It’s been two years in the making and the day has finally come for the world to hear Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album Reputation.
The highly anticipated pop record officially dropped at midnight, although some sites managed to get leaked tracks 12 hours early, with the songs being scrubbed from the internet by Swift’s team almost as soon as they were uploaded.
Swift has been promoting the album heavily for the past two months, dropping her singles “Look What You Made Me Do,” “…Ready For It” and last week’s empowering romantic ballad “Call It What You Want.” Just yesterday, Swift dropped a fourth song from Reputation, debuting the piano-driven ballad “New Year’s Day” during a new episode of Scandal. The song encapsulates Swift’s talent for storytelling in her songs, a strength that has made the singer one of the most celebrated songwriters of the past decade.
The live video was shot in the living room of Swift’s Rhode Island home, the location of her famous Fourth of July parties, but instead of inviting her squad of famous model and singer friends, Swift is surrounded by 100 of her biggest fans.
The performance took place during one of Swift’s Secret Sessions, a tradition she began with 1989 and has continued for Reputation. Taking place at her homes in London, Los Angeles, New York and Rhode Island, Swift hand picked her biggest fans to visit her homes and hear the new album played in its entirety, with each fan signing an NDA prior to hearing the album. If there’s any doubt over Swift’s fandom, not a single attendee spilled the beans about the top secret events.
Now with the album officially open for public consumption, the reviews are in and it’s a fact—people are loving Reputation. The queen is back.
So far, #TaylorSwift‘s #Reputation has sold over 800,000 copies on iTunes in its first hour, broke the record for the fastest album to hit #1 on US iTunes (6 minutes), and went #1 in over 100 countries. The queen is back. pic.twitter.com/8o5LrCPuVx
— Mike Adam (@MikeAdamOnAir) November 10, 2017
Some fans couldn’t find the words to express their feelings.
Hard to talk about #reputation because I’m completely and utterly paralyzed and speechless. You really did go there, @taylorswift13.
— Alex Goldschmidt (@alexandergold) November 10, 2017
Taylor Swift 2020.
Nothing but respect for MY president #reputation pic.twitter.com/EFYwNv34lL
— stephanie (@stephmarie416) November 10, 2017
But what do all the lyrics mean?!
me overanalyzing every song off reputation pic.twitter.com/3PRTxmbH1R
— andie (@worsttaylorstan) November 10, 2017
Typing is tough when ur x-cited.
Damn first #repuation was trending and now #repuatation is trending. Swifties can’t spell when they’re excited lmao. it’s #reputation y’all
— Rachel (@13swift1989) November 10, 2017
Swift’s friend Todrick Hall, who appeared in “Look What You Made Me Do,” is living for the new record.
Sooo @taylorswift‘s new album is just absolutely EVERYTHING. I love every song, Every lyric, Every production decision. So inspired. So proud. My friend is the SHIT! Go buy #reputation
— Todrick Hall (@todrick) November 10, 2017
Picking your favourite song may be an issues.
Me listening to #reputation, a series:
*song plays*
THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG
*next song plays*
NO WAIT THIS IS MY FAVORITE
*next song plays*
OKAY I MEAN IT THIS TIME THIS IS MY FAVORITE
*next song plays*
WAIT-— Rachel (@13swift1989) November 10, 2017
Grammys 2019 could be the year of Taylor.
If Reputation doesn’t win Album Of The Year at the 2019 Grammy’s I’m fucking suing
— Ashleigh (@Taylorsmycure13) November 10, 2017
Swift’s music video director Joseph Kahn is giving the world a big ole’ “I told you so.”
I told you. #Reputation is a monster.
— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) November 10, 2017
Actor Colton Haynes is jamming to the new album.
Y’all… @taylorswift13 ‘s new album is so good. The lyrics are so thoughtful & genius. She wins awards for a reason I’m jammin
— Colton Haynes (@ColtonLHaynes) November 10, 2017
Swift’s friends the Haim sister are ready for it.
our bodies are ready for it @taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/80CnKAA5UK
— HAIM (@HAIMtheband) November 10, 2017
Prepare for the year of Swift.