No, seriously, Taylor Swift could become an even bigger deal after ‘The Tortured Poets Department’

"The Tortured Poets Department" could potentially elevate Taylor Swift's career to even greater heights. This suggests that the project holds significant promise for Swift's artistic evolution and commercial success, potentially solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

The telltale signs are there: a sheen of sweat on your brow, a quickening heartbeat, and a fluttering sensation in your stomach that borders on queasiness. But no, you're not coming down with an illness – you've got Taylor Swift album release fever. And you're not alone in this experience.

Swifties everywhere are intimately familiar with the rollercoaster of emotions that precedes a Taylor Swift album drop, and they're gearing up to ride that wave once again with the impending release of Swift's 11th studio album, "The Tortured Poets Department," slated to hit the shelves this Friday. What sets this occasion apart is Swift's already stellar track record: she's shattered records, taken the NFL by storm with captivating performances, and even wielded influence over industry giants like Ticketmaster. With such an impressive résumé, one might think there's little left for Swift to prove – but that hasn't dampened the fervor of anticipation among her fans one bit.

"This is probably the most anticipated album ever that I’ve seen in my career," remarked Tom Poleman, the chief programming officer & president for iHeartRadio, in a recent interview with CNN. "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."

"Tortured Poets" marks Swift's latest musical offering following the 2022 release of "Midnights" and the 2023 release of "1989 (Taylor’s Version)." Both of these albums shattered numerous streaming, sales, and chart records, to the extent that enumerating them all would not only become mundane but, in the grand scheme of her unparalleled success, the statistics and the term "record-breaking" begin to lose their impact. It's a testament to Swift's staggering achievements when even her success starts to feel routine. (Disclaimer: Despite the potential for repetitiveness, the term "record-breaking" will continue to feature prominently throughout this narrative.)

At this stage of Swift's career, quantifying her achievements seems like a daunting task. A high-ranking executive from a major record label, speaking anonymously to offer candid insights, emphasized that for an artist of Swift's stature, achieving "huge commercial milestones" is just as crucial as fostering a deep connection with fans.

Comparing Swift's approach to that of acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron, the executive highlighted the artist's commitment to both artistic integrity and commercial success. Like Cameron in the film industry, Swift navigates the delicate balance between quality, credibility, and mass appeal.

The release of "Tortured Poets" arrives amidst an unparalleled moment of triumph for Swift, a culmination of deliberate strategies and fortuitous circumstances. The album's performance will serve as a litmus test, revealing whether there are any limits to Swift's accomplishments or if, for an artist of her caliber, the sky is truly the limit.

Proven track record

In an industry undergoing profound transformation over the past 15 years, largely due to the advent of music streaming, Taylor Swift stands out as a rare gem. She has not only amassed staggering streaming numbers but has also achieved remarkable sales figures for physical copies of her albums—a feat few artists can claim. In this regard, she stands shoulder to shoulder with the elite of the music industry.

For aficionados of statistics, let's delve a bit deeper: Both "Midnights" and "1989 (Taylor’s Version)" enjoyed six consecutive weeks at the top spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Swift set a new personal record for album sales in the US with "1989 (Taylor’s Version)," which sold nearly 1.4 million copies in its debut week. Additionally, she made history as the most streamed artist in a single day on both Apple Music and Spotify with "Midnights," according to data provided by these streaming platforms to CNN.

"Taylor Swift has managed to dominate both markets," noted Keith Caulfield, managing director of charts & data operations at Billboard, in an interview with CNN. "At the core of it, people are still incredibly interested and incredibly invested in the music and the art that she creates. She’s not just a celebrity. She is also an incredibly respected musician and artist that fans love to engage with."

If there existed a word stronger than "love," it would aptly describe the devotion of true Swifties to her content. They meticulously hunt for so-called Easter eggs hidden in her work, speculate about her dating life, and eagerly follow the exclusive "secret sessions" she hosts. This level of engagement speaks volumes about the profound connection Swift has forged with her fan base.

"She's very attuned to how her audience is engaging with her," remarked Poleman. "She has a plan for every different facet of how she can connect with her audience, and I think it comes from her being like her audience. She’s consuming life the way they are, and I think it makes her very relatable."

In contrast to past album releases, the rollout for "Tortured Poets" has been relatively subdued—though announcing your new album at the Grammys might not qualify as "quiet" by any standard. Yet, the superstar has refrained from releasing a single or a music video, breaking from tradition in album promotion. Sometimes, one could argue, doing less speaks volumes.

The allure of being Taylor Swift lies in her ability to defy conventional norms. With an unparalleled momentum behind her, she stands as one of the select few artists who can deviate from the traditional rulebook of album launches and still achieve remarkable success.

"I think she's going to break the internet," Poleman exclaimed, capturing the anticipation and excitement surrounding Swift's forthcoming album release.

‍Turning point

While “Midnights” and “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” were some of Swift’s most commercially successful work, it was her 2020 album “Folklore” that was a turning point in her career that set the stage for the moment she finds herself in now.

It was an evolutionary time for Swift, perhaps best showcased by what she wrote on her Instagram page when she announced the pandemic-era album.

“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 at the time. “My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world.”

Trusting her gut paid off.

Following the release of "Folklore," Taylor Swift experienced a notable resurgence in her profile, which came as a welcome development after the performance of her 2019 album, "Lover." While "Lover" managed to secure the top spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart for a single week—an achievement in its own right—it paled in comparison to the sustained chart-topping success of most of Swift's previous studio albums, many of which enjoyed four weeks or more at No. 1. The contrast underscored the impact of "Folklore" in revitalizing Swift's chart dominance and reaffirming her status as a powerhouse in the music industry.

"Folklore" represented a remarkable departure from Swift's previous album, spending an impressive 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart and earning her a third Album of the Year Grammy. Widely regarded as one of her finest works, "Folklore" not only solidified Swift's artistic prowess but also marked the beginning of her era of defying industry norms.

In 2019, Swift made a bold commitment to re-record her first six studio albums after the rights to her master recordings were acquired by Scooter Braun. This pivotal moment, coupled with the onset of the pandemic, prompted Swift to adopt a new approach to releasing her music, as exemplified by the unconventional rollout of "Folklore" and subsequent albums. This marked a significant shift in Swift's career trajectory, as she embraced a more autonomous and innovative approach to her artistry.

"I think all those things collided to potentially help inform how her career took on a whole new level of success in a way that I don’t think people would have ever possibly anticipated," remarked Caulfield.

Following the monumental success of "Folklore," Swift embarked on a prolific journey, releasing a steady stream of both new music and re-recorded albums. In a span of nearly three years, she delivered five albums, each of which claimed the coveted No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart upon release.

"Since then, it’s been unprecedented. It’s been this rocket ship for her," added the record executive, highlighting the unparalleled trajectory of Swift's career in the wake of these transformative events.

Swift's ascent to another echelon was marked by the announcement of her "Eras Tour," a monumental event representing her first tour since 2018. Notably, it served as her inaugural opportunity to showcase the four studio albums she had released since then—each of which had not received its own individual tour.

The frenzy to secure tickets for the tour reached such heights that Ticketmaster's systems crashed, prompting a congressional hearing where lawmakers scrutinized its parent company, Live Nation, for its failure to process orders effectively.

For those fortunate enough to secure tickets, the "Eras Tour" offered a celebratory journey through Swift's illustrious career spanning nearly 18 years. It was a remarkable spectacle that resonated across generations, showcasing Swift's timeless appeal and the enduring power of her music.

"The culmination of these factors has propelled her into a space that no other artist has truly occupied," remarked the record executive. "She's in this unique position where she has the ability to resonate with multiple generations, and it all stems from 'Folklore.'"

Yet, at the core of it all, Swift consistently emphasizes that making music is a labor of love above all else.

"I feel this sense of fulfillment when I finish a song or when I nail a bridge that I'm proud of," Swift expressed in February while accepting the Grammy for Album of the Year, her fourth in total. "For me, the true reward lies in the creative process itself."

Says the Grammy-winner who does record-breaking all too well.

Source: cnn