Paste magazine announced they removed the byline from their review of Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” album due to “threats of violence” following a review of one of her previous albums.
“Editor’s Note: There is no byline on this review due to how, in 2019 when Paste reviewed ‘Lover,’ the writer was sent threats of violence from readers who disagreed with the work,” the publication wrote via X Friday.
“We care more about the safety of our staff than a name attached to an article.”
The magazine’s “TTPD” review — which read “Paste Staff” on the byline instead of the writer’s name — was again critical of Swift, questioning her songwriting abilities on her 11th studio album.
The secret critic also slammed the Grammy winner’s newly released single, “Fortnight,” which features Post Malone.
“Between producer Jack Antonoff’s atrocious backing instrumental and the Y2K-era, teen dramedy echo chamber of a vocal harmony provided by out-of-place guest performer Post Malone, ‘Fortnight’ chokes on the vomit of its own opaqueness,” the review stated.
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The critic continued, “I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary,’ Swift muses, and it sounds like satire. This is your songwriter of the century? Open the schools.”
The review also said the billionaire singer had given her “worst lyricism to date” on her latest project.
The critic then claimed that Swift, 34, “no longer feels challenged to be good,” but recognized that “TTPD” will “not be a net loss” for her.
“She will sell out arenas and get her streams until she elects to quit this business (a phrase decidedly not in her vocabulary, surely),” the review added.
In the comments section of Paste Magazine’s explanation for their byline removal, people debated whether it was the right move on the publication’s part.
“The readers are ought to disagree with the work if all that’s included in the review is digs at taylor’s personal life instead of her music, do better,” one person wrote.
Another Swiftie weighed in, “Where is the music review? This is a gossip article…”
A third then chimed in, “I don’t agree with most of this review, but I do respect your decision to protect your staff. They don’t deserve to be hunted for having an opinion on art.”
Despite Paste Magazine’s review, “TTPD” reportedly made history, becoming the first album to garner more than 300 million Spotify streams in a single day.
On the project, the “Cruel Summer” singer took aim at Kim Kardashian and talked about her past romances with Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy.
Swift, for her part, celebrated by sharing an intimate home video on Friday with her fans.
