On October 21 2022, Taylor Swift, the singer song-writer, released her 10th studio album “Midnights.” The album, containing a total of 13 songs, outlines 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout her life.
Somehow after 16 years, Taylor Swift is still able to reinvent herself with each album, creating a raw pop album in “Midnights.” Over the years she has gone from creating country music to pop music and even folk music.
With any Taylor Swift album comes the absolutely gut-wrenching lyricism not so unfamiliar to her fans. From “cause I don’t remember who I was before you painted all my nights a color I’ve searched for ” in her song “Question…?” to the poetry of “ I’m only cryptic and Machiavellian ‘cause I care” in her song “Mastermind,” her lyrics evoke an image in the mind of listeners only a few artists of this generation can.
You can even see the variety in Swift’s music simply by looking at the tracks in this album. From the catchy pop song of “Karma” to the ballad “You’re on Your Own, Kid,” Swift is able to cover a broad range of music within a single album.
Of course, with any Taylor Swift album comes agonizing heartbreak. Tracks such as “Question..?” and “Midnight Rain” highlight Swift looking back at her past relationships and the problems that led to their demise. This all too familiar side of Swift will never lose its appeal to listeners, as they will forever be her most vulnerable tracks.
Love songs have become a more and more popular theme in Swift’s recent music. “Lavender Haze,” track one on the album, communicates that she wants to stay in a lavender haze, being in love, and the pressures that have been put on her in the media to get married singing, “The only kinda girl they see is a one night or a wife.” The pop hit is simply too catchy to hate and you find yourself wanting to be in that lavender haze with her.
Track five on Swift’s albums has always been looked forward to by fans as her most tear-jerking and emotional songs; “Midnights” track 5, “You’re on Your Own, Kid,” is no exception. The coming-of-age song depicts an insecure teenager coming to terms with growing up and learning to embrace the changes of life. As you listen, you find yourself relating to a millionaire pop star’s coming of age.
Along with the original album of “Midnights” came the 3 a.m. edition, adding on another seven songs to the previous thirteen. While these songs are quite beautiful, they lack the production that the original had. The 3 a.m. edition, produced by Aaron Dessner, leaves the listener wanting more. Although the tracks aren’t necessarily bad, they cannot compare to the original.
By far the biggest letdown of the album is the song “Snow on the Beach” featuring Lana Del Rey. When the track was originally announced, fans were excited over the Del Rey feature, as it had been a dream collaboration for years. However, on release night, fans listened intently only to hear Del Rey sing background vocals on the song.
Swift had the opportunity to use the musical genius that is Lana Del Rey and ruined something that could have been beautiful. Taylor Swift in her career has only had one song featuring a female artist, “Nothing New” featuring Phoebe Bridgers, who had been given a verse. Now, many people are asking, why is Swift so scared to have female artists sing on her tracks?
However, even with the few obvious flaws, Swift has been able to rack up 185 million streams and sold 800,000 copies with the first 24 hours of the albums released smashing records that she herself created.
“Midnights” has shown that Swift’s career is not over but bigger than ever. Swift has talked candidly in her documentary Miss Americana that she feels female artists in the music industry constantly have to reinvent themselves with each era of their music unlike their male counterparts, or they will fade into obscurity. “Midnights” has shown that Swift has a ways to go.
At the age of 31, Taylor Swift is still creating new unique music for an ever growing fan base, making “Midnights” just another one of her many legendary albums.