Taylor Swift has announced the surprise release of her eighth studio album, which she recorded in isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.
The musician said in the past she would have “overthought” when to release the record, entitled Folklore.
However, she said the uncertainty of the current world had reminded her that “nothing is guaranteed”.
In a long post on Instagram, accompanied by a collage of black and white photographs of herself alone in the woods, she wrote: “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; @aarondessner (who has co-written or produced 11 of the 16 songs), @boniver (who co-wrote and was kind enough to sing on one with me), William Bowery (who co-wrote two with me) and @jackantonoff (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 @bethgarrabrant.
“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 also shared a track list for the album, which will have 16 songs, including The Last Great American Dynasty, Exile and My Tears Ricochet.
She also announced she will share the music video for track Cardigan when the album is released, and gave fans a look at a frame from it.
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 pic.twitter.com/2hNXnzFbwY
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 23, 2020
Folklore is a follow-up to Swift’s latest album Lover, which she released in August 2019.