Taylor Swift’s Late-Night Instagram Countdown Sparks Excitement Following ‘Tortured Poets’ Album Release

Taylor Swift just released her highly anticipated album, The Tortured Poets Department, but it seems like the excitement is far from over. A mysterious countdown hidden on her Instagram page is causing a buzz among fans, hinting at a possible surprise announcement in the near future.

As soon as the 16-track project dropped at midnight on Friday, Swift made her first post on Threads, Instagram’s text-only platform. Simultaneously, a two-hour countdown went live on her Instagram profile, sparking speculation among Swifties about what could be coming next.

Fans have been quick to notice Swift’s subtle hints leading up to the album release. References to the number 2 have been scattered throughout her recent activities, from her Spotify library installation featuring a peace-sign statuette to her cryptic “Fortnight” music video announcement. Even the clocks at her pop-up library and in the music video were set to 2 o’clock, adding to the mystery surrounding the number.

In the meantime, Swifties can enjoy new features on Instagram and Threads inspired by The Tortured Poets Department. Fans can now customize their direct messaging backgrounds with visuals from the album artwork and earn a custom badge on Threads by sharing the singer’s first post. The excitement continues to build as Swift prepares for whatever surprise awaits at 2 a.m ET.

Leading up to the album release, Instagram launched a secret countdown that could only be revealed by fans pulling down on Swift’s profile. The countdown encouraged viewers to follow the Grammy winner on Threads and participate in special effects triggered by certain hashtags, creating an immersive experience for fans.

The Tortured Poets Department includes 16 tracks, with bonus songs available on deluxe versions and collaborations with Post Malone and Florence + The Machine. The album has been praised as one of the most anticipated releases of 2024, showcasing Swift’s songwriting talents and emotional depth.

Swift took a break from her global Eras Tour to focus on the album, finding solace in songwriting during challenging times. She expressed the therapeutic nature of creating music for The Tortured Poets Department, emphasizing the personal significance of the project for her.