Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, is coming out in April 2024, and fans think Sabrina Carpenter will be featured on the project. For what it’s worth, Swifties are known for being so embedded in the Easter eggs of everything Swift does or says. I mean, we were all convinced Swift’s Grammy announcement would be for reputation (Taylor’s Version), right? Even though fans got that one wrong, the hints are all there for a Taybrina collab during this new era. Maybe there is something left here to decode?
During her Grammys speech, Swift shared that she has kept her new album secret for the past two years. Last year, on Jan. 20, 2023, Carpenter posted a photo dump on Instagram captioned, “Tortured artist.” This now has fans speculating that she may have hinted at being on the project. Separately, Carpenter was also seen leaving Electric Lady Studios, where Swift often records, along with some other big names in September of 2023.
Carpenter is a poet herself, writing hit after hit, so it just makes sense for her to be on this album. Songs like “emails i can’t send” and “decode” already give The Tortured Poets Department vibes, considering they’re sad songs about written messages. Plus, Carpenter had an amazing year in 2023, releasing her album emails i can’t send fwd: and her songs “Nonsense” and “Feather” taking over the charts. She also slayed opening for The Eras Tour. She was slamming the door and hitting ignore all over everyone’s TikTok FYP, too. Why not keep the good vibes going with an official collab between Carpenter and Swift?
Back to the present: Carpenter was spotted with Swift and her longtime producer and friend, Jack Antonoff, at a Grammy after-party in L.A. on Feb. 4. I can’t help but think (and pray) she was helping to celebrate the announcement of the album she’s featured on.
Since dropping her re-recordings, Swift has collabed with many more of her friends, and many joined her at some point on The Eras Tour. Hayley Williams, Phoebe Bridgers, and HAIM have songs with the singer and opened for her on tour. Fans have clowned before, but the evidence is there. The two blondies coming together to maximize their joint slay and songwriting abilities would be too perfect.
Fans will have to wait until April to see if their theories are correct. Which, of course, gives the mastermind plenty of time to drop more surprises and sneak peeks. Until then, I’ll be streaming “Feather” and pre-ordering new The Tortured Poets Department goodies.