Taylor Swift has taken to social media to make the exciting announcement that she will be releasing a surprise album at midnight (EST), tonight!
Those of us in the UK will have to wait until 5am for the album drop, but it's sure to be worth it. Since the release of 'Lover' in 2019, Swifties all over the world have been waiting patiently for the announcement of a new album.
Taylor's 8th album, 'Folklore', is expected to be an outpour of all of her "whims, dreams and fears." While coronavirus may have caused her to cancel her highly anticipated tour, it has given her the time to produce a whole new album that she didn't plan on making.
While she may have written these songs in isolation, 'Folklore' will also feature even more talent, in the form of Justin Vernon (from Bon Iver), Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner.
In a statement about her surprise announcement, Taylor explained: “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.”
Not only do we have a new album, but we also have the full tracklist (see below) and a music video for the second track, 'Cardigan'.
Tracklist
The 1
Cardigan
The Last Great American Dynasty
Exile (ft. Bon Iver)
My Tears Ricochet
Mirrorball
Seven
August
This Is Me Trying
Illicit Affairs
Invisible String
Mad Woman
Epiphany
Betty
Peace
Hoax
The Lakes
Could isolation increase creative flow?
It can sometimes seem like the best creative ideas are born through collaboration, meetings and endless brainstorms, however often the best creative brainwaves come from isolation. In fact, some of the most creative minds are introverted by nature.
Being alone isn't the same thing as being lonely. Those who are able to embrace their own company and find peace within themselves are able to drown out the outside world and really lose themselves in their work. There are no distractions, no responsibilities, just pure focus.
Interestingly, isolation is only creatively productive if it is by choice, or accepted by an individual. Involuntary isolation that is resisted can actually have the opposite effect, reducing the quality of work and mental health.
The fact that Taylor Swift has managed to produce a whole album in isolation can only suggest that she has generally coped very well in solitude and has managed to channel her time alone into creativity. We're very excited to see how this new style of creativity will translate in Taylor's music. If she has been thriving, it will definitely show in 'Folklore'.