Getty Image / Kevin Mazur
It’s been clear for a few hours that Taylor Swift was set to make a huge announcement sometime on Sunday, during or after the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.
That did, in fact, happen. But, it was not at all the announcement anyone expected, setting the music world on fire.
Most expected the announcement to be a re-recording of her album Reputation, as Taylor Swift gets closer to re-recording her first seven albums due to a dispute over her masters with music mogul Scooter Braun.
Instead, after winning her 13th Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album with Midnights, she announced that she is releasing a new album, The Tortured Poet’s Department, on April 19.
I would’ve bet a lot of money that she was going to announce the release date of Reputation. She only needs to re-release that album and her self-titled debut album to own all of her masters again, something that is seemingly very important to her.
And, there were definite signs something big was coming. Her website went dark earlier in the day, and a cryptic analog clock necklace sent fans scurrying for clues.
But, in Taylor Swift fashion, she surprised the entire music world. This new album comes at a time where she has dominated the cultural zeitgeist and conversation like maybe no one else has. She was named Time Person Of The Year in 2023 after her Eras Tour smashed record after record.
She will resume the Eras Tour in Tokyo this week, but her biggest appearance coming up is Super Bowl LVIII, which she will attend to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Their relationship has seemingly been the top pop culture topic since she first started attending his games back in September of last year.
As for the new album, I’m sure that it will be one of the most-anticipated album releases in history.