Taylor Swift is undeniably one of the world’s biggest solo acts. Since her debut in 2006, the 30-year-old from Pennsylvania has bagged hundreds of music awards, sold millions of albums worldwide, played sold out shows everywhere across the globe, and inspired billions of people through her music and artistry. And 14 years into the business, the iconic pop star has never lost her touch once.
Just about a day ago, Taylor dropped an entire full-length album that counts as her 8th—no previews and no teasers at all—and this just seems to be the best and the sweetest surprise she could’ve given the world now that we’re living under such uncertain times.
But before we get to her newest record, let’s do a quick recap of her previous ones and their respective achievements just to put it out there that this icon’s awesome, she didn’t have to be this generous but she just is, and that we don’t make the rules. Taylor Swift simply rules.
At present, she has released eight studio albums, five extended plays, two live albums, one compilation album, and 74 singles. All helped cement her legacy in the history of music with record-breaking chart performances and massive sales certifications, made her a regular of year-end lists, and earned her Album of the Year awards and countless Artist of the Year titles from different prestigious award-giving bodies:
Albums
Taylor Swift
Released: October 24, 2006
Sales: 7,000,000 worldwide and 5,720,000 in the U.S.
Recognition:
- Nominated for Album of the Year at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards
Released: November 11, 2008
Sales: 13,109,000 worldwide and 7,180,000 in the U.S.
Recognitions:
- 2009 Canadian Country Music Association Top Selling Album
- 2009 Country Music Association Awards Album of the Year
- 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards Album of the Year
- 2009 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album
- 2009 Teen Choice Awards Choice Female Album
- 2010 Canadian Country Music Association Top Selling Album
- 2010 Grammy Awards Album of the Year
- 2010 Grammy Awards Best Country Album
Speak Now
Released: October 25, 2010
Sales: 5,169,281 worldwide and 4,694,000 in the U.S.
Recognitions:
- 2010 Guinness World Records Fastest Selling Digital Album by a Female Artis
- 2010 American Music Awards Favourite Country Album
- 2011 Billboard Music Awards Top Country Album
- 2011 Canadian Country Music Association Top Selling Album
Red
Released: October 22, 2012
Sales: 6,949,000 worldwide and 4,465,000 in the U.S.
Recognitions:
- 2013 American Music Awards Favourite Country Album
- 2013 Billboard Music Award Top Billboard 200 Album
- 2013 Billboard Music Award Top Country Album
- 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Top Selling Album
- 2013 Telehit Awards Best Female Pop Album
- 2013 Country Music Awards of Australia Top Selling International Album of the Year
- 2014 World Music Awards World’s Best Album
1989
Released: October 27, 2014
Sales: 12,230,200 worldwide and 6,215,000 in the U.S.
Recognitions:
- 2015 American Music Awards Favorite Pop/Rock Album
- 2015 Japan Gold Disc Awards Album of the Year (Western)
- 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards Album of the Year
Reputation
Released: November 10, 2017
Sales: 4,971,000 worldwide and 2,230,000 in the U.S.
Recognitions:
- 2018 A2IM Libera Awards Independent Impact Award
- 2018 American Music Awards Favorite Pop/Rock Album
- 2018 Billboard Music Awards Top Selling Album
- 2018 Japan Gold Disc Awards Best 3 Albums (Western)
Lover
Released: August 23, 2019
Sales: 3,520,955 worldwide and 1,180,000 in the U.S.
Recognitions:
- 2019 People’s Choice Awards Favorite Album of the Year
- 2019 American Music Awards Favorite Pop/Rock Album
- 2019 ARIA Music Awards Best International Artist (Lover)
- 2020 Japan Gold Disc Awards Album of the Year (Western)
- 2020 Japan Gold Disc Awards Best 3 Albums (Western)
- RTHK International Pop Poll Awards Best Selling Album (English)
- Guinness World Records Biggest-selling album worldwide for a solo artist (2019)
8th Studio Album
In “Folklore” we hear a different side of Taylor Swift.
The full-length indie folk album composed of 16 tracks offers a comforting sound of melancholia, dreamy nostalgia, and even a dash of contemporary country in “Illicit Affairs”, “Invisible Strings”, and “Betty”.
Her team up with indie folk artist Bon Iver has got to be a favorite, because “Exile” is a stirring and an emotional new age ballad that holds you in its clutches and doesn’t let go until you reach the final second of the song.
“Seven” is a melodious treat with just the right amount of beat, soft singing, and soothing strings and percussion. And “August” is the most pop of all, the track that gives you a very Taylor Swift vibe, and that makes it an enchanting pop.
The album just dropped but we’re quite sure it’s now becoming a world favorite already.
What a pleasant surprise it was to suddenly have a full-length Taylor Swift album in the middle of all of these, and what an even more pleasant treat it is that the album is indie folk.
What’s your favorite from Folklore? Let us know in the comments below!
