Taylor Swift Compares Rerecorded Albums to 'Horcruxes' and 'Infinity Stones,' Teases Reputation (Taylor’s Version)

Fans of Taylor Swift know her for using “Easter eggs” as a way to tease the projects and releases she has coming next — and the singer isn’t exactly shutting down the speculation that she has a big master plan.

Swift, 33, opened up to TIME for their 2023 Person of the Year issue about rerecording her previous albums — the first five of her career, which were sold to Scooter Braun in 2019 against her wishes — as she likened the process to a few of Hollywood’s best known mythical objects. 

“I’m collecting horcruxes,” she said, comparing her re-releases to the magical objects that wizards in the Harry Potter world could use to foster their own immortality. 

Swift didn’t leave it at the Wizarding World, though — she compared it, too, to the world of The Avengers and Lord of the Rings. 

“I’m collecting infinity stones,” she said, referring to the mythical stones that threatened to derail the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe in Thanos’ hands. “Gandalf’s voice is in my head every time I put out a new one. For me, it is a movie now.”

On the topic of rerecorded albums, the “Cruel Summer” singer also teased what’s to come with one of her most-anticipated re-releases, Reputation (Taylor’s Version). 

“It’s a goth-punk moment of female rage at being gaslit by an entire social structure,” she described of the album’s overall aesthetic and message.

She then teased that the record’s vault tracks — which are songs that didn’t make the initial cut of the album that she releases on her rerecordings — are “fire.”

When it comes to her songwriting, Swift’s friends described her as “prolific” and a “genius” for PEOPLE’s 2023 Most Intriguing People of the Year issue.

Aaron Dressner, who has worked closely with her since their collaboration on her two pandemic projects, Folklore and Evermore, told PEOPLE of Swift, “She never really stops writing songs.”

“She's legitimately just a very down to earth and hardworking person,” Dressner, 47, said. “She is an absolute genius and thankfully also a truly wonderful human being.”

He added, “Taylor has so many stories to tell. I think she’ll keep inventing new ways and methods of writing and keep expanding this enchanted universe of her own making that we all get to enjoy.”

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Danielle Haim, one of the three sisters who comprises Haim — along with Este and Alana — told PEOPLE of Swift, “She’s incredibly prolific.”

“Every time we all get together, we get so excited because we know she’s going to play us something new and groundbreaking. Her heart is always open, and you can hear it in her songs.”

For more on Taylor Swift and her amazing year, pick up PEOPLE’s 2023 Most Intriguing People of the Year issue, on newsstands Friday.