Taylor Swift unveiled her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on April 19th, consisting of a whopping 31 tracks, effectively a double-album anthology. The LP blends moody synth-pop and alt-rock, echoing elements from her previous works like “Midnights,” “Folklore,” and “Evermore,” yet maintaining its unique artistic essence. The lyrics delve into wild, stream-of-consciousness narratives, as showcased in the title track where Swift humorously recounts mundane moments with an ex.
“You smokеd then ate seven bars of chocolate,” Swift sings. “We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.”
The Puth lyric sparked a frenzy online, with fans sharing humorous reaction videos. However, Swift’s assertion rings true: Charlie Puth deserves greater recognition. Rising from YouTube covers to appearances on “The Ellen Show,” the New Jersey-born pop sensation secured a record deal and crafted a remarkable career.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Puth boasts hits like “See You Again” with Wiz Khalifa, “Marvin Gaye” with Meghan Trainor, and his 2018 single “Attention.” Notably, he co-wrote and produced Justin Bieber and The Kid Laroi’s 2021 chart-topper “Stay.” Puth’s versatility both on stage and behind the scenes underscores his musical prowess, validating Swift’s endorsement.
“My whole thing on TikTok is to prove that anything in this world can be made into music,” he told Host Jimmy Fallon in the interview. “Everything has tonality to it.”
One particular segment from “The Tonight Show” in 2023 illustrates Puth’s talent. In it, he demonstrates his ability to create beats using everyday items like mugs and spoons, culminating in an infectious groove. Perhaps this display solidified Swift’s admiration for Puth.
