Taylor Swift surprised fans with the announcement of a new album entitled, Folklore, on Thursday (July 23). The just-announced, 16-track eighth studio album, Folklore, will be unleashed at Midnight on Friday (July 24).
The superstar says that she wrote and recorded the album during quarantine.
“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. 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; Aaron Dessner (who has co-written or produced 11 of the 16 songs), Bon Iver (who co-wrote and was kind enough to sing on one with me), William Bowery (who co-wrote two with me) and Jack Antonoff (who is basically musical family at this point). Engineered by Laura Sisk and Jon Low, mixed by Serban Ghenea & Jon Low. The album photos were shot by the amazing Beth Garrabrant. 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. 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.”
Swift continued to explain the details of the new album saying that the album will have 16-tracks on the standard edition, but the physical deluxe editions will include a bonus track entitled “the lakes.”
“folklore will have 16 songs on the standard edition, but the physical deluxe editions will include a bonus track called “the lakes.” 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“
Accompanied with her eighth studio album release, fans will also get the music video to the album’s single “Cardigan” at midnight as well.
The star said that the music video premiering tonight, she wrote and directed with cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, producer Jil Hardin, executive producer Rebecca Skinner, AD joe ‘Oz’ Osbourne, Editor Chancler Haynes and special effects wizards David Lebensfeld & Grant Miller and the set was designed by Ethan Tobman. The shoot the overseen by a medical inspector and following the CDC guidelines of masks and social distancing, the star even revealing she did her own hair and makeup and styling for this video.
“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.”
Folklore Track List:
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
17. The Lakes (Bonus Track)
Folklore is the follow-up to Swift’s Lover, which was released just less than a year ago in August 2019.
