Taylor Swift unveils her most provocative artwork yet with a release of seductive black and white images for her surprise double album titled The Tortured Poets Department

Taylor Swift unveils her most provocative artwork yet with a release of seductive black and white images for her surprise double album titled The Tortured Poets Department

Taylor Swift debuted her raciest artwork on Friday as she dropped sultry black and white snaps with her surprise double-album The Tortured Poets Department. 

Taylor, 34, dropped her eleventh studio album at 2 am (midnight EST) on Friday, as well as its first single Fortnight, and with it, a series of sensual shots.

Two hours later, however, Taylor announced that TTPD was actually a double-album, and released 15 more tracks revealing its full name as The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.

In the promotional photos, Taylor lounged on a bed wearing shorts and a black vest which she seductively slid off a shoulder. 

She then changed into a white shirt and shrugged it off, exposing her back and looking off into the distance. 

Taylor Swift unveils her most provocative artwork yet with a release of seductive black and white images for her surprise double album titled The Tortured Poets Department

Taylor Swift, 34, debuted her raciest artwork on Friday as she dropped sultry black and white snaps with her surprise double-album The Tortured Poets Department

Taylor dropped her eleventh studio album at 2 am (midnight EST) on Friday as well as its first single Fortnight, and with it, a series of sensual shots

Taylor dropped her eleventh studio album at 2 am (midnight EST) on Friday as well as its first single Fortnight, and with it, a series of sensual shots

Two hours later, Taylor announced that TTPD was actually a double-album, releasing 15 more tracks and revealing its full name: The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology

Two hours later, Taylor announced that TTPD was actually a double-album, releasing 15 more tracks and revealing its full name: The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology

The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology – The FULL tracklist

1. Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)

2. The Tortured Poets Department

3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys

4. Down Bad

5. So Long, London

6. But Daddy I Love Him

7. Fresh Out The Slammer

8. Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)

9. Guilty As Sin?

10. Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me

11. I Can Fix Him (No I Really Can)

12. loml

13. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart

14. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived

15. The Alchemy

16. Clara Bow

17. The Black Dog

18. Imgonnagetyouback

19. The Albatross

20. Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus

21. How Did It End?

22. So High School

23. I Hate It Here

24. Thank you Aimee

25. I Look in People’s Windows

26. The Prophecy

27. Cassandra

28. Peter

29. The Bolter

30. Robin

31. The Manuscript

The TTPD artwork is a far cry from the style of photos from Taylor’s previous albums.

In addition to her 11 studio albums, Taylor re-recorded four and gave them new covers. All fifteen albums covers are relatively tame in comparison.

Her self-titled debut album features a headshot of Taylor with a beautiful artificial lake and greenery background.

Her sophomore offering, 2008’s Fearless, shows Taylor mid-shake in a silver halter neck-style dress. 

Speak Now in 2010 saw Taylor swish around in a stunning purple gown sporting her soon-to-be-signature red lip. 

For Red in 2012, Taylor’s face is obscured by shadows and she wears a hat and white shirt, her hair now styled in waves.

In 2014, Taylor released 1989 which saw her head chopped off in a purple jumper with white sleeves and white seagulls. 

Taylor took more of a break, releasing Reputation in 2017, her first black and white album cover, for which she wore a slightly off the shoulder jumper. 

2019 saw the release of Lover and Taylor wore a white long-sleeved shirt in front of pink clouds and sported blue dip-dyed hair.

In July 2020, Taylor released Folklore, another black and white album, and for the cover she stood in the background of a forest.

In December 2020, Taylor released Evermore and again stood in a forest, wearing a french plait and a tartan coat, but now in the foreground – though her back is turned.

In April 2021, Taylor released her first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), which again saw her shaking her hair, but this time in a pirate-style silk shirt

In November 2021, Taylor released Red (Taylor’s Version) and was fully covered up as she touched the rim of an orange-brown peaked cap, flashing an expensive-looking ring. 

Taylor released Speak Now (Taylor’s version) in July 2023 and delighted fans by again donning a purple dress – and even revisiting her curls.

In October that same year, Taylor released her fourth re-recording, and her last to date, 1989 (Taylor’s Version). For the cover she revealed the most skin until that point, beaming in a white vest.

Finally, Taylor released Midnights in 2022, her first album to have the track listing on the front, and the image was just a made-up Taylor examining a flame. 

She then changed into a white shirt and shrugged it off, exposing her back and looking off into the distance

She then changed into a white shirt and shrugged it off, exposing her back and looking off into the distance

In another, she strays to the side of the frame and looks away, her body wrapped in a dark blanket

In another, she strays to the side of the frame and looks away, her body wrapped in a dark blanket

Taylor parted her lips and breathed in the seaside air as the wind blew her hair this way and that

Taylor parted her lips and breathed in the seaside air as the wind blew her hair this way and that

In another photo she moved her head to the side and placed one hand over her ear as she touched her temple

In another photo she moved her head to the side and placed one hand over her ear as she touched her temple

The TTPD artwork is a far cry from the more conservative style of photos from Taylor's previous albums

The TTPD artwork is a far cry from the more conservative style of photos from Taylor’s previous albums 

In addition to her 11 studio albums, Taylor re-recorded four and gave them new covers. All fifteen albums covers are relatively tame in comparison

In addition to her 11 studio albums, Taylor re-recorded four and gave them new covers. All fifteen albums covers are relatively tame in comparison

The TTPD artwork is a far cry from the style of photos from Taylor's previous albums, the first of which, 2006's Taylor Swift, is just a headshot of the very curly-haired singer

The TTPD artwork is a far cry from the style of photos from Taylor’s previous albums, the first of which, 2006’s Taylor Swift, is just a headshot of the very curly-haired singer

Her sophomore offering, 2008's Fearless, shows Taylor in a silver halter neck-style dress

Her sophomore offering, 2008’s Fearless, shows Taylor in a silver halter neck-style dress

Speak Now in 2010 saw Taylor swish around a stunning purple gown sporting her soon-to-be-signature red lip

Speak Now in 2010 saw Taylor swish around a stunning purple gown sporting her soon-to-be-signature red lip

For Red in 2012, Taylor's face is obscured by shadows and she wears a hat and white shirt, her hair in now styled in waves

For Red in 2012, Taylor’s face is obscured by shadows and she wears a hat and white shirt, her hair in now styled in waves

In 2014, Taylor released 1989 which saw her head chopped off in a purple jumper with white sleeves and white seagulls

In 2014, Taylor released 1989 which saw her head chopped off in a purple jumper with white sleeves and white seagulls

Taylor took more of a break, releasing Reputation in 2017, her first black and white album cover, for which she wore a slightly off the shoulder jumper

Taylor took more of a break, releasing Reputation in 2017, her first black and white album cover, for which she wore a slightly off the shoulder jumper

2019 saw the release of Lover and Taylor wore a white long-sleeved shirt in front of pink clouds and sported blue dip-dyed hair

2019 saw the release of Lover and Taylor wore a white long-sleeved shirt in front of pink clouds and sported blue dip-dyed hair

In July 2020, Taylor released Folklore, another black and white album, and for the cover she stood in the background of a forest

In July 2020, Taylor released Folklore, another black and white album, and for the cover she stood in the background of a forest

In December 2020, Taylor released Evermore and again stood in a forest, wearing a french plait and a tartan coat, but now in the foreground - though her back is turned

In December 2020, Taylor released Evermore and again stood in a forest, wearing a french plait and a tartan coat, but now in the foreground – though her back is turned

In April 2021, Taylor released her first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor's Version), which again saw her shaking her hair, but this time in a pirate-style silk shirt

In April 2021, Taylor released her first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), which again saw her shaking her hair, but this time in a pirate-style silk shirt

In November 2021, Taylor released Red (Taylor's Version) and was fully covered up as she touched the rim of an orange-brown peaked cap

In November 2021, Taylor released Red (Taylor’s Version) and was fully covered up as she touched the rim of an orange-brown peaked cap

Taylor released Speak Now (Taylor's version) in July 2023 and delighted fans by again donning a purple dress - and even revisiting her curls

Taylor released Speak Now (Taylor’s version) in July 2023 and delighted fans by again donning a purple dress – and even revisiting her curls

In October that year, Taylor released her fourth re-recording, and last to date, 1989 (Taylor's Version). For the cover she revealed the most skin until that point, beaming in a white vest

In October that year, Taylor released her fourth re-recording, and last to date, 1989 (Taylor’s Version). For the cover she revealed the most skin until that point, beaming in a white vest

Finally, Taylor released Midnights in 2022, her first album to have the track listing on the front, and the image was just a made-up Taylor examining a flame

Finally, Taylor released Midnights in 2022, her first album to have the track listing on the front, and the image was just a made-up Taylor examining a flame

Taylor’s much-anticipated new album The Tortured Poets Department seems to have struck to same chord with critics as it did the star’s millions of fans, with many reviews praising the ‘gloriously chotic’ and ‘audacious’ effort.

Sparking accusations that she was trying to con her fans, the star sent social media into meltdown when she dropped the 16-track record, before announcing 15 bonus songs just two hours later.

In a slew of reviews, critics were quick to brand Taylor’s album her ‘most personal yet’ and branded it a ‘sharp savage attack on her British exes,’ after fans speculated that several tracks took aim at her former flames Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy.

Writing in Variety, Chris Willman noted that the album is ‘renewing Taylor’s vows with heartbreak,’ noting that it had been a decade since she had released a similar record taking such swipes at her exes.

He penned: ‘The Tortured Poets Department gives everyone a full dose of the never-getting-over-it Taylor that no one really wanted to get over. 

‘As breakup albums go, it’s a doozy, as they would have said back in Clara Bow’s day – an unapologetically dramatic (if often witty) record that will be soundtracking untold millions of tragic rifts to come. If you’ve been putting one off, now might not be a bad time to schedule it.’ 

The album featured songs detailing her breakups from the likes of Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy and fans were eager to listen and dissect the lyrics. 

Side A began with the Post Malone collaboration, Fortnight, and was followed by the album’s title track, My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys and Down Bad. 

Side B had So Long, London, But Daddy I Love Him, Fresh Out the Slammer, and Florida!!!, with the latter song featuring Florence + the Machine.

Side C offered Guilty as Sin?, Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?, I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can), and ‘Ioml’.

The final part of the album, Side D, had I Can Do It With a Broken Heart, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, The Alchemy, Clara Bow and bonus track The Manuscript.

The Tortured Poets Department: What do the critics think?

Variety – Chris Willman

‘The Tortured Poets Department gives everyone a full dose of the never-getting-over-it Taylor that no one really wanted to get over. 

‘As breakup albums go, it’s a doozy, as they would have said back in Clara Bow’s day – an unapologetically dramatic (if often witty) record that will be soundtracking untold millions of tragic rifts to come. If you’ve been putting one off, now might not be a bad time to schedule it.’

Rolling Stone – Rob Sheffeld

It’s the cathartic confession of a woman who thought she had adulthood — and adult romance — all figured out, only to find herself realizing she knows nothing.

‘Even by Swiftian standards, she gets wildly ambitious with her songwriting here.’

The Telegraph – Neil McCormick

Rating:

‘On the simplest of terms, what we have here is a very smart, seductive, lyrically sharp set of smooth synth pop songs about affairs of the heart, crafted with love, intelligence and passion – another hugely appealing addition to Swift’s expanding canon…’

The Guardian – Alexis Petridis

Rating:

‘There’s clearly a risk involved in calling out elements of your own fanbase, however justified said attack is, but Swift pulls it off.

‘She can do it because she’s an exceptionally talented writer: there’s a depth and maturity to this album that makes her competitors look a little wan by comparison.’

NME – Laura Malloy

Rating:

‘Swift seems to be in tireless pursuit for superstardom, yet the negative public opinion it can come with irks her, and it’s a tired theme now plaguing her discography and leaving little room for the poignant lyrical observations she excels at.’

The Daily Mail – Adrian Thrills

Rating:

‘There’s certainly a sense that she’s pulling out all the stops on The Tortured Poets Department. 

‘Even for someone with a track record of lengthy, value-for-money albums, it’s a mammoth undertaking.’

The Standard – El Hunt

Rating:

‘There are no doubt countless lyrical puzzles here, waiting to be unpicked, but The Tortured Poets Department is at its most potent when it does away with all of the arch devices and spells it out plainly.’ 

The Times – Will Hodgkinson

Rating:

‘Taking in synth pop, Eighties power ballads and the emotional AOR of Stevie Nicks (who offers her own poem on love gone wrong in the liner notes), these songs are delivered with Swift’s trademark gusto and megawatt professionalism – and it’s a five-star album.’

The Mirror – Mollie Quirk 

‘Overall, The Tortured Poets Department is the most magnificent body of work that sees Taylor combine her love of poetry and music. 

‘The album is incredibly deep and moving, hard to unravel and decode, yet easy to fall into and draw comparisons to of your own life.’

BBC – Mark Savage

‘The Tortured Poets Department is an uneven album, and one that lacks a slam-dunk radio anthem like Anti-Hero or Shake It Off – but Swift has pop music in a stranglehold for now, so it will sell by the bucketload, even though it leaked a day ahead of release.’

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