UPDATE: Read Ed Power's glowing review of folklore here: https://www.hotpress.com/music/album-review-taylor-swift-folklore-22823402

The extremely good news for Taylor Swift fans is she's just taken to social media to announce the surprise release of folklore, a brand new album of songs, which is dropping at midnight tonight. Before you ask, yes, we're trying to confirm if it'll be on Spotify Ireland at that time or whether we'll have to wait for the time difference with the States to kick in. Also due in the wee small hours is the video for lead track, 'cardigan'.
Conceived in lockdown, eleven of the sixteen songs have been co-written with Aaron Dessner from The National, with Bon Iver also getting a writing credit and duetting with Taylor on one of the tunes. Completists should note that there are eight deluxe CD and eight deluxe vinyl versions to celebrate it being her eighth album.
Here's Taylor's series of announcements followed by Mr D. giving the background to his involvement...

Surprise 🤗 Tonight at midnight I’ll be releasing my 8th studio album, folklore; an entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. Pre-order at https://t.co/zSHpnhUlLb pic.twitter.com/4ZVGy4l23b

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 23, 2020

folklore will have 16 songs on the standard edition, but the physical deluxe editions will include a bonus track “the lakes.” Because this is my 8th studio album, I made 8 deluxe CDs & 8 deluxe vinyls available for 1 week😄 Each has unique covers & photos https://t.co/zSHpnhUlLb pic.twitter.com/tG34e0MpgJ

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 23, 2020

Editor Chancler Haynes, special effects wizards David Lebensfeld & Grant Miller and set designer Ethan Tobman. 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 😂

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 23, 2020

pic.twitter.com/w2hhXfRi0M

— Aaron Dessner (@aaron_dessner) July 23, 2020