On August 23, Taylor Swift confirmed the name and release date of her sixth studio album on her Instagram. The album, named Reputation, will be released on November 10. The new single, according to her post, will be released on Thursday.
This news caused a hurricane of mixed reactions online. Swift's fans seem to have very high expectations for her new music.
WHEN YOU WERE ONLY EXPECTING A SNAKE HEAD VIDEO TODAY AND THEN TAYLOR SWIFT GIVES YOU A SINGLE, ALBUM TITLE, ART, AND RELEASE DATE pic.twitter.com/PiVmrogDPS
— l n ✨ (@ellenchilada) 23 августа 2017 г.
Last night without a new Taylor song in my life. Tomorrow night I'll wonder how I ever lived without it. #Reputation #taylorswift
— 40YrOldSwiftie Karen (@40yrOldSwiftie) 24 августа 2017 г.
я завтра весь мать его день:#taylorswift #reputation pic.twitter.com/ravBftv7AU
— not just hollander (@quacksonsquad) 24 августа 2017 г.
"Me tomorrow throughout the day"
SO FREAKING EXCITED for new #TaylorSwift music!✨ @taylornation13 I'm getting ready for the #Reputation era & tomorrow & November 10th like: pic.twitter.com/bEv9i6IQtM
— Line (@SwiftieLine) 23 августа 2017 г.
Several days before, much to her fans' shock, the singer wiped her social network accounts clean: deleted all content, photos and unfollowed everyone. Since then, she published three teasers of her new project. Videos of a snake without any captions also left Swift's admirers puzzled.
Taylor's lead single coming out tomorrow is said to be "packed with vocals" and will hit back at haters and critics #TaylorSwift #reputation pic.twitter.com/pDqMy9GxCQ
— Taylor Swift Updates (@TaylorSwiftMore) 23 августа 2017 г.
The serpent was associated with the singer since her feud with Kanye West, in the wake of which her social media accounts were flooded with snake emojis. Followers believe Taylor is attempting to reclaim the snake association and make it her own in an upcoming track.
Slaylor Swift is coming y'all. She's taking all the hate thrown at her and crafting it into art 👏🏻 #reputation #TaylorSwift #TS6isComing pic.twitter.com/Q1KVEk8Utv
— Nick 💙💙 (@SivanCentralNY) 23 августа 2017 г.
Taylor Swift is a marketing genius. @taylorswift13 #TaylorSwift #snake #reputation
— Danielle Lee (@DanLeeMusic) 23 августа 2017 г.
i really hope every track is dedicated to another hater. PLS GOD, GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT. #reputation #TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/ZjalUprX7g
— Taryn Arnold (@Thetarynarnold) 23 августа 2017 г.
haters reaction when #TaylorSwift used that hate and is about to make millions off of it: pic.twitter.com/cMwYcXrmUK
— Introverted Aspy (@aspergerslady) 23 августа 2017 г.
Reputation is her first album since 2014's 1989, which won a Grammy for Album of the Year. Since then, the singer released "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" for the soundtrack to Fifty Shades Darker featuring Zayn. After previously pulling all her music from streaming services in 2014 due to Spotify's per-stream royalty numbers, her discography returned to all platforms earlier this year.
Some very picky fans noted they were not quite impressed by the black-and-white cover art of the upcoming "venomous" album.
Excited for @taylorswift13 new album. But really hate the album cover. Gives world war feels😓 #TaylorSwift #Repuation
— queen.of_boredom (@rujutakelkar) 24 августа 2017 г.
I'm glad Taylor is paying homage to Kelly Clarkson's iconic Mr. Know It All phase, as all pop stars should. pic.twitter.com/rM0CGc9dKA
— Danny Pellegrino (@DannyPellegrino) 23 августа 2017 г.
Why does Taylor's new album imagery look like a Forever 21 sale rack graphic tee? pic.twitter.com/QxD2RCiWJA
— Hannah Orenstein (@hannahorens) 23 августа 2017 г.
Taylor's snake theme and even font also generated a bunch of curious tweets.
Voldemort better watch out! The NEW heir of slytherin Taylor Swift is here to snatch wigs! She's coming for blood this era! Queen of snakes!
— Ricky Dillon (@RickyPDillon) 23 августа 2017 г.
Very happy to see taylor swift leaning into being a slytherin
— Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) 22 августа 2017 г.
Did Taylor try and shade Kanye with a FONT?! pic.twitter.com/8PKLVjQ5A3
— Sam Stryker (@sbstryker) 23 августа 2017 г.
Some users joked that the album's cover made them hope it'll be one of the heaviest releases of the year.
So glad Taylor Swift is finally going through her black metal period. Been waiting years for this. https://t.co/XyJdyfVvVH
— 🌹 (@Magee__) 23 августа 2017 г.
Congratulations Taylor Swift on signing with Deathwish Records pic.twitter.com/dG4GVWosTO
— metal 🌹 txt (@metaltxt) 23 августа 2017 г.
That album title + font could easily be a hardcore band name/album https://t.co/K7XAvxU3cT
— Tyler Sharp (@TylerMEB) 23 августа 2017 г.
why Taylor Swift look like she boutta headline This Is Hardcore 2018 https://t.co/VkomtjClWF
— jake (@jeezywan) 23 августа 2017 г.
Taylor's haters, too, couldn't help but notice how they were irritated by the hype surrounding the singer and her forthcoming release.
Taylor Swift is untalented and overrated. She's over. Stop trying to make her a thing
— 🍒 (@goodapollos) 24 августа 2017 г.
Officially old: didn't get why people were mad at #EdSheeran's #GameOfThrones cameo. Not getting the hype about #TaylorSwift's new release.
— James Withers (@JamesWithers3) 24 августа 2017 г.