If there’s anything that us Fiona Apple tragics have learnt over the years, it’s that patience is pleasures greatest advocate. There was a six year wait between 1999’s When the Pawn… and 2005’s Extraordinary Machine and then another seven year wait for 2012’s The Idler Wheel… and every single time it was so profoundly worth it. Now, a near eight years after the release of her 2012 album, we finally have confirmation that the cult songwriter has finished her fifth record.
Apple confirmed the news in a new video, titled ‘5’, that as shared to her fan Tumblr. In the video, Apple signs “M-Y-R-E-C-O-R-D-I-S-D-O-N-E” in American Sign Language and the 1950 film Born Yesterday plays in the background. I am far too deeply invested in the world of Taylor Swift easter eggs to be objective about whether Apple’s decision to play the film in the background is an album hint, perhaps to the name, though I won’t stop rewatching the video desperately seeking out clues.
We can’t be sure when the album will be release, or what it’s called, or anything really. Though I suppose that’s part of the joy of being a Fiona Apple fan. In January, Apple opened up about the release of the album in a rare interview with Vulture.
“It’s really up to me,” she shared. It’ll be done soon. It’s just I have to do artwork and stuff, and I’ve been dragging my feet a little bit. I don’t know. Sometime in a few months, I guess.”
I guess the only thing left to ask now is whether or not the famed collaboration with Lil Nas X ever came to fruition, and if it’ll feature on the forthcoming record. Check out the album announcement video below.
Last year saw Fiona Apple feature on Phoebe Bridgers and Matt Berninger’s collaborative track ‘7 O’Clock News/Silent Night’. Apple also re-released her When The Pawn… track ‘I Know’ with King Princess.
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