Taylor Swift’s new album is just days away, and there’s a mystery teasing local Swifties ahead of its release.
A mural with the words “Taylor Swift” and “The Tortured Poets Department,” plus a giant QR code has gone up on the side of a River North building at 33 W. Grand Ave, the Chicago Tribune reports. The code links to a 13-second short from Swift’s official YouTube account. The video simply displays the message “Error 321.”
Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, is set to drop this Friday, April 19. The singer-songwriter announced the album during an acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards this past February, and is currently on the international leg of her record-breaking “Eras Tour.”
The QR code is made up of the letters “ttpd” and the number “13.” Swift considers 13 her lucky number—she was born on December 13—and has been known to hide Easter eggs in the liner notes of CDs and vinyls.
GUYS THE CHICAGO CODE TAKES YOU TO THE VIDEO WITH A “R” AND THE AUSTRALIA CODE TAKES YOU TO THE VIDEO WITH A “T” #TSTTPD WHERE ARE THE OTHER QR CODES?! pic.twitter.com/ypgOc2XUvi
— emily 🤍 i will hold on to you (@emsswiftieadv) April 17, 2024
Fans have gathered outside the last two days to watch the mural being put up and speculate as to what the video could be hinting at. Some have live-streamed the spectacle, while others have taken photos with it. It’s also not the only promotion for the album Swift has unveiled this week—a poetry library installation by Spotify is currently open in Los Angeles.
Swift was in Chicago last June for three sold-out concerts at Soldier Field. She isn’t scheduled to perform here this year but will be returning to the Midwest for three Indianapolis shows in November.