Dream pop is the first genre listed for Taylor Swift’s song “august.”
The track is also associated with guitar pop and soft rock, reflecting its blend of hazy vocals, ringing guitars, orchestral textures, and a strong melodic chorus. Its sound is more atmospheric and expansive than the traditional country-pop style of Swift’s earliest work.
Critics often described “august” as one of Folklore’s more pop-oriented songs. Aaron Dessner called it the album’s closest equivalent to a pop song, while its dense reverb and shimmering arrangement give it the dreamlike quality associated with dream pop.
Genre labels can overlap, so the song is not limited to one description. Dream pop is the canonical first genre in the song’s Wikipedia infobox; guitar pop and soft rock are also listed there.