Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication Studies

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Dr. Andrew Herman

Advisor Role

Advisor

Second Advisor

Dr. Shaunasea Brown

Advisor Role

Reader

Abstract

To challenge the conceptual matter of “dark sound”, this major research paper centers around the popular music artist, Taylor Swift to demonstrate an overarching feminist wisdom in an alternative style of music to identify how Taylor Swift presents and embodies qualities of “dark sound”. Research done by D. Ferrett, Theodor Adorno, Roland Barthes and Paul C. Jasen are used to examine her popular music, and its intersections and influence on our culture and society. Using multimodal critical discourse analysis, this research paper discusses three of Swift’s songs; “willow” (evermore, 2020) for her sound, All Too Well: The Short Film (Red (Taylor’s Version), 2021) for her visual depiction of femininity, and her performance on the Eras Tour of “my tears ricochet” (folklore, 2020). These three songs provide multiple angles of analysis to showcase how Swift embodies femininity and “dark sound” within her catalogue as a popular music artist who is mass produced and commercially successful. This paper has uncovered that by leaning into her own acoustic style and embodying feminine figures such as the witch, the maiden, and the widow, Swift performs femininity and displays qualities of “dark sound” through sonic affect, and emotional resonance.

Convocation Year

2025

Convocation Season

Fall

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