“MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM REVIEW

Taylor Swift has flawlessly changed genres throughout her career. She’s gone from country to pop, to alternative rock, and even folk. She’s possibly the most influential and successful songwriter of her generation, yet her tenth studio album misses the mark. 

Released on Oct. 21, 2022, Midnights is Swift’s sound attempt at returning to the pop world following her folk albums Folklore and Evermore. There are moments when she nails it; clever lyrics, catchy melodies, and gorgeous production allow for listeners to enter her world of sleepless nights and sweet dreams. 

But, there are also moments when Swift’s transition is not as seamless, as she’s trying to combine elements from several different genres. There are a few tracks that lack uniqueness and are unsure in their message lyrically. Swift has always been viewed as a remarkable songwriter, yet Midnights reveals some weaknesses in her songwriting. 

For example, the song “Anti-Hero” is overall a listenable song, but the chorus seems like it was written for the direct purpose to become a viral audio on TikTok. The lyrics, “It’s me / Hi / I’m the problem / It’s me” are disappointing coming from an artist who is famous for deep, introspective writing. 

Not to mention she sings later in the song, “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby / And I’m a monster on the hill.” These lyrics fall short of the comedic relief they were intended to add to the song. 

Additionally, the song “Snow on the Beach” features Lana Del Rey, but Rey’s voice is a quiet whisper, and she doesn’t have her own verse or chorus on the song. It is misleading to listeners to credit Rey as a feature when she’s only singing background vocals on the track. 

All in all, the aesthetic and story behind Midnights is a beautiful one. Swift described the album on her Instagram as “a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams.” If these songs were truly all written at different times in Swift’s life, then that could be the reason it isn’t as cohesive as her previous albums. 

Although there are a few moments of uncertainty, Swift still delivered an album with a thoughtful concept and catchy songs.