Taylor Swift's Latest Career Move Sparks Rumors of a Subtle Jab at a Younger Singer
Taylor Swift has faced criticism over the environmental impact of her private jet usage—a point of contention her team didn’t take kindly to, going as far as sending a cease and desist to a jet tracker. This controversy seems to have taken a new twist with Swift’s recent musical maneuvers, which some believe might be a subtle jab at fellow singer Billie Eilish.
Swift just released three new editions of her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, on May 16 — just a day before Eilish’s latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, hit the shelves. Eilish’s fans are convinced that the timing is no coincidence and might even be a response to Eilish’s outspoken stance on sustainability in music releases.
Last month, Eilish took a strong stand against the overproduction of vinyl records, particularly criticizing the wastefulness associated with multiple variants of physical albums. In a candid interview with Billboard, she expressed her frustrations:
“We live in this day and age where, for some reason, it’s very important to some artists to make all sorts of different vinyl and packaging… I can’t even express to you how wasteful it is. It is right in front of our faces and people are just getting away with it left and right, and I find it really frustrating as somebody who really goes out of my way to be sustainable.”
Eilish’s 2021 album, Happier Than Ever, featured eight different vinyl variants made from 100% recycled materials, including black vinyl and colored scraps, with shrink-wrap made from sugar cane. Her commitment to sustainability starkly contrasts with the frequent limited edition releases by Swift. For instance, Swift’s album Folklore boasts 13 different limited edition presses, Midnights has six vinyl variants, and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) features five limited edition vinyl variants. Though the newly released editions of The Tortured Poets Department are digital, the sheer volume of Swift’s past physical releases has raised eyebrows.
Fans on social media were quick to speculate. One posted on X, “So trying to block Billie…..” while another chimed in, “I’m pretty sure Taylor heard about Billie’s Vinyl rant…. ????” Others expressed frustration over the timing, with one fan posting, “Billie Eilish’s album has been awaited for a long time, yours is out now, and if you release a new version of CD, LP, or limited edition deluxe box every month, you have fans who will buy it. You didn’t have to publish today or tomorrow.” Another simply asked, The biggest artist in the world choosing to release a bunch of songs on a new version of her album the same day Billie does?? What isn’t clicking?”
Still, these Eilish fans might be hatin’ just to hate, hate, hate. After her comments on limited edition vinyls went viral, Eilish clarified things on her Instagram stories, saying “OK so it would be so awesome if people would stop putting words into my mouth and actually read what I said in that Billboard article… I wasn’t singling anyone out, these are industry-wide systemic issues.”
It’s also worth noting that Swift, being the most successful actively touring musician in the highest profile relationship on the planet, is bound to have her fair share of critics. While there’s no concrete proof that Swift timed her release to overshadow Eilish’s, – and given that Eilish cleared the air—it’s important to remember that Swift does have a reputation for dropping hints and choosing specific dates for her releases.
Whatever the case, now might be an opportune time for fans to reflect on their purchasing habits. The constant demand for limited editions and various formats impacts not only the environment but also fuels unnecessary competition among artists. Supporting eco-friendly initiatives and considering sustainable practices could be beneficial steps for both artists and their followers.
Before you go, click here for more documentaries about strong women in music.