Taylor Swift is gearing up for the release of her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, and she’s taking her fans on an emotional journey with the release of five heartbreak-themed playlists. Each playlist, curated by the pop sensation herself, features tracks from her first 10 albums, representing different phases of heartbreak.
The pop star’s latest album has sparked speculation among fans that it may be inspired by the five stages of grief. In anticipation of the album’s April 19 release, Swift shared five playlists on Apple Music, each embodying a distinct phase of heartbreak.
The playlists are named after the taglines of previously announced deluxe editions, with the fifth one titled “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” after a song on the upcoming album. The first playlist, “I Love You, It’s Ruining My Life,” includes tracks like “Style” and “Treacherous,” representing the “denial” stage of heartbreak.
According to Swift, the playlist is a collection of songs about getting caught up in the idea of something, having a hard time seeing the red flags, and experiencing moments of denial and delusion.
The second playlist, “You Don’t Get to Tell Me About Sad,” channels anger with songs like “Vigilante Shit,” “Bad Blood,” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Swift explained that these songs were written during moments of anger, and she has found that channeling her anger into songwriting has been a healthy outlet for her.
The third playlist, “Am I Allowed to Cry?,” represents the bargaining stage of heartbreak. This playlist features tracks like “Soon You’ll Get Better,” “Say Don’t Go,” and “This Is Me Trying,” reflecting times when one tries to make deals with themselves or someone they care about, often feeling desperate in the process.
The playlists are modeled after Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ famous five stages of grief theory, with each playlist representing a different stage of heartbreak. Swift’s personal touch in curating these playlists offers fans a glimpse into the emotional journey that has inspired her upcoming album.
As the release date for The Tortured Poets Department draws near, fans can delve into these playlists to experience the raw emotions and powerful storytelling that have become synonymous with Taylor Swift’s music.
