On April 13th, Taylor Swift posted on her Instagram a picture with the caption "4.26"... since then, every post since has had the same caption, and fans have been theorizing ever since.
1. It's going to be very different from "Reputation"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvAdohMF7b9/
Looking at her current pastel Instagram theme, it is very, very different than dark, mysterious vibe from her "Reputation" days.
2. This will be one of Taylor's happiest albums yet
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtuMOFmlDm5/
Taylor has stayed out of the media for the most part since the release of "Reputation", and I believe that she's enjoyed her time, focusing on her music, friends, family, and relationships during this downtime.
3. This album will reflect on her childhood
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwPvbUWjsgR/
In 2016, in an interview with Glamour magazine, Taylor revealed that she was bullied in school, and her mom would often take her to T.J.Maxx after school to look at the opal jewelry in order to cheer her up. On April 14th, she posted a picture of jewelry, including opal. Also, one could say that her current Instagram profile picture has an opal tone to it. These could be hints to Taylor tapping into her childhood for her newest album. Oh, and she dressed up as a "childhood hero" for a New Year's Eve party...
4. ...But also focus on moving forward
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuUrV5hl-5B/
From her fresh, pastel Instagram theme to the flowers, butterflies, and overall springy vibes, Taylor has an airy, happy vibe that yells fresh, new life. Perhaps the album will also focus on her rising above everything from "Reputation" and all of the new things in her life.
5. It's going to have hidden eggs placed within the lyrics
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuRqXqqlshV/
All Swift fans know that Taylor loves to play games and create puzzles for us to figure out leading up to album releases. Why does the album itself have to be any different? Hopefully TS7 will have hidden gems in it as well...
6. Jack Antonoff and Max Martin will be back
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwTItkEDh9d/
Jack and Max have been with Taylor since "1989," and I don't think they're going anywhere. If they made it through the sound shift between Swift's 5th and 6th albums, they can work with whatever new ideas Taylor comes up with.
7. If the old Taylor is dead, I think TS7 will be when the new Taylor fully emerges
https://www.instagram.com/p/BumUfpXFKaL/
There's been some butterfly emojis and imagery flying around on Taylor's Instagram, and in a way, I think TS7 will be Taylor emerging from her cocoon of sorts into a butterfly. "Reputation" showed that she was capable of change, and this new album will show a more mature version of Taylor.
Chances are all of these are 100% wrong... but hey, it's fun to theorize while we wait for her new single/album to drop on April 26th.
