Everything We Know About Taylor Swift's Surprise Release Album Folklore

Taylor Swift is blessing us with some new music, and it's arriving soon. The singer's announcement of her new album, Folklore, on July 23 came as a surprise to her fans. "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," she wrote on Instagram. "And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise. Tonight at midnight I'll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I've poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into."

Swift continued, "I wrote and recorded this in isolation but got to collaborate with some musical heroes of mine." Swift's collaborators on Folklore include Aaron Dressner, Bon Iver, William Bowery, and Jack Antonoff.

While the middle of a global pandemic might seem like a strange time to drop a new album, Swift said that it's the current situation that inspired her to release the album now instead of waiting for the "perfect" time. She said that "the times we're living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed."

Swift added, "My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That's the side of uncertainty I can get on board with. Love you guys so much."

In another Instagram post, Swift revealed that the standard edition of Folklore will feature 16 tracks, but the deluxe editions will have a bonus track called "the lakes." She added, "Because this is my 8th studio album, I made 8 deluxe CD editions and 8 deluxe vinyl editions that are available for one week. Each deluxe edition has unique covers, photos, and artwork." The deluxe editions are available exclusively at Swift's website, taylorswift.com.

The surprises don't stop there. "The music video for 'cardigan' will premiere tonight, which I wrote/directed," announced Swift in another Instagram post. Swift added that, due to the pandemic, extra precautions were taken on the set of the video. "The entire shoot was overseen by a medical inspector, everyone wore masks, stayed away from each other, and I even did my own hair, makeup, and styling," she said.