"Folklore" is Taylor Swift's eighth studio album, released unexpectedly on July 24, 2020, via Republic Records amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Swift conceived the album during quarantine, collaborating remotely with producers Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff. While Dessner worked from a studio in the Hudson Valley and Antonoff from New York City, Swift recorded vocals at her home studio in Los Angeles.
Departing from her previous upbeat pop style, "Folklore" features mellow ballads driven by piano, guitars, strings, and subtle percussion, blending indie folk, alternative rock, and electro-acoustic influences. Inspired by themes of escapism, empathy, nostalgia, and romanticism, Swift explores fictional narratives and characters, a departure from her usual autobiographical approach. The album's title reflects the enduring impact of folk music, with a visual aesthetic inspired by cottagecore.
Upon its release, "Folklore" topped charts globally and achieved platinum or higher certifications in multiple countries. In the United States, it became Swift's seventh number-one album and spent eight weeks at the top of the Billboard 200. It was the best-selling album of 2020 and spawned hits like "Cardigan", "The 1", and "Exile" featuring Bon Iver, all reaching the top 10 in multiple countries.
Critically acclaimed for its emotional depth, poetic lyrics, and relaxed atmosphere, "Folklore" was praised as a timely and introspective work suited to the pandemic era. It appeared on numerous year-end lists, won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, and was featured in Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Swift explored the album in the Disney+ documentary "Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions" and followed it with a companion album, "Evermore", just weeks later. The album's impact has been noted by artists citing it as a significant influence.
