by Channeling the dark academia theme of the album, the Arthur Upson Room in Walter Library transformed into Swiftie headquarters to celebrate the release of Taylor Swift’s album, “The Tortured Poets Department”.
Dressed in album-themed cardigans and Eras Tour sweatshirts to make beaded bracelets and blackout poetry, U of M Swifties took a break from studying to unite with other fans.
Swift released a total of 31 songs at midnight on Friday, April 19. She also released fifteen bonus songs dropped at 2 a.m., making for a double album.
For many Swifties, like first-year student Rebecca Nenonen, the University Libraries’ Swiftie Study Break event wasn’t their first time listening to the tracks.
“Me and one of my friends actually stayed up til like 3 – 3:30 listening to it, trying to decode and stuff like that and see what is so special about the other 15 songs,” she said.
With an entirely unexpected second collection of songs, some fans, like fourth-year student Sophia Picco, have yet to solidify their favorites.
“The one that I was most excited for was ‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart’ and I really am like, happy with it. I love it,” she said. “And so um, it’s probably not set in stone yet, but I’m going to go with that for now.”
Despite uncertainty surrounding favorite songs, Swifties’ love for the singer-songwriter remains strong.
Nenonen has been a lifelong fan of Swift, courtesy of her mom. When she was 4 years old, Nenonen fell in love with “You Belong With Me” from Swift’s second studio album, “Fearless”.
She and a friend attended the study break to be in the atmosphere of a room full of other fans.
“It’s been great, just kind of having a bunch of Swiftie friends lately,” she said. “And just having just this community here, and stuff like that, has been really, really cool.”
Picco shares a similar timeline with Nenonen –– she became a fan of Swift at 6 years old. Not only does nostalgia play a role in why she feels an emotional connection to the music, she says Swift’s lyrics are relatable.
“I just – I hope that she keeps writing and making music because it makes me really happy,” Picco said.
The University Libraries’ event was in partnership with the student group, Swifties at the University of Minnesota. Last month, the newly registered student group held a Taylor Swift themed bingo night as their kickoff event.
