Lover (album)

Lover is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on August 23, 2019 through Republic Records, and is her first album after her departure from Big Machine Records, which resulted in a highly publicized dispute. Swift recorded Lover with producers Jack Antonoff, Joel Little, Louis Bell, and Frank Dukes from November 2018 to February 2019 following her Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) where she felt motivated by the fans, helping her recover her mental health after the controversies leading up to Reputation (2017). Swift conceived Lover as a "love letter to love", taking inspiration from her recalibrated personal life and newfound artistic freedom. Compared to the dark, heavy, hip hop-influenced tones of Reputation, Lover brighter electropop sound draws mostly from pop rock and synth-pop, with melodies characterized by atmospheric synthesizers, mid-tempo rhythms, and acoustic instruments. The songs incorporate eclectic styles ranging from country and folk to funk and bubblegum pop. They explore emotions such as infatuation, commitment, lust, and heartache. A few discuss political issues such as LGBT rights and feminism. Having avoided the press for Reputation, Swift embarked on an extensive promotional campaign for Lover through television shows, interviews, and magazine covers. Lover cover art and visual aesthetic feature bright pastel colors. Swift also played City of Lover, a one-day concert in Paris, on September 9, 2019. Four singles from the album—"Me!" featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco, "You Need to Calm Down", "Lover" and "Cruel Summer"—charted in the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100. Lover was Swift's sixth-consecutive album to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200. It also topped the charts in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the UK, and elsewhere, and sold 3.2 million copies in 2019, becoming the year's best-selling studio album. The album received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its emotional maturity and free-spirited sound, though some took issue with its disparate musical styles.