Taylor Swift returned to Instagram this week, and fans noticed who she chose to spotlight. It wasn’t her husband, NFL star Travis Kelce, but longtime friend and collaborator Phoebe Bridgers. The update marked the pop sensation’s first social media activity in weeks, following her high-profile wedding last month at Madison Square Garden.
Taylor Swift praises Phoebe Bridgers for new album
Taylor Swift is raving about Phoebe Bridgers’ new album “Lost Weekend,” calling it an “absolute triumph.”
Swift shared her praise on Instagram Stories to mark the release. “It’s her birthday, but she gave us a gift. Haven’t been able to stop listening. This album is an absolute triumph in every way,” wrote the “Love Story” singer.
The pop star went on to applaud the album’s songwriting and wish Bridgers a happy birthday. “To write about grief with such vulnerability and detail, and to trust the listener with this much honesty. Happy bday @phoebebridgers I love you!!” added the 36-year-old.
Taylor praises Phoebe Bridgers’ newest album “Lost Weekend” and wishes her a happy birthday on IG Story! ?
— Taylor Swift Updates (@SwiftNYC) August 17, 2026
“It’s her birthday but she gave us a gift.” pic.twitter.com/cVSI5NFJJf
For those unfamiliar, Phoebe Bridgers has grown from an indie-scene newcomer into a global force and Grammy-winning artist. Her career includes praised solo albums “Stranger in the Alps” and “Punisher,” forming the supergroup “boygenius,” and her 2026 solo release, “Lost Weekend.”
Swift and Bridgers teamed up for the first time on “Nothing New,” a vault track released with “Red (Taylor’s Version).” Speaking to Billboard around that time, the “Kyoto” singer reflected on working together and described it as a “dream.”
The 32-year-old said, “I just am so excited to have people take it at face value the day that it comes out, because I got teary recording it. I just couldn’t be more excited. I think that she is an incredible businessperson and an incredible writer. What she’s been able to build just from writing adeptly from a young age is insane.”
In addition, Bridgers went on to open for several of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour dates in 2023, including stops in Nashville, Philadelphia, and other cities. Over the weekend, both were spotted at the U.K. wedding of longtime recording engineers Laura Sisk and Oli Jacobs, per Variety.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory.
