Today, Taylor Swift made the surprise announcement that she will release her eighth studio album, recorded during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, tonight at midnight. The 10-time Grammy Award-winning artist began her career as a teenager and soon became one of the biggest Country music acts in the world. By her late teens she had crossed over into the pop music world, and quickly established herself as one of the most popular solo acts on the globe.
She has gone on to sell well over 50 million albums worldwide, and her tours regularly sell out. The multi-hyphenate is also an activist, recently becoming an advocate for the Black Livers Matter movement, and has appeared in a number of movies, including 2009's The Giver, as well as the Miss Americana, on Netflix earlier this year, revealing her struggles with life on the road and public criticism of her image. Her songs are often based on her real-life experiences. Common themes she covers include the sexism she's experienced during her career, as well as her public romantic relationships.
Now, Swift has taken the music world by surprise, announcing the unexpected release of her eighth studio album, entitled folklore, which will be available from midnight tonight. She also shared the album cover, an ethereal black and white shot of her standing in a forest wearing a thick coat. Swift says that she chose to release the album without "overthinking" it, something she would have done before this year. You can see the tweet below.
Swift mentions that she wrote the album in isolation, revealing that it was created during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. She wasn't entirely alone, though, collaborating with Indie Folk artist Bon Iver on one track, and co-writing the majority of the album with Aaron Dessner, best known as a founding member of the rock band The National. Swift later tweeted that the album will contain 16 songs, and a deluxe edition will include an extra track. She added that she will also release a self-written and directed music video for the track "cardigan," not her first directing credit, along with the album tonight.
Reaction to the announcement was swift and overwhelming. Swift's fans are well-known for their ion and enthusiasm, and their reaction to the news made it one of the top trending topics on Twitter and news sites around the world. Reaction focused on the surprise element, with many saying that it is one of the biggest surprise albums in music history.
Others focused on the album title, and guest artists, with many speculating that Taylor Swift is moving in a more folk music direction with this album. Given her Country music roots, the move would make sense, and she certainly has the songwriting ability to shift to almost any genre. Fans will be able to find out just how folksy the album is at midnight tonight.
Source: Taylor Swift/Twitter
