Just 16 hours after announcing it, Taylor Swift has released her brand new album folklore. Swift worked on the record with the National’s Aaron Dessner (who co-wrote or produced 11 of folklore’s 16 songs), Dessner’s twin brother Bryce (who wrote orchestration for the album), Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon (featured on “exile” and later on “peace”), William Bowery, and frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff.
Listen to folklore, and watch Swift’s music video for the album track “cardigan” below. (Pitchfork earns a commission from purchases made through affiliate links on our site.)
Taylor Swift said she wrote and recorded folklore in isolation. And, as Aaron Dessner tells it, Swift approached him to begin work on folklore in late April. “I thought it would take a while for song ideas to come and I had no expectations as far as what we could accomplish remotely,” he wrote. “But a few hours after sharing music, my phone lit up with a voice memo from Taylor of a fully written version of a song—the momentum never really stopped.” Read a note from Swift about the new album—which has eight different deluxe edition variants—below.
The video for “cardigan,” directed by Swift, is a Chronicles of Narnia-style visual where she travels to a magical forest through her piano. The video ends with this message: “A special thank you to our on set medics, COVID-19 compliance personnel and the crew for operating under the strictest guidelines including wearing PPE, practicing thorough sanitization and respecting social distancing during the video shoot.”
Other contributors to the album include Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), Bryan Devendorf (the National and LNZNDRF), Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman and Muzz), Ben Lanz (Beirut and LNZNDRF), Rob Moose (yMusic), and James McAlister (who collaborated with Sufjan Stevens and Bryce Dessner on 2017’s Planetarium).
folklore is Taylor Swift’s eighth album and her follow-up to last year’s Lover. The 2019 LP got a much more traditional rollout, including music videos for “ME!,” “You Need to Calm Down,” “Lover,” and “The Man.” Swift was also supposed to tour in support of Lover, but the dates were canceled due to COVID-19.
Read Pitchfork’s “The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s,” featuring Taylor Swift’s 2012 album Red.
01 the 1
Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Vocals recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Drum Programming, Mellotron, OP1 and Synth Bass by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Bryce Dessner (Biarritz, FR)
Synthesizer and OP1 by Thomas Bartlett (The Dwelling; New York, NY) recorded by Thomas Bartlett
Percussion by Jason Treuting (Princeton, NJ) recorded by Jason Treuting
Viola and Violin by Yuki Numata Resnick (Buffalo, NY) recorded by Kyle Resnick
02 cardigan
Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Vocals recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Additional recording by Aaron Dessner at Gaite Lyrique (Paris, FR) and Bella Blasko on tour with The National (Stuttgart, DE)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Drum Programming, Percussion, Piano, Bass, Electric Guitars, Mellotron and Synthesizers by Aaron Dessner (Paris, FR and Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Bryce Dessner (Biarritz, FR)
Modular Synth by Benjamin Lanz (Paris, FR) recorded by Bella Blasko
Trombone by Dave Nelson (Bone Hollow Recording; Accord, NY) recorded by Dave Nelson
Drum Programming by James McAlister (Los Angeles, CA) recorded by James McAlister
Viola and Violin by Yuki Numata Resnick (Buffalo, NY) recorded by Kyle Resnick
Cello by Clarice Jensen (Brooklyn, NY) recorded by Clarice Jensen
03 the last great american dynasty
Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Vocals recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Drum Programming, Percussion, Piano, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Bass, Synthesizer and Keyboards by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Rob Moose (Brooklyn, NY) and Bryce Dessner (Biarritz, FR)
Drums by JT Bates (Salon Studio; St. Paul, MN) recorded by JT Bates
Violin and Viola by Rob Moose (Brooklyn, NY) recorded by Rob Moose
04 exile [ft. Bon Iver]
Written by Taylor Swift, William Bowery & Justin Vernon
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), William Bowery Music Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), April Base Publishing, administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP), Justin Deyarmond Edison Vernon (ASCAP).
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Aaron Dessner and Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Taylor Swift vocals recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Bon Iver vocals recorded by Justin Vernon at April Base (Fall Creek, WI)
Recorded by Aaron Dessner and Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Piano, Electric Guitar, Synthesizer, OP1, Drum Programming, Percussion by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Bryce Dessner (Biarritz, FR)
Violin and Viola by Rob Moose (Brooklyn, NY) recorded by Rob Moose
Bon Iver appears courtesy of Jagjaguwar
05 my tears ricochet
Written by Taylor Swift
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI)All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA), Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY) and Laura Sisk and Jack Antonoff at Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY) and Conway Recording (Los Angeles, CA)
Assistant Engineering by John Rooney and Jon Sher
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA) Engineered by John Hanes Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Live Drums, Percussion, Programming, Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Piano, Bass, Background Vocals by Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY) and Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY) and Conway Recording (Los Angeles, CA)
Saxophones, Keyboards, Programming by Evan Smith at Pleasure Hill Recording (Portland, ME) Strings by Bobby Hawk, recorded by Lorenzo Wolff at Restoration Sound (Brooklyn, NY)
06 mirrorball
Written by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Sony/ATV Songs LLC / Ducky Donath Music (BMI)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA) and Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA)
Engineered by John Hanes
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Live Drums, Percussion, Programming, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, B3, Background Vocals by Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
07 seven
Written by Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Drum Programming, Percussion, Bass, Piano, Acoustic Guitar and Synthesizers by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Bryce Dessner (Biarritz, FR)
Drum Programming by Bryan Devendorf (Cincinnati, OH) recorded by Bryan Devendorf
Viola and Violin by Yuki Numata Resnick (Buffalo, NY) recorded by Kyle Resnick
Cello by Clarice Jensen (Brooklyn, NY) recorded by Clarice Jensen
Drums by JT Bates (Salon Studio; St. Paul, MN) recorded by JT Bates
08 august
Written by Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Sony/ATV Songs LLC / Ducky Donath Music (BMI)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA) and Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Live Drums, Percussion Programming, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, Bass by Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
Saxophones, Flute, Electric Guitar, Keyboards by Evan Smith at Pleasure Hill Recording (Portland, ME)
Strings by Bobby Hawk, recorded by Mike Williams and Jon Gautier at Sound House Recording (Lakeland, FL)
Synth Bass by Jonathan Low, recorded by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
09 this is me trying
Written by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Sony/ATV Songs LLC / Ducky Donath Music (BMI)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA), Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY) and Laura Sisk and Jack Antonoff at Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY) and Conway Recording (Los Angeles, CA)
Assistant Engineering by John Rooney and Jon Sher
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA)
Engineered by John Hanes
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Live Drums, Percussion, Programming, Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Organ, Bass, Background Vocals by Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY) and Electric Lady Studios (New York, NY) and Conway Recording (Los Angeles, CA)
Saxophones, Keyboards by Evan Smith at Pleasure Hill Recording (Portland, ME)
Strings by Bobby Hawk, recorded by Lorenzo Wolff at Restoration Sound (Brooklyn, NY)
10 illicit affairs
Written by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Sony/ATV Songs LLC / Ducky Donath Music (BMI)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA) and Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA)
Engineered by John Hanes
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Live Drums, Percussion Programming, Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Background Vocals by Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
Accordion, Saxophones, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocals by Evan Smith at Pleasure Hill Recording (Portland, ME)
Pedal Steel by Mikey Freedom Hart at Hook and Fade (Brooklyn, NY)
11 invisible string
Written by Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Additional recording by Aaron Dessner at Gaite Lyrique (Paris, FR)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Drum Programming, Percussion, Bass, Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mellotron and Synthesizer by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Bryce Dessner (Biarritz, FR)
Drum Programming by James McAlister (Paris, FR)
Viola and Violin by Yuki Numata Resnick (Buffalo, NY) recorded by Kyle Resnick
Cello by Clarice Jensen (Brooklyn, NY) recorded by Clarice Jensen
12 mad woman
Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA)
Engineered by John Hanes
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Drum Programming, Percussion, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano and Synthesizer by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Bryce Dessner (Biarritz, FR)
Beat Programming, Synthesizers, Hand Percussion and Drums by James McAlister (Los Angeles, CA) recorded by James McAlister
Viola and Violin by Yuki Numata Resnick (Buffalo, NY) recorded by Kyle Resnick
Cello by Clarice Jensen (Brooklyn, NY) recorded by Clarice Jensen
13 epiphany
Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Vocals recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA)
Engineered by John Hanes
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Piano, Mellotron, Synthesizers and Electric Guitar by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Bryce Dessner (Biarritz, FR)
Trombone by Dave Nelson (Bone Hollow Recording; Accord, NY) recorded by Dave Nelson and Benjamin Lanz (Paris, FR) recorded by Benjamin Lanz
Viola and Violin by Yuki Numata Resnick (Buffalo, NY) recorded by Kyle Resnick
Trumpet by Kyle Resnick (Buffalo, NY) recorded by Kyle Resnick
Cello by Clarice Jensen (Brooklyn, NY) recorded by Clarice Jensen
Drums by JT Bates (Salon Studio; St. Paul, MN) recorded by JT Bates
14 betty
Written by Taylor Swift & William Bowery
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), William Bowery Music Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI)
Produced by Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, and Taylor Swift
Recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA), Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
Assistant Engineering by John Rooney
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, VA)Engineered by John Hanes Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Drums, Percussion, Bass, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Organ, Mellotron by Jack Antonoff at Rough Customer Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
Percussion, Piano, Bass, High String Guitar and Electric Guitar by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mellotron, Pedal Steel, Wurlitzer, Harpsichord, Vibraphone, Electric Guitar by Mikey Freedom Hart at Hook and Fade (Brooklyn, NY)
Saxophones, Clarinet by Evan Smith at Pleasure Hill Recording (Portland, ME)
Harmonica, Electric Guitar and Lap Steel by Josh Kaufman, recorded by Josh Kaufman (New York, NY)
15 peace
Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Aaron Dessner and Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Vocals recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Bass, Piano, Synthesizer, Field Recording, Mellotron and Drone by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Pulse by Justin Vernon (April Base; Fall Creek, WI) recorded by Justin Vernon
16 hoax
Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner
© 2020 TASRM Publishing, administered by Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Ingrid Stella Music, administered by SonyATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
Produced by Aaron Dessner
Recorded by Jonathan Low and Aaron Dessner at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Vocals recorded by Laura Sisk at the Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
Mixed by Jonathan Low at Long Pond (Hudson Valley, NY)
Mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, OP1 and synth bass by Aaron Dessner (Hudson Valley, NY)
Orchestration by Rob Moose (Brooklyn, NY)
Viola and Violin by Rob Moose (Brooklyn, NY) recorded by Rob Moose
