accompanied by a music video posted to YouTube, directed by Swift and produced by Jil Hardin. Both were released on July 24, 2020, alongside the album.<ref name="Reilly" /> It was serviced to US pop and [[Adult contemporary music|adult pop]] [[radio format]]s on July 27.<ref>((cite web|title=Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases|publisher=All Access|access-date=July 25, 2020|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724190900/https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases|archive-date=July 24, 2020))</ref><ref>((cite web|title=Top 40/M Future Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |publisher=All Access|access-date=July 25, 2020|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724190928/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |archive-date=July 24, 2020))</ref> The song debuted at number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, becoming Swift's sixth chart-topper and second number-one debut.<ref name="Billboard-2020">((cite magazine|date=August 3, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Debuts at No. 1 on Hot 100 With 'Cardigan', Is 1st Artist to Open Atop Hot 100 & Billboard 200 in Same Week|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one|access-date=August 3, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803195201/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one|url-status=live))</ref> ''Billboard'' noted a unique radio roll-out for ''Folklore'', where few of its tracks were simultaneously promoted to multiple radio formats. While "Cardigan" impacted pop and adult contemporary,<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=January 28, 2021|title=Taylor Swift's 'Coney Island' and 'No Body, No Crime' Debut on Airplay Charts, Joining 'Willow'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9517376/taylor-swift-evermore-radio-rollout|access-date=January 30, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=January 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130012714/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9517376/taylor-swift-evermore-radio-rollout/|url-status=live))</ref> "Exile" was sent to [[Alternative radio|adult alternative radio]] on August 3, 2020, which had initially peaked at number six on the Hot 100,<ref>((cite web|title=Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|access-date=July 27, 2020|publisher=All Access|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911212740/https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|archive-date=September 11, 2017|url-status=dead))</ref><ref name="Billboard-2020" /> whereas "Betty" was sent to [[country radio]] on August 17,<ref>((cite web|title=Future Releases for Country Radio Stations|url=https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases|access-date=July 30, 2020|publisher=All Access|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730185551/https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases|url-status=dead))</ref> after arriving at number six on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart.<ref name="bb country update">((cite journal|last=Asker|first=Jim|date=August 3, 2020|title=Janson's Work Is 'Done' With Country Airplay Coronation; Swift, Shelton & Stefani Debut in Hot Country Songs Top 10|url=https://bulletins.billboard.com/country/country_update_0803.pdf|journal=Billboard Country Update|page=4|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008015529/https://bulletins.billboard.com/country/country_update_0803.pdf|url-status=dead))</ref> "The 1" was released as a [[promotional single]] in Germany on October 9, 2020;<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.universal-music.de/taylorswift/news/the-1-taylor-swift-veroeffentlicht-neue-single-aus-rekord-album-folklore-260420|title='The 1' – Taylor Swift veröffentlicht neue Single aus Rekord-Album ''Folklore''|language=de|date=October 9, 2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|publisher=[[Universal Music Group]]|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423192423/https://www.universal-music.de/taylorswift/news/the-1-taylor-swift-veroeffentlicht-neue-single-aus-rekord-album-folklore-260420|url-status=live))</ref> "The 1" had previously reached number four on the Hot 100.<ref name="Billboard-2020" /> On July 24, 2021, the first anniversary of ''Folklore'', the original orchestral version of "The Lakes" was also released as a promotional single.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=July 24, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Shares Orchestral Version of 'The Lakes' on ''Folklore'' Anniversary|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-orchestral-version-the-lakes-folklore-anniversary-1201754/|access-date=July 24, 2021|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724154621/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-orchestral-version-the-lakes-folklore-anniversary-1201754/|url-status=live))</ref>

=== Film and live album ===
((Main|Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions|l1=''Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions''))

A concert [[Documentary film|documentary]], titled ''Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions'', was released on November 25, 2020, to [[Disney+]]. It was directed and produced by Swift, seeing her perform all the tracks of ''Folklore'' in an intimate setting at Long Pond Studio, and sharing the stories behind the songs, with Antonoff and Dessner.<ref name="Blistein-2020" /> Alongside the film's premiere, Swift's third live album, ''[[Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions#Live album|Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (From the Disney+ Special)]]'', containing the acoustic versions from the film, was released to streaming platforms.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=November 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift ''Folklore'' Concert Film to Debut on Disney Plus|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/taylor-swift-folklore-disney-plus-1234838930/|access-date=November 25, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124234221/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/taylor-swift-folklore-disney-plus-1234838930/|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="longpondapple2">((cite web|title=Apple Music – Taylor Swift – ''Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (From the Disney+ Special) [Deluxe Edition]''|date=November 25, 2020|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/folklore-long-pond-studio-sessions-from-disney-special/1541904688|access-date=November 25, 2020|publisher=[[Apple Music]]|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125081136/https://music.apple.com/us/album/folklore-long-pond-studio-sessions-from-disney-special/1541904688|url-status=live))</ref>

== Critical reception ==
((Music ratings
| ADM = 8.5/10<ref name="ADM">((cite web|url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/12499/Taylor-Swift-Folklore.aspx|title=''Folklore'' by Taylor Swift reviews|publisher=[[AnyDecentMusic?]]|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724143507/http://anydecentmusic.com/review/12499/Taylor-Swift-Folklore.aspx|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref>
| MC = 88/100<ref name="MC">((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/folklore/taylor-swift|title=''Folklore'' by Taylor Swift Reviews and Tracks|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132453/https://www.metacritic.com/music/folklore/taylor-swift|url-status=live))</ref>
<!-- Please do not add more than 10 reviews in the template -->
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = ((rating|4|5))<ref name="AllMusic">((cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/folklore-mw0003408614|title=''Folklore'' – Taylor Swift|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729190244/https://www.allmusic.com/album/folklore-mw0003408614|archive-date=July 29, 2020|url-status=live))</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev2score = ((Rating|5|5))<ref name="McCormick">((cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-folklore-review-exquisite-empathetic-lockdown-triumph/|title=Taylor Swift, ''Folklore'' review: an exquisite, empathetic lockdown triumph|last=McCormick|first=Neil|author-link=Neil McCormick|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132440/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-folklore-review-exquisite-empathetic-lockdown-triumph/|url-status=live))</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3score = A<ref name="EW">((cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review/|title=Taylor Swift forges her own path on the confident ''Folklore'': Review|last=Johnston|first=Maura|author-link=Maura Johnston|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724213311/https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review/|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4score = ((Rating|5|5))<ref name="Snapes">((cite web|url=https://theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/24/taylor-swift-folklore-review-bombastic-pop-makes-way-for-emotional-acuity|title=Taylor Swift: ''Folklore'' review – bombastic pop makes way for emotional acuity|website=[[The Guardian]]|last=Snapes|first=Laura|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724053655/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/24/taylor-swift-folklore-review-bombastic-pop-makes-way-for-emotional-acuity|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev5score= ((Rating|4|5))<ref name="O'Connor" />
| rev6= ''[[The Irish Times]]''
| rev6score = ((rating|5|5))<ref name="Irish Times" />
| rev7 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev7score = ((Rating|4|5))<ref name="Mylrea">((cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review-2714285|title=Taylor Swift – ''Folklore'' review: pop superstar undergoes an extraordinary indie-folk makeover|last=Mylrea|first=Hannah|magazine=[[NME]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828191216/https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review-2714285|url-status=live))</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev8score = 8.0/10<ref name="Pitchfork">((cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore/|title=Taylor Swift: ''Folklore''|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Mapes|first=Jillian|date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828191233/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-folklore/|url-status=live))</ref>
| rev9= ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9score = ((Rating|4.5|5))<ref name="Rolling Stone">((cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-leaves-her-comfort-zones-behind-on-the-head-spinning-heart-breaking-folklore-1033533/|title=Taylor Swift Leaves Her Comfort Zones Behind on the Head-Spinning, Heartbreaking ''Folklore''|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Sheffield|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724155901/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-leaves-her-comfort-zones-behind-on-the-head-spinning-heart-breaking-folklore-1033533/|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] ''
| rev10score = ((Rating|5|5))<ref name="Nguyen" />
<!-- Do not add an 11th review without removing one. The general precedent is to only keep the 10 most relevant reviews. See: [[Template:Album ratings]] -->
))
''Folklore'' was met with widespread acclaim from [[Music journalism|music critics]], who praised its emotional weight and [[Introspection|introspective]] songwriting,<ref>((cite web|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=July 26, 2020|title=Taylor Swift ''Folklore'' songs to dominate Official Singles Chart|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-set-to-dominate-official-singles-chart-with-songs-from-her-new-album-folklore__30325/|access-date=September 11, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922075309/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-set-to-dominate-official-singles-chart-with-songs-from-her-new-album-folklore__30325/|url-status=live))</ref> calling it Swift's most subdued and sophisticated body of work yet.<ref>((cite news|last=Levine|first=Nick|date=July 26, 2020|title=The Last Great American Dynasty: how Taylor Swift found her spirit animal in the eccentric heiress Rebekah Harkness|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/rebekah-harkness-has-taylor-swift-written-song-folklore/|url-status=live|access-date=September 9, 2020|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727034939/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/rebekah-harkness-has-taylor-swift-written-song-folklore/))</ref> At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 88, based on 27 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="MC" />

[[Rob Sheffield]] of ''Rolling Stone'' lauded Swift's songwriting abilities that brought out her "deepest wit, compassion, and empathy", making ''Folklore'' her most intimate album so far.<ref name="Rolling Stone" /> Also noting the album's vivid storytelling filled with imagination and imagery, ''Pitchfork''(('s)) Jillian Mapes considered ''Folklore'' a mature step in Swift's artistry while retaining her core as a celebrated songwriter.<ref name="Pitchfork" /> Mark Savage of [[BBC]] classified ''Folklore'' as an indie record dealing with nostalgia and mistakes that resonate with the times.<ref name="BBC">((cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53518044|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' sees the singer go indie|last=Savage|first=Mark|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132443/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53518044|url-status=live))</ref> Katie Moulton from ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' appreciated Swift's maturity, particularly the employment of third-person perspectives that had been uncommon on her previous works.<ref name="CoS">((cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/07/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Dismantles Her Own Self-Mythologizing: Review|last=Moulton|first=Katie|website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724185604/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/07/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore/|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref> Complimenting the album's writing, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''<nowiki/>'s [[Neil McCormick]],<ref name="McCormick" /> ''[[I (newspaper)|i]]''(('))s Sarah Carson,<ref name="Carson">((cite news|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-folklore-review-dazzling-timeless-surprise-new-eighth-album-folk-cardigan-lyrics-561733|title=Taylor Swift, ''Folklore'', review: a dazzling, timeless surprise album|last=Carson|first=Sarah|work=[[i (newspaper)|i]]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724041853/https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-folklore-review-dazzling-timeless-surprise-new-eighth-album-folk-cardigan-lyrics-561733|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref> and ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'''s Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen,<ref name="Nguyen" /> gave the album full-score ratings. Describing ''Folklore'' as a bold attempt, Hannah Mylrea of ''NME'' praised Swift's ability to evoke vivid imagery, but said that the 16-song run can "sometimes drag slightly".<ref name="Mylrea" />

Several critics welcomed Swift's new musical direction. Chris Willman of ''Variety'' considered ''Folklore'' to be a "first-rank album", and its change of a musical style a "serious act of sonic palette cleansing" for Swift.<ref name="Willman-2020">((cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=July 24, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'': Album Review|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review-1234715520/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724065836/https://variety.com/2020/music/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-album-review-1234715520/|archive-date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref> Laura Snapes of ''The Guardian'' considered it to be the most cohesive and the most experimental among Swift's releases.<ref name="Snapes" /> ''Entertainment Weekly''(('))s [[Maura Johnston]] deemed the album a bold move for a pop star like Swift to challenge its audience.<ref name="EW" /> Roisin O'Connor of ''[[The Independent]]'' praised the album's "exquisite, piano-based poetry" which she found unconventional for Swift's catalog.<ref name="O'Connor">((cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review-lyrics-album-stream-jack-antonoff-aaron-dessner-a9635496.html|title=Taylor Swift, ''Folklore '' review: New album is exquisite, piano-based poetry|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=July 24, 2020|date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724070730/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-review-lyrics-album-stream-jack-antonoff-aaron-dessner-a9635496.html|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live))</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] was positive towards the album but felt its musical styles are not "precisely new tricks" for Swift.<ref name="AllMusic" /> In agreement, [[Annie Zaleski]] of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' deemed the album not completely experimental, but still a new aspect of Swift's artistry.<ref name="AVClub">((cite web|url=https://music.avclub.com/taylor-swift-writes-her-own-version-of-history-on-folkl-1844498450|title=Taylor Swift writes her own version of history on ''Folklore''|first=Annie|last=Zaleski|author-link=Annie Zaleski|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=July 4, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727053604/https://music.avclub.com/taylor-swift-writes-her-own-version-of-history-on-folkl-1844498450|url-status=live))</ref> In his [[Substack]]-published Consumer Guide column, [[Robert Christgau]] was most moved by the youth-themed "Seven" and "Betty" than the more adult songs, which he summarized as "melodically fetching, lyrically deft pop songs that are fine as far as they go". He singled out "The Last Great American Dynasty" as the only intolerable song for how it reminds him of "Taylor Swift the showbiz plutocrat".<ref name="xgau">((cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=September 9, 2020|url=https://robertchristgau.substack.com/p/consumer-guide-september-2020|title=Consumer Guide: September, 2020|work=And It Don't Stop|access-date=September 13, 2020|url-access=subscription|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425071645/https://robertchristgau.substack.com/p/consumer-guide-september-2020|url-status=live))</ref> In a mixed review, ''The New York Times'' critic [[Jon Caramanica]] praised Swift's songwriting but felt the album is burdened by "desolate" and "overcomposed" indie rock.<ref name="NYTimesReview">((cite news|first=Jon|last=Caramanica|author-link=Jon Caramanica|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/arts/music/taylor-swift-folklore-review.html|title=Taylor Swift, a Pop Star Done With Pop|date=July 26, 2020|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 28, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132513/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/arts/music/taylor-swift-folklore-review.html|url-status=live))</ref>

=== Year-end lists ===
A multitude of publications listed ''Folklore'' in their lists of best albums of 2020, including number-one placements from ''Billboard'',<ref name="Billboard List" /> ''Los Angeles Times'',<ref name="LA Times list" /> ''Rolling Stone'',<ref name="Bernstein-2020" /> ''[[Business Insider|Insider]]'',<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020a">((cite web|first=Callie|last=Ahlgrim|url=https://www.insider.com/best-albums-released-this-year-2020-4|title=The 20 Best Albums of 2020, Ranked|website=[[Business Insider|Insider]]|date=December 9, 2020|access-date=December 9, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201208224047/https://www.insider.com/best-albums-released-this-year-2020-4|url-status=live))</ref> [[NJ.com]],<ref>((cite web|first=Bobby|last=Olivier|title=The 50 Albums That Saved Us From 2020|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/12/the-50-albums-that-saved-us-from-2020.html|publisher=[[NJ.com]]|date=December 20, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222181946/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/12/the-50-albums-that-saved-us-from-2020.html|url-status=live))</ref> ''[[South China Morning Post]]'',<ref>((cite news|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=February 6, 2021|url=https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/entertainment/music/article/3117943/best-albums-2020-taylor-swift-bts-and-dua-lipa|title=The best albums of 2020, from Taylor Swift to BTS and Dua Lipa|work=[[South China Morning Post]]|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203022932/https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/entertainment/music/article/3117943/best-albums-2020-taylor-swift-bts-and-dua-lipa|url-status=live))</ref> ''Uproxx'',<ref name="Uproxx-2020">((cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-2020-list/|title=The Best Albums of 2020|website=[[Uproxx]]|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201224443/https://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-2020-list/|url-status=live))</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>((Cite news|last=Ryan|first=Patrick|date=December 14, 2020|title=The 10 best albums of 2020, including Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Ariana Grande|url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/entertainment/music/2020/12/14/10-best-albums-2020-list-ranked-taylor-swift-folklore-evermore-ariana-grande-positions/3856183001/|access-date=December 14, 2020|work=[[USA Today]]|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214225548/https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/entertainment/music/2020/12/14/10-best-albums-2020-list-ranked-taylor-swift-folklore-evermore-ariana-grande-positions/3856183001/|url-status=live))</ref> ''[[Us Weekly]]'',<ref>((cite magazine|title=10 Best Albums of 2020: Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, The Weeknd and More|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/10-best-albums-of-2020-taylor-swift-bob-dylan-the-weeknd-more/|magazine=[[Us Weekly]]|date=December 24, 2020|access-date=December 24, 2020|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224135011/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/10-best-albums-of-2020-taylor-swift-bob-dylan-the-weeknd-more/|url-status=live))</ref> ''Variety'',<ref name=VarietyList>((cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/lists/best-albums-2020-taylor-swift-dua-lipa-weeknd-phoebe-bridgers/10-roc-marciano-mt-marci/|title=The Best Albums of 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216023222/https://variety.com/lists/best-albums-2020-taylor-swift-dua-lipa-weeknd-phoebe-bridgers/10-roc-marciano-mt-marci|url-status=live))</ref> and ''[[Walla Walla Union-Bulletin]]''.<ref>((Cite news|date=December 31, 2020|title=Walla Walla record store owner rates Taylor Swift's new album top of Top-10 for 2020|url=https://www.union-bulletin.com/arts_entertainment/walla-walla-record-store-owner-rates-taylor-swifts-new-album-top-of-top-10-for/article_ad59ee0f-f600-566a-a83a-02e3002f05c0.html|access-date=January 1, 2021|work=[[Walla Walla Union-Bulletin]]|archive-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101000853/https://www.union-bulletin.com/arts_entertainment/walla-walla-record-store-owner-rates-taylor-swifts-new-album-top-of-top-10-for/article_ad59ee0f-f600-566a-a83a-02e3002f05c0.html|url-status=live))</ref> ''Folklore'' placed third on Metacritic's ranking of the most mentioned albums in 2020 year-end lists.<ref>((cite web|last=Dietz|first=Jason|title=Best of 2020: Music Critic Top Ten Lists|url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/music-critics-pick-top-10-best-albums-of-2020?ftag=twtrsoshares|access-date=December 29, 2020|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222022330/https://www.metacritic.com/feature/music-critics-pick-top-10-best-albums-of-2020?ftag=twtrsoshares|url-status=dead))</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="border:none; margin:0;"
|+ Select year-end rankings of ''Folklore''
! scope="col"| Critic/Publication
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| List
! scope="col" data-sort-type="number"| Rank
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| ((abbr|Ref.|Reference))
|-
! scope="row"| [[BBC]]
| The Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|3))
| ((center|<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/entertainment-arts-55336503|title=The best albums and songs of 2020: Fiona Apple, Cardi B, Bob Dylan and Dua Lipa|first=Mark|last=Savage|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=December 22, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222031703/https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/entertainment-arts-55336503|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''
| Top 50 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|1))
| ((center|<ref name="Billboard List"/>))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| The 15 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|5))
| ((center|<ref>((cite magazine|first1=Leah|last1=Greenblatt|first2=Sarah|last2=Rodman|first3=Alex|last3=Suskind|url=https://ew.com/music/best-albums-of-2020/|title=The 15 Best Albums of 2020|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=December 5, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204160531/https://ew.com/music/best-albums-of-2020/|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Guardian]]''
| The 50 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|9))
| ((center|<ref name="Bromwich-2020" />))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Independent]]''
| The 40 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|10))
| ((center|<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/best-albums-2020-greatest-ranked-b1775582.html|title=The 40 Best Albums of 2020, from Bob Dylan's ''Rough and Rowdy Ways'' to Taylor Swift's ''Folklore''|work=[[The Independent]]|date=December 19, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221124659/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/best-albums-2020-greatest-ranked-b1775582.html|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| The 10 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|1))
| ((center|<ref name="LA Times list">((cite news|first=Wood|last=Mikael|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-12-09/the-10-best-albums-of-2020|title=The 10 Best Albums of 2020|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 9, 2020|access-date=December 9, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209214450/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-12-09/the-10-best-albums-of-2020|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[NME]]''
| The 50 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|2))
| ((center|<ref name="NME-2020">((cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/features/nme-best-albums-of-the-year-2020-2835612|title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2020|magazine=[[NME]]|date=December 11, 2020|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211133138/https://www.nme.com/features/nme-best-albums-of-the-year-2020-2835612|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| The 50 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|29))
| ((center|<ref name="Pitchfork-2020"/>))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| The 50 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|1))
| ((center|<ref name="Bernstein-2020">((cite magazine|first1=Jonathan|last1=Bernstein|first2=Jon|last2=Blistein|first3=Jon|last3=Dolan|first4=Patrick|last4=Doyle|first5=Brenna|last5=Ehlrich|first6=Jon|last6=Freeman|first7=Kory|last7=Grow|first8=Christian|last8=Hoard|first9=Joseph|last9=Hudak|first10=Elias|last10=Leight|first11=Angie|last11=Martoccio|first12=Claire|last12=Shaffer|first13=Rob|last13=Sheffield|first14=Hank|last14=Shteamer|first15=Simon|last15=Vozick-Levinson|first16=Emily|last16=Blake|author-link13=Rob Sheffield|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2020-1096814/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 4, 2020|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204152025/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2020-1096814/|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''
| The 10 Best Albums of 2020
| ((center|1))
| ((center|<ref name="Bruner-2020a"/>))
|}

== Commercial performance ==
The biggest first day on [[Spotify]] for a 2020 album, ''Folklore'' opened with over 80.6&nbsp;million  global streams on the platform, and earned the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for the most opening-day streams for an album by a female artist, surpassing [[Ariana Grande]]'s ''[[Thank U, Next]].''<ref name="Guinness">((cite web|last=Stephenson|first=Kristen|date=July 29, 2020|title=Taylor Swift breaks 24-hour streaming record on Spotify for 8th album ''Folklore''|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2020/7/taylor-swift-breaks-24-hour-streaming-record-on-spotify-for-8th-album-folklore-625253|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729234802/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2020/7/taylor-swift-breaks-24-hour-streaming-record-on-spotify-for-8th-album-folklore-625253|archive-date=July 29, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=[[Guinness World Records]]))</ref> "Cardigan" placed first on global Spotify chart with 7.742&nbsp;million plays—the biggest first day for a song by a female artist in 2020.<ref>((Cite news|date=August 24, 2020|title=BTS' 'Dynamite' beats Taylor Swift's 'Cardigan' to record biggest Spotify debut of 2020|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/k-pop/music/news/bts-dynamite-beats-taylor-swifts-cardigan-to-record-biggest-spotify-debut-of-2020/articleshow/77713392.cms|access-date=November 23, 2020|work=[[The Times of India]]|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208131445/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/k-pop/music/news/bts-dynamite-beats-taylor-swifts-cardigan-to-record-biggest-spotify-debut-of-2020/articleshow/77713392.cms|url-status=live))</ref> The album broke the [[Apple Music]] record for the most-streamed pop album in a day,<ref name="Aswad-2020" /> and the [[Amazon Music]] indie/alternative record.<ref>((cite magazine|date=July 25, 2020|title=Taylor Swift breaks first day streaming records with ''Folklore''|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-breaks-first-day-streaming-records-with-folklore-2715127|access-date=August 25, 2020|magazine=[[NME]]|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807125648/https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swift-breaks-first-day-streaming-records-with-folklore-2715127|url-status=live))</ref> Republic Records reported that ''Folklore'' sold over 1.3&nbsp;million units worldwide on its first day and two million units in its first week.<ref name="Aswad-2020">((Cite magazine|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=July 25, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Sells 1.3 Million Copies in 24 Hours|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-folklore-million-sold-24-hours-1234716578/|url-status=live|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725200759/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-folklore-million-sold-24-hours-1234716578/|archive-date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020))</ref><ref>((cite magazine|last=Countryman|first=Eli|date=July 31, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Sells Over 2 Million Copies in First Week|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-folklore-first-week-sales-worldwide-1234722530/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731230649/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-folklore-first-week-sales-worldwide-1234722530/|archive-date=July 31, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref> Swift was 2020's second most-streamed woman on Spotify, after [[Billie Eilish]],<ref name="Aniftos-2020" /> and the year's most streamed act on Amazon Music.<ref>((Cite web|date=December 22, 2020|title=Holiday music listening started earlier in 2020 than ever before on Amazon Music|url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/holiday-music-listening-started-earlier-in-2020-than-ever-before-on-amazon-music|access-date=January 17, 2021|publisher=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121054339/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/holiday-music-listening-started-earlier-in-2020-than-ever-before-on-amazon-music|url-status=live))</ref> By the end of 2020, ''Folklore'' sold 2 million pure copies globally. The [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] named it the year's best-selling album by a woman,<ref name="IFPI">((Cite magazine|last=Brandle|first=Lars|date=March 11, 2021|title=BTS Bag 'Unprecedented' 1-2 on IFPI's Global Album Sales Chart For 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9538406/bts-top-ifpi-global-album-sales-chart-2020|url-status=live|access-date=March 11, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311150717/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9538406/bts-top-ifpi-global-album-sales-chart-2020/))</ref> and Swift the best-selling solo act of 2020.<ref>((Cite magazine|date=March 4, 2021|title=BTS Crowned IFPI Global Recording Artist of 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bts/9534672/bts-ifpi-global-recording-artist-2020/|access-date=March 4, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304153307/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bts/9534672/bts-ifpi-global-recording-artist-2020/|url-status=live))</ref>

=== United States ===
The album's on-demand first-day streams were 72&nbsp;million in the US, beating ''Thank U, Next''(('))s 55.9&nbsp;million.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Hissong|first=Samantha|date=July 27, 2020|title=''Folklore'' Is Already Bigger Than ''Lover'' By Streams|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/folklore-versus-lover-first-day-streams-taylor-swift-1034406/|access-date=July 27, 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132444/https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/folklore-versus-lover-first-day-streams-taylor-swift-1034406/|url-status=live))</ref> ''Folklore'' sold over 500,000 units, including 400,000 sales, in its first three days, becoming the first album to do so since Swift's own ''Lover''.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=July 27, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Off to Fast Start, Over Half-Million Units Earned in U.S. in First Three Days|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9425264/taylor-swift-folklore-half-million-units-first-three-days|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132446/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9425264/taylor-swift-folklore-half-million-units-first-three-days|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> ''Folklore'' debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and topped it for eight weeks, becoming the longest-reigning number-one album of 2020. Opening with 846,000 units, consisting of 615,000 pure sales and 289.85&nbsp;million streams, it marked the largest sales and streaming weeks of 2020, surpassing [[Juice Wrld]]'s ''[[Legends Never Die (Juice Wrld album)|Legends Never Die]]''. Its first-week sales alone were enough to make it [[List of best-selling albums by year in the United States#2020s|the year's best-selling album]], beating [[BTS]]' ''[[Map of the Soul: 7]]''. Swift became the first woman with seven ''Billboard'' 200 number-one debuts and tied [[Janet Jackson]] for the third-most number-ones.<ref name="Caulfield-2020" /> Eclipsing [[Eminem]], she was the first act in [[MRC Data|Nielsen SoundScan]] history to have seven albums each sell 500,000 copies or more in a week,<ref name="Caulfield-2020">((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428290/taylor-swift-folklore-billboard-200-number-1|title=Taylor Swift Achieves Seventh No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart & Biggest Week of 2020 With ''Folklore''|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 2, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802203649/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428290/taylor-swift-folklore-billboard-200-number-1|url-status=live))</ref> and the first woman since [[Barbra Streisand]] to have six albums spend multiple weeks at number one.<ref>((cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift & Barbra Streisand Are the Only Women to Achieve This Billboard 200 Chart Feat|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9432399/taylor-swift-barbra-streisand-billboard-200-chart-feat|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132450/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9432399/taylor-swift-barbra-streisand-billboard-200-chart-feat|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=August 12, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 11, 2020))</ref> ''Folklore'' gave Swift her first entry on [[Alternative Albums]], with the biggest debut ever on the chart.<ref name="Billboard-2020a">((cite magazine|date=August 3, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Debuts at No. 1 on Alternative Albums, 'Cardigan' Starts Atop Hot Rock & Alternative Songs|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428748/taylor-swift-folklore-alternative-albums-cardigan-hot-rock-alternative-songs|access-date=August 4, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803225245/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428748/taylor-swift-folklore-alternative-albums-cardigan-hot-rock-alternative-songs|url-status=live))</ref>

[[File:Bon Iver@Stockholm.jpg|thumb|American indie-folk band [[Bon Iver]] is featured on fourth track "[[Exile (song)|Exile]]", which critics picked as an album highlight. It was one of the best-charting songs of ''Folklore''.|240x240px]]

It was 2020's fastest album to move a million units,<ref>((Cite news|last=Constantino|first=George|date=August 14, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' is now fastest selling album of 2020|url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2020/8/14/taylor-swifts-folklore-is-now-fastest-selling-album-of-2020.html|access-date=November 7, 2020|publisher=[[ABC News Radio]]|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105214808/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2020/8/14/taylor-swifts-folklore-is-now-fastest-selling-album-of-2020.html|url-status=dead))</ref> the longest-running number-one album by a woman on the ''Billboard'' 200 since ''Reputation'',<ref>((cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=August 16, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Makes It a Third Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9435154/taylor-swift-folklore-third-week-no-1-billboard-200-chart|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817043805/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9435154/taylor-swift-folklore-third-week-no-1-billboard-200-chart|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> and the first to spend its first four weeks at the top since [[Adele]]'s ''[[25 (Adele album)|25]]'' (2015);<ref>((cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=August 23, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Rules for Fourth Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9438746/taylor-swift-folklore-no-1-fourth-week-billboard-200-albums-chart|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824053217/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9438746/taylor-swift-folklore-no-1-fourth-week-billboard-200-albums-chart|archive-date=August 24, 2020|access-date=August 23, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> Swift became the first 21st-century act to have six albums each spend four weeks atop,<ref>((cite magazine|last=Grein|first=Paul|date=August 25, 2020|title=''Folklore'' Is Taylor Swift's Sixth Album to Top the Billboard 200 For Four Weeks: Just Four Other Artists Have Done That|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9439752/taylor-swift-folklore-billboard-200-four-weeks-four-other-artist|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829231144/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9439752/taylor-swift-folklore-billboard-200-four-weeks-four-other-artist|archive-date=August 29, 2020|access-date=August 26, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> and the first solo/female artist (after [[the Beatles]]) to have five albums each top the chart for six weeks or more.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=August 30, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Ties for Most Weeks at No. 1 in 2020 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9442253/taylor-swift-folklore-billboard-200-albums-chart-most-weeks-no-1-tie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831000217/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9442253/taylor-swift-folklore-billboard-200-albums-chart-most-weeks-no-1-tie|archive-date=August 31, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref><ref>((cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=September 6, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Ties Whitney Houston for Most Weeks at No. 1 Among Women in Billboard 200's History|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9445521/taylor-swift-ties-whitney-houston-folklore-tops-billboard-200-sixth-week|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906192953/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9445521/taylor-swift-ties-whitney-houston-folklore-tops-billboard-200-sixth-week|archive-date=September 6, 2020|access-date=September 6, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> By May 2024, the album had spent 200 weeks on the chart.<ref>((Cite magazine |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |date=May 31, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Is Celebrating An Anniversary This Week |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/05/31/taylor-swifts-folklore-is-celebrating-an-anniversary-this-week/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616133903/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/05/31/taylor-swifts-folklore-is-celebrating-an-anniversary-this-week/ |archive-date=June 16, 2024 |access-date=June 24, 2024 |magazine=[[Forbes]]))</ref> ''Billboard'' attributed the album's success to its timing, pandemic-suited songs and Swift's ability to connect with listeners.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Unterberger|first=Andrew|date=September 11, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's Surprise Set ''Folklore'' Had 2020's Biggest Debut – Here's How It's Still on Top Five Weeks Later|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9446657/taylor-swift-folklore-still-number-one|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913150305/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9446657/taylor-swift-folklore-still-number-one|archive-date=September 13, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url-status=live))</ref> She also surpassed [[Whitney Houston]] as the woman with the most weeks atop ''Billboard'' 200 (47 weeks).<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=September 27, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Surpasses Whitney Houston for Most Weeks at No. 1 Among Women in Billboard 200's History|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9455925/taylor-swift-folklore-number-1-seven-weeks-billboard-200-passes-whitney-houston|url-status=live|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201212944/https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-folklore-number-1-seven-weeks-billboard-200-passes-whitney-houston/|archive-date=December 1, 2021|access-date=September 28, 2020))</ref> ''Folklore'' sold a million pure copies in the US by October 2022, becoming the only 2020 album to do so and Swift's ninth project to reach the mark.<ref>((Cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Back at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart for Eighth Week|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9472619/taylor-swift-folklore-returns-billboard-200-number-one-eighth-week/|access-date=October 26, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 25, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322094517/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9472619/taylor-swift-folklore-returns-billboard-200-number-one-eighth-week/|url-status=live))</ref> When ''Evermore'' topped the ''Billboard'' 200 later that year, ''Folklore'' rose to number three with 133,000 units, making Swift the first woman ever to chart two simultaneous albums in the top three.<ref>((Cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift's ''Evermore'' Arrives at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9503234/taylor-swift-evermore-tops-billboard-200-albums-chart|access-date=December 20, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 20, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222181903/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9503234/taylor-swift-evermore-tops-billboard-200-albums-chart|url-status=live))</ref>

All of its 16 tracks debuted simultaneously on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, giving three top-10 and five top-20 entries. Swift became the first act to debut atop both ''Billboard'' 200 and Hot 100 in the same week, with the number-one debut of "Cardigan". She also was the first act to debut two songs in the top-four and three songs in the top-six simultaneously, as "The 1" entered at number four and "Exile" at number six. It increased Swift's sum of top-10 hits to 28, including 18 top-10 debuts. ''Folklore'' was her second consecutive album to chart all of its tracks together on the Hot 100 after ''Lover''.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=August 3, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Debuts at No. 1 on Hot 100 With 'Cardigan', Is 1st Artist to Open Atop Hot 100 & Billboard 200 in Same Week|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803195201/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one|archive-date=August 3, 2020|access-date=August 10, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> Swift extended her record for the most concurrent Hot 100 debuts ever among women (16), and eclipsed [[Nicki Minaj]] as the woman with the most Hot 100 entries (113).<ref>((cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=August 3, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Charts 16 Songs From ''Folklore'' on Billboard Hot 100|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428702/taylor-swift-charts-16-songs-from-folklore-on-hot-100|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803210736/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428702/taylor-swift-charts-16-songs-from-folklore-on-hot-100|archive-date=August 3, 2020|access-date=August 4, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]))</ref> 11 tracks charted on [[Hot Rock & Alternative Songs]], of which a record eight entries were in the top 10.<ref name="Billboard-2020a" />

On the 2020 [[Billboard Year-End|''Billboard'' Year-End charts]], Swift was the top female artist for the fifth time in her career.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=December 3, 2020|title=The Year in Charts 2020: Post Malone Is the Top Artist for the Second Year in a Row|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9492994/post-malone-top-artist-year-in-charts-2020|access-date=December 3, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208065227/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9492994/post-malone-top-artist-year-in-charts-2020/|url-status=live))</ref> Swift or ''Folklore'' ranked at number one on the year-end Top Album Sales, Tastemaker Albums, Alternative Albums, Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Artists, and ''Billboard'' 200 Female Artists charts. 11 tracks from ''Folklore'' landed on the year-end Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart—the most for any act or album.<ref name="2020YearEnd">((Cite magazine|title=2020 Year-End Billboard charts|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end|access-date=December 3, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518163433/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end|url-status=live))</ref> Swift ranked as US Spotify's most streamed female artist of 2020,<ref name="Aniftos-2020">((Cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=December 1, 2020|title=Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, Billie Eilish Lead Spotify's 2020 Year-End List|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/9491650/bad-bunny-spotify-wrapped|access-date=December 1, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201050743/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/9491650/bad-bunny-spotify-wrapped|url-status=live))</ref> and the year's most consumed artist, totaling 3.5&nbsp;million units (including 1.3&nbsp;million sales).<ref name="Variety Nov">((Cite magazine|last=Mayfield|first=Geoff|date=November 19, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's Masters: What Shamrock Gets for $300 Million, Why It Matters, and What's Next|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-masters-shamrock-scooter-braun-1234836271/|access-date=November 21, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120212355/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-masters-shamrock-scooter-braun-1234836271/|url-status=live))</ref> The best-selling album of 2020, ''Folklore'' earned 2.3&nbsp;million units, including 1.276&nbsp;million sales.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Blake|first=Emily|date=January 5, 2021|title=''Folklore'' Is Officially the Biggest Album of 2020|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-2020-biggest-album-1102709/|access-date=January 6, 2021|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105234714/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-folklore-2020-biggest-album-1102709/|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="2020Sales">((cite magazine|title=MRC Data Year-End Report U.S. 2020|url=https://static.billboard.com/files/2020/12/MRC_Billboard_YEAR_END_2020_US-Final-1609966398.pdf|pages=46, 47|access-date=January 30, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107163802/https://static.billboard.com/files/2020/12/MRC_Billboard_YEAR_END_2020_US-Final-1609966398.pdf|url-status=live))</ref> It made Swift the first act to have the best-selling album of a calendar year five times, following ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]]'' (2009), ''1989'', ''Reputation'', and ''Lover''.<ref>((cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=January 8, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Has the Top-Selling Album of the Year in U.S. for Historic Fifth Time|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9509005/taylor-swift-top-selling-album-year-fifth-time-folklore/|access-date=January 7, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117224950/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9509005/taylor-swift-top-selling-album-year-fifth-time-folklore/|url-status=live))</ref> ''Folklore'' was the eighth best-selling album of 2021 with 304,000 copies sold.<ref name="2021 MRC Data">((Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=January 6, 2022|title=Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Is Most-Streamed Song of 2021 In U.S., Morgan Wallen's ''Dangerous: The Double Album'' Is MRC Data's Top Album|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/dua-lipa-morgan-wallen-us-2021-mrc-data-1235016079/|access-date=January 17, 2022|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106155545/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/dua-lipa-morgan-wallen-us-2021-mrc-data-1235016079/|url-status=live))</ref>

=== Other markets ===
''Folklore'' opened at number-one on the [[Canadian Albums Chart|''Billboard'' Canadian Albums]] as Swift's seventh consecutive number-one, spending four weeks atop. All of its 16 tracks debuted on the [[Canadian Hot 100]] chart together, with "Cardigan", "Exile", and "The 1" in the top-10.<ref name="BillboardCanada" /><ref>((cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift – Canadian Hot 100 History|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/can/|access-date=September 26, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=March 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301101212/https://www.billboard.com/music/taylor-swift/chart-history/CAN|url-status=live))</ref> ''Folklore'' landed ninth on the 2020 Top Canadian Albums year-end list.<ref name="2020YearEnd" />

In the UK, ''Folklore'' debuted atop the [[UK Albums Chart|Official Albums Chart]] with 37,000 copies, beating Eminem's ''[[Music to Be Murdered By]]'' for the biggest digital sales week of 2020. It became Swift's fifth consecutive chart-topper, making her one of the only five women to score five number-one albums in the UK, after [[Madonna]], [[Kylie Minogue]], Streisand, and [[Celine Dion]], and the first one to do so in the 21st-century.<ref>((cite web|last=White|first=Jack|date=July 31, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' debuts at UK Albums Number 1|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-s-folklore-debuts-at-number-1-on-the-official-albums-chart__30661/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802092649/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-s-folklore-debuts-at-number-1-on-the-official-albums-chart__30661/|archive-date=August 2, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]))</ref><ref>((Cite magazine|title=Inside Taylor Swift's all-conquering debut week for ''Folklore''|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/inside-taylor-swift-s-all-conquering-debut-week-for-folklore/080631|access-date=August 5, 2020|magazine=[[Music Week]]|last=Sutherland|first=Mark|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803081701/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/inside-taylor-swift-s-all-conquering-debut-week-for-folklore/080631|url-status=live))</ref> Becoming Swift's first album to spend multiple weeks atop the chart, ''Folklore'' remained at number one for three consecutive weeks.<ref>((cite web|last=Ainsley|first=Helen|date=August 14, 2020|title=Taylor Swift holds for a third week at Number 1 with ''Folklore''|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-holds-for-a-third-week-as-official-albums-chart-number-1-with-folklore__30763/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815193406/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-holds-for-a-third-week-as-official-albums-chart-number-1-with-folklore__30763/|archive-date=August 15, 2020|access-date=August 14, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]))</ref> On the [[UK Singles Chart]], "Cardigan", "Exile", and "The 1" opened at numbers six, eight and 10, respectively, taking the total of Swift's UK top-ten entries to 16,<ref>((cite magazine|date=July 27, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Set to Land Three ''Folklore'' Tracks in U.K. Top 10|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9424846/taylor-swift-three-folklore-tracks-uk-top-10|access-date=July 31, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730004531/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9424846/taylor-swift-three-folklore-tracks-uk-top-10|url-status=live))</ref> and made her the first woman in UK history to concurrently debut three songs in the top-10.<ref>((cite web|title=Joel Corry & MNEK hold on to Number 1 with Head & Heart|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/joel-corry-and-mnek-hold-on-to-number-1-with-head-and-heart-on-the-official-singles-chart__30659/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801215452/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/joel-corry-and-mnek-hold-on-to-number-1-with-head-and-heart-on-the-official-singles-chart__30659/|archive-date=August 1, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]))</ref> ''Folklore'' is the UK's most [[Music download|downloaded]] album of 2020.<ref>((cite tweet |user=officialcharts|author=Official Charts Company|author-link=Official Charts Company|number=1313131918720892928|date=October 5, 2020|title=#ChartFact: @taylorswift13's ''Folklore'' is the UK's most downloaded 2020 album release))</ref> It further topped the [[Official Vinyl Albums Chart]].<ref>((Cite web|date=November 28, 2020|title=Official Vinyl Albums Chart Top 40|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/vinyl-albums-chart/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128152453/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/vinyl-albums-chart/|archive-date=November 28, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]))</ref>

The album arrived at number one on the [[Irish Albums Chart]], scoring Ireland's biggest opening week of 2020 and outperforming the rest of the top-five combined. Swift became the first solo female act with five Irish number-one albums in the 21st-century. ''Folklore'' stayed atop for four weeks, yielding Swift's longest-running Irish number-one album. The tracks "Exile", "Cardigan" and "The 1" appeared at the third, fourth and seventh spots on the [[Irish Singles Chart]], respectively, taking Swift's career top-tens to a total of 15.<ref>((cite web|last=White|first=Jack|date=July 31, 2020|title=Taylor Swift breaks Irish Albums Chart record with ''Folklore''|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-becomes-the-female-artist-with-the-most-irish-number-1-albums-this-millennium__30653/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801035325/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-becomes-the-female-artist-with-the-most-irish-number-1-albums-this-millennium__30653/|archive-date=August 1, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]))</ref><ref>((cite web|last=White|first=Jack|date=August 21, 2020|title=Taylor Swift sees off Biffy Clyro to retain Ireland's Number 1 album|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-sees-off-biffy-clyro-to-retain-number-1-on-the-official-irish-albums-chart-with-folklore__30808/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822144830/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-sees-off-biffy-clyro-to-retain-number-1-on-the-official-irish-albums-chart-with-folklore__30808/|archive-date=August 22, 2020|access-date=August 21, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]))</ref><ref>((cite web|date=September 4, 2020|title=Taylor Swift denies Metallica Irish Number 1|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-denies-metallica-the-number-1-spot-on-the-official-irish-albums-chart__30914/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907101618/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-denies-metallica-the-number-1-spot-on-the-official-irish-albums-chart__30914/|archive-date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 4, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]))</ref> ''Folklore'' is 2020's longest-running number-one album of Ireland, and the most downloaded.<ref>((Cite web|date=October 7, 2020|title=Ireland's Official Top 50 biggest albums of 2020 so far|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/irelands-official-top-50-biggest-albums-of-2020-so-far__29420/|access-date=October 12, 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009033920/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/irelands-official-top-50-biggest-albums-of-2020-so-far__29420/|url-status=live))</ref> It reached number one in Belgium,<ref name="Flanders" /> Czech Republic,<ref name="Czech" /> Denmark,<ref name="Denmark" /> Estonia,<ref name="Estonian" /> Finland,<ref name="Finland" /> Greece,<ref name="Greek" /> Norway,<ref name="Norway" /> Switzerland,<ref name="Switzerland" /><ref name="Romandie" /> and many other European countries.

In China, the album sold more than 200,000 copies in its first six hours and around 740,000 copies in its first week, instantly becoming the best-selling and fastest-selling album of 2020 by a western act.<ref name="MarketWatch-2020">((Cite web|date=July 28, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Is Now Popular in China, QQ music is becoming this Euramerican star's first choice|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/taylor-swifts-folklore-is-now-popular-in-china-qq-music-is-becoming-this-euramerican-stars-first-choice-2020-07-28|access-date=October 11, 2020|publisher=[[MarketWatch]]))((Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))</ref><ref>((Cite magazine|last=Homewood|first=Ben|date=August 3, 2020|title=Taylor Swift breaks US & global records with ''Folklore''|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/taylor-swift-breaks-us-global-records-with-folklore/080637|access-date=October 11, 2020|magazine=[[Music Week]]|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001155247/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/taylor-swift-breaks-us-global-records-with-folklore/080637|url-status=live))</ref> ''Folklore'' was certified Diamond by [[QQ Music]], making Swift the first western act to have four albums, with ''Reputation'', ''1989'' and ''Lover'', reach the milestone.<ref name="MarketWatch-2020" /> It was the platform's most streamed English-language album of 2020.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Stutz|first=Collin|date=December 19, 2020|title=Lucian Grainge's Year-End Memo: An 'Incredibly Difficult' 2020, Label Successes & His COVID-19 Scare|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/record-labels/9502322/lucian-grainge-universal-2020-coronavirus-year-end-memo|access-date=December 19, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218145748/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/record-labels/9502322/lucian-grainge-universal-2020-coronavirus-year-end-memo/|url-status=live))</ref> In Malaysia, ''Folklore'' spawned nine top-20 songs on the [[Recording Industry Association of Malaysia|RIM Singles chart]], with "Cardigan", "Exile", "The 1", "My Tears Ricochet" and "The Last Great American Dynasty" entering the top 10.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/RecordingIndustryMalaysia/photos/pcb.3709312869096056/3709312722429404/?type=3&theater|title=Top 20 Singles|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Malaysia]]|date=August 8, 2020|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200810074151/https://www.facebook.com/RecordingIndustryMalaysia/photos/pcb.3709312869096056/3709312722429404/?type=3&theater|url-status=live))</ref> In Singapore, 14 tracks from the album landed on the [[Recording Industry Association Singapore|RIAS Singles]] chart, 11 of which reached the top 20 and five in the top 10.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|title=RIAS International Top Charts Week 31|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association Singapore]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805124940/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|archive-date=August 5, 2020))</ref> ''Folklore'' was the best selling foreign album of 2020 in Japan.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.riaj.or.jp/f/pdf/issue/industry/RIAJ2021E.pdf|title=Statistics Trends – RIAJ Year Book 2021|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]]|access-date=November 5, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721090928/https://www.riaj.or.jp/f/pdf/issue/industry/RIAJ2021E.pdf|url-status=live))</ref>

In Australia, ''Folklore'' topped the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]] as Swift's sixth album to do so, giving her more chart-toppers in the country in 2010–2020 than any other artist.<ref>((cite web|date=August 1, 2020|title=Taylor Swift claims sixth #1 album with ''Folklore''|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/taylor-swift-claims-sixth-1-album-with-folklore|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806100021/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/taylor-swift-claims-sixth-1-album-with-folklore|archive-date=August 6, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]))</ref> Its 16 tracks entered the top 50 of the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]] together, breaking the all-time record for the most debuts in one week, previously held by [[Post Malone]] and [[Ed Sheeran]]. "Cardigan" became Swift's sixth number-one song, while "Exile", "The 1", "The Last Great American Dynasty" and "My Tears Ricochet" reached top-10; Swift became the act with the most Australian top-ten hits of 2020.<ref>((cite web|date=August 1, 2020|title=Cardigan lands Taylor Swift sixth #1 single|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/cardigan-lands-taylor-swift-sixth-1-single|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132508/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/cardigan-lands-taylor-swift-sixth-1-single|archive-date=September 10, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]))</ref> ''Folklore'' topped the chart for four consecutive weeks as Swift's longest-running Australian number-one album since ''1989'', the only 2020 album to top the chart for more than two weeks,<ref>((cite web|date=August 15, 2020|title=''Folklore'' gives Taylor Swift third week at #1|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/folklore-gives-taylor-swift-third-week-at-1|url-status=live|access-date=August 15, 2020|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|archive-date=August 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824080629/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/folklore-gives-taylor-swift-third-week-at-1))</ref><ref>((cite web|date=August 22, 2020|title=Fourth week at #1 for Taylor Swift's ''Folklore''|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/fourth-week-at-1-for-taylor-swift-s-folklore|url-status=live|access-date=August 22, 2020|publisher=ARIA Charts|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132454/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/fourth-week-at-1-for-taylor-swift-s-folklore))</ref> and the country's best selling album by a woman in 2020.<ref name="ARIA Year-end" /> It topped New Zealand's [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|Official Top 40 Albums]] chart as well, spending two weeks atop.<ref name="New Zealand" /> "Cardigan", "Exile", and "The 1" charted in the top-10 of the [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|New Zealand singles chart]], and "The Last Great American Dynasty" placed 13th.<ref>((cite web|title=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4909|access-date=September 26, 2021|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006024659/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4909|url-status=live))</ref> ''Folklore'' ranked at number seven on the [[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]] 2020 year-end albums list.<ref name="NZ 2020 Year-end" />

== Awards ==
''Folklore'' and its songs received five [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nominations at the [[63rd Annual Grammy Awards|63rd ceremony]], winning the [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]. Swift became the first woman in history to win Album of the Year thrice,((NoteTag|Her second studio album, ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]]'' (2008), won the Album of the Year in [[52nd Annual Grammy Awards|2010]], followed by her fifth studio album, ''[[1989 (Taylor Swift album)|1989]]'' (2014), winning the award in [[58th Annual Grammy Awards|2016]].)) and the fourth artist overall, tied with [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Stevie Wonder]] and [[Paul Simon]].<ref>((Cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift Wins Album of the Year For ''Folklore'' at 2021 Grammy Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/9540496/taylor-swift-wins-album-of-the-year-2021-grammy-awards-folklore/|access-date=March 15, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=March 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315034026/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/9540496/taylor-swift-wins-album-of-the-year-2021-grammy-awards-folklore/|url-status=live))</ref> The album was also a candidate for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]], while "Cardigan" was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance|Best Pop Solo Performance]] and [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]], making Swift the most nominated female artist ever in the latter category with five nods. "Exile" contended for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance|Best Pop Duo/Group Performance]].<ref>((Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Jevon |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Here's the complete list of the 2021 Grammy nominees |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-11-24/2021-grammy-nominations-complete-list |access-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129060716/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-11-24/2021-grammy-nominations-complete-list |url-status=live ))</ref><ref>((Cite web|last=Montgomery|first=Daniel|date=January 9, 2021|title=Taylor Swift's 'Cardigan' is Grammys front-runner for Song of the Year, but here's why that would be an unlikely feat|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2021/taylor-swift-cardigan-grammys-song-of-the-year/|access-date=January 31, 2021|website=[[Gold Derby]]|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112191516/https://www.goldderby.com/article/2021/taylor-swift-cardigan-grammys-song-of-the-year/|url-status=live))</ref> At the [[American Music Awards of 2020|2020 American Music Awards]], Swift scored four nominations: [[American Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]], [[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist|Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist]], [[American Music Award for Video of the Year|Favorite Music Video]] for "Cardigan" and [[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album|Favorite Pop/Rock Album]] for ''Folklore'', and won the first three,<ref name="AMAs">((cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/american-music-awards-2020-full-winners-list-1234837726/|title=American Music Awards 2020: The Full Winners List|last=Shafer|first=Ellise|date=November 22, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123143540/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/american-music-awards-2020-full-winners-list-1234837726/|url-status=live))</ref> extending her record as the most awarded artist in the show's history with 32 [[American Music Awards]].<ref>((Cite news|last=France|first=Lisa Respers|date=November 23, 2020|title=Taylor Swift broke her own AMAs record and explained why she couldn't be there|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/entertainment/taylor-swift-amas/index.html|access-date=November 26, 2020|publisher=[[CNN]]|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126073106/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/entertainment/taylor-swift-amas/index.html|url-status=live))</ref> It also marked the third consecutive year Swift was crowned the Artist of the Year, and sixth overall—the first and only artist to achieve it.<ref>((Cite news|date=November 23, 2020|title=Swift wins top prize at AMAs, says she's re-recording music|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/taylor-swift-wins-top-prize-american-music-awards-n1248581|access-date=November 26, 2020|publisher=[[NBC News]]|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126091005/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/taylor-swift-wins-top-prize-american-music-awards-n1248581|url-status=live))</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="border:none; margin:0;"
|+Awards and nominations for ''Folklore''
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Organization
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| ((abbr|Ref.|Reference))
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="8"| 2020
| [[American Music Awards of 2020|American Music Awards]]
| [[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album|Favorite Pop/Rock Album]]
| ((nom))
| ((center|<ref name="AMAs" />))
|-
| [[Apple Music]] Awards
| Songwriter of the Year (''Folklore'')
| ((won))
| ((center|<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/11/apple-announces-second-annual-apple-music-awards/|title=Apple announces second annual Apple Music Awards|publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]|date=November 18, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2020|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119050317/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/11/apple-announces-second-annual-apple-music-awards/|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards]]
| [[ARIA Award for Best International Artist|Best International Artist]] (''Folklore'')
| ((nom))
| ((center|<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/lime-cordiale-dominates-aria-award-nominations-20201012-p564cn.html|title=From the back of the room to centre stage: Lime Cordiale sweep ARIA nominations|last=Cooper|first=Nathanael|date=October 13, 2020|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=October 13, 2020|archive-date=October 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013144405/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/lime-cordiale-dominates-aria-award-nominations-20201012-p564cn.html|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
| [[Danish Music Awards]]
| International Album of the Year
| ((won))
| ((center|<ref>((cite news|first=Marie Holm|last=Mathiasen|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2020-11-28-her-er-vinderne-ved-danish-music-awards|title=Her er vinderne ved 'Danish Music Awards'|publisher=[[TV 2 (Denmark)|Nyheder]]|language=da|date=November 28, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210233035/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2020-11-28-her-er-vinderne-ved-danish-music-awards|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
| [[46th People's Choice Awards|E! People's Choice Awards]]
| The Album of 2020
| ((nom))
| ((center|<ref name="PCAs">((Cite news|last=Malec|first=Brett|date=November 15, 2020|title=People's Choice Awards 2020 Winners: The Complete List|publisher=[[E!]]|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1204775/peoples-choice-awards-2020-winners-the-complete-list|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115200427/https://www.eonline.com/news/1204775/peoples-choice-awards-2020-winners-the-complete-list|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
| ''[[Guinness World Records]]''
| Most day-one streams of an album on [[Spotify]] (female)
| ((won))
| ((center|<ref name="Guinness"/>))
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[NetEase Music|NetEase Annual Music Awards]]
| Top Western Album
| ((won))
| rowspan="2"| ((center|<ref>((cite web|url=https://m.weibo.cn/status/4584903343615137?|title=NetEase Cloud Music|website=[[Weibo Corporation|Weibo]]|date=November 21, 2020|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222172216/https://m.weibo.cn/status/4584903343615137?|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
| Top Folk Music Album
| ((won))
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="7"| 2021
| [[2021 Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]]
| [[Billboard Music Award for Top Billboard 200 Album|Top ''Billboard'' 200 Album]]
| ((nom))
| ((center|<ref>((Cite magazine|date=April 29, 2021|access-date=April 29, 2021|title=Billboard Music Awards|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2021-billboard-music-awards-nominations-list-nominees|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504160638/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2021-billboard-music-awards-nominations-list-nominees|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
| [[Gaffa Awards|''Gaffa'' Awards]]
| International Album of the Year
| ((nom))
| ((center|<ref>((Cite magazine|date=February 6, 2021|url=https://gaffa.dk/prisen/afstemningen|title=Hvem er dine favoritter? Stem Nu!|language=da|access-date=February 23, 2021|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121132704/https://gaffa.dk/prisen/afstemningen|url-status=dead|magazine=[[Gaffa (magazine)|Gaffa]]))</ref>))
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[63rd Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]]
| [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
| ((won))
| rowspan="2"| ((center|<ref>((Cite magazine |last=Warner |first=Denise |date=March 14, 2021 |title=Here Are All the Winners From the 2021 Grammy Awards |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2021-grammy-awards-winners-list-9540098/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414013930/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2021-grammy-awards-winners-list-9540098/ |url-status=live ))</ref>))
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]]
| ((nom))
|-
| [[Japan Gold Disc Award]]s
| Best 3 Western Albums
| ((won))
| ((center|<ref>((cite news|url=http://golddisc.jp/award/35/Prize_1.html#category02|title=ベスト3アルバム|website=Gold Disc|language=ja|access-date=March 15, 2021|archive-date=March 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329093235/http://golddisc.jp/award/35/Prize_1.html#category02|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
| [[Juno Awards of 2021|Juno Awards]]
| [[Juno Award for International Album of the Year|International Album of the Year]]
| ((nom))
| ((center|<ref name="cbc">((cite web|first=Holly|last=Gordon|url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/the-weeknd-jp-saxe-jessie-reyez-and-justin-bieber-lead-2021-juno-award-nominations-1.5940551|title=The Weeknd, JP Saxe, Jessie Reyez and Justin Bieber lead 2021 Juno Award nominations|publisher=[[CBC Music]]|date=March 9, 2021|access-date=March 10, 2021|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325182622/https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/the-weeknd-jp-saxe-jessie-reyez-and-justin-bieber-lead-2021-juno-award-nominations-1.5940551|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
| [[2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards|iHeartRadio Music Awards]]
| Best Pop Album
| ((won))
| ((center|<ref>((Cite web|last=Fields|first=Taylor|date=May 28, 2021|title=2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List Of Winners|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-05-27-2021-iheartradio-music-awards-see-the-full-list-of-winners/|publisher=[[iHeartRadio]]|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=May 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528135646/https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-05-27-2021-iheartradio-music-awards-see-the-full-list-of-winners/|url-status=live))</ref>))
|-
! scope="row"| 2022
| [[TEC Awards]]
| Outstanding Creative Achievement – Record Production/Album
| ((nom))
| ((center|<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.tecawards.org/winners-2022|title=2022 TEC Awards Winners|publisher=[[TEC Awards]]|access-date=August 29, 2022|archive-date=June 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627053357/https://www.tecawards.org/winners-2022|url-status=live))</ref>))
|}

== Legacy ==
[[File:Taylor Swift Eras Tour - Arlington, TX - Folklore act 2.jpg|thumb|Swift performing the ''Folklore'' act of her [[The Eras Tour|Eras Tour]] (2023)]]
''Folklore''(('s)) release ignited widespread interest in the term "folklore" on the internet. In response to this mainstream attention, the [[American Folklore Society]] launched a website titled "What is Folklore?" and engaged in an online campaign to educate passersby about [[folklore studies]]. Folklorists were recruited to promote the academic field to the general public via social media.<ref>((Cite news|last=Sanchez|first=Alexandra|date=July 24, 2021|title=AFS Explains "What is Folklore?" in Response to Taylor Swift's New Album Release|work=[[American Folklore Society]]|url=https://www.afsnet.org/news/518785/AFS-Explains-What-is-Folklore-in-Response-to-Taylor-Swifts-New-Album-Release.htm|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709101203/https://www.afsnet.org/news/518785/AFS-Explains-What-is-Folklore-in-Response-to-Taylor-Swifts-New-Album-Release.htm|url-status=live))</ref> Metacritic's [[Internet traffic|traffic]] skyrocketed by roughly half a million views upon ''Folklore''(('s)) release. The site's founder Marc Doyle stated, "There's nothing quite like Taylor Swift", whose albums supply "a great deal of traffic and user participation" to the site whenever they are released.<ref>((Cite news |last=Madden |first=Emma |date=October 19, 2022 |title=A New Taylor Swift LP? Metacritic Crunches the Reviews, as Fans Watch. |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/19/arts/music/metacritic-music-reviews-taylor-swift.html |access-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019171047/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/19/arts/music/metacritic-music-reviews-taylor-swift.html |url-status=live ))</ref>

The album has been contextualized as a lockdown project by commentators,<ref>((Cite web|last=Hyden|first=Steven|date=December 14, 2020|title=How Taylor Swift Reinvented Herself With ''Folklore'' And Now ''Evermore''|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-evermore-album-review/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=[[Uproxx]]|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411065319/https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-evermore-album-review/|url-status=live))</ref> and earned a reputation as the archetypal [[quarantine]] album.<ref>((Cite web|last=Fagen|first=Lucas|date=September 19, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's Quarantine Folktales|url=https://hyperallergic.com/588670/taylor-swift-folklore/|access-date=December 6, 2020|website=[[Hyperallergic]]|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227134324/https://hyperallergic.com/588670/taylor-swift-folklore/|url-status=live))</ref> ''The Guardian'' opined that ''Folklore'' was a respite from chaotic events.<ref name="Bromwich-2020" /> ''The Daily Telegraph'' called it "an exquisite, empathetic lockdown triumph".<ref name="McCormick" /> ''NME'' wrote the album will be remembered as "the quintessential lockdown album" that "felt like the perfect accompaniment for the weird loneliness" of 2020.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Richards|first=Will|date=November 27, 2020|title=''Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions'' review: secrets, songs and self-isolation with Taylor Swift|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/reviews/film-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-the-long-pond-sessions-film-review-2827515|access-date=December 6, 2020|magazine=[[NME]]|archive-date=July 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713185255/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/reviews/film-reviews/taylor-swift-folklore-the-long-pond-sessions-film-review-2827515|url-status=live))</ref><ref name="NME-2020"/> ''Insider'' stated that ''Folklore'' would be known as "lockdown's one true masterpiece".<ref name="Ahlgrim-2020a"/> ''Rolling Stone'' said the album may go down in history as "the definitive quarantine album" for providing comfort and catharsis "just when we needed it most".<ref name="Bernstein-2020"/> ''Billboard'' proclaimed that ''Folklore'' would be cherished as one of Swift's most influential albums.<ref name="Billboard List" /> ''Uproxx'' noted how ''Folklore'' changed the tone of music in 2020,<ref>((Cite web|last=White|first=Caitlin|date=December 8, 2020|title=Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Changed The Tone Of Pop in 2020|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-folklore-album-of-the-year/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=[[Uproxx]]|archive-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412172805/https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-folklore-album-of-the-year/|url-status=live))</ref> and its impact on the year's cultural landscape "can't be measured".<ref name="Uproxx-2020"/>

In a list awarding the most creative works that shaped quarantine, ''Vulture'' labeled ''Folklore'' as 2020's "Best Breakdown in Musical Form" for addressing topics of loneliness.<ref>((Cite web|date=December 7, 2020|title=The First (And Hopefully Last) Quarries in which we award the most scrappy, absurd, ingenious works that shaped our year in quarantine.|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-quarantine-culture-quarries-2020.html|access-date=December 8, 2020|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804104447/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-quarantine-culture-quarries-2020.html|url-status=live))</ref> ''Vogue'' listed the album amongst the best moments of lockdown culture.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Maitland|first=Hayley|date=September 1, 2020|title=The Best, Worst & Downright Ugliest Moments Of Lockdown Culture|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/lockdown-culture|access-date=December 8, 2020|magazine=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132447/https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/lockdown-culture|url-status=live))</ref> ''[[The Week]]'' called it "the first great pandemic art" for setting "a high bar" for future pandemic-inspired projects.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Lange|first=Jeva|date=July 25, 2020|title=Taylor Swift has made the first great pandemic art|url=https://theweek.com/articles/927296/taylor-swift-made-first-great-pandemic-art|access-date=January 2, 2021|magazine=[[The Week]]|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724163142/https://theweek.com/articles/927296/taylor-swift-made-first-great-pandemic-art|url-status=live))</ref> ''[[Financial Times]]'' called it "the first great lockdown album",<ref>((Cite news|date=December 6, 2020|title=Who have been the most influential women of 2020? FT readers respond|url=https://www.ft.com/content/469df412-7ed8-416e-99c3-2fabf0996ad6|access-date=December 6, 2020|work=[[Financial Times]]|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029165441/https://www.ft.com/content/469df412-7ed8-416e-99c3-2fabf0996ad6|url-status=live))</ref> while ''[[Hot Press]]'' termed it "the first great album of the lockdown era".<ref name="HotPress">((Cite magazine|date=December 30, 2020|title=Hot Press Albums of 2020: The Top 10|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/hot-press-albums-of-2020-the-top-10-22836912|access-date=December 30, 2020|magazine=[[Hot Press]]|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525160554/https://www.hotpress.com/music/hot-press-albums-of-2020-the-top-10-22836912|url-status=live))</ref> Judging from its acclaim and commercial success, critic [[Tom Hull (critic)|Tom Hull]] concluded that Swift "caught the spirit of the times" with ''Folklore''.<ref>((cite web|last=Hull|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Hull (critic)|date=July 27, 2020|title=Music Week|url=http://tomhull.com/ocston/blog/archives/2869-Music-Week.html|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Tom Hull – on the Web|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132451/http://tomhull.com/ocston/blog/archives/2869-Music-Week.html|url-status=live))</ref>  ''Billboard'' named ''Folklore'' and ''Evermore'' as the best examples of innovative albums from artists who amended their creative process during the pandemic,<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Havens|first=Lyndsey|date=December 29, 2020|title=Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and More Innovated in the Pandemic – But What Strategies Will Stick?|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9501019/taylor-swift-dua-lipa-pandemic-strategies-2020/|access-date=December 29, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222153059/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9501019/taylor-swift-dua-lipa-pandemic-strategies-2020/|url-status=live))</ref> and in a list titled "The 25 Musical Moments That Defined the First Quarter of the 2020s", called the album a "commercial smash" that stands as "one of the quintessential quarantine full-lengths".<ref>((Cite magazine|date=July 5, 2022|title=The 25 Musical Moments That Defined the First Quarter of the 2020s|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/biggest-music-moments-2020s/|access-date=July 5, 2022|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705164710/https://www.billboard.com/pro/biggest-music-moments-2020s/|url-status=live))</ref> In 2023, ''The New York Times'' named ''Folklore'' as one of the "17 [[Popular culture|pop culture]] moments that define the COVID era".<ref>((Cite news |date=April 8, 2023 |title=Opinion ((!)) 17 Pop Culture Moments That Define The Covid Era |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/08/opinion/covid-culture-tiktok-bo-burnham.html |access-date=April 8, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408101004/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/08/opinion/covid-culture-tiktok-bo-burnham.html |url-status=live ))</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' ranked the album at No. 170 on its 2023 revision of the [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref>((cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/taylor-swift-folklore-3-1234935144/ |title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 31, 2023 |access-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101141212/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/taylor-swift-folklore-3-1234935144/ |url-status=live ))</ref>

((Blockquote|text=My world felt opened up creatively. There was a point that I got to as a writer who only wrote very diaristic songs that I felt it was unsustainable for my future moving forward. So what I felt after we put out ''Folklore'' was like "oh wow, people are into this too, this thing that feels really good for my life and feels really good for my creativity… it feels good for them too?"|author=Swift on how ''Folklore'' changed her creative process moving forward|title=|source=[[Apple Music 1]]<ref>((cite web|last=Countryman|first=Eli|date=December 16, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Opens Up About the Creation of 'Evermore'|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-evermore-apple-music-1234853026/|url-status=live|access-date=December 20, 2020|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222181838/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-evermore-apple-music-1234853026/))</ref>))

The making of and rave reception to ''Folklore'' encouraged Swift to release ''Evermore''. Swift herself has credited ''Folklore'' for ushering a new mindset of songwriting in her repertoire, which in turn influenced her subsequent releases.<ref name="Weatherby-2021" /> ''Folklore'' was the most popular album of 2020 on [[Genius (website)|Genius]],<ref>((Cite web|date=December 30, 2020|title=Genius Year in Lyrics: The Top Albums Of 2020|url=https://genius.com/a/genius-year-in-lyrics-the-top-albums-of-2020|access-date=January 4, 2020|publisher=[[Genius (website)|Genius]]|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228094149/https://genius.com/a/genius-year-in-lyrics-the-top-albums-of-2020|url-status=live))</ref> and Swift was the top searched act.<ref>((Cite web|title=Genius Year in Lyrics: The Top Artists Of 2020|url=https://genius.com/a/genius-year-in-lyrics-the-top-artists-of-2020|access-date=December 31, 2020|publisher=[[Genius (website)|Genius]]|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019042814/https://genius.com/a/genius-year-in-lyrics-the-top-artists-of-2020|url-status=live))</ref> She was also the world's highest-paid solo musician of 2020,<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Christman|first=Ed|date=July 19, 2021|title=Billboard's 2020 Global Money Makers: The 5 Top Highest Paid Musicians|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/money-makers/9602829/musician-global-money-makers-highest-paid-2020-report|access-date=July 19, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723130805/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/money-makers/9602829/musician-global-money-makers-highest-paid-2020-report/|url-status=live))</ref> and the highest paid in the US, solely due to her incomes from the 2020 albums.<ref>((Cite magazine|last=Christman|first=Ed|date=July 19, 2021|title=Billboard's U.S. Money Makers: The Top Paid Musicians of 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9602078/musician-us-money-makers-highest-paid-2020/|access-date=July 19, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724153507/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9602078/musician-us-money-makers-highest-paid-2020|url-status=live))</ref> In 2023, Swift embarked on [[the Eras Tour]], which consisted of 10 acts, the seventh of which is dedicated to ''Folklore''.<ref name="Ruggieri-2023-22">((Cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |date=March 18, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift rewards fans with 44 songs at Eras Tour opener: Inside her triumphant return |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/03/18/taylor-swift-kicks-off-eras-tour-arizona-44-song-set/11490795002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318175202/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/03/18/taylor-swift-kicks-off-eras-tour-arizona-44-song-set/11490795002/ |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |access-date=March 18, 2023 |website=[[USA Today]]))</ref>

''Folklore'' influenced other artists' works. Those who cited ''Folklore'' as an influence for their music include [[Hayley Williams]] for her 2021 album ''[[Flowers for Vases / Descansos]],''<ref>((Cite magazine|date=February 5, 2021|title=Hayley Williams is releasing ''Flowers for Vases / Descansos'' tomorrow|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/hayley-williams-is-releasing-flowers-for-vases-descansos-tomorrow-2872499|access-date=February 5, 2021|magazine=[[NME]]|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516010408/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/hayley-williams-is-releasing-flowers-for-vases-descansos-tomorrow-2872499|url-status=live))</ref> [[Mia Dimšić]] for her [[Eurovision Song Contest 2022|Eurovision 2022]] song "[[Guilty Pleasure (Mia Dimšić song)|Guilty Pleasure]]",<ref>((Cite web|last=Balen|first=Ida|date=February 20, 2022|title=Mia Dimšić za RTL nakon plasmana na Eurosong: 'Nisam plagirala Taylor Swift, ali njena pjesma mi je bila inspiracija'|url=https://www.rtl.hr/vijesti-hr/novosti/hrvatska/4196134/mia-dimsic-za-rtl-nakon-plasmana-na-eurosong-nisam-plagirala-taylor-swift-ali-njena-pjesma-mi-je-bila-inspiracija/|access-date=February 22, 2022|website=[[RTL (Croatian TV channel)|Vijesti.hr]]|language=hr|archive-date=March 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329171651/https://www.rtl.hr/vijesti-hr/novosti/hrvatska/4196134/mia-dimsic-za-rtl-nakon-plasmana-na-eurosong-nisam-plagirala-taylor-swift-ali-njena-pjesma-mi-je-bila-inspiracija/|url-status=dead))</ref><ref>((Cite web|last1=Cindrić|first1=Marija|last2=Paponja|first2=Tea|date=February 20, 2022|title=Mia Dimšić o kritikama: 'Meni svaka usporedba s Taylor Swift može bit samo kompliment'|url=https://www.24sata.hr/show/mia-dimsic-o-kritikama-meni-svaka-usporedba-s-taylor-swift-moze-bit-samo-kompliment-816813|access-date=February 22, 2022|website=[[24sata (Croatia)|24sata]]|language=hr|archive-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405062010/https://www.24sata.hr/show/mia-dimsic-o-kritikama-meni-svaka-usporedba-s-taylor-swift-moze-bit-samo-kompliment-816813|url-status=live))</ref> [[Rina Sawayama]] for her 2022 ''[[Hold the Girl]]'',<ref>((Cite magazine |last=Irvin |first=Jack |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Rina Sawayama Says the 'Fake Stories' of Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' Inspired Her New Album ''Hold the Girl'' |url=https://people.com/music/rina-sawayama-says-taylor-swift-folklore-inspired-her-new-album-hold-the-girl/ |access-date=June 3, 2022 |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603064543/https://people.com/music/rina-sawayama-says-taylor-swift-folklore-inspired-her-new-album-hold-the-girl/ |url-status=live ))</ref> and [[Maya Hawke]] for her 2022 album ''[[Moss (Maya Hawke album)|Moss]].''<ref>((Cite web |last=Krueger |first=Jonah |date=July 20, 2022 |title=Maya Hawke on Being Inspired by Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'', Finding Confidence, and Stranger Things |url=https://consequence.net/2022/07/maya-hawke-moss-stranger-things-kyle-meredith/ |access-date=July 21, 2022 |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004114132/https://consequence.net/2022/07/maya-hawke-moss-stranger-things-kyle-meredith/ |url-status=live ))</ref> [[Christina Perri]] and [[Sabrina Carpenter]] credited ''Folklore'' with encouraging them to be emotionally honest in their songs without worrying about external expectations,<ref>((Cite web |date=March 25, 2022 |title=Christina Perri on New Single 'Evergone' and the Influence of Taylor Swift's ''Folklore'' and ''Evermore'' |url=https://consequence.net/2022/03/christina-perri-evergone-kyle-meredith-with/ |access-date=March 26, 2022 |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511002215/https://consequence.net/2022/03/christina-perri-evergone-kyle-meredith-with/ |url-status=live ))</ref><ref>((Cite web |date=August 10, 2020 |title=Sabrina Carpenter on 'Let Me Move You': The Travel Millis Show |url=https://music.apple.com/us/post/1527127369 |access-date=October 4, 2022 |publisher=[[Apple Music]] |language=en-US |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005010021/https://music.apple.com/us/post/1527127369 |url-status=live ))</ref> and [[Zahara (Spanish musician)|Zahara]] credited ''Folklore'' for encouraging her to compose music again following months of isolation.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/espanol/entretenimiento/sns-es-zahara-tyalor-swift-disco-cancion-muerte-salvacion-20210312-4aexz2vcqjg2zpzrocusud4a34-story.html|title=Zahara dedica a Taylor Swift el adelanto de su próximo disco|trans-title=Zahara dedicates the advancement of her next album to Taylor Swift|language=Spanish|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 12, 2021|access-date=March 22, 2021|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622132057/https://www.chicagotribune.com/espanol/entretenimiento/sns-es-zahara-tyalor-swift-disco-cancion-muerte-salvacion-20210312-4aexz2vcqjg2zpzrocusud4a34-story.html|url-status=live))</ref> The success of ''Folklore'' prompted artists such as Hawke,<ref>((Cite news |last1=Robert |first1=Moran |last2=Shand |first2=John |last3=Au-Nhien Nguyen |first3=Giselle |last4=Ross |first4=Annabel |date=September 28, 2022 |title=What to listen to this month: A worthwhile album from a nepo baby? Stranger things happen |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/what-to-listen-to-next-sun-still-shines-on-sydney-s-jangle-pop-masters-20220830-p5bdwz.html |access-date=October 3, 2022 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003163442/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/what-to-listen-to-next-sun-still-shines-on-sydney-s-jangle-pop-masters-20220830-p5bdwz.html |url-status=live ))</ref> [[Gracie Abrams]],<ref>((Cite magazine |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Gracie Abrams on How Songwriting Is 'Like Breathing', Touring With Friend Olivia Rodrigo and Making New Music With Aaron Dessner |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/gracie-abrams-olivia-rodrigo-tour-aaron-dessner-1235221886/ |access-date=October 3, 2022 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408000653/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/gracie-abrams-olivia-rodrigo-tour-aaron-dessner-1235221886/ |url-status=live ))</ref> [[Ed Sheeran]],<ref>((Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=March 8, 2022 |title=Ed Sheeran Is Working on His ''Folklore'' |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/03/ed-sheeran-wrote-songs-folklore-aaron-dessner.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004193818/https://www.vulture.com/2022/03/ed-sheeran-wrote-songs-folklore-aaron-dessner.html |url-status=live ))</ref> [[King Princess]],<ref name="Billboard-2022">((Cite magazine |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Recording's Great Escapes: Inside The World's Most Scenic, State-of-the-Art Studios |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-recording-studios-music-global-photos/ |access-date=October 10, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010160101/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-recording-studios-music-global-photos/ |url-status=live ))</ref> and [[Girl in Red]]<ref>((Cite web |last=Holden |first=Finlay |date=October 3, 2022 |title=Girl in Red has announced that a new single, 'October Passed Me By', is due next week |url=https://readdork.com/news/girl-in-red-new-single-october-passed-me-by/ |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]] |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003113004/https://readdork.com/news/girl-in-red-new-single-october-passed-me-by/ |url-status=live ))</ref> to collaborate with Dessner and record songs at his Long Pond Studio.<ref name="Billboard-2022" /> [[Noah Kahan]] acknowledged ''Folklore'' for bringing a "new generation to folk and folk-pop" and helping his music become more mainstream.<ref>((Cite magazine |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=2024-01-25 |title=How Noah Kahan Turned 'Stick Season' Into The Gift That Keeps On Giving |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/noah-kahan-stick-season-breakthrough-snl-tour-grammy-preview-1235588318/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US |quote=))</ref><ref>((Cite magazine |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=2023-12-15 |title=Billboard's Greatest Pop Stars of 2023: No. 1 — Taylor Swift |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-greatest-pop-star-2023-eras-tour-all-time-1235558902/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215225151/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-greatest-pop-star-2023-eras-tour-all-time-1235558902/ |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-16 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US |quote=Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan [has] acknowledged that the pandemic-era acclaim for her ((em|Folklore)) and ((em|Evermore)) albums helped open a mainstream lane for his brand of alt-folk.))</ref> American comics writer [[Sina Grace]] was inspired by the aesthetic and themes of ''Folklore'' to create the story, characters, and art style of the upcoming [[DC Comics]] graphic novel ''Superman: The Harvests of Youth''.<ref>((Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Spencer |date=August 31, 2023 |title=DC's New Superman Was Inspired by a Taylor Swift Album |url=https://screenrant.com/dc-new-superman-inspired-by-taylor-swift-album/ |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831173842/https://screenrant.com/dc-new-superman-inspired-by-taylor-swift-album/ |url-status=live ))</ref> ''Folklore'' is also the subject of multiple [[Academic publishing|academic papers]], mostly literary.<ref>((Cite journal |last1=Harrison |first1=Chloe |last2=Ringrow |first2=Helen |date=2022-11-06 |title=Disnarration and the performance of storytelling in Taylor Swift's folklore and evermore |url=https://journals.linguistik.de/ijll/article/view/140 |journal=International Journal of Literary Linguistics |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |doi=10.15462/ijll.v11i1.140 |issn=2194-5594))</ref><ref>((Cite journal |last1=Frida |first1=Keazia Yasmina |last2=Zuraida |first2=Ida |date=2022-12-26 |title=Metaphor in The Folklore Album by Taylor Swift: A Semantics Study |url=https://ethicallingua.org/25409190/article/view/473 |journal=Ethical Lingua: Journal of Language Teaching and Literature |language=en |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=610–618 |doi=10.30605/25409190.473 |doi-broken-date=May 10, 2024 |issn=2540-9190))</ref><ref>((Cite journal |last=Max |first=Jonathan Irene Sartika Dewi |date=2022-04-29 |title=Three speakers' perspectives on experience in Taylor Swift's selected lyrics from Folklore album |url=https://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/rainbow/article/view/50485 |journal=Rainbow: Journal of Literature, Linguistics and Culture Studies |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=11–18 |doi=10.15294/rainbow.v11i1.50485 |issn=2721-4540|doi-access=free ))</ref><ref>((Cite journal |last1=Dajches |first1=Leah |last2=Stevens Aubrey |first2=Jennifer |date=2023 |title=Queer folklore: Examining the influence of fandom on sexual identity development and fluidity acceptance among Taylor Swift fans. |url=https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/ppm0000408 |journal=Psychology of Popular Media |language=en |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=255–267 |doi=10.1037/ppm0000408 |issn=2689-6575))</ref>

== Track listing ==
((Track listing
| headline      = ''Folklore'' standard edition track listing
| extra_column  = Producer(s)
| total_length  = 63:29
| title1        = [[The 1]]
| writer1       = ((hlist|[[Taylor Swift]]|[[Aaron Dessner]]))
| extra1        = Dessner
| length1       = 3:30
| title2        = [[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]
| writer2       = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner))
| extra2        = Dessner
| length2       = 3:59
| title3        = [[The Last Great American Dynasty]]
| writer3       = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner))
| extra3        = Dessner
| length3       = 3:51
| title4        = [[Exile (song)|Exile]]
| note4         = featuring [[Bon Iver]]
| writer4       = ((hlist|Swift|[[Joe Alwyn|William Bowery]]|[[Justin Vernon]]))
| extra4        = ((hlist|Dessner|[[Joe Alwyn]]))
| length4       = 4:45
| title5        = [[My Tears Ricochet]]
| writer5       = Swift
| extra5        = ((hlist|Swift|[[Jack Antonoff]]|Alwyn))
| length5       = 4:15
| title6        = [[Mirrorball (song)|Mirrorball]]
| writer6       = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff))
| extra6        = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff))
| length6       = 3:29
| title7        = [[Seven (Taylor Swift song)|Seven]]
| writer7       = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner))
| extra7        = Dessner
| length7       = 3:28
| title8        = [[August (song)|August]]
| writer8       = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff))
| extra8        = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff|Alwyn))
| length8       = 4:21
| title9        = [[This Is Me Trying]]
| writer9       = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff))
| extra9        = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff|Alwyn))
| length9       = 3:15
| title10       = [[Illicit Affairs]]
| writer10      = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff))
| extra10       = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff|Alwyn))
| length10      = 3:10
| title11       = [[Invisible String]]
| writer11      = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner))
| extra11       = Dessner
| length11      = 4:12
| title12       = [[Mad Woman]]
| writer12      = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner))
| extra12       = Dessner
| length12      = 3:57
| title13       = [[Epiphany (Taylor Swift song)|Epiphany]]
| writer13      = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner))
| extra13       = Dessner
| length13      = 4:49
| title14       = [[Betty (Taylor Swift song)|Betty]]
| writer14      = ((hlist|Swift|Bowery))
| extra14       = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner|Antonoff|Alwyn))
| length14      = 4:54
| title15       = [[Peace (Taylor Swift song)|Peace]]
| writer15      = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner))
| extra15       = Dessner
| length15      = 3:54
| title16       = [[Hoax (song)|Hoax]]
| writer16      = ((hlist|Swift|Dessner))
| extra16       = Dessner
| length16      = 3:40
))

((Track listing
| headline      = Deluxe edition bonus track
| extra_column  = Producer(s)
| total_length  = 67:00
| title17       = [[The Lakes (song)|The Lakes]]
| writer17      = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff))
| extra17       = ((hlist|Swift|Antonoff))
| length17      = 3:31
))

== Personnel ==
=== Musicians ===
((div col))
* [[Taylor Swift]] –&nbsp;lead vocals, songwriting, production (5, 6, 8–10, 14, 17)
* [[Aaron Dessner]] –&nbsp; production (1–4, 7, 11–16), songwriting (1–3, 7, 11–13, 15, 16), piano (1–4, 7, 11–16), acoustic guitar (1, 7, 11, 12, 16), electric guitar (1–4, 11–14, 16), [[Programming (music)|drum programming]] (1–4, 7, 11, 12), [[Mellotron]] (1, 2, 11, 13, 15), [[Teenage Engineering OP-1|OP-1]] (1, 4, 16), [[Keyboard bass|synth bass]] (1, 16), percussion (2–4, 7, 11, 12, 14), bass (2, 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, 15), synthesizer (2–4, 7, 11–13, 15), [[slide guitar]] (3), keyboards (3), [[Nashville tuning (high strung)|high string guitar]] (14), [[field recording]] (15), drone (15)
* [[Bryce Dessner]] – orchestration (1–4, 7, 11–13)
* [[Doveman|Thomas Bartlett]] –&nbsp;synthesizer (1), OP-1 (1)((efn|name=Credits|This performer is also credited with recording their instrumentation.))
* Jason Treuting – percussion (1)((efn|name=Credits))
* Yuki Numata Resnick –&nbsp;[[viola]] (1, 2, 7, 11, 12), violin (1, 2, 7, 11, 12)
* Benjamin Lanz –&nbsp;[[Modular synthesizer|modular synth]] (2)
* Dave Nelson – [[trombone]] (2, 13)((efn|name=Credits))
* James McAlister – drum programming (2, 11), beat programming (12), synthesizers (12), hand percussion (12), drums (12)((efn|name=Credits))
* Clarice Jensen –&nbsp;cello (2, 7, 11–13)((efn|name=Credits))
* [[Rob Moose]] –&nbsp;orchestration (3, 16), violin (3, 4, 16), viola (3, 4, 16)((efn|name=Credits))
* JT Bates –&nbsp;drums (3, 7, 13)((efn|name=Credits))
* [[Justin Vernon]] – lead vocals (4), songwriting (4), [[Pulse (music)|pulse]] (15)((efn|name=Credits))
* [[Joe Alwyn]] –&nbsp; production (4, 5, 8–10, 14), songwriting (4, 14)
* [[Jack Antonoff]] –&nbsp; production (5, 6, 8–10, 14, 17), songwriting (6, 8–10, 17), live drums (5, 6, 8–10, 14, 17), percussion (5, 6, 8–10, 14, 17), programming (5, 6, 8–10, 17), electric guitars (5, 6, 8–10, 14, 17), keyboards (5, 6, 8–10, 17), piano (5, 17), bass (5, 8–10, 14), background vocals (5, 6, 9, 10, 17), acoustic guitars (6, 8, 14), [[Hammond organ|B3]] (6, 14), organ (9), Mellotron (14)
* Evan Smith –&nbsp;saxophones (5, 8–10, 14, 17), keyboards (5, 8–10, 17), programming (5), [[flute]] (8, 17), electric guitar (8, 10), [[accordion]] (10), background vocals (10), [[clarinet]] (14, 17), bass (17)
* Bobby Hawk –&nbsp;strings (5, 8, 9, 17)
* [[Bryan Devendorf]] – drum programming (7)((efn|name=Credits))
* Jonathan Low –&nbsp;synth bass (8)((efn|name=Credits))
* Mikey Freedom Hart – [[Pedal steel guitar|pedal steel]] (10, 14), Mellotron (14), [[Wurlitzer electronic piano|Wurlitzer]] (14), [[harpsichord]] (14), [[vibraphone]] (14), electric guitar (14)
* Kyle Resnick –&nbsp;trumpet (13)((efn|name=Credits))
* [[Josh Kaufman (musician)|Josh Kaufman]] –&nbsp;harmonica (14), electric guitar (14), [[Lap steel guitar|lap steel]] (14)((efn|name=Credits))
((div col end))

'''Additional instrument recording'''((efn|Several performers are also credited with recording their own instrumentation, as noted in the 'Musicians' section.))
((div col))
* Kyle Resnick –&nbsp;viola (1, 2, 7, 11–13), violin (1, 2, 7, 11–13)
* Bella Blasko –&nbsp;modular synth (2)
* Lorenzo Wolff –&nbsp;strings (5, 9)
* Mike Williams –&nbsp;strings (8, 17)
* Jon Gautier –&nbsp;strings (8, 17)
* Benjamin Lanz –&nbsp;trombone (13)
((div col end))

=== Technical ===
((div col))
* Taylor Swift – executive producer
* Jonathan Low –&nbsp;recording (1–4, 7, 11–16), mixing (1–4, 7, 8, 11, 15–17)
* Aaron Dessner –&nbsp;recording (1–4, 7, 11–16), additional recording (2, 11)
* Laura Sisk –&nbsp;recording (5, 6, 8–10, 14, 17), vocal recording (1–3; Swift on 4; 13, 15, 16)
* Jack Antonoff –&nbsp;recording (5, 6, 8–10, 14, 17)
* Bella Blasko – additional recording (2)
* Justin Vernon –&nbsp;vocal recording (Bon Iver on 4)
* John Rooney –&nbsp;assistant engineering (5, 9, 14)
* Jon Sher –&nbsp;assistant engineering (5, 9)
* [[Serban Ghenea|Şerban Ghenea]] –&nbsp;mixing (5, 6, 9, 10, 12–14)
* John Hanes –&nbsp;mix engineering (5, 6, 9, 10, 12–14)
* [[Randy Merrill]] –&nbsp;mastering
((div col end))

=== Design ===
((div col))
* Taylor Swift –&nbsp;wardrobe styling, hair and makeup, packaging creative and art direction
* Beth Garrabrant –&nbsp;photography
* 13 Management –&nbsp;packaging design, project support and coordination
* [[Republic Records]] –&nbsp;project support and coordination
((div col end))

== Charts ==
((col-begin))
((col-2))

=== Weekly ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for ''Folklore''
! scope="col"| Chart (2020–2022)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Argentine Albums ([[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers|CAPIF]])<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.diariodecultura.com.ar/rankings/los-discos-mas-vendidos-de-la-semana-3/|title=Los discos más vendidos de la semana|work=Diario de Cultura|publisher=[[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831183726/https://www.diariodecultura.com.ar/rankings/los-discos-mas-vendidos-de-la-semana-3/|archive-date=August 31, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020))</ref>
| 1
|-
((album chart|Australia|1|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 9, 2020))
|-
((album chart|Austria|2|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 5, 2020))
|-
((album chart|Flanders|1|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020|refname="Flanders"))
|-
((album chart|Wallonia|3|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020))
|-
((album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=August 4, 2020|refname="BillboardCanada"))
|-
! scope="row"| Croatian International Albums ([[Top of the Shops|HDU]])<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-37-tjedan-2020/|title=Lista prodaje 37. tjedan 2020|date=September 21, 2020|publisher=[[Top of the Shops]]|language=hr|access-date=February 14, 2021|archive-date=April 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410141017/http://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-37-tjedan-2020/|url-status=live))</ref>
| 2
|-
! scope="row"| Czech Albums ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|ČNS IFPI]])<ref name="Czech">((cite web|url=http://hitparada.ifpicr.cz/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=14&titul=165251&sec=c76c5f03789e3bf62723e1fabd79ef47|title=CZ – Albums – Top 100|publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|ČNS IFPI]]|language=cs|access-date=December 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919085022/http://hitparada.ifpicr.cz/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=14&titul=165251&sec=c76c5f03789e3bf62723e1fabd79ef47|archive-date=September 19, 2020|url-status=dead))</ref>
| 1
|-
((album chart|Denmark|1|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 16, 2020|refname="Denmark"))
|-
((album chart|Netherlands|2|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020))
|-
! scope="row"| Estonian Albums (''[[Eesti Ekspress]]'')<ref name="Estonian">((cite web|url=https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-popmuusika-votab-oma?id=90630869|title=Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: Popmuusika võtab oma!|work=[[Eesti Ekspress]]|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132511/https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-popmuusika-votab-oma?id=90630869|url-status=live|language=et))</ref>
| 1
|-
((album chart|Finland|1|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 16, 2020|refname="Finland"))
|-
((album chart|France|12|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 16, 2020))
|-
((album chart|Germany4|5|id=423798|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 14, 2020))
|-
! scope="row"| Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref name="Greek">((cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html|title=Top-75 Albums Sales Chart – Week 14/2021|publisher=[[IFPI Greece]]|access-date=July 19, 2021|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422180629/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html|url-status=dead))</ref>
| 1
|-
((album chart|Hungary|7|year=2020|week=31|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 8, 2020))
|-
! scope="row"| Icelandic Albums ([[Music of Iceland|Tónlist]])<ref>((cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur &#124; Vika 31 – 2020|publisher=Plötutíðindi|language=is|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=March 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312061620/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|url-status=dead))</ref>
| 8
|-
((album chart|Ireland3|1|date=20200731|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020))
|-
((album chart|Italy|8|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 16, 2020))
|-
! scope="row"| Japan Hot Albums (''[[Billboard Japan]]'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2020&month=08&day=03|title=Folklore on Billboard Japan Hot Albums|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|access-date=July 29, 2020|language=ja|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729083150/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2020&month=08&day=03|url-status=live))</ref>
| 8
|-
((album chart|Oricon|10|M|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2020-08-24/|title=Taylor Swift|publisher=[[Oricon]]|rowheader=true|access-date=August 23, 2020))
|-
! scope="row"| Lithuanian Albums ([[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]])<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-2020w31/|title=ALBUMŲ TOP100|language=lt|publisher=[[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]]|date=July 31, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731100526/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-2020w31/|url-status=live))</ref>
| 2
|-
((album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 16, 2020|refname="New Zealand"))
|-
((album chart|Norway|1|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 16, 2020|refname="Norway"))
|-
((album chart|Poland|8|id=1302|rowheader=true|access-date=August 21, 2020))
|-
((album chart|Portugal|2|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 22, 2020))
|-
((album chart|Scotland|2|date=20200731|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020))
|-
! scope="row"| Slovak Albums ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|ČNS IFPI]])<ref>((cite web|url=http://hitparada.ifpicr.cz/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=36&titul=165251&sec=1fe2285fb651ba34482402bfcda0165e|title=SK – Albums – Top 100|publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|ČNS IFPI]]|language=cs|access-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105214808/http://hitparada.ifpicr.cz/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=36&titul=165251&sec=1fe2285fb651ba34482402bfcda0165e|archive-date=November 5, 2021|url-status=dead))</ref>
| 4
|-
! scope="row"| South Korean Albums ([[Gaon Album Chart|Gaon]])<ref>((cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=36&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|title=Gaon Album Chart – Week 36, 2020|website=[[Gaon Music Chart|Gaon Chart]]|language=ko|access-date=September 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912022155/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=36&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|archive-date=September 12, 2019|url-status=live))</ref>
| 27
|-
((album chart|Spain|2|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 4, 2020))
|-
((album chart|Sweden|3|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020))
|-
((album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Taylor Swift|album=Folklore|rowheader=true|access-date=August 5, 2020|refname="Switzerland"))
|-
! scope="row"| Swiss Albums ([[Swiss Hitparade|Romandie]])<ref name="Romandie">((cite web|url=https://lescharts.ch/weekchart.asp?cat=a&year=2020&date=20200802|title=Les charts de la Suisse romande|publisher=Hung Medien|language=fr|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132512/https://lescharts.ch/weekchart.asp?cat=a&year=2020&date=20200802|url-status=live))</ref>
| 1
|-
((album chart|UK2|1|date=20200731|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020))
|-
((album chart|UKAmericana|1|date=20200731|rowheader=true|access-date=June 4, 2021))
|-
! scope="row"| Uruguayan Albums ([[List of music recording certifications|CUD]])<ref>((cite web|url=https://cudisco.org/|title=Rankings (Septiembre 2020)|publisher=[[List of music recording certifications|Cámara Uruguaya del Disco]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013225614/https://cudisco.org/|archive-date=October 13, 2020|access-date=October 13, 2020))</ref>
| 1
|-
((album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=August 4, 2020))
|-
((album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=Taylor Swift|rowheader=true|access-date=August 8, 2020))
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/rkc|title=Taylor Swift Chart History (US Top Rock & Alternative Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=March 2, 2023|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302211635/https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/rkc/|url-status=live))</ref>
| 1
|}
((col-2))

=== Year-end ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2020 year-end chart performance for ''Folklore''
! scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref name="ARIA Year-end">((cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2020/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2020|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|access-date=January 15, 2021|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114210516/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2020/albums-chart|url-status=live))</ref>
| 2
|-
! scope="row"| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>((cite web|url=https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/3010524/|title=Ö3 Austria Top40 Longplay 2020|date=November 8, 2019 |publisher=[[Ö3 Austria Top 40]]|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228092158/https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/3010524/|archive-date=December 28, 2020|url-status=live))</ref>
| 66
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2020&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2020|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222205127/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2020&cat=a|url-status=live))</ref>
| 30
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/top-canadian-albums|title=Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=December 4, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207204433/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/top-canadian-albums|url-status=live))</ref>
| 9
|-
! scope="row"| Croatian Albums (Foreign Top 40)<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.top-lista.hr/www/download/inozemna-izdanja-godisnja-lista-2020/?wpdmdl=36705|title=Inozemna izdanja – Godišnja lista 2020|trans-title=Foreign editions - Annual list 2020|publisher=[[Top of the Shops]]|language=hr|access-date=April 7, 2021|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303150930/http://www.top-lista.hr/www/download/inozemna-izdanja-godisnja-lista-2020/?wpdmdl=36705|url-status=live))</ref>
| 34
|-
! scope="row"| Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>((cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/top2020.asp?list=Album%20100|title=Album Top-100 2020|publisher=[[Hitlisten]]|access-date=January 13, 2021|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114142819/http://hitlisten.nu/top2020.asp?list=Album%20100|url-status=live))</ref>
| 36
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>((cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2020&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2020|publisher=[[Dutch Charts]]|language=nl|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119090142/https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2020&cat=a|url-status=live))</ref>
| 46
|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2020 |title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2020 |language=de |publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]] |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218182034/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2020 |url-status=live ))</ref>
| 89
|-
! scope="row"| Irish Albums (IRMA)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/irelands-official-top-50-biggest-albums-of-2020__29420/|title=Ireland's Official Top 50 biggest albums of 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|last=White|first=Jack|date=January 10, 2021|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112000710/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/irelands-official-top-50-biggest-albums-of-2020__29420/|url-status=live))</ref>
| 7
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref name="NZ 2020 Year-end">((Cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=4974|title=Official Top 40 Albums|year=2020|access-date=December 6, 2020|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204205543/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=4974|url-status=dead))</ref>
| 7
|-
! scope="row"| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)<ref>((cite web|url=https://ifpi.no/topplista/|title=Topplista – årsliste – Album 2020|date=December 3, 2019 |publisher=IFPI Norway|language=no|access-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118140704/https://ifpi.no/topplista/|archive-date=January 18, 2021))</ref>
| 27
|-
! scope="row"| Portuguese Albums (AFP)<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.audiogest.pt/top-vendas-acumuladas?lang=pt|title=Top Vendas Acumuladas – 2020 (semana 1 a 53) – Top 100 Álbuns|trans-title=Top Accumulated Sales 2020 (Week 1 to 53) – Top 100 Albums|publisher=[[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa]]|page=1|language=pt|format=PDF|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210326213034/http://www.audiogest.pt/top-vendas-acumuladas?lang=pt|archive-date=March 26, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=April 9, 2021))</ref>
| 53
|-
! scope="row"| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-albums/2020|title=Top 100 Albumes Anual 2020|publisher=[[Productores de Música de España]]|work=El portal de Música|access-date=January 15, 2021|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126122125/https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-albums/2020|url-status=live))</ref>
| 52
|-
! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>((cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2020|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2020|publisher=[[Swiss Hitparade|Schweizer Hitparade]]|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109031710/https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2020|url-status=live))</ref>
| 70
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-albums-of-2020__29265/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2020|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=January 4, 2021|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111160610/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-albums-of-2020__29265/|url-status=live))</ref>
| 12
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name=2020YearEnd />
| 5
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Alternative Albums<ref name=2020YearEnd />
| 1
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2021 year-end chart performance for ''Folklore''
! scope="col"| Chart (2021)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2021/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2021|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|access-date=January 13, 2022|archive-date=January 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112223805/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2021/albums-chart|url-status=live))</ref>
| 20
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2021&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2021|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|access-date=January 4, 2022))</ref>
| 49
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/top-canadian-albums/|title=Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2021))</ref>
| 14
|-
! scope="row"| Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>((cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/top2021.asp|title=Album Top-100 2021|publisher=[[Hitlisten]]|access-date=January 6, 2022))</ref>
| 56
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>((cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2021&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2021|publisher=[[Dutch Charts]]|language=nl|access-date=January 3, 2022))</ref>
| 100
|-
! scope="row"| Irish Albums (IRMA)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/irelands-official-biggest-singles-of-2021-revealed__34917/|title=Ireland's official biggest albums of 2021|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|last=Griffiths|first=George|date=January 9, 2022|access-date=January 9, 2022))</ref>
| 18
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>((cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5267|title=Top Selling Albums of 2021|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124051930/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5267|url-status=live))</ref>
| 27
|-
! scope="row"| Portuguese Albums (AFP)<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2022-01-26-11-37-08.pdf|title=Top Vendas Acumuladas – 2021 – Top 100 Álbuns|trans-title=Top Accumulated Sales 2021 – Top 100 Albums|publisher=[[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa]]|page=3|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127073915/http://audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2022-01-26-11-37-08.pdf|archive-date=January 27, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=February 3, 2022))</ref>
| 80
|-
! scope="row"| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-albums/2021|title=Top 100 Albums Annual 2021|publisher=[[Productores de Música de España]]|work=El portal de Música|access-date=January 20, 2022))</ref>
| 70
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-albums-of-2021__34858/|title=The Official Top 40 biggest albums of 2021|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|last=Griffiths|first=George|date=January 4, 2022|access-date=January 4, 2022))</ref>
| 38
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/top-billboard-200-albums/|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 3, 2021))</ref>
| 12
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Alternative Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/top-alternative-albums/|title=Top Alternative Albums – Year-End 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 3, 2021))</ref>
| 2
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2022 year-end chart performance for ''Folklore''
! scope="col"| Chart (2022)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2022/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for 2022|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|access-date=January 4, 2023))</ref>
| 25
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2022&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2022|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|access-date=January 13, 2023))</ref>
| 49
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/top-canadian-albums/|title=Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2022|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 2, 2022))</ref>
| 30
|-
! scope="row"| Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.hitlisten.nu/top2022.asp|title=Album Top-100 2022|publisher=Hitlisten|access-date=February 1, 2023))</ref>
| 93
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>((cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2022&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2022|website=dutchcharts.nl|language=nl|access-date=January 4, 2023))</ref>
| 100
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>((cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5467|title=Top Selling Albums of 2022|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221072418/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5467|url-status=live))</ref>
| 30
|-
! scope="row"| Portuguese Albums (AFP)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2023-01-30-17-47-02.pdf|title=Top 100 Álbuns – Semanas 1 a 52 – De 31/12/2021 a 29/12/2022|website=Audiogest|page=1|language=pt|access-date=February 1, 2023))</ref>
| 85
|-
! scope="row"| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-albums/2022|title=Top 100 Albums Annual 2022|publisher=[[Productores de Música de España]]|work=El portal de Música|access-date=January 26, 2023))</ref>
| 69
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20221231/37502|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2022|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=January 4, 2023))</ref>
| 30
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/top-billboard-200-albums/|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2022|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 2, 2022))</ref>
| 41
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Alternative Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/top-alternative-albums/|title=Top Alternative Albums – Year-End 2022|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 20, 2023))</ref>
| 2
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2023 year-end chart performance for ''Folklore''
! scope="col"| Chart (2023)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2023/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for 2023|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|access-date=January 12, 2024))</ref>
| 12
|-
! scope="row"| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>((cite web|url=https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/oe3austriatop40longplay/|title=Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023|date=November 8, 2019 |publisher=[[Ö3 Austria Top 40]]|language=de|access-date=December 28, 2023|archive-date=December 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228085855/https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/oe3austriatop40longplay/|url-status=live))</ref>
| 35
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2023&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2023|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=January 7, 2024))</ref>
| 18
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2023&cat=a|title=Rapports annuels 2023|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=fr|access-date=January 7, 2024))</ref>
| 178
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/top-canadian-albums/|title=Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2023|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 22, 2023))</ref>
| 13
|-
! scope="row"| Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>((cite web|url=https://hitlisten.nu/aarslister.asp?list=Album%20100&year=2023|title=Album Top-100 2023|publisher=[[Hitlisten]]|access-date=January 13, 2024))</ref>
| 51
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>((cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2023&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2023|website=dutchcharts.nl|language=nl|access-date=January 3, 2024))</ref>
| 23
|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.mtv.de/info/9rdbv0/jahrescharts-2023-album|title=Jahrescharts 2023 Album|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment charts]]|language=de|access-date=December 10, 2023))</ref>
| 41
|-
! scope="row"| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)<ref>((cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-slagerlistak/album/2023|title=Album Top 100 – digitális és fizikai értékesítés alapján – 2023|publisher=MAHASZ|access-date=January 26, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125132708/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-slagerlistak/album/2023|archive-date=January 25, 2024|language=hu))</ref>
| 82
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>((cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5732|title=Top Selling Albums of 2023|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|access-date=December 22, 2023|archive-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221165646/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5732))</ref>
| 12
|-
! scope="row"| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-albums/2023|title=Top 100 Albums Yearly|publisher=[[Productores de Música de España]]|work=El portal de Música|access-date=January 20, 2024))</ref>
| 92
|-
! scope="row"| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/83?dspy=2023&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album, 2023|publisher=[[Sverigetopplistan]]|access-date=January 18, 2024))</ref>
| 76
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20230101/37502/|title=End of Year Albums Chart – 2023|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=January 3, 2024))</ref>
| 13
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/top-billboard-200-albums/|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 21, 2023))</ref>
| 12
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Alternative Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/top-alternative-albums/|title=Top Alternative Albums – Year-End 2023|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 21, 2023))</ref>
| 1
|}
((col-end))

== Certifications ==
((Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Folklore'', with pure sales where available))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=|artist=|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|access-date=October 27, 2023))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=album|title=Folklore|artist=Taylor Swift|award=Platinum|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|access-date=May 29, 2024))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|award=Gold|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|access-date=August 30, 2022))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|award=Platinum|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|id=10535|access-date=September 7, 2021))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|access-date=December 23, 2023))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|award=Platinum|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|id=12291|access-date=March 25, 2024))
((Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|award=Platinum|number=4|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|id=5804|access-date=May 11, 2024))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|access-date=November 19, 2021|refname="NorwayCert"))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|access-date=August 2, 2023))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Singapore|title=|artist=|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2021|access-date=January 23, 2023))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|date=March 2022|id=taylor-swift-Folklore|access-date=March 22, 2022))
((Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Folklore|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|access-date=April 15, 2024))
((Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Folklore|type=album|artist=Taylor Swift|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|award=Platinum|number=2|id=2329-1598-2|access-date=December 8, 2023))
((Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Folklore|type=album|artist=Taylor Swift|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2022|relyear=2020|access-date=October 19, 2022|salesamount=2,289,000|salesref=((efn|US sales for ''Folklore'' as of January 2024<ref name="US2024sales">((cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-2-million-sales-1235584599/ |title=Taylor Swift's '1989 (Taylor's Version)' Surpasses 2 Million in U.S. Sales |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024))</ref>))))
((Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true))

== See also ==
* [[List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2020|List of ''Billboard'' 200 number-one albums of 2020]]
* [[List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2020s]]
* [[List of UK Album Downloads Chart number ones of the 2020s]]
* [[List of number-one albums of 2020 (Canada)]]
* [[List of number-one albums of 2020 (Australia)]]
* [[List of number-one albums of 2020 (Ireland)]]
* [[List of number-one albums from the 2020s (New Zealand)]]
* [[List of number-one albums in Norway]]
* [[List of number-one albums of 2020 (Belgium)]]
* [[List of best-selling albums in China]]

== Footnotes ==
((notelist))
((NoteFoot))

== References ==
((reflist))

== External links ==
* ((Discogs master|type=album|1777815|name=Folklore))

((Taylor Swift))
((Grammy Award for Album of the Year))

((authority control))

[[Category:2020 albums]]
[[Category:Taylor Swift albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Taylor Swift]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jack Antonoff]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Aaron Dessner]]
[[Category:Alternative rock albums by American artists]]
[[Category:Chamber pop albums]]
[[Category:Concept albums]]
[[Category:Folktronica albums]]
[[Category:Albums impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Indie folk albums by American artists]]
[[Category:Indietronica albums by American artists]]
[[Category:Republic Records albums]]
[[Category:Surprise albums]]
[[Category:Grammy Award for Album of the Year]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Electric Lady Studios]]
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