Jack Antonoff co-wrote and co-produced Taylor Swift’s “august,” while contributing guitars, drums, percussion, and programming.
Antonoff first created the instrumental track and sent it to Swift. According to the song’s production history, Swift wrote the lyrics quickly after hearing the music, describing the process as intuitive and immediate.
The collaboration continued a partnership that had already produced songs on Swift’s albums 1989, Reputation, and Lover. On “august,” Antonoff’s layered arrangement helped give the song its shimmering, atmospheric character.
Aaron Dessner is a frequent Folklore collaborator, but he did not co-write “august.” Joe Alwyn was later recognized as a co-producer of the track, using the pseudonym William Bowery on Folklore credits, but Antonoff is the credited co-writer besides Swift and the musician most directly associated with the instrumental production.