Taylor Swift has just announced a new album. Let the fan theories begin. – The Boston Globe

“I thought it would be a fun time to tell you my new album is coming out October 21st,” Swift said after winning Video of the Year for “All Too Well: The Short Film” (Version 10 minutes) (Taylor’s Version), a project that also won Best Long Form Video and Best Direction.

“I’ll tell you more at midnight,” she teased after congratulating the other women in the category and acknowledging the support from her fans, who Swift said “emboldened” her.

Many of these fans waited until midnight to find out more, posting a myriad of memes and heartfelt thoughts.

“This is a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams. The floors we walk and the demons we face. For those who have turned around and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching — hoping that maybe when the clock strikes noon… we’ll meet,” Swift wrote in an Instagram post.

In an image likely to be deciphered more carefully than some believe possible, Swift has one hand on her head and the other outstretched, the receiver of a landline phone dangling from it. The background is moody and dark, a table perched beside it with a framed picture and letters on it.

The new 13-track album is the latest surprise for many Swifts to reveal during the pandemic, first with the unexpected drop of “Folklore” — a fascinating departure from her past work — and months later, “Evermore.” Since then, Swift has also released re-recordings of two of her old albums, “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” and “Red (Taylor’s Version)”, as part of an effort to regain control of her back catalog after the demise of his former label. sold.

“It’s crazy how we live in a country where Taylor Swift is the only industry that works consistently,” one person tweeted.

Over the years, Swift’s staunchest fans have played detective to figure out when a new album might be released – sifting through details from music videos, past lyrics and social media posts. It’s a game in of which Swift was a willing participant.

Before ‘Midnights’ was announced, fans had speculated when Swift might release a new version of one of her previous albums – convinced “1989” or “Speak Now” would be next.

But on Sunday, they got their answer and fan theories on “Midnights” started almost immediately.

Fans unpacked his previous lyrics, hinting at an apparent inability to fall asleep; the meaning of the number 13; and his subtle and less subtle references to literature and his own songs.

Swift began selling pre-orders of “Midnights” on her website, including a “unique blue moonstone marbled color” vinyl and CD, in addition to a cassette tape and a digital album.

Meanwhile, Swifties are eagerly awaiting its release, counting the days until October 21 arrives and they can play. It’s a tradition that will probably never go out of fashion.

Shannon Larson can be reached at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @shannonlarson98.