Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department is just hours away and Swifties are stressed out.
Before its release on Friday, the massive fan base is warning against leaks of the album, with many claiming that they have been fielding spoilers after the record illegally leaked.
"I don't care if you listen to the leaks or share them with your friends but the least you could do is not talk about them on your main [account] and have some respect for Taylor's hard work," a Swiftie posted as they began to realize that the album was spreading.
Swift has been extremely strict about leaks in the past. During the original 1989 release, Variety reports thay she would blast heavy metal music outside of her house during pre-release listening parties for fans to shake off any microphones that could be nearby. While inviting journalists to get an early listen, special iPads were flown in by record label executives that could only be used with specific headphones.
"It's literally so disrespectful to Taylor to share leaks. She should be able to release her art how and when she wants to. Please I'm begging you to respect artists and their work," another Swiftie wrote on Twitter.
Others are taking to social media to say that fans who spread leaks are "continuously so disrespectful to Taylor" and that "it's not funny or cool to ruin something as special as this for us or Taylor."
Another fan said that they will not be listening to the leak as they would rather enjoy the new music on their own, luxurious terms, writing that their "first time listening to a new Taylor album has to be a beautiful curated moment on release night. I need mood lighting, I need a bottle of wine, I need to countdown to midnight. It's so serious."
While it is unclear how the new Swift album allegedly leaked, Swifties have also planned out a course of action to report the unjust spreading of the highly-anticipated record. While they say that leaks are inevitable, they encourage others to not like, reply to, or repost those leaking the content. Instead they advise reporting the user and directing messaging Swift's label.
Album leaks even have the potential to land culprits in jail. A 31-year-old employee at a CD manufacturer company faced six months to four years in jail after illegally releasing a Madonna single and attempting to sell leaked copies of an album by Extremurduro, Vice reports. He was charged with copyright infringement, even though he did not successfully sell any copies of the album.
In 2022, Variety reports that Beyonce's Renaissance unexpectedly circulated the internet dropped 36 hours early, a similar amount of time to the alleged "Tortured Poets" leaked. As many were shocked that the album was being passed around, the "Break My Soul" singer addressed the leak when it officially dropped on July 29.
"So, the album leaked and you all waited until the proper release time so you all can enjoy it together. I've never seen anything like it. I can't thank y'all enough for your love and protection," she wrote. "I appreciate you for calling out anyone that was trying to sneak into the club early. It means the world to me. Thank you for your unwavering support. Thank you for being patient. We are going to take our time and enjoy the music. I will continue to give you my all and do my best to bring you all joy."
The Tortured Poets Department will officially be released on Friday, April 19. It features collaborations with Post Malone and Florence + the Machine. Several alternate versions of the album on CD and vinyl are available on her website.
