There’s a clear religion motif that kinda feels like a callback to 1989? Specifically with the heaven/hell imagery. Let’s see, 1989 had:
- magic, madness, heaven, sin
- heaven can’t help me now … handsome as hell
- could end in burning flames or paradise
I feel like Cruel Summer and False God are a continuation of this strand of 1989? Jaded Taylor, doing things she knows are bad because they feel so damn good.
Now I’m all about that, and Cruel Summer is absolutely my favorite song on Lover but it actually does feel like it could be on 1989 and that lack of progression is interesting
(oh man, also note “cut the headlights” vs “come and pick me up, no headlights”)