Taylor Swift’s New Album Is a Reference to Joe Alwyn? Fans Thinks

Paresh Jadhav

11 months ago

After her dazzling performance at the 66th Grammy Awards, Taylor Swift delivered a surprise for fans by unveiling a brand new album titled Folklore and Evermore that marked a departure from pop music.

However, some fans and internet sleuths believe there may be hidden meaning in Swift’s lyrics on her new album; many consider the album to be an allusion to Joe Alwyn who she once had an intimate relationship with.

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The Album’s Title

As soon as Taylor Swift announced her album name on Sunday night, fans quickly recognized its resemblance to a group chat Joe Alwyn shared with actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott dubbed the Tortured Man Club; its title being an indirect reference to their characters from television adaptations of Sally Rooney novels Normal People and Conversations with Friends.

Taylor has used astrology as an easter egg twice this year; first by dropping constellations for both her astrological sign (Sagittarius) and Joe’s sign (Pisces) in her Karma music video; now more fans have predicted that Taylor and Joe’s relationship will become clear through song titles and lyrics in future releases.

Cornelia Street may allude to Taylor’s fears that she could lose London once and for all; while The Lakes track could represent Joe’s passion for art and creation.

The Album’s Cover

Fans immediately noticed an easter egg when Taylor announced her new album title. Its cover features an image of a dark-colored building featuring the number 7, which corresponds to Joe and Taylor’s former home address before their split.

Another telling clue can be found in the song’s name itself – Glitch refers to how relationships often derail plans/preconceived notions; its lyrics suggest Taylor’s breakup with Joe as having done just that and left her reeling from shock.

Ready for It contains the final piece of evidence in its lyrics. In its chorus, Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal and Joe Alwyn’s names appear as members of a three-person chat group chat called Tortured Man Club by Taylor during their relationship.

The Album’s Tracklist

Taylor Swift fans were delighted when it was revealed that she would release another album this summer, believing it to be an epic diss at Joe Alwyn.

Taylor stunned her audience just moments after winning her 13th Grammy by unveiling news that her next album would be called Lover and would be available soon.

Within moments, theories swirled online as to why this album’s title could possibly refer to her former flame Joe Alwyn. Some speculated that it might refer to a WhatsApp group started by Joe with actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott from Normal People and Fleabag respectively.

Cornelia Street and Dress are also speculated as songs which allude to Taylor and Joe’s romance; Cornelia Street references their first dive bar date while Dress speaks of Taylor’s fear of losing Joe as her London Boy.

The Album’s Release Date

Taylor surprised fans at Sunday night’s Grammys by unveiling plans for her next album to be released this April. Swifties quickly noticed similarities between this title and that of an official WhatsApp group chat used by Joe Alwyn, Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott from Normal People and Fleabag roles to conduct business; theories began circulating quickly.

Although Joe may find the reference to ‘Tortured Man Club’ amusing, it may simply be coincidental. Since its unveiling during a Variety interview in 2022, its name has become an amusing nod to their forlorn characters on screen.

Taylor effortlessly made her transition from pop to indie folk when she released folklore and its sister album evermore in 2020, hiring collaborators with experience working within this new genre – something fans usually do not appreciate if an artist attempts to change genres; but Koenigsberg notes that Taylor managed to do this successfully while keeping the trust of her audience.