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Swift surprises fans with secret 'double album'

By Naomi Clarke, Ellie Iorizzo and Laura Harding
Updated April 19 2024 - 5:30pm, first published 5:25pm
Taylor Swift's latest album appeared to be leaked online 24 hours before its scheduled release. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Taylor Swift's latest album appeared to be leaked online 24 hours before its scheduled release. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Taylor Swift has surprised her fans by releasing a secret "double album" instalment of her new record The Tortured Poets Department, which is thought to hint at her break-up with British actor Joe Alwyn and The 1975 star Matty Healy.

Hours after dropping the 16-song edition of her 11th studio album, the US pop superstar announced an expanded version with an extra 15 songs, titled The Anthology.

The original album appeared to be leaked online 24 hours before its scheduled release, so the new songs are believed to have not been heard before.

Swift announced the news by sharing album artwork on social media.

Alongside the post she wrote: "It's a 2am surprise: The Tortured Poets Department is a secret DOUBLE album.

"I'd written so much tortured poetry in the past 2 years and wanted to share it all with you, so here's the second instalment of TTPD: The Anthology. 15 extra songs.

"And now the story isn't mine anymore ... it's all yours."

The singer-songwriter unveiled her initial 16-song album, which features collaborations from Post Malone and Florence + The Machine, at midnight, US eastern time, on Friday.

Swift, who is known for taking inspiration from past relationships for her music, has placed So Long, London at number five in the track list - the slot reserved for the most meaningful song on each of Swift's albums.

The song is thought to offer new insight into her split with The Favourite actor Alwyn after six years together.

In the lyrics, Swift hints at wedding plans, singing: "You swore that you loved me, but where were the clues, I died on the altar waiting for the proof", as well as being upset at having to leave London, which she said she "loved".

Fans have interpreted the lyrics to the first song on the album titled Fortnight, featuring US star Post Malone, to be about British singer Healy, whom she was rumoured to be dating briefly in 2023 after her split from Alwyn.

Hours before the release of the album, Swift announced that Fortnight would be the first single of the album.

Swift does not name-check Healy but a number of songs appear to reference him, including on Guilty As Sin, where she sings about having "fatal fantasies" for someone from her past while in a relationship.

Fans also believe the 15th track, The Alchemy, is a nod to her blossoming romance with NFL star Travis Kelce because the song references various American football terms.

The pop star began a high-profile romance with Kelce in 2023, with her rushing the field at the Super Bowl to kiss him after his third victory in five years, and recently attending the Coachella music festival together.

Australian Associated Press