Taylor Swift's newest album "Evermore," her second surprise release of the year, is another shining example of the singer's songwriting prowess.
Billed as a companion to July's "Folklore," it's similarly rich with poetic lyrics, callbacks to old songs, and fictional narratives.
"I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales," Swift wrote in her release announcement. "So I just kept writing them."
"Before I knew it there were 17 tales, some of which are mirrored or intersecting with one another," she added later, referring to the 15-song tracklist, plus the album's two unheard bonus tracks.
Any Swift fan knows that she loves to hide winks, hidden details, and thematic parallels in her songs and videos. Swift honed this tradition with "Folklore" and doubled down with "Evermore," adopting different perspectives and creating storylines that augment and enrich the listening experience.
Many moments on "Evermore" also refer back to Swift's previous albums, especially "Folklore," as well as real-life facts about her life.
Insider created a guide to all the patterns, plots, and Easter eggs you may have missed.
Keep reading to see our track-by-track breakdown.