Taylor Swift new album 2016 release date: Singer reportedly enlists Drake to help give her album a new vibe

Singer Taylor Swift arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, February 28, 2016.REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Last month, there were whispers that Taylor Swift was going to release a new album as a follow-up to her 2014 project, "1989." Theories claimed that since the "Shake it Off" singer has made it a habit to release a new album every two years, her latest project could make its official debut sometime this year. Now, a new report claims that the singer is about to go in a different direction with her upcoming project as she has allegedly enlisted the help of one of the most famous rappers today for her new music.

According to The Sun, Swift has called on new friend Drake's help as she explores a new urban sound for her new album.

"Taylor is always looking at ways to grow as an artist and really wants to try something different and unexpected for the next album," a source told the media outlet, adding that Swift is not afraid of experimenting and is working with "a lot of different faces."

The insider pointed out that the remix of "Bad Blood" had less of a pop feel since Kendrick Lamar was featured on it, and the song's success apparently made the pop star think that her fans will like her going in this direction for her next album. The Sun's source said that Drake is producing a few tracks for the singer and that he has even lent his vocals to one song in her upcoming album.

Back in October, it was reported that Swift attended Drake's birthday party together with a few friends, and an insider told E! Online that at one point, the "Hotline Bling" hitmaker had his arm around the singer and appeared to be "talking about something deep." Immediately, fans speculated that they could be talking about working on new music together. The rumors escalated when Drake took to Instagram earlier this month and posted a picture of him and Swift at the party, along with the caption, "Is that velvet?"

Apart from working with Drake, Swift is also reportedly back in the studio and has already written songs about exes Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston. But another E! source said that the singer is not planning to release revenge tracks against the two with her new music and that she kept things amicable with both the Scottish DJ and "The Night Manager" actor.

Stay tuned for more news about Taylor Swift's new album.