Though she gave little notice of it, many claim that Taylor Swift’s newest album is the best out of her eight. 

On July 23, Taylor Swift posted on social media that her new album, folklore, was going to be released that night at midnight. Less than a year after her last album, Lover, Taylor Swift fans weren’t expecting any new music; however, “Taylor Swift” and #folklore were trending on Twitter as everyone waited sixteen hours for both a new album and music video. 

And folklore was worth the short wait. 

Many called it her best album yet. Though it was her first alternative album, in contrast to the previous country and pop, folklore has broken many records. In its first day, the album was streamed a total of 80.6 million times for the biggest first-day album streams for a female artist. All of the songs on the standard edition made the Bilboard Hot 100 as well. It is also the first album of 2020 to stay number one on the Billboard 200 for five consecutive weeks. Many fans were quick to say that this album is “really her best one yet” and called it a “masterpiece.” 

With this album being such short notice, and being written completely during the lockdown, Swift released only one single: “cardigan.” The music video shoot was “overseen by a medical inspector” and Swift “did [her] own hair, makeup, and styling,” the singer wrote on Instagram. 

Swift has been noted to have many “Easter eggs”—or clues toward her other music—within her albums and music videos.

However, Swift wrote on Youtube, “One thing I did purposely on this album was put the Easter eggs in the lyrics, more than just the videos. I created character arcs & recurring themes that map out who is singing about who.” 

This album has been said to have the best storytelling, as well. Less than a month after the album’s release, Swift announced that she had compiled chapters with six songs in each playlist that each have similar themes. After the release of the first chapter, she continued to put out three more chapters. 

If you don’t want to take Billboard’s word for it, take mine! I highly recommend giving folklore a listen. Being an avid fan of her music, I think this album is her best, and definitely my favorite. Rather than being styled as music to dance or party to, this album has mellow songs that are perfect to do homework to or relax with. 

The storytelling, music, and lyrics in folklore make it even more enjoyable for all listeners.