17 POP CULTURE MOMENTS THAT DEFINE THE COVID ERA

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We asked an array of cultural critics to consider the following 17 artifacts, each of which captured something essential during Covid. These works reflected a tumultuous moment back at us, illuminating it and us, too.
 

If you were putting together a time capsule to let people in 100 years know what living through this pandemic felt like, sure, you might include hand sanitizer and a surgical mask. But you must also include [… ] a group chat about Taylor Swift.

The New York Times

 

 

 

The Superstar’s Voice in Our Ears

Taylor Swift’s 'folklore'

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BY ELAMIN ABDELMAHMOUD If the first months of what we now casually refer to as "quarantine" were defined by fear and uncertainty, by July of 2020 we’d entered the monotony era. In many states, movie theaters were still closed, concert venues hadn’t reopened, and indoor gatherings were mostly verboten.

 

That’s when Taylor Swift’s 'folklore' dropped — the first of three original albums she would release between 2020 and 2023. Countless group chats were created to praise its melodies and dissect its lyrics. Just when we craved closeness the most, Ms. Swift’s vocals, recorded in the confines of her bedroom, felt unprecedentedly intimate.

If her previous albums were made for pop maximalism, 'folklore' sounded so stripped down that you could literally hear her breathe.

 

'folklore' arrived like a gift that only one of the biggest pop stars on the planet could give us: an album we couldn’t stop talking about at exactly the moment we needed something to obsess over together and help us mark the difference between days.

 

The only other musical moment to feature on the list is Pop Smoke's 2020 single "Dior".  

 

All 17 "Covid-defining" moments picked by the NYT:

Spoiler

“The White Lotus” [TV show]

Ling Ma’s “Severance” [Novel]

“Lunch Doodles With Mo Willems” [YouTube Series]

ENDLESS BAKING SHOWS

Pop Smoke’s “Dior” [Song]

Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” [Album]

“Ted Lasso” [TV Show]

TIKTOK CHALLENGES

Among Us [Video Game]

“Love Is Blind” [Reality Series]

“Tenet” [Movie]

ZILLOW

“Final Fantasy VII Remake” [Video Game]

Kim Kardashian’s Skims [Clothing]

Bo Burnham’s “Inside” [Musical/Comedy Special]

THE SLAP

Pandemic: The Game [Board Game]

 

 

Edited July 27, 20233 yr by Feanor

they can bark all they want but we all know CHROMATICA was the actual covid defining album

 

it made us dance trough the pain, the flu symptoms, the cabin fever and the uncertainty 

That's an understandable conclusion. I feel as if Future Nostalgia or After Hours defined it for me though

1 minute ago, shyboi said:

they can bark all they want but we all know CHROMATICA was the actual covid defining album

 

it made us dance trough the pain, the flu symptoms, the cabin fever and the uncertainty 

We? Who is "we"?

 

OT:

Just now, Virgos Groove said:

We? Who is "we"?

 

OT:

 

me, you and every single human being that was affected by the pandemic, that have ears and taste.

they can bark all they want but we all know FUTURE NOSTALGIA was the actual covid defining album

 

it made us dance trough the pain, the flu symptoms, the cabin fever and the uncertainty 

idk about that list. seems too US focus. maybe they should’ve put a disclaimer that it is US only covid moments

6 minutes ago, shyboi said:

they can bark all they want but we all know CHROMATICA was the actual covid defining album

 

it made us dance trough the pain, the flu symptoms, the cabin fever and the uncertainty 

weren't u just dragging gaga yesterday, this setup

 

I have personally never heard it.

 

Chromatica, Plastic Hearts, Future Nostalgia, and Ungodly Hour were on repeat.

1 minute ago, Smarticle said:

weren't u just dragging gaga yesterday, this setup

 

 

Dragging? i was being non biased . I don't have to like everything my favs do, not even Lana.

Animal Crossing should be on that list

for who lol 

Future nostalgia and Chromatica

 

despite the fact that Folklore sound would match more, almost no country in the world was still in a 100% lockdown situation during Folklore. Of course A LOT of things were closed and had several social rules and etc etc around the world, veryyy “controlled” but lockdown itself was so future nostalgia and chromatica times 

They are party albums and still give “me at my house” feeling so much  

Edited April 8, 20233 yr by Selegend

folklore was the only album made IN isolation unlike the others mentioned

the album of the decade, IKTR!

 

  

3 minutes ago, jpsketch said:

Chromatica, Plastic Hearts, Future Nostalgia, and Ungodly Hour were on repeat.

I have personally never heard these its.

Edited April 8, 20233 yr by fridayteenage

11 minutes ago, shyboi said:

they can bark all they want but we all know CHROMATICA was the actual covid defining album

 

it made us dance trough the pain, the flu symptoms, the cabin fever and the uncertainty 

Not a single lie was told.

 

If anyone says anything but Chromatica as the COVID album, they're utterly delusional.

My albums were Future Nostalgia, and in 2020 I was obsessed with El Mal Querer

Edited April 8, 20233 yr by Lose My Breath

Chromatica. 

 

 

1 minute ago, Beyonceist said:

Not a single lie was told.

 

If anyone says anything but Chromatica as the COVID album, they're utterly delusional.

 

iktr, only another baddie bih would relate, we remain iconic sis 

The amount of "lockdown made me/us wrote songs" albums came out since folklore... yep it was THE blueprint for sure

1 minute ago, enchanted0 said:

The amount of "lockdown made me/us wrote songs" albums came out since folklore... yep it was THE blueprint for sure

Sis... come one, that was just the nature of the situation.

 

 

Future Nostalgia, After Hours and Folkevermore were the albums of the pandemic tbh

Just now, Lose My Breath said:

Sis... come one, that was just the nature of the situation.

 

 

Still none of the those covid inspired albums made a bigger impact than folklore so NYT didn't lie

I am treated for depression and co. as I stand - I envy people who needed this snoozefest of an album to completely seal their 'lockdown depression' persona coz..  sheesh.

 

People needed something up-tempo what only likes of Gaga and Dua delivered. 

Lmaoo no shade to Taylor but

 

i think of dua and doja cat tbh