Taylor Swift Announces Surprise Album: “folklore”
Like many Taylor Swift fans, I got used to counting holes in a fence and deciphering possible clues left by the global superstar on her Instagram captions, song lyrics, and music videos. So the last thing — and I mean the very last thing — I expected when I woke up today morning was to see her announce her eighth studio album, folklore, along with the track-list and the first single, through some simple, well-written social media posts.
Taylor Swift’s last album, Lover, came slow and steady, following cryptic clues and endless theories that set the stage for months (you can read about that here). Some of those theories did not end up being true. But when a random butterfly mural appeared in Nashville, and Swifties showed up believing it had something to do with the album, they were right. “I’ve never been more proud of your FBI level detective skills” Swift later said on her Instagram post, in which she posed in front of the mural, and then promptly announced the first single, ME!, featuring Brendon Urie from Panic At The Disco!
ME!, a lighthearted, self-love banger that’s as catchy as it is important, had a music video that was vibrant and packed with personal symbolism and hints about the album as well as about its future singles. It started with a pink and white snake that slithered down a colorful brick road, swiftly bursting into butterflies; a beautiful lead into the new, brighter album from her previous one as well as a clear metaphorical gesture of Swift’s own transformation on her road to freedom. Throughout the rest of the music video, Swift hinted at her future singles You Need To Calm Down, Lover, and The Man as well as revealed the title of the album, which she didn’t confirm until later. I watched that video countless times, and still couldn’t spot all her hidden messages. That woman, she’s good, and she knows it. Calling these hints “easter eggs,” it was obvious that she planned out her album, and more importantly, the execution of her album in its new era, delicately and meticulously.
So given her reputation of being the ultimate Easter-Egg Queen, it’s no surprise that her announcement today morning came as a shock to many, including myself, when we had been expecting to theorize about palm trees and count holes in fences again. But hey, no one’s complaining. If you ask me, this album might just be what I need to get through this year. Plus, there’s plenty of room for easter eggs after the album release, which I’m sure Swift knows and is counting on.
The album, including the music video for one of the songs, “cardigan” will drop at midnight eastern. In her Instagram post, Swift makes sure to mention that the video was shot keeping the pandemic in mind and with a medical inspector present. She also makes a point to thank her “bad ass” video team, and teasingly mentions that she did her own hair, makeup, and styling.
“The music video for “cardigan” will premiere tonight, which I wrote/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. 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 😂”
It is important to note that folklore is only the second album, alongside Lover, that Swift will own the masters of despite having created six other albums, all of which were monumental in their own way. Swift has not been quiet about her fight to own her work, which were sold to Scooter Braun by Scott Borchetta, the CEO of her previous record label, Big Machine Records. She shared her disappointment and disgust publicly, giving light to an important cause that’s often overlooked in the music industry: the right of artists to be able to own what they create.
Swift has mentioned that she will start re-recording her first five albums starting November, when she is contractually able to do so. Until then, we have one — and soon two — fabulous album(s) to stream, love, and celebrate.
Taylor Swift’s folklore comes in eight unique editions, each equipped with the bonus song, “the lakes” and its own unique collectible back cover. I personally liked and purchased the “betty’s garden” edition, but it sure is tempting to get at least one other.
The whole day, I have anxiously and excitedly counted down the hours leading up to midnight. Although the album isn’t out yet, the track list alone highlights Swift’s songwriting skills and growth, and reminds us what a remarkable, talented woman we get the honor to know and love. As the time comes closer to the album release, I can’t help but smile thinking about how she will own this album, how it’s fully and rightfully hers, how it deserves to be celebrated so much more for that very reason.
Only a few hours away now.
Buckle up, Swifties, we’re in for a ride. And it’s going to be a beautiful one.
