Taylor Swift has spoiled us with yet another album. Midnights, released on Oct. 21, 2022, is the tenth studio album by the 32-year-old songwriter. The 13-track album, followed by seven additional bonus tracks, features a variety of songs that represent “the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout [her] life.” The album has already gained immense popularity since its release; breaking Spotify’s record for the most single-day streams of an album, becoming 2022’s fastest and best-selling album, and 10 of its tracks placing in the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100.
From country to pop to alternative, Swift is known for experimenting with and dominating in multiple genres. She returns to her roots with this upbeat and catchy pop album, a change since her previous indie-folk releases in 2020, Folklore and Evermore.
Midnights was inspired by five major concepts: “self-loathing, fantasizing about revenge, wondering what might have been, falling in love, and falling apart,” Swift revealed in an exclusive video leading up to the album’s release. The album dives into some of her deepest insecurities, portraying both the world’s and her own perception of herself. Each song offers a fresh perspective on her life.
The album opens with “Lavender Haze,” an R&B-leaning pop song about rumors faced by Swift and her partner of over five years, British actor Joe Alwyn. The song encourages lovers to focus on their love rather than be affected by the negative remarks of others. Next, “Maroon” describes her love as the color maroon. The song title is a reference to one of her earlier songs “Red,” where she described a love that was “burning red.”
Swift described the lead single “Anti-Hero” as “one of my favorite songs that I have ever written.” “Anti-Hero” provides a glimpse into her strongest fears and insecurities. Swift has said that she struggles with the idea of “not feeling like a person” and that her celebrity life has become “unmanageably sized,” which is displayed in the lines “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby / And I’m a monster on the hill / Too big to hang out, slowly lurching toward your favorite city.” Upon “Anti-Hero”’s release, Swift changed her Instagram and Twitter bio to the catchy chorus lyric, “I’m the problem, it’s me.” Numerous fans who had found themselves relating to the ideas of self-hatred and criticism in the song quickly followed suit.
“Snow On The Beach” is a dreamy ballad featuring vocals from popular indie-rock artist Lana Del Rey, a highly-anticipated collaboration. The duo perfectly capture the moment you realize someone feels exactly the same way you feel about them. “You’re On Your Own, Kid” takes you on a trip through Swift’s younger life, the music crescendoing as she grows up and matures throughout the song. It discusses the struggles in her journey to fame and success.
“Vigilante Shit” and “Karma” makes listeners feel empowered, similar to her songs on Reputation. “Vigilante Shit” immediately kicks off with the intimidating line “Draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man.” The combination of heavy synths reverberating and the idea of revenge create a dark and almost daring atmosphere. “Karma” is more upbeat but sticks with the theme of the consequences of your actions. Swift speaks of all the ways karma will bite back at those who have done her wrong.
The album presents another ballad with “Sweet Nothing.” The song is one of two songs on the album co-written by Alwyn, along with “Vigilante Shit.” Swift, being one of the world’s biggest celebrities, often gets overwhelmed by all the pressure thrown on her by others. She expresses her gratitude towards Alwyn because all he ever asks of her is “sweet nothings.” She compares the chaotic craziness of the outside world to the calming atmosphere she and Alwyn have built with each other.
Midnights closes with “Mastermind,” a song that showcases her cleverness and attention to detail. Swift reveals that she calculated a plan to ensure that she would end up with Alwyn, as told by the lines “What if I told you I’m a mastermind / And now you’re mine / It was all by design / ‘Cause I’m a mastermind.” While the verses sound romantic and lighthearted, the chorus has a darker, villainous tone that matches the lyrics. The title is also a reference to Swift being called a “mastermind” by fans because of her habit of leaving carefully placed easter eggs.
Taylor Swift, once again, does not miss with yet another beautifully crafted album. Her sixth concert tour, The Eras Tour, will take place in 2023 to support the recent album and previous albums. She has described this tour as “a journey through the musical eras of my career.”
Article written by Sahana Thyagarajan of Walt Whitman High School
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times