By Nikolina Koulouri,
After a year full of concerts, dancing, endless singing and earnings that have surpassed any artist, Taylor Swift started 2024 in the best possible way for her career. On the heels of winning Best Album at the Grammy Awards for her multi-award-winning 10th album Midnights, the talented artist, who has been driving her fans –or not– crazy with her easter eggs for the announcement of Reputation (Taylor’s Version), brings the twist and manages to once again captivate the audience by breaking the internet and announcing her 11th album, called The Tortured Poets Department.
The 19th of April marks a very important day for her audience, the so- called “Swifties”, as well as for her, since through this album she leaves her past behind and starts a new chapter, a new life that isn’t based on the difficult moments she faced in the past years. The hardest one seems to have been her breakup with her partner of six years and actor Joe Alwyn, with whom she ended the relationship shortly after the start of The Eras Tour, a world tour with a duration of amost four hours, billions in revenue and a total of 150 shows in 54 cities scheduled until the end of 2024, with a possibility for an extension to 2025. But this did not deter her, as she handled the incident in a highly professional manner and did not let suspicions about her person be implied, apart from conclusions based on the emotions expressed in her songs. Swift has been continuously receiving love from the thousands of viewers, both from the arena and various online streams, where everyone strives to listen to her charismatic voice, as well as see her theatrical stage presence.
And as if that wasn’t enough, since she is an artist who constantly surprises us, she surprised us once again on April 19, validating all the people who admire her for her work ethic. Since the day of the TTPD announcement at the Grammy Awards, she had been constantly using the word “two”, with signs or by using emojis in her posts, indicating the number two. This, of course, confused her audience who were trying to decipher her secret. Besides, we know how much she loves to play with her audience and let them search for her hidden messages in every move.
In fact, for TTPD there were hidden messages since 2022, through her photos on social media, or in the video clip of Bejeweled, which belongs to the album Midnights. So, with the release of the album, two hours passed, and her surprise was revealed. It was a second album, a continuation of the first, with the complementary title The Anthology. So, all in all, Taylor gave fans 31 new songs to listen to non-stop, plus one video clip for the main single Fortnight, in collaboration with the internationally renowned singer and songwriter Post Malone.
The genre of the album is not specific, although it is classified as synth pop. However, it seems to be influenced by all of Swift’s previous work, i.e. each track can be identified with a different aesthetic of a previous album. Of course, you are aware of the rumors that this album is exclusively about her breakup, but, after listening to the songs, it is obvious that it is not an exclusive set of songs about the separation of the former couple; it also includes tracks about her current relationship with footballer Travis Kelce (such as So High School and The Alchemy). In addition, it is rumored that one of the songs on her new album refers to her brief flirtation with songwriter Matty Healy. Another song that doesn’t mention past relationships is thanK you aIMee, whose capitalization reveals the name KIM and therefore may be related to the rift that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian caused against Taylor Swift back in 2016. All the same, tracks such as But Daddy, I Love Him are directly linked to Alwyn, a fact confirmed by the vocabulary used about a broken engagement, family and a possible pregnancy that was handled unhappily by her partner.
As Taylor Swift’s discography continues to evolve and resonate with audiences around the world, it stands as a testament to her unparalleled talent as a singer-songwriter. From her early country roots to her bold ventures into pop and alternative genres, Swift has consistently pushed artistic boundaries while staying true to her authentic voice. Her albums serve not just as collections of songs, but as snapshots of her life, capturing the highs and lows of love, heartbreak, growth, and self-discovery.
Through her music, Swift has forged a deep connection with her fans, who see themselves reflected in her lyrics and melodies. Each album represents a chapter in her journey, from the youthful exuberance of Fearless to the introspective maturity of folklore and evermore and after that, the boldness of The Tortured Poets Department. Along the way, she has garnered critical acclaim, commercial success and a dedicated following that excites and stuns generations.
As she continues to write, record and perform, Taylor Swift remains a towering figure in the music industry, shaping the landscape with her artistry, creativity, and unwavering authenticity. Her discography stands as a testament to her talent, her passion, and her enduring legacy as one of the greatest artists of her generation.
Reference
- The Tortured Poets Department. Genius. Available here
