Taylor's Swift newest album drop thrills excited fans

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A vendor sells Taylor Swift merch after the singer's new album "Tortured Poets Department" dropped early Friday morning. Photo credit Sara Dingmann/WBBM Newsradio

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Fans of Taylor Swift may be sleepy Friday after listening to the pop star's 11th studio album that dropped at midnight, with a second surprise album dropping shortly after the clock struck 2 a.m.

31 tracks were released between the two albums. Fans were hanging out in downtown Chicago outside of Reckless Records.

"I knew there was something else coming. I didn't know if it was going to be two hours or two weeks," said Megan Stanoford.

She was visiting Chicago from Cincinnati and said she was not "a total swiftie" from the beginning, but became a big fan after seeing the singer live. Stanoford said she stayed up late to be one of the first listeners and has already plowed through both albums.

Fans speculate that the new album gives hints of Swift's previous relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn in the song "So long London." They also suspect the song titled “The Alchemy” may be about current boyfriend Travis Kelce.

Others said they can't get away from knowing all about the big album release.
One woman said "it's crazy how it's all over social media" even though she doesn't even follow the singer.

A writer from the U.K. on a research trip told WBBM that the album's title, "Tortured Poets Department", is taking away key words from poets and writers.

"Torture is where a lot of writers congregate and they advertise their work and it just means a lot of independent creators who have to market themselves are being pushed out by this album release."

Two of the tracks are collaborations with Post Malone and Florence And The Machine. Spotify revealed Thursday that Swift's album was the most pre-saved album in the audio streamer's Countdown Page.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Sara Dingmann/WBBM Newsradio