Taylor Swift scores fifth number one album with Folklore

Kimberley Bond
·3 min read

Taylor Swift has managed to top the pop charts once more, having secured her fifth consecutive UK number one album with Folklore.

The 30-year-old’s eighth studio album secured 37,000 chart sales, with 67% of its week one total coming from streams and 33% from downloads, according to the Official Charts Company.

Folklore is currently only available in digital formats, but will be able to purchase as a physical release later in the year when lockdown eases further.

Swift previously hit number one with Red in 2012, 1989 in 2014, Reputation in 2017 and Lover in 2019.

Taylor Swift has dominated the album charts once more.
Taylor Swift has dominated the album charts once more.

She is the fifth female artist to score five or more UK number one albums, after Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion.

Teasing the release of Folklore on Instagram last week, the singer wrote: “Most of the things I had planned this summer didn’t end up happening, but there is something I hadn’t planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my eighth studio album, Folklore. Surprise!

“I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into [this album].

View this post on Instagram

Most of the things I had planned this summer didn’t end up happening, but there is something I hadn’t planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise 🤗Tonight at midnight I’ll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. I wrote and recorded this music in isolation but got to collaborate with some musical heroes of mine; @aarondessner (who has co-written or produced 11 of the 16 songs), @boniver (who co-wrote and was kind enough to sing on one with me), William Bowery (who co-wrote two with me) and @jackantonoff (who is basically musical family at this point). Engineered by Laura Sisk and Jon Low, mixed by Serban Ghenea & Jon Low. The album photos were shot by the amazing @bethgarrabrant. Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed. My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with. Love you guys so much ♥️

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 23, 2020 at 5:00am PDT

Citing a list of her musical heroes, including indie band Bon Iver, Swift continued: “Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed.

“My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with. Love you guys so much.”

Former Boyzone star Ronan Keating was at number two with his 11th studio album Twenty Twenty, earning him a ninth top 10 record as a solo artist.

Additional reporting by PA

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