The New York Post launches an exclusive new video series today — “Listen Up! The Music Beat With Chuck Arnold.”
Every Friday, resident music critic Arnold will bring his 30-plus years of knowledge in front of the camera with trusted critical commentary, exclusive music news and event coverage, and can’t-miss picks for the weekend.
He will dive into the buzzy music news each week — album drops and single releases of the biggest superstars and hottest new artists — and everything else you need to know to stay on the inside track of the music moment.
For the premiere episode, it’s all about Taylor Swift.
Swift, of course, dropped her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on Friday. The 17-track list is filled with her infamous Easter eggs, songs dedicated to beau Travis Kelce and several lyrical hints about ex-boyfriends Joe Alwyn, Matty Healy and more.
But that wasn’t enough for the 14-time Grammy winner. She also surprised Swifties with 15 more songs at 2 a.m., making it a double album.
“Sure enough — there is plenty of ‘Bad Blood’ spilled on Swift’s latest. And with the raw honesty and specificity of her lyrics, she is clearly in her ‘IDGAF’ era,” Arnold said of Swift’s new music in his review. “In fact, the album starts with back-to-back shockers that just might have you clutching your pearls — or, in this case, your friendship bracelets.”
Here’s what to know about Taylor Swift’s new album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’:
- The 14-time Grammy winner released her highly anticipated 11th studio album “The Tortured Poets Department” on Friday.
- Swift sent her fans into a frenzy at 2 a.m. after revealing the record is a double album. Titled “The Anthology,” Swift’s late-night surprise includes 15 bonus tracks, bringing the total song count to a whopping 31.
- Swift initially unveiled her 16-song album at midnight, including collaborations with Post Malone and Florence Welch on two tracks. There are also four bonus tracks, “The Manuscript,” “The Bolter,” “The Albatross,” and “The Black Dog” that are featured on various vinyl versions of the album. The four tracks, as well as 11 new songs, are included in “The Anthology.”
- A poem about heartbreak that serves as a prologue for the album was written by Fleetwood Mac alum Stevie Nicks.
- There are several celeb names peppered throughout the album’s lyrics, the mention of singer Charlie Puth’s name took some Swifties by surprise.
- While some of Swift’s exes aren’t spared on “TTPD,” the singer, 34, does seemingly reference her current beau Travis Kelce on the new album’s track “The Alchemy” in a loving way.
- As for her exes, 1975 frontman Matty Healy is reportedly referenced throughout the 31-song-strong record. In fact, Healy — who, before their summer split, was a rebound romance for the pop superstar following her breakup with British actor Joe Alwyn after six years — appears to be the subject of the vicious takedown “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.” Other fans, however, may speculate the “sparkling summer” line is about Alwyn. There are also hints that “I Can Fix Him” (No Really I Can)” — gotta love that title — might be about 35-year-old Healy.
- As for Alwyn, Swift dropped hints at the pair’s ill-fated 6-year romance for a good — or for him, not so good — part of the album. Check out the 10 Alwyn-related references we’ve spotted.
- Read The Post’s review of “The Tortured Poets Department” here.
- Shop special-edition vinyls of Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” at Target.
- Buy “The Tortured Poets Department” Ghosted White 2 LP special edition set now.
Other topics from this week? Fresh tunes from The Beatles — well, their kids, at least — James McCartney’s “Primrose Hill” co-written by Sean Ono Lennon. Plus, an exclusive look at Big Apple tour stops from Bad Bunny and Maggie Rogers, and his weekend music picks — from Billy Joel and Coachella to Alicia Keys.