
- Taylor Swift revealed on Instagram that she's dropping a surprise eighth album, folklore, tonight at midnight.
- Swift will also release the first music video for "cardigan" tonight, which she wrote and directed herself.
- Her last album, Lover, came out under a year ago, in August 2019.
Swifties, find something—anything—to sit on and sit yourselves down right now: Taylor Swift just announced she's releasing her eighth studio album, titled folklore, at midnight tonight, in a surprise Instagram announcement that came completely out of the blue. Swift usually takes at least two years to release a new album, but folklore will drop less than a year after her previous release, Lover. What's more, she's usually a fan of dropping carefully crafted hints and clues for her fans to decipher, but this time it's unlikely even the most devoted Swifties saw this coming.
"Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed," she explained. "My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with."
Swift wrote and recorded the album in isolation, she said on Instagram. She also revealed three of her collaborators on the album, who she called her "musical heroes": The National's Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver, William Bowery, and Bleachers' Jack Antonoff.
A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)
A photo posted by on
The first music video from the album, "cardigan," will also drop tonight—and Swift wrote and directed it herself.
A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)
A photo posted by on
Swift also shared the 16-song tracklist for the album, revealing that the deluxe CD editions will feature a bonus song, "the lakes." It seems safe to assume that track number one, appropriately titled "the 1," is a tribute to boyfriend Joe Alwyn, while you can consider me extremely interested in track 12, "mad woman."
A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)
A photo posted by on
Well, Swifties, hasn't this Thursday got off to a good start!
RELATED STORIES
Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.
-
The Perfumer Behind Last Year's Most Talked-About Fragrance Just Released Another Perfect Scent
Aqua Media Cologne forte embodies a feeling of balance and harmony.
By Deena Campbell
-
'Yellowface' Is Our June Book Club Pick
Read an excerpt from R.F. Kuang's latest novel, here, then dive in with us throughout the month.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
I Scoured the Summer Runways—Here Are the Six Shoe Trends Actually Worth Buying
Hit the ground running this season.
By Emma Childs
-
Miley Cyrus Heartbreakingly Admits That She Carried "Guilt and Shame" After Her 2013 Twerking Controversy
She's let those feelings go now.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Miley Cyrus' Song 'Flowers' Was Originally Going to Have VERY Different Lyrics, She Reveals in 'British Vogue' Interview
This is unexpected.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Miley Cyrus' New Song Is Packed With References to Ex Liam Hemsworth, And People Are Obsessed With Her "Queen Behavior"
Exhibit A: She released it on his birthday.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Taylor Swift Fans Have Big Feelings About Ticketmaster Crashing Due to "Historically Unprecedented Demand"
There was heartbreak.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Taylor Swift Beat the *Actual* Beatles With Her New Billboard Chart Rankings
I am shaken to the very core.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Taylor Swift Removes "Fat" Scale Scene From Music Video Following Backlash
The discussion rages on.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton