Speculation that Taylor Swift is preparing to unveil her 12th studio album intensified on Monday after simultaneous social-media teasers from the singer’s team and the “New Heights” podcast hosted by Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother Jason. Taylor Nation, the official account for Swift’s management, posted 12 photos of the performer in orange stage outfits with the caption “Thinking about when she said ‘See you next era…’.” Minutes later, “New Heights” announced an early episode airing 7 p.m. ET on Aug. 13 featuring a “VERY special guest,” showing the Kelce brothers flanking a silhouetted female figure against a glittery orange backdrop. Republic Records, Swift’s label, liked the podcast’s post, further fuelling conjecture that the guest is Swift. Entertainment outlets including Forbes, Billboard and USA Today noted the colour scheme and the number 13—Swift’s favourite—as possible clues that an album announcement could come during the podcast appearance. Swift representatives have not commented, and the podcast has not confirmed the guest’s identity. Swift has remained largely out of the spotlight since wrapping her $2 billion-grossing Eras Tour in December 2024. Her most recent release, the record-breaking “The Tortured Poets Department,” arrived in April 2024. If confirmed, a new album would mark her first project since she disclosed in May that she had acquired the rights to her first six records, giving her control over her complete catalogue.