Taylor Swift Closes “Sensational And Sorrowful” Chapter With Release Of “The Tortured Poets Department”
Taylor Swift is already mapping out her next steps following the launch of her latest album.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on April 19, the 34-year-old artist marked the release of her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. She described it as an anthology capturing the essence of a moment in time, brimming with both sensationalism and sorrow. She emphasized the closure of this chapter in her life, asserting that once wounds have healed, there’s no need for vengeance.
“The Tortured Poets Department. An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time – one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure. This period of the author’s life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up,” she wrote, adding, “There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed. And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted. This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page.”
According to the pop sensation, expressing sorrow through writing can be liberating, leaving behind only the remnants of “tortured poetry.”
“Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it. And then all that’s left behind is the tortured poetry,” she wrote.
Just a day before, on April 18, Taylor took to Instagram to reveal the lead single from her album, a single titled Fortnight, featuring Post Malone. Expressing her admiration for Post’s songwriting prowess and catchy melodies, she eagerly anticipated sharing their collaborative magic with the world.
“I’ve been such a huge fan of Post because of the writer he is, his musical experimentation and those melodies he creates that just stick in your head forever. I got to witness that magic come to life firsthand when we worked together on Fortnight,” she wrote of the Sunflower singer.
Excitement soared as Taylor also announced the release of the Fortnight music video, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on April 19, coinciding with the album’s launch.
Fortnight sets the stage for The Tortured Poets Department, serving as the opening track. Among the album’s lineup, only one other song, Florida!!!, features a guest artist, Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine.
Taylor first unveiled her album plans at the Grammy Awards in February, hinting at its thematic focus on heartbreak. She further teased fans with exclusive playlists on Apple Music, providing glimpses into the deeply personal lyrics awaiting them.
Ahead of the album drop, Spotify curated a pop-up exhibit in Los Angeles, immersing Swifties in a library-themed room adorned with clues about the record. This interactive experience offered a sneak peek into the themes and imagery woven throughout the music.
