It’s been a long time coming, as Taylor Swift shocks fans with a new album. This is going to be focused on her backstage life during the Eras Tour. On Aug. 13, Swift announced her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl” on Jason and Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast, set to release on Oct. 3.

After her Eras tour spanned nearly two years and grossed over $2 billion, Swift fans have been on the lookout for new teasers hinting at a possible new album release. Nothing had been confirmed until a countdown was posted on the official Taylor Swift website on Aug. 11 that sent fans into a frenzy.

“My mom tried to convince us to go tubing or go on the river since we were on vacation, but I was like, ‘No! We have to wait for the countdown!’” junior Margaret McGee said.

Swift’s 12th studio album features 12 tracks, including a title track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” with featured artist Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter has worked with Swift performing as both an opening act and a surprise guest for the Eras Tour.

“I think it’s really cool. I’m a really big fan of [Carpenter’s] music, especially her new album ‘Man’s Best Friend.’ I wonder what it’s going to sound like,” McGee said.

While some students view the collaboration as a smart move, others aren’t so sure it will produce positive results.

“It’s kinda crazy, I never expected them to be collaborating. I thought Taylor Swift was like country, and Sabrina Carpenter is like pop,” sophomore German Conejeros said.

Keeping up with Swift’s updates is a habit for some students, but to a lot of students, the new album announcement wasn’t a source of excitement.

“I saw on Instagram that a lot of people were reposting and saying that they were really excited. I didn’t really have a reaction though,” freshman Harper Bartholomew said.

With her highly publicized Eras Tour and high-profile life, snippets of Swift’s life are constantly being shared on social media so people can catch a glimpse of her in public. Students at WJ have shown conflicting opinions over the influx of “Taylor media.”

“I think she deserves it. I think she’s worked hard and makes good music. I’m excited for her engagement. I don’t follow her though,” senior Anna Kim said.

While they may not follow her directly, students like Kim tend to be supportive of seeing Taylor’s achievements posted online. Others tend to feel less positively about constant Taylor Swift updates.

“I don’t really mind it, but it is good to see something different once in a while. I’d just rather not see it,” Bartholomew said.

Her new album includes producers Max Martin and Shellback. They are known for contributing to songs that have been staples of Swift’s career, including “I Knew You Were Trouble”, “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space”. This new information has led to greater anticipation for the upcoming songs.

“I do prefer sadder songs, especially with Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner because I love folklore so much. The sadder, slower songs are probably my favorite, but I’m excited for the upbeat songs,” McGee said.

But the idea of Swift actually contributing to her own work is still contested by many. With her highly successful albums sometimes containing up to 31 songs, there’s speculation that she’s receiving significant help to write behind the scenes.

“I think she’s an industry plant, that she was gifted everything,” Conejeros said. “She got all the money from other producers. I don’t think she has real talent, I think she has ghost writers. I don’t think she has really worked for her success.”

As the days count down towards the release, the consensus for most students is indifference. Among the mixture of those thrilled and annoyed, most students don’t mind.

“I just don’t understand the Taylor hate, since she makes good music,” Kim said. “But I also don’t understand the insane Swifties who go crazy about everything. I think she’s just a good artist.”

Along with the anticipation of the new album, Swift has decided to release a movie, “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” that will be in theaters from Oct. 3-5. This movie will include parts of “The Fate of Ophelia” music video, behind the scenes footage of making the album and personal reflections from Swift herself. 

“‘I am definitely excited for the album. I think I’m going to go with a couple of my friends to the movie, we still have to work it out,” junior Ellie Macfarlan said.