There’s always a buzz about new music at the start of the summer season in Ibiza, and 2024 has been no different. Except for the fact that in my household, we (and when I say we, I mean me, myself and my cat) have ditched our typical minimal-tech for something that is far more a part of today’s zeitgeist, and someone who holds a very special place in my heart, even if I don’t know her personally (though you just know we’d be besties if we were ever to meet). That’s right: I’m a Swiftie through and through (those of you who read my blogs might remember how Ms Taylor Alison Swift saved my life during lockdown) and I had been excitedly counting down the days until the launch of her new album, The Tortured Poet’s Department.

Fast forward to release day and friends from far and wide were calling to wish me Happy Taylor Swift Day, and to see how many times I’d streamed TTPD since it was officially launched into the world. I’d barely streamed it twice when just two hours later – in true Taylor Swift style – our Fearless heroine announced there was an entire second half to the album, making it a 31-track anthology (one song for every day of the month, for those who want to match a track to their birthday – mine’s The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived). It was a tough day to get any work done, let me tell you that much – learning the lyrics to 31 new tracks off-by-heart while simultaneously trying to decode the meaning behind them and sobbing onto my laptop at the sheer genius of the artist’s talent doesn’t do wonders for productivity. Fortunately, I’m the boss, so I got away with it.

TTPD, in my opinion, is perhaps Taylor Swift’s greatest body of work to date. The rawness (and relatability) of her lyrics. The shift from pop to folk to rock to country and back again. Her dreamy vocals – from breathy to pure female rage and power. The references (including past, pop culture and petty), the collabs, the artistry, the sheer genius of it all have truly blown this little Swiftie’s mind. And let’s take just a minute to pay respects to the poem written for Taylor by none other than Stevie Nicks as liner notes.

I’ve since developed a theory that each song on TTPD could be a metaphor for life in Ibiza and I’m contemplating whether that’s the basis of a new blog series for me? In case you’re wondering, my current favourite tracks are Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me, I Can Do It With A Broken Heart and I Hate It Here – make of that what you will. Oh, and also The Bolter. And Robin. Perhaps I’ll share the reasons why in a blog one day, but right now, I’m busy planning an outfit to wear to the Eras Tour in Madrid in just a few days and trying not to have an absolute breakdown knowing I’m going to see the most powerful person in the music industry work her magic IN REAL LIFE.

We might live on an island that’s inundated by electronic music, but it’s been interesting to see how many Ibiza Swifties have come Out Of The Woods to connect with me once I started unashamedly sharing my love for Taylor on social media. I’m proud to say TTPD is my official soundtrack to the season. It’s on constant rotation in my car, at the gym, in the house… you get the drift. Take my unsolicited advice and give it a listen. Surely 91,677,481 streamers on Spotify can’t be wrong…