Taylor Swift Announces Surprise New Album Folklore

Jessica Cohen
·2 min read

Taylor Swift is dropping a new album, tonight!

The Grammy winner took to Instagram on Thursday morning, July 23, to announce the exciting music news to her fans. "Most of the things I had planned this summer didn't end up happening, but there is something I hadn't planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore," Swift wrote. "Surprise [hug emoji] Tonight at midnight I'll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I've poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into."

Swift shared that she wrote and recorded this music "in isolation" but still got to collaborate with some "musical heroes" of hers, including Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver and Jack Antonoff.

"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," Swift continued. "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. Love you guys so much."

Taylor Swift's Miss Americana Doc

Swift told her fans that folklore will have 16 songs on the standard edition, however, the physical deluxe editions will include a bonus track called "the lakes." Also, because this is Swift's eighth studio album she "made 8 deluxe CD editions and 8 deluxe vinyl editions that are available for one week."

The superstar singer shared, "Each deluxe edition has unique covers, photos, and artwork. Available exclusively at taylorswift.com."

Among the songs on Swift's track list include titles "The 1" and "My Tears Ricochet," as well as "August" and "Peace."

Swift will also be dropping the music video for her song "cardigan" tonight, which she wrote and directed.

"A million thank you's to my brilliant, bad ass video team - cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, producer Jil Hardin, executive producer Rebecca Skinner, AD Joe ‘Oz' Osbourne, editor Chancler Haynes, special effects wizards David Lebensfeld & Grant Miller, and set designer Ethan Tobman," Swift wrote alongside a still from the video. "The entire shoot was overseen by a medical inspector, everyone wore masks, stayed away from each other, and I even did my own hair, makeup, and styling."