Taylor Swift has just released a new album, folklore. The album arrived at midnight on July 23rd. Swift released the album without fans anticipation – keeping it a secret until earlier that same day. Swift took to Instagram to announce the album’s impending arrival, the morning of July 23rd
The album includes work contributed by well known Indie artists Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver, Jack Antonoff and William Bower. The National’s Aaron Dessner co-wrote or produced 11 out of the 16 tracks. Bon Iver, widely known for his 2008 hit “Skinny Love”, co-wrote and sings on one of the tracks.
“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,” shares Swift on Instagram.
Aaron Dessner also took to Instagram share thoughts on the project. Dessner admitted he was “excited and honored” when Taylor approached him about working together on new music. The two apparently began collaborating this past April.
Dessner continued to express praise for the singer. “I’ve rarely been so inspired by someone and it’s still hard to believe this even happened—these songs came together in such a challenging time.”
Swift goes on to address the timing of her surprise release on Instagram, “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.”
Along with the new album, Swift released an accompanying music video for the track “cardigan”. “cardigan” appears second on the album, and the music video has already raked in over 8 million plays on YouTube.
You can watch Swift’s new music video for “cardigan” below.
