The next big Taylor Swift album is coming this month but a single or a huge promo campaign is not something we can look forward to
Since the album drops in less than a month, we can be almost certain The Tortured Poets Department will not have a single song launched before its release. The album launches on April 19. However, this has not stopped the fans from speculating. As anticipation builds for Taylor Swift‘s upcoming album fans are coming up with theories about its release strategy. A significant portion of her dedicated fanbase, “Swifties,” believe “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, could drop as a single on Friday, April 5th. There’s no official confirmation of this, it’s purely speculation.
These theories come from thinking about a break from Swift‘s recent pattern. Since 2020’s surprise releases of “Folklore” and “Evermore,” and the two months since “Midnights” was announced to its release. The common subject is how Taylor Swift hasn’t released a pre-album single in any of them. This trend continued with her recent re-recordings, offering no new material beforehand. With “Tortured Poets” arriving in just over two weeks, it appears this approach may hold true again.
Swifties are well known for their theories, some think a single may become a reality
However, some Swifties believe a return to her earlier strategy is possible. The word “fortnight” literally means “two weeks,” and April 5th falls exactly two weeks before the album’s release, creating an appealing release date for the song as a single. This theory has gained traction online, with fans on Reddit actively discussing the possibility.
Regardless of whether a pre-release single materializes, many Swifties agree that “Fortnight” is a strong contender for lead single status. Its position as the opening track and its high-profile collaboration with Post Malone makes it a likely choice.
Following the pattern established with “Folklore,” “Evermore,” and “Midnights,” a music video for the album’s first single could potentially coincide with the full album release on April 19th. If “Fortnight” doesn’t arrive on April 5th, Swifties can likely expect the first “Tortured Poets” visuals to debut alongside the album itself.
Taylor Swift is being extremely cryptic with this album, even more than usual
Taylor announced her album in her 13th Grammy Award acceptance speech. She revealed details about the highly anticipated record. “My brand-new album comes out April 19,” she declared, “It’s called The Tortured Poets Department. I’m gonna go and post the cover right now backstage.”
The chosen release date has sparked speculation back in the day among fans. Some suggested potential connections to Taylor’s personal life. April 19th coincides with the date of a dinner she shared with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, shortly after which they unfollowed her then-boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, on social media.
Beyond potential personal significance, April 19th also holds historical weight. It marks the date associated with the beginning of the American Revolution, a fitting theme considering Swift‘s self-proclaimed “Miss Americana” persona and the inclusion of a song titled “So Long, London” on a previous album. Additionally, April 19th is recognized as “Poetry and the Creative Mind Day,” further aligning with the album’s title.
The title of the album also holds a really personal meaning. Extremely quickly after the announcement, Taylor Swift‘s devoted fans identified a potential link between the album’s title and Joe Alwyn‘s reported WhatsApp group named “The Tortured Man Club.” The group in question included Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott together with him. While the connection remains unconfirmed, the possibility has sparked amusement among fans.
The fact of it being most likely a breakup album could be the reason behind the mystery surrounding it
Several song titles have seemingly prompted fans to jump to conclusions about a potential focus on her ex-boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. However, a source close to him, speaking to the Daily Mail, expressed skepticism. “If it is a diss album,” the source stated, “that is shady. He helped her with songwriting on her past album, so it would be a shock if she addressed their breakup, especially as he hasn’t spoken on it at all.” The source emphasized Alwyn‘s intention to remain silent regardless of the album’s content, highlighting his decision to distance himself from her public narrative.
Taylor Swift’s ongoing Eras Tour continues to offer insights into her forthcoming album. During a recent Melbourne concert, she unveiled a new album cover and a bonus track titled “The Bolter.” This revelation sent fans on Twitter into a frenzy of speculation, many drawing connections to her past relationship with Joe Alwyn. Theories largely stemmed from a well-known clip of Swift and Alwyn literally sprinting away from paparazzi into a black car, an event fans believe “The Bolter” could reference.
The only reality is that the album is coming in two weeks
Fan theories are the bread and butter of swifties. Nevertheless, the facts are still there. The album is coming. The track-list is revealed. Not to mention the top of the charts will, most likely, be occupied by Taylor as soon as the album drops. The Tortured Poets Department will launch on April 19th, with or without a single.
Guillermo Lorenzo Manzano
