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When folklore arrived in July 2020, announced with almost no warning, it changed how a lot of people thought about Taylor Swift. Written and recorded during lockdown with Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, Bon Iver and William Bowery, it traded stadium pop for muted pianos, acoustic guitars and storytelling. It went on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.
It is also, arguably, her most natural vinyl album. The beige 2LP edition arrived for wide release in 2021 and is still one of the most-rated Swift records on Amazon, with more than 18,000 ratings. We examined the listing and the patterns in buyer feedback to see how well it holds up.
Best for quiet listening
folklore (Beige 2LP)
An intimate, mostly acoustic album that suits a turntable beautifully, on a widely stocked beige 2LP; buyers praise the sound but report some copies that skip, and the ‘beige’ reads more gold to many eyes.
What is in the package
The listing describes a two-disc set on beige vinyl from Taylor Swift / Republic Records, the official label. The description refers to 17 tracks. Retail listings for other folklore 2LP colors show the full running order over four sides, ending with the bonus track the lakes, so expect the same here.
The product page says little about inserts, so we will not guess. What matters most is the color and the pressing, which is where buyer feedback is most useful.
Why folklore suits vinyl
folklore is a quiet record. Much of it is built from piano, finger-picked guitar, soft synth pads and close-miked vocals. That kind of material benefits from the slower, more deliberate experience of a record: two discs, four sides, roughly four songs each, which encourages you to listen in sequence rather than skipping around.
The flip side is that quiet music exposes the format’s weaknesses. On a loud pop song, a little surface crackle disappears into the mix. On a hushed piano intro, it does not. That makes a clean, well-pressed copy, and a clean stylus, more important here than with most of her catalog.
Fans tend to describe the album’s mood as melancholic, autumnal and reflective. It is the record people put on during a rainy Sunday, and that use case is a large part of its long-running appeal on vinyl.
The beige question
The beige color is the edition’s identity, and Amazon’s summary of reviews singles out the beige pressing for praise. It also notes mixed opinions on the color itself: some buyers say it is more of a gold tint than beige.
That is not a defect. Colored vinyl varies with lighting, the exact compound mix and the pressing batch. A record that looks pale cream in a product photo can look honey-gold under warm bulbs. If you want a precise shade for a display wall, compare buyer photos before you commit; if you just want a warm, neutral color that fits the album’s woodland aesthetic, it does the job.
What buyers say
Across more than 18,500 ratings the record averages 4.7 out of 5. Amazon’s AI summary of the reviews reports:
- Praised: the album, described as stunning; the beige pressing; and the sound quality, with one buyer noting depth and nuance.
- Mood: buyers mention its melancholic vibe and the joy it brings them.
- Mixed: playability. Some say the vinyl plays well; others say it struggles to play properly or skips.
- Mixed: the color, which reads as gold-tinted to some.
Skipping reports on hugely popular colored pressings are not unusual, and they partly reflect the number of first-time turntable owners buying them. A cheap suitcase player with a heavy tonearm is far more likely to skip on any record. If you are buying folklore as a first record, our guide to starting and caring for a Taylor Swift vinyl collection covers the basics of setup.
Interestingly, the red folklore listing includes guidance on exactly this: it recommends a player with anti-skate adjustment and checking the turntable is level, with index cards under the feet if needed. That is good advice for any record.
How it compares
The obvious comparison is evermore, released later in 2020 as folklore’s sister album with largely the same collaborators. Its transparent green 2LP has a similarly high rating and a similar split on skipping. folklore is the more acclaimed and more cohesive of the two; evermore is looser and more adventurous. Most collectors end up with both.
If you prefer her pop side, the gap is wider. Our 1989 (Taylor’s Version) vinyl review covers a completely different listening experience: bright, loud and built for dancing. And for the full story of how her sound moved from country to this indie-folk turn, read Transforming Pop: Taylor Swift’s Journey from Fearless to Folklore.
Who should buy it
Buy the folklore beige 2LP if you want one Taylor Swift record that works for focused listening, or a gift for someone who loves singer-songwriters but is not a die-hard fan. It sits comfortably next to Bon Iver and The National on a shelf.
Skip it, or choose the CD, if your setup is a basic all-in-one player that you already know struggles with tracking. Quiet albums are unforgiving, and you will enjoy it more once your turntable is up to the job.
What we like
- Quiet, acoustic-leaning production is the kind of material vinyl presents well
- 17 tracks, per the listing, spread across two discs
- Buyers specifically praise the sound quality, with depth and nuance mentioned
- More than 18,000 ratings, among the most-rated Swift vinyl on Amazon
- Pairs naturally with evermore, its sister album, for a matching shelf set
What could be better
- Some buyers report playback problems and skipping
- The beige reads as gold-tinted to several buyers, so expect warmth, not cream
- Quiet passages expose surface noise more than loud pop does
- Little information on the listing about inserts or packaging
Key specifications
| Artist | Taylor Swift |
|---|---|
| Album | folklore, 8th studio album (2020) |
| Format | 2 x 12-inch LP |
| Color | Beige |
| Tracks | 17 (per listing description) |
| Collaborators | Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, Bon Iver, William Bowery |
| Explicit lyrics | Yes, per listing |
| Label | Taylor Swift / Republic Records |
Alternatives worth considering
The sister album
evermore (Transparent Green 2LP)
Her ninth album, made with the same core team, on transparent green vinyl with two bonus tracks. Buyers love the color; skipping reports are mixed.
View on Amazon →Retailer-exclusive color
folklore Exclusive Red 2LP
The same 17-song track list on red vinyl. A nice collector variant, though some buyers report cracked packaging.
View on Amazon →Warmer pop instead
Lover 2LP
If you want something sunnier, Lover has over 13,000 ratings and a song for every mood, according to buyers.
View on Amazon →Frequently asked questions
How many songs are on the folklore beige vinyl?
The listing description refers to 17 tracks. Retail listings for other folklore 2LP colors show the same list, with the bonus track the lakes closing side D.
Is the folklore vinyl actually beige?
It is officially beige, but several buyers say it looks more like a gold tint in person. Lighting and the pressing batch both affect how it reads.
Why does my folklore record skip?
Some buyers report skipping. Before assuming a defect, clean the record, check that your turntable is level, and make sure the tracking force and anti-skate are set correctly. If the skip stays at the same place, exchange the copy.
Should I buy folklore or evermore first?
folklore is the more celebrated of the two and the natural starting point. evermore continues the same sound with a slightly looser, more experimental feel, and the two look great side by side.
The verdict
folklore is the Taylor Swift album that most rewards sitting down with a turntable, and the beige 2LP is the easiest way to own it. Buyers praise its sound and its look, with the caveats that some copies skip and the beige leans gold. Buy it, inspect it on arrival, and if you love it, the evermore transparent green 2LP is the obvious next record.
Check folklore on AmazonHow we review: we research every product using the manufacturer’s specifications, independent expert sources and patterns across verified customer reviews, then score it against the alternatives in its price class. Prices and availability change often, so always check the current listing on Amazon.
