NEW RELEASE: A MIDWEEK READ ON LOVER (UPDATE)

Based on early reads, Taylor Swift is off to a strong start with new set Lover; the high end of the projection range noted below is particularly impressive and indicates that she has a good chance of a 1m U.S. release-to-date total (factoring in tracks that dropped before the album) at the end of her first week. The collection is already being touted as having the biggest first-week sales of 2019.

Taylor Swift (Republic) 850-900k total, 700-750k albums

This will be, as we've previously noted, the biggest bow of the year by far; it's also further testimony not only to Swift's musical power but to her brilliance as a marketer. Stay tuned as we see how her CBS Sunday Morning segment, MTV VMAs opening and other elements play into the developing story.