A New Way for Swifties to Countdown
Taylor Swift’s global fanbase, known as Swifties, can now track the moments until her highly anticipated 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, drops. Spotify, the world’s leading streaming platform, has made it easier for fans to countdown to the album’s release by adding a countdown timer on Swift’s artist page.
Countdown Timer on Spotify
As of March 28, 2024, fans visiting Taylor Swift’s Spotify page on desktop will find the countdown prominently featured under the “Popular” section. By clicking the link, users are directed to a special pre-release page showcasing the album’s cover art and the full tracklist, along with a countdown that shows exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds remain until the album becomes available. Fans can also presave the album through this page, ensuring they get immediate access when it’s released.
The Album Tracklist and Collaborations
The tracklist for The Tortured Poets Department is comprised of 16 songs, seven of which are labeled as explicit. Notably, Swift has collaborated with a couple of high-profile artists on this record. The album’s opener, Fortnight, features Post Malone, while Florida!!! (track 8) includes Florence + The Machine. These collaborations have generated significant buzz, leaving fans eager for what the album holds.
Swift Reveals the Album at the Grammys
This announcement comes after Swift revealed her new project at the 2024 Grammys while accepting the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights. The 34-year-old singer, excited about her new work, shared with the audience, “I’ve been keeping a secret for the past two years… my new album comes out on April 19, and it’s called The Tortured Poets Department.”
Special Editions for Dedicated Fans
For those who enjoy a bit of extra content, Swift is releasing four bonus editions of the album. Each edition features one of four additional tracks titled The Manuscript, The Bolter, The Albatross, and The Black Dog. These exclusive versions of the album are expected to appeal to the dedicated fans who follow Swift’s every move.
The Emotional Inspiration Behind the Album
In a recent concert in Melbourne, Swift revealed the emotional significance behind The Tortured Poets Department, stating, “I needed to make this album. It was a lifeline for me. It reminded me of why songwriting is something that actually gets me through life.” She continued, “I’ve never had an album where I’ve needed songwriting more than I needed it on Tortured Poets.”
Fans Speculate About the Album’s Inspirations
Although Swift has not directly confirmed the inspirations for the album, fans have quickly speculated that it may touch upon the emotional aftermath of her breakup with actor Joe Alwyn. Swifties have pointed to the end of this six-year relationship as one possible source of the album’s raw, poignant material. Alwyn had previously referenced a “Tortured Man Club” chat involving himself, actor Paul Mescal, and Andrew Scott, which further fueled these speculations.
Swift’s Return to the Stage
As Taylor Swift takes a brief break from her global Eras tour, she will return in May for four shows in France. The anticipation around The Tortured Poets Department only continues to grow as Swift prepares to release her first studio album since Midnights on April 19, 2024.