“Midnights” Album Review

Midnights Album Review

Ava Montalbano, Staff Writer

On Oct. 24, we met Taylor Swift at midnight for the premier of her 10th studio album, “Midnights,” a collection of 13 tracks consisting of Swift’s experiences throughout her life as a musician. 

The 11-time Grammy winner announced the album in August at the 2022 Video Music Awards (VMAs) and continued the promotion with social media videos titled “Midnight Mayhem With Me,” where Swift revealed the title of the tracks.

Swift collaborated with Songwriter Jack Antanoff to write the 13 unforgettable tracks. At 3 a.m. on Oct. 24, Swift released the 7 bonus tracks which she worked on with Aaron Dressner, founding member of the band, “The National.”

“Midnights” is a moody, synth-pop album that breaks down the complexities of relationships, bad decisions and self-loathing. While it is considered a pop album, it is far grittier than any of Swift’s prior work. There is a level of self-criticism that this album possesses that previous albums touch on but don’t dive into quite as intensely. “Midnights” is clearly about reflection on not only former relationships, but on herself. It offers a different perspective on moments in Swift’s life that fans may not have received in former albums. Swift brings the listener back in time to troubling moments in her life but with a sophistication that can only be obtained with deep introspection. 

Swift took us deep into the labyrinth of her mind to dissect her deepest insecurities and greatest loves. Swift enchanted us with her complex lyricism and reimagined pop sound, bringing back her beloved pop sound after the artist’s recent venture into folk music with her last two albums. Songs such as “Lavender Haze,” “Bejeweled” and “Karma” were reminiscent of her work in her 2014 album “1989,” but with their own flair. Other pieces on the album, like, “Maroon,” “Midnight Rain” and “Vigilante Shit,” were more similar to Swift’s 2017 album, “Reputation.” 

The album quickly became a global hit, breaking 73 records. “Midnights” secured the top 10 tracks on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking Drake’s record for having the top nine tracks. The album was another huge success for Swift, earning her the title for the biggest streaming week for any album created by a woman, earning 549.26 million streams during its debut. “Midnights,” Swift’s 10th studio album, is her biggest success to date.