Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” is a sparkling success

GRAPHIC BY LIA FOX

Taylor Swift’s 10th studio album, “Midnights,” was released on Oct. 21, 2022, combining a wide variety of emotions in each song.

A curated constellation of songs about her sleepless nights, Taylor Swift’s latest album, “Midnights,” is sure to keep you up.

On Oct. 21, as the clock struck midnight, Swift released her highly anticipated 10th studio album “Midnights.” Then, at 3 a.m. she released seven additional tracks to complement the original 13.

“Midnights” is a soft, dreamy nostalgia trip married with a playfully petty angst. Swift described it as a “collection of music written in the middle of the night.” This gives the album a restless but also reflective quality. The album is a tribute to Swift’s lyrical genius and was effortlessly breathtaking. The themes of the album are reminiscent of some of her earlier work, specifically reminding me of her album “1989.” She discusses the complexities of finding love amongst chaos, as well as the needed isolation from fame and glory.

Starting off strong with the first track, “Lavender Haze” is a perfect embodiment of the album. Filled with Swift’s iconic imagery, as well as an unbeatable chorus, the song is utterly addictive. This song reminded me of “1989” and felt like a rush of rebellion paired with romance.

Many of the songs contrast yet compliment each other, which shows the expansive range of emotions she is able to describe. “Bejeweled” is a fun, retro-sounding, witty track that emphasizes self confidence and letting yourself shine. As if to mirror this, “You’re On Your Own, Kid” is a much more melancholy piece. Her gentle vocals add to the heartbreaking quality of this reflection on feelings of isolation and required self-reliance.

On to my personal favorite: “Snow On The Beach (featuring Lana del Rey).” Swift’s soft whisper-like vocals paired with the echo of Lana del Rey’s eerie (albeit scarce) backing vocals add to the satisfying magic of this song. The silence right before the beat drop is almost therapeutic in its chilling effect. This love-ballad speaks to Swift’s songwriting talents, as it compares the impossibility of falling in love with snow falling on a beach.

Though every song on the album was uniquely masterful, some were less successful than others. I felt a little let down by track 11: “Karma.” I had high expectations for this song because of the name and Swift’s known love of revenge. However, this song felt a little bit messy, and her ode to Karma came off a little cheesier than I had hoped. I still think it’s a strong, fiery revenge anthem, but it doesn’t fit in as well with the other tracks.

A final shoutout to track 12: “Sweet Nothing.” This song further illustrates the theme of finding safety from love in crisis. Almost a lullaby, the song feels like having a cup of tea in a snowstorm. It reminds me of her bonus folklore track “the lakes,” as it alludes to her quiet compassions. Its gentle melody is a lovely contrast to many of the more revenge-seeking tunes.

This album takes all the tiredness, angst, sorrow, thrill and raw emotion of the midnight hour, and synthesizes it into one cohesive piece. I thought “Midnights” was a sparkling success, and I highly recommend giving it a listen.