Taylor Swift Buys Master Recordings; Teases New Album 'Skunk'
Eagle-eyed fans spotted some hints that point to 'Skunk' being her next album
Taylor Swift shared this morning that she has successfully bought back all masters of her music from previous owner, investment firm Shamrock Capitol.
The announcement on her website elated fans, as they have followed the story every step of the way, rooting for Swift to rightfully gain ownership and control of her music.
However, as Taylor Swift fans know, there’s always another layer to her messaging, and some eagle-eyed fans believe they’ve uncovered the cryptic hint:
Taylor Swift’s next album will be the long-rumored Skunk.
Rumors of the Skunk album started as Swift began rerecording her albums in November of 2020.
Fans believed the album would serve as a "nonviolent defense" against Scooter Braun and Ithaca Holdings purchase of her masters, much like a skunk’s spray is a "nonviolent defense."
Skunks are seen as self-sufficient and their unique defense mechanism of spraying is seen as an effective, nonviolent way to protect themselves against predators.
Those similarities were enough to tantalize the hardcore fans, and the "Skunk Theory" was born.
However, years have passed and Swift has released new albums and Taylor’s Versions without any mention of Skunk… until now.
In Swift’s note shared on her website announcing the purchase of her masters, eagle-eyed fans spotted the word "skunk" in the first paragraph, along with the word "this" being spelled with twelve i’s, hinting to her twelfth album:
Fans (eagle-eyed ones) also noticed that about a month ago, the Universal Music Sweden Instagram account shared a video that interviewed the Swedish DJ Nause, where he let it slip that Swedish music producer Erik Arvinder is working with Swift currently on her new album Skunk.
The video was quickly pulled from the account, but eagle-eyed fans grabbed the screenshot below:
Lastly, eagle-eyed fans speculate that since Swift already has two albums in her discography with black and white cover art (Reputation and Folklore), she is due for another because "third time’s the charm."
What album might be suited for a black and white cover art?!
Skunk.
The clues have been laid and eagle-eyed fans have picked them up.
Skunk season is upon us. Get excited!!!