Taylor Swift once again shocked audiences by announcing the release of her brand new album, “The Tortured Poets Department” after winning a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album on Sunday. The first time she combined an acceptance speech and an album announcement was at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards when she announced “Midnights.”
Now, less than two years later, Swifties can expect the new album to be released on April 19. With a tracklist that sports songs such as “So Long, London,” “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” and “Down Bad,” Taylor Swift fans have taken the internet by storm to voice their excitement and discuss what they hope the album will sound like. The tracklist, released Monday morning, included features from Post Malone and Florence + The Machine.
TikTok user Michaela Horan explained in a viral video that the release of “The Tortured Poets Department” is a strategic way for Swift to sandwich new album releases between her re-recordings. While many other Swifties have also been eagerly searching for such easter eggs, some are in a state of disbelief after having their expectations of Swift announcing “reputation (Taylor’s Version)” completely subverted.
Content creator Katherine Zaino posted a TikTok that said the album is sure to cause her “so much emotional damage.” Many others echo this sentiment, predicting the album to sound like albums “folklore” and “evermore,” or the fan-favorite song “You’re Losing Me (From The Vault),” a bonus track on “Midnights.”
Some Swifties, such as user @swiftwigs on X, pointed out the parallels between the back cover of “Lover” and “The Tortured Poets Department,” and the post received over 3.4 million views. While some like user @torikat19_ believe that it is intentional, others believe that it is just a coincidence.
And the buzz around the album isn’t just limited to the internet. Right here at USC, students are eagerly awaiting “The Tortured Poets Department.”
“‘The Tortured Poets Department’ may be Taylor Swift’s most raw and unhinged album. The titles of the tracks such as ‘loml,’ ‘But Daddy I Love Him’ and ‘So Long London,’ are the most shocking tracks Swifties have ever seen,” Chris Raymundo, a sophomore majoring in game development and interactive design, said. “I’m ecstatic to hear the project’s sound and how the voices of Post Malone and Florence Welch will accompany her [Swift’s] vision.”
Like Raymundo, Char Bartel, a sophomore majoring in narrative studies, is excited to hear the style of the album.
“I never really know what to expect with Taylor (whether it’s going to more folk or electropop),” Bartel said. “I hope it has a hint of the same feel and sound as ‘folklore.’”
While there aren’t many details available about the album yet and fans continue theorizing about potential bridges and rhythms, they remain certain that “The Tortured Poets Department” will be a success.
“From the album name ‘Tortured Poets Department’ to the ‘I love you, it’s ruining my life’ line on the album, I am prepared to be hit with the most lyrical masterpiece about heartbreak, love and despair, and all that is in between,” Christina Vo, a junior majoring in sociology and NGOs and social change, said. “Swifties expected the ‘breakup album,’ but I think we’re going to find so much more than that, tapping into more her healing journey from losing someone you loved and how she moved on.”
Regardless of the style or content of the album, the excitement surrounding “The Tortured Poets Department” has only just begun.