If the works of literary phenomena Oscar Wilde and Edgar Allen Poe are still relevant to this day, Taylor Swift’s multiplying fanbase might ensure the same is said about her eleventh studio album if The Tortured Poets Club lives up to the hype.
No record in recent memory has been shrouded in as much speculation, fan theory, and conjecture as the transcendent artist’s Friday release, with a dubious album leak a day prior jumping the gun on what was supposed to be a collective unwrapping of Swift’s latest collection.
But in a world of AI, digital manipulation and fake news, the false start seemed to draw further speculation almost as quickly as the tracks were removed from user social accounts due to copyright violations.
While many artists might experience an impact on sales in such a case, the deafening silence that was a lack of response from Swift and her team only added fuel to the fire of conjecture.
What she did offer was a teaser trailer to her single with Post Malone, titled Fortnight, with a fleeting clip on Instagram depicting a tormented Swift breaking free of the shackles holding her back.
“At this hearing, I stand before my fellow members of The Tortured Poets Department with a summary of my findings. Album tonight.Fortnight music video tomorrow at 8pm et,” she captioned the post.
Hellbent on remaining loyal to their queen, some Swifites condemned their counterparts for having listened to the controversial leaks, opting to set their clocks to the very moment her 16-track set list became officially available. And probably a few reminders minutes before.
“Proud member of the never listened to a leak department,” one X user posted.
Either way, it was a win-win for the 34-year-old sensation, whose ‘every woman’ persona resonates with people around the world who want to feel something, and blame someone for the way they’re feeling.
Cue Taylor Swift’s ex-boyfriend dartboard — a.k.a her extensive discography — which has always targeted former lovers and aired their inadequacies like dirty laundry.
Joe Jonas reportedly broke up with the star over a 27-second phone call, penning tracks Forever & Always and Last Kiss about the band member.
Meeting on the set of Valentines Day, teen heartthrob Taylor Lautner made an impression in 2010 and inspired Back to December, which is actually thought to be an apology from Swift to her forlorn namesake.
Dear John — Jake Gyllenhaal — fuelled hit We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together — and 1989 album staple Style — referring to Harry Styles — are recognised by fans.
Then there was actor Joe Alwyn, whose six-year relationship with the singer was all but over in April 2023.
It’s well documented Swift has written songs about her English ex, though he actually collaborated with her under the pseudonym William Bowery before the couple’s working and intimate relationships were cut short.
An insight that appeared to foreshadow the album’s content was shared on X on February 5, the same day Swift announced her latest album at the Grammys in her acceptance speech, suggesting a personal group chat among friends of Alwyn was the inspiration behind it.
A photo shared wrote: “If you looked at Joe Alwyn’s Conversations With Friends, you’d see a group chat titled ‘The Tortured Man Club’. This is the name that Joe and Paul Mescal’s mutual friend chose for their Whatsapp group after Joe was cast in their upcoming Sally Rooney series.”
While fans largely expected Friday’s album release to be a hate letter her and Alwyn’s ill-fated relationship, a theory emerged pointing the gun at another former paramour.
Matt Healy, the polarising frontman of British punk band The 1975, is believed to have dated Swift from May to June in 2023 in what was only ever a fling.
However, after listening to the leaks with a fine tooth comb, some Swifties concluded the listed track But Daddy I Love Him is a direct reference to Healy, with further mentions potentially averting the gaze away from Alwyn altogether.
Haters love to hate, but it’s apparent they love to hate Healy a lot more than Alwyn.
While millions of fans around the world are now listening, opinions have come flooding in.
One fan said on X: “Ive had an awful day today but I wanted to stay up to listen to this new taylor swift album and I’m already super impressed with it sonically. I know she has her fair share of haters but I’ll never be one, she always delivers.”
