Taylor Swift announces new surprise album, and people are freaking out

Pop music superstar Taylor Swift surprised her fans Thursday by announcing her new album, “Folklore,” will be released Thursday night.

Swift said in an Instagram post the album, her eighth in her career, will be released at midnight. She said in a series of posts that she poured all of her “whims, dreams, fears and musings” into the album, which was recorded in isolation with some of her “musical heroes.”

“Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed,” she wrote. “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.”

Swift said the music video for “Cardigan” will also release at midnight. She wrote and directed the music video, she said.

“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 wrote.

Her legion of fans reacted strongly to the surprise album release. Many of her fans said she is “saving” 2020.

“Folklore” will be Swift’s first album since last August’s “Lover.” Each of her previous six albums have topped the Billboard 200 charts.

The new album will feature 16 songs, including one with Bon Iver, she said.

The reaction poured in on social media Thursday from her fans, Swifties, who are often known as some of the most loyal fans in the industry.

This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 8:44 AM with the headline "Taylor Swift announces new surprise album, and people are freaking out."