Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’: Grammy 2025 Album of the Year Favorite?

Taylor Swift’s album “The Tortured Poets Department” is poised to be one of 2025’s most talked-about releases. Her previous album “Midnights” was a massive success, giving Swift her record-breaking fourth Album of the Year win at the recent Grammys. Now, many wonder if she could win an astonishing fifth time with this new release. But will the Recording Academy award her another trophy so soon?

For Swift to take home her fifth Album of the Year, she’ll need a compelling narrative like with her previous wins. Whether it was her country crossover to pop with “1989,” her pandemic folk album “Folklore,” or her record-breaking “Midnights,” Swift tends to win when she makes an impact beyond just commercial success. However, this time she may lack an obvious narrative. While “The Tortured Poets Department” will dominate its first week, it remains to be seen if it will showcase something genuinely new for Swift. Distinguishing projects like “Folklore” have won, while enormous works like “Red” have lost. If the album reveals an unexpected side of Swift, she could have a shot.

Can She Beat the Beyoncé Buzz?

However, back-to-back Album of the Year wins are rare, and some argued SZA deserved the award for “SOS.” Now, Beyoncé is the presumed favorite with her own forthcoming album and her notorious lack of general field wins. After losses for “Lemonade” and “Renaissance,” and Jay-Z’s viral rant blasting the Grammys, the narrative favors Beyoncé. Still, there is time for Swift to shift momentum, perhaps with an unexpected genre change. But Beyoncé’s lead single “Texas Hold ‘Em” is a smash hit, so Swift faces an uphill battle.

Can Taylor Swift break her own record and scoop another Album of the Year win with ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ at the 2025 Grammys? According to 22bet.com, there’s a percentage chance of 28.60% and odds of 3.5/1 that she’ll do it!

Does She Have the Genre Support?

In addition, Swift likely needs genre voters on her side. Pop voters appreciate but don’t love her; “Folklore” lost its pop nods but won Album of the Year with alternative and country support. Her two Pop Album winners, “1989” and “Midnights,” only won in that genre field, then took Album of the Year without strong pop competition. With possible 2025 pop albums from Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish, Swift could struggle in that genre. However, if “Poets” dwarfs the competition, she could overcome that hurdle.

The Verdict

A fifth Album of the Year win is plausible for Swift, but not necessarily probable. The momentum seems to be with Beyoncé finally getting her overdue general field victory. Still, Swift could provide voters with a fresh perspective that shifts support back to her. But after genre jumps and record-breaking debuts, she may need to dig deeper creatively to be considered the year’s best once again. We will have to wait and see if “The Tortured Poets Department” can rise to that challenge.