Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated album, 'The Tortured Poets Department,' on Friday, taking fans on a journey through the stages of grief and heartbreak. The album features 16 songs, including collaborations with Post Malone and Florence + The Machine. Additionally, there are four bonus tracks available on different vinyl versions of the album.
On Instagram, Swift described the album as a collection of new works reflecting fleeting and fatalistic moments in time. She emphasized the closure of a chapter in her life, highlighting the healing power of expressing emotions through art.
Prior to the album's release, Swift announced that the first single, 'Fortnight,' featuring Post Malone, would be a part of the album. The album garnered significant attention on Spotify, becoming the most pre-saved album Countdown Page in the platform's history.
Swift surprised fans with the album announcement while accepting her 13th Grammy award. She expressed gratitude to her fans for their support and shared the release date of the album. Teasers and insights into the album were shared on social media, hinting at themes of heartbreak and personal growth.
Speculation arose among fans about the album's connection to Swift's breakup with actor Joe Alwyn, with some drawing parallels between the album's title and Alwyn's WhatsApp group chat. Tracks on the album further fueled speculation about the relationship.
Swift confirmed that heartbreak would be a central theme of the album, as she released exclusive playlists exploring the five stages of grief. She also teased lyrics from the album ahead of its release, building anticipation among her followers.
The album marks Swift's return to TikTok after a hiatus due to a dispute between the platform and Universal Music Group. 'The Tortured Poets Department' follows Swift's previous album, 'Midnights,' which received critical acclaim and won multiple Grammy awards.
