Taylor's New Album, Demi and The Jonas Brothers Reunite

Taylor Swift Announces 12th Studio Album, 'The Life of a Showgirl'

Following a mysterious countdown that appeared on her website, Taylor Swift has officially announced her 12th original studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. The new record, which serves as the follow-up to her acclaimed 2024 album, The Tortured Poets Department, is now available for pre-order on her official website, though a formal release date has yet to be shared.

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The album's title was first revealed in a teaser clip from her upcoming appearance on the podcast New Heights, hosted by her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce. In the social media video, Swift presents a mint green briefcase adorned with her initials and says, "I want to show you something. This is my brand new album, The Life of a Showgirl." The album's cover art, however, was deliberately blurred out in the clip, building further anticipation.

A Return to 1989? Taylor Shares Max Martin and Shellback-Produced Playlist

Shortly after revealing her new album, Taylor Swift posted a playlist called “And, baby, that’s showbiz for you ❤️‍🔥,” which could hint at the album’s musical style. The playlist features 22 tracks from her previous albums, such as Red, 1989, and Reputation. It includes popular hits like “Shake It Off,” “Bad Blood,” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” but notably, all the songs are the original versions, except for “Message in a Bottle (Taylor’s Version).”

Fans quickly speculated about the playlist’s hidden message, noting that each track was produced by pop producers Max Martin and Shellback. This has sparked rumours that Swift may have worked with them again on her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, suggesting a possible return to the pop style that characterized much of her earlier work.

ICYMI:

• ‘Golden’ by HUNTER/X from ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ has officially hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first all-women collective to have a number one song on the chart since Destiny’s Child, despite being entirely fictional. 

• Ryan Reynolds has cryptically shared a photo of a graffiti ‘Avengers’ logo on social media. 

The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato Reunite

To kick off their 20th anniversary tour on August 10 at MetLife Stadium, the Jonas Brothers surprised fans by inviting their former Camp Rock co-star, Demi Lovato, to the stage. As nostalgic clips from the Disney movies played, Joe Jonas introduced Lovato, and they performed a medley that included "This Is Me" and "Wouldn’t Change a Thing." Joe mentioned it had been nearly a decade since they last performed the former, prompting Lovato to reflect on how much time had flown by.

The performance quickly became a viral sensation, sparking a wave of nostalgia among fans. Joe shared a clip of their duet on Instagram, with one fan commenting, “On behalf of zillennials everywhere, thank you for everything.” This reunion not only celebrated the Jonas Brothers' milestone but also highlighted the lasting impact of a beloved pop culture phenomenon.

POP FACT: On this day in 2012, Taylor Swift released ‘We Are Never Getting Back Together.’

Florence + The Machine Tease Return

Florence + The Machine have hinted at their imminent return with a chilling new teaser video shared on social media. In the brief, horror-esque clip, frontwoman Florence Welch is seen frantically digging in a desolate, windswept field. Dressed in a long red gown and matching shoes, she gazes into the hole she has created before unleashing three bloodcurdling screams, leaving fans to speculate about the sinister tone of her new work.

ICYMI:

• ‘Shrek 5’ has been delayed until June 2027; the movie was originally set for release in December 2026. 

• The first poster and trailer for ‘Marty Supreme’ starring Timothee Chalamet has been released.

• Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile” has surpassed “As It Was” by Harry Styles to become the second biggest song of the decade, only behind “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd.

• Chappell Roan’s ‘The Subway’ has debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week and has become her fourth Top 5 hit overall. 

• Cardi B has announced her new single, ‘IMAGINARY PLAYERS,’ out this Friday. 

— Katie Macbeth

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