Taylor Swift was so bummed that all her big summer plans didn’t pan out that she went into the studio to work out her emotions. And, as it turns out, she recorded a whole new album, folklore, which will drop at midnight tonight (July 23).
“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,” she wrote on Instagram, announcing the surprise release with a series of images of a fog-enshrouded forest. “And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise 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. I wrote and recorded this music in isolation but got to collaborate with some musical heroes of mine.”
Among the people Swift worked with are producer and The National guitarist Aaron Dessner, who co-wrote or produced 11 of the 16 songs on the album, as well as Bon Iver, who co-wrote and sings on one of the tracks; William Bowery, who co-wrote two songs; and, of course, Swift’s frequent collaborator producer-songwriter-singer Jack Antonoff, who she said “is basically musical family at this point.”
“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 said. “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.”
Related Stories
In addition to the 16 songs that will appear on the standard edition, the physical deluxe editions will include a bonus track, “the lakes.” Swift said in a follow-up post that, “because this is my 8th studio album, I made 8 deluxe CD editions and 8 deluxe vinyl editions that are available for one week Each deluxe edition has unique covers, photos, and artwork. Available exclusively at taylorswift.com.”
The track list for ‘olklore:
1) “the 1”
2) “cardigan”
3) “the last great american dynasty”
4) “exile” (featuring Bon Iver)
5) “my tears ricochet”
6) “mirrorball”
7) “seven”
8) “august”
9) “this is me trying”
10) “illicit affairs”
11) “invisible string”
12) “mad woman”
13) “epiphany”
14) “betty”
15) “peace”
16) “hoax”
Swift added that the music video for “Cardigan” will drop at midnight. Swift wrote that the video was filmed safely, with the “entire shoot … overseen by a medical inspector, everyone wore masks, stayed away from each other, and I even did my own hair, makeup, and styling.”
Folklore is the follow-up to last year’s Lover.
A version of this story first appeared on billboard.com
