Taylor Swift references Impressionists in her new album “The Tortured Poets Department,” with a specific mention on track 12, “loml,” alluding to Impressionist paintings as fake representations of heaven. This artistic metaphor is not unique to Swift, as fellow singer-songwriters Lana del Rey, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lorde have also used art references in their music to convey romantic sentiments. Lana del Rey’s nostalgic lyrics often draw on visual arts like Norman Rockwell and Art Deco, while Phoebe Bridgers’ melancholic songs incorporate references to artists like Matisse. Lorde, in her song “The Louvre,” equates her intense infatuation to being worthy of hanging in the famous art museum. These artists demonstrate the intersection of music and visual art in their creative expressions.
Taylor Swift’s Impressionist Touch in New Album
Taylor Swift is known for her storytelling prowess through music, and her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, is no exception. One interesting aspect of the album is how Swift references Impressionist art in the lyrics. The song “loml” hints at a tumultuous relationship, with lyrics like “your Impressionist paintings of heaven turned out to be fakes.” This metaphorical reference to Impressionist art adds a layer of depth to the emotional narrative of the song.
Lana Del Rey: Nostalgia and Artistic Allusions
Lana del Rey, another talented singer-songwriter, has a penchant for incorporating art references into her music. In her album Norman Fucking Rockwell, she pays homage to Norman Rockwell, the iconic illustrator of midcentury American life. Del Rey’s poetic lyrics, such as “Give me Hallmark, one dream, one life, one lover, paint me happy in blue,” showcase her ability to blend nostalgia with visual art references seamlessly.
In songs like “Art Deco,” Lana del Rey captures the essence of the Art Deco era with lines like “You’re so Art Deco out on the floor, shining like gunmetal, cold and unsure.” Her ability to evoke the glamour and style of a bygone era through her music demonstrates her artistry in drawing inspiration from visual art forms.
Phoebe Bridgers: Beauty in Sadness and Art Critique
Phoebe Bridgers, known for her hauntingly beautiful songs, infuses art references into her music in a unique way. In her song “ICU,” Bridgers reflects on a breakup with poignant lyrics like “If you’re a work of art, I’m standing too close, I can see the brushstrokes.” This comparison between the emotional turmoil of a breakup and the scrutiny of art critique adds a layer of complexity to her storytelling.
Bridgers’s ability to intertwine themes of beauty, sadness, and artistic interpretation in her music showcases her depth as a songwriter. Even when delivering cutting lines like “I hate your mom,” Bridgers manages to blend raw emotion with artistic references, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling through her lyrics.
Lorde: Infatuation and Artistic Grandeur
Lorde, the talented singer behind hits like “Royals,” also weaves art references into her music with finesse. In the song “The Louvre,” Lorde delves into the excitement and intensity of infatuation with lines like “But we’re the greatest, they’ll hang us in the Louvre.” This grandiose reference to being immortalized in an art museum mirrors the intensity of emotions experienced during a newfound romance.
By likening her burgeoning relationship to being displayed alongside famous artworks, Lorde captures the euphoria and passion of young love in a vivid and poetic manner. Her ability to translate complex emotions into relatable and evocative lyrics sets her apart as a masterful storyteller in the music industry.
The integration of art references in music adds a layer of depth and sophistication to the storytelling process. Artists like Taylor Swift, Lana del Rey, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lorde demonstrate how visual art can inspire and enhance the emotional narratives within their songs. By drawing parallels between music and art, these singer-songwriters create a multi-dimensional experience for their listeners, inviting them to explore themes of love, loss, and longing through the lens of artistic expression.
