By Ethan Shanfeld
Taylor Swift won the Grammy for best pop vocal album for “Midnights” and, in her acceptance speech, announced her next studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” out April 19.
“Okay, this is my 13th Grammy, which is my lucky number. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that,” Swift joked at the top of her speech. “I want to say thank you to the members of the Recording Academy for voting this way, but I know that the way that the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans. So I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I have been keeping from you for the last two years, which is that my brand-new album comes out April 19th. It’s called ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ I’m going to go and post the cover right now backstage. Thank you, I love you! Thank you!”
A post on Swift’s Instagram immediately went live, revealing what appears to be the album’s artwork. She also posted a photo of a handwritten note that reads, “And so I enter into evidence / My tarnished coat of arms / My muses, acquired like bruises / My talismans and charms / The tick, tick, tick of love bombs / My veins of pitch black ink / All’s fair in love and poetry…” She signed off the poem (or lyrics) with, “Sincerely, The Chairman of the Tortured Poets Department.”
Taylor Swift announces her new album 'The Tortured Poets Department' at the #Grammys. pic.twitter.com/uKCXm5RQbj
A pre-order link on Swift’s website details the new album: It will be 16 tracks, and the vinyl, CD and cassette editions will feature a bonus song called “The Manuscript.” There is also a collectible 24-page book-bound jacket with three handwritten lyrics and never-before-seen photos.
Many fans expected Swift to formally announce “Reputation,” one of the last two remaining albums in her “Taylor’s Version” re-recording project, as earlier today the pop star changed her social media avatars to black and white, mirroring the album’s color scheme.
Swift was nominated for six Grammys this year surrounding her 2022 album “Midnights,” which is up for album of the year. Her song “Anti-Hero” was nominated for best pop solo performance, which went to Miley Cyrus for “Flowers.” Swift is also competing for song of the year and record of the year, as well as best pop duo/group performance for “Karma,” with Ice Spice.
Her latest Grammy win is just another stop in Swift’s yearlong victory lap, which includes her record-breaking Eras Tour and its accompanying concert movie. On Feb. 7, Swift will resume the tour in Japan before traveling to Melbourne and Sydney. The tour continues throughout the entirety of 2024, with Swift returning to the U.S. in October and November.
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