Folklore

Folklore is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, surprise-released on July 24, 2020, via Republic Records. Conceived and recorded in isolation during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, it marked a striking departure from the bright, maximalist pop of her previous work. The album was initially released digitally at midnight, with physical copies, including CD, vinyl LP, and cassette, following in subsequent weeks. A deluxe edition, subtitled The Escapism Chapter, featured alternate cover art and an additional track.

The album's sound is built around a core group of session musicians: Aaron Dessner (of The National) on multiple instruments, Bryce Dessner on orchestral arrangements, and Jack Antonoff on various instruments. Dessner produced 11 of the 16 standard tracks, while Antonoff produced four; Swift co-produced all tracks. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver appears on the track 'exile,' and Joe Alwyn contributed as a co-writer under the pseudonym William Bowery. The songwriting shifted from Swift's autobiographical style to a more fictional, narrative-driven approach, weaving invented characters and interlocking story arcs.

Folklore debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 846,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, the largest opening week for any album in 2020. It spent eight non-consecutive weeks at number one, making Swift the first woman to have seven albums each spend at least a week at number one. The album also topped charts in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It has sold over 5 million album-equivalent units globally as of 2023 and is certified 2x Platinum in the US, Platinum in the UK, 4x Platinum in Canada, and 2x Platinum in Australia.

Critics received the album with near-universal acclaim. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 88 out of 100, indicating 'universal acclaim.' Pitchfork gave it an 8.0/10, Rolling Stone awarded 4.5/5 stars, and The Guardian gave it 5/5 stars. At the 2021 Grammy Awards, Folklore won Album of the Year, making Swift the first woman to win the award three times, and also won Best Pop Vocal Album. It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2021 Brit Awards and won Favorite Pop/Rock Album at the 2021 American Music Awards.[edit]