Jack Antonoff sent Taylor Swift the instrumental that became “august” during the creation of Folklore.
Antonoff had already worked with Swift on songs from 1989, Reputation, and Lover. For “august,” he created the instrumental first and sent it to Swift, who wrote the lyrics quickly and intuitively after hearing the track. Their collaboration produced one of Folklore’s most atmospheric songs.
The recording combines guitars, strings, keyboards, programmed percussion, and prominent vocal reverb. Antonoff also contributed live drums, percussion programming, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and recording work. His production helped give the song its hazy, cinematic summer sound.
Aaron Dessner was another major Folklore collaborator, but he was not the person identified in the song’s background as sending this instrumental. Joe Alwyn was credited as a co-producer, while Justin Vernon was associated with “exile,” not “august.”