Just over two months ago, Taylor Swift announced her tenth new studio album “Midnights” on the stage of the 2022 Video Music Awards as she accepted her award for video of the year. This announcement unleashed what you might call mayhem for Swifties. Swift is known for Easter eggs and hints for her fans, and the promotion for “Midnights” was no different. After nine “Midnights of Mayhem” and an elaborate Thursday Night Football commercial, the album was finally dropped on Oct. 21.
“Midnights” was released on Oct. 21.
Photo courtesy of Republic Records
Now, this is where I feel I must be honest with you all. As I sat on my friend’s floor listening to “Midnights” for the first time, I was extremely disappointed. Then I listened to it in the morning (post “3am Edition”), and I still wasn’t happy. Then again, in my car as I drove home, still not getting it. I shared my unhappiness with my sister, who was feeling similarly, and she said, “It’s Taylor Swift, so it’s probably genius and we just don’t know it yet.”
She was right. I listened to it for the fourth time, and something clicked. Or I should say, Swift dropped a giant clock on my head, and I finally woke up.
Swift has achieved another piece of pop perfection with “Midnights.” Her vocals are deeper and more striking than ever. The melodies stick with you even if you don’t realize it at first. It is filled with harmonies and details that make it impossible to not want to hear it on vinyl (maybe not on four different ones, though). And her storytelling and emotional lyricism are as effective as ever.
This is a much darker album for Swift, especially the last seven songs featured on the “Midnights (3am Edition).” She touches on self-loathing, regret and loss. Some of her saddest songs are in the latter part of this album.
Swift touches on self-loathing, regret and loss in her album.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Swift / YouTube
“Bigger Than the Whole Sky” is about a devastating loss; some are even speculating it could be about a miscarriage.
“Did some bird flap its wings over in Asia / Did some force take you because I didn’t pray / Every single thing to come has turned into ashes / ‘Cause it’s all over / It’s not meant to be / So I’ll say words I don’t believe / Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye / You were bigger than the whole sky / You were more than just a short time,” Swift sings.
The other heart-wrenching song is “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.” All I can say about this song topic wise is: John Mayer sucks. Writing wise, this is an exquisite song, and Swift doesn’t hold back in vocals either. Her voice is at her smoothest when she sings “Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first.”
This contrasts raspier moments in some earlier songs like “Lavender Haze” and “Anti-Hero.” This is a new tone I am completely on board with for Swift.
Swift has raspier moments in songs like “Anti-Hero.”
Photo courtesy of Taylor Swift / YouTube
Some other highlights include “Maroon,” “Bejeweled” and “The Great War.” “Karma” is also worth mentioning, especially after the last couple of weeks a certain antisemitic troll is having.
This album may not have been the 1970s folk rock James Taylor and Carole King tribute I was hoping for, but “Midnights” is yet another success from Swift. I will never doubt her again. Swift is the “Mastermind” after all.
