Taylor Swift has a long history of leaving Easter eggs for her fans, and the past several months have been no exception. From color-coded moments on stage to cryptic social media activity, Swifties have long suspected that the singer’s 12th studio album, nicknamed “TS12” online, was on the way. Now that the announcement is official, here’s what we know so far.
What’s the album called?
Drumroll, please… Swift revealed that the new album is called The Life of a Showgirl. The news broke in a clip shared by Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast. She reveals the cover art to them, but it’s blurred in the footage. The full episode is set to air at 7 P.M. EST on August 13, her well-known favorite number.
The singer has historically favored one-word names (Lover, folklore, Midnights), but her most recent project, The Tortured Poets Department, broke that pattern.
When will Taylor Swift’s 12th album be released?
While Swift hasn’t confirmed a release date, it’s clear that the project will be here soon. Pre-orders are now available on her website.
If you’re looking for a hint: The vinyls will be shipped before Oct. 13, 2025, but Swift’s merch site specifies, “THIS IS NOT THE RELEASE DATE, OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.”
In the lead up to this month’s news, eagle-eyed fans have spotted some hints that new music was coming. In May, Swift shared a letter on her official site celebrating that she now owns the masters to her entire discography, a milestone she described as “the best thing that has ever been ours.” Notably, the letter contained the phrase “I was thiiiiiiiiiiiis close” with 12 “i”s, prompting fans to see a link to her 12th studio album.
Adding to the intrigue, Taylor Nation, the singer’s official fan engagement account, has been hosting listening parties for each of her past albums in chronological order, leading some to believe the rollout was counting down to a major announcement.
Plus, during select Eras Tour performances, Swift swapped in orange confetti and outfits, a shade not tied to any of her existing eras, leading fans to believe it could be connected to the theme or visual identity of her next album. That theory only grew after a Taylor Nation Instagram post on August 11 showed Swift in multiple orange outfits, captioned, “Thinking about when she said ‘See you next era…’ ❤️🔥”
The same day, Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, teased a “VERY special guest” for his New Heights podcast against an orange backdrop; hours later, the podcast confirmed (with a very flirty clip) that the guest is indeed Miss Taylor Alison Swift.
How many tracks will be on the album?
Tracklist details are still unknown. Swift’s past projects have ranged from the concise (1989’s 13 tracks) to the expansive (Tortured Poets’ 31).
What else has Swift said about the new album?
Apart from the masters announcement and Taylor Nation’s “See you next era…” tease, Swift has remained publicly silent on TS12—but that hasn’t stopped her fans from piecing together clues. She’ll likely give more details when she sits down with the Kelces on New Heights.
This story will be updated.
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