Taylor Swift secretly created and released two surprise albums, 'Folklore' and 'Evermore,' during pandemic lockdown in 2020.
Taylor Swift is looking back at a very DIY period in her life. The 34-year-old songstress opened up about the making of her first of two pandemic albums, Folklore, during Wednesday's Eras Tour stop in Hamburg, Germany.
Swift noted that July 24 marked the fourth anniversary of her eighth studio album.
"I started making Folklore about two days into the pandemic," she shared with the audience while strumming her guitar inside the show's "Folklore House" set piece.
The star explained that making albums is typically a "collaborative" process, but that she ended up finding new ways to create with producers Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner at a distance. Swift took the lead on songwriting and recording in her home, while Antonoff and Dessner chimed in via phone.
"It was just, like, such a challenge for us as creators, but it was so fulfilling," she said.
"Then came time to take some pictures for the album," Swift continued. "You can't have hair and makeup, you can't have wardrobe, you have to just do it yourself. So I called my friend who has some woods behind her house and was like, 'Can I take some pictures in your forest?' And she said, 'Yes.'"
The enterprising artist added, "I ordered all these nightgowns online and brought them, and then did my own hair and makeup. Just was like, 'Guess I'll braid it? I don't know.'"
In the shots, captured by photographer Beth Garrabrant, Swift channeled a casual and ethereal aesthetic, styling her hair in two low braided buns.
Folklore dropped on July 24, 2020. Months later, on Dec. 11, 2020, Swift shocked fans again by releasing her ninth studio album, Evermore. For the latter's cover art, the pop star was photographed from behind wearing a plaid jacket with her hair styled in one long plait down her back.
Swift, Antonoff and Dessner previously opened up about their pandemic creative process in the Disney+ documentary, Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, which is streaming now.
The "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" singer continues her Eras Tour in Germany this week. She's set to take the stage in Munich on Saturday and Sunday.
For more on Swift, check out the links below.
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