Taylor Swift is continuing to break records with her highly-anticipated 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department, which will be released on Friday, April 19.
As her legions of fans impatiently wait for the record to come out, the 34-year-old pop star surpassed Spotify’s record for the most pre-saved countdown page album in the streaming services’ history.
The countdown page for the album, which launched on March 28, has become a go-to place for Swifties to receive weekly updates of new lyrics and video messages from the singer.
The 11-time Grammy winner has been keeping her fans on their toes ahead of the album’s drop by having them decode hidden messages and announcing the first single as Fortnight, featuring Post Malone.
Taylor Swift is continuing to break records with her highly-anticipated 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department, which will be released on Friday, April 19 (seen in Feburary)
Other records she is likely to break upon the album’s release in various countries include tying with Jay-Z for the most #1 albums for a solo artist (14), if it goes number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
If The Tortured Poets Department goes number one in the United Kingdom, she will tie Madonna as the female artist with the most #1 albums in the UK.
Additionally, she may break her tie with Bruce Springsteen and she would become the sole holder of the record for the most #1 albums on the Irish chart for any artist ever (11).
According to VegasInsider.com, the performer could break her own record for the most streamed album in a day and most streamed album in a week on Spotify.
Her last album, Midnights currently holds the record for the most streamed album on Spotify in a day (184.695 million) as well as the most streamed album in a week (785.253 million).
Tom Poleman, the chief programming officer & president for iHeartRadio, told CNN that The Tortured Poets Department ‘is probably the most anticipated album’ he’s ‘ever’ seen in his career.
‘It’s not just a music event, it’s a pop culture event that I think that everybody in America will be talking about and celebrating together,’ he raved to CNN in a recent interview.
Poleman continued: ‘It’s like in movies, it’s like James Cameron who cares about quality, cares about credibility but also cares about commercial success.’
As her legions of fans impatiently wait for the record to come out, the 34-year-old pop star surpassed Spotify’s record for the most pre-saved countdown page album in the streaming services’ history
Her latest achievement comes amid speculation that the new album contains many references to her former flame Matty Healy, who she had a brief two-month fling with in 2023 following her split from Joe Alwyn after six years of dating.
On Wednesday, a zip file circulating online featured 17 different songs – the same number of hits that Taylor confirmed would be included on her upcoming record sent her fans into a frenzy as many believe it is a leak of her latest work.
Upon hearing these snippets, some listeners have claimed that they are fake and created by artificial intelligence (AI) – however others have been left convinced that the songs offer an early access pass to the official album.
News of the so-called leak sent shockwaves through the singer’s fanbase, with some rushing to listen to the songs.
The countdown page for the album, which launched on March 28, has become a go-to place for Swifties to receive weekly updates of new lyrics and video messages from the singer
Others were quick to defend the popstar, urging others to ‘report’ any posts circulating the clips and insisting that Taylor’s most die-hard supporters would wait until the official album is released.
‘Tip: Turn Your Device’s Volume COMPLETELY OFF on Twitter for the NEXT 24 HRS and REPORT EVERY POST spamming about album leaks! We got this!’ one person wrote.
Another chimed in: ‘It’s not a Taylor Swift album release if you don’t have fake a** “Swifties” spreading leaks because they can’t wait one day to listen to the project… pathetic.’
A third wrote: ‘Please do not spread the leak of Taylor Swift’s new album. Remember, this is Taylor’s work, respect it, just like you would you favorite artist. Don’t punish the artist for how their fans behave.’
Other records she is likely to break upon the album’s release in various countries include tying with Jay-Z for the most #1 albums for a solo artist (14), if it goes number one on the Billboard Hot 100
In a handwritten note penned and distributed to various record stores across the country, Swift thanked the stores ‘from the bottom of’ her heart for ‘welcoming The Tortured Poets Department into’ their vinyl collection’ and life
Despite the possible leak, retailers, including some independent record stores, are keeping the album and vinyl versions tightly under wraps.
Indy CD & Vinyl, Indianapolis’ largest record shop, confirmed they had The Tortured Poets Department in stock, but did not release any spoilers.
‘There are a few surprises that we can’t tell you about (she’ll have us murdered with hammers in minutes after this post if we do) but rest assured the surprises are freaking cool!’ the business teased.
In a handwritten note penned and distributed to various record stores across the country, Swift thanked the stores ‘from the bottom of’ her heart for ‘welcoming The Tortured Poets Department into’ their vinyl collection’ and life.
‘It’s my goal to create a memento you’ll want to keep forever, and I hope you’ll feel that with every turn of the page of the lyric book, every secret thought poured into this work,’ she told readers.
The Blank Space hitmaker, who is dating NFL star Travis Kelce, concluded: ‘It’s an honor to be able to trust you with my feelings.’
In addition to being able to the album on Spotify or Apple Music, iHeartRadio will also be broadcasting The Tortured Poets Department in its entirety the moment it’s released on Thursday at 9:01 p.m. PT / 12:01 a.m. ET.