Taylor Swift - Midnights
Pop – Released October 21, 2022 – 13 songs, 44 mins
ROZ
Pop music powerhouse Taylor Swift has had a busy and contentious few years. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic she released two separate, full length studio albums in Folklore and Evermore; both of which are quite good. Taylor has also placed a bookend on the dispute with her prior label, Big Machine Records, who owned the rights to her previous works masters by completely re-recording her back catalog. With Fearless being recreated and re-released in April of 2021 and Red coming out with the same treatment in November 2021, you’d figure that Ms. Swift would take a break to sit back and enjoy the massive amount of acclaimed content that she had given to the world. Right? Wrong. New year, new album - this is Midnights.
Midnights is primarily a joint venture between Swift and longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. The album at its core has a ‘bedroom-pop’ sound, having a plethora of electronic elements throughout with cadences and traits that share a familiarity with the likes of Lorde (Lavender Haze, Maroon) and Billie Eilish (Vigilante Shit). Lyrically, Swift covers an abundance of topics that are no stranger to her previous works: love stories (Lavender Haze, Maroon, Sweet Nothing, Mastermind), insecurities (Anti-hero), breakups (Midnight Rain), revenge (Vigilante Shit, Bejeweled) - no stone is left unturned for the 32 year old pop star. Happy, angry, sad; regardless of what mood her listeners are in, there is a song on Midnights waiting for them.
The warm, imperfect sounds of an old analog synthesizer and the use of vintage drum machines throughout the record highlight a shift back to the synth-driven pop sound of old, a direct contrast to the folk sound that her 2020 releases shared. Hip hop producer and Kendrick Lamar associate Sounwave adds his own flavor to Lavender Haze, as the Grammy Award winner ensures he makes his mark. The sonic quality is maintained across the album with standouts including (but not limited to) Midnight Rain, Labyrinth and Karma. A good balance of digital and natural elements, creative vocal layering, great drum programming and a low end energy that you can really feel throughout; this album is one that necessitates good quality headphones for maximum enjoyment. Great job Antonoff.
Midnight's concept is one that many people can relate to - the rollercoaster of emotions that make themselves known as one tries to fall asleep. The well polished production is merely a vessel being used to carry Swift's restless nighttime thoughts; her songwriting depicting a brand of rawness and realness that separates this album from the well crafted characters and fictional narratives of her more recent work. The topics and themes displayed throughout Midnights will undoubtedly resonate with millions. With no signs of slowing down, Taylor Swift has once again displayed why she is at the very top of her craft.
Overall Rating: 8.0/10
Favourite Song: Karma
REID
Always a flair for the dramatic, Taylor Swift announced the pending release of her tenth studio album at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. Promoted as a concept album based on thirteen sleepless nights, she broke the record for the most streamed album in 24 hours at 184.6 million. Struggling to find the appropriate superlatives for that kind of achievement. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised as she’s firmly planted at or near the top of the pop elites. I’m a casual fan who usually gravitates toward a song or two per release, so this deep dive is a new experience. Interested to see how it shakes out.
On initial listens of Midnights, the songs kind of bunched together and a trend of redundancy I have been feeling on recent reviews crept in yet again. Pop songs like Anti-Hero, Bejeweled and Karma differentiated themselves as the likely radio hits. Quite honestly, I was feeling underwhelmed and wondered if the 44 songs, totaling close on three hours’ worth of released work in the past 28 months was beginning to affect the quality. These numbers don’t even include her re-recordings or hidden work. Locked up with covid or not, the woman has been busy!
Luckily, this TSR experience requires more than just a gloss over and with more exposure, the beauty was in the details. I have had issues fully appreciating the dream pop sound but it has a different feeling when paired with Taylor’s Disney-like, angelic voice. (Minus the occasional F-bomb of course, Walt would have none of that.) There’s a different feeling to each track and it’s pleasing to the ear. Standouts for me are Snow on the Beach (ft. Lana Del Ray), You’re On Your Own Kid, Labyrinth and Sweet Nothings.
Just a few days ago, TSR reviewed Arctic Monkeys who doubled down on a major musical shift. Tay Tay has undoubtedly changed elements of her creative process throughout her career but the more they change, the more they stay the same. The songwriting for much of Midnights has the same playful, adolescent-like feel as her previous work. She sings about falling in and out of love, growing up and reflecting on her past, dealing with anxieties and depression from her highly exposed career choice and revenge. All topics we’ve heard before. Ten albums deep and 32 years young, you can’t help but be intrigued on how she’ll eventually shift gears. But is it even what her fans want?
Love her or hate her, Taylor Swift has it all figured out. Her songwriting and vocal prowess keeps Swifties firmly wrapped around her finger. Midnights is full of relatable topics for the younger population and while it may not be specifically catered to us lads at TSR, her overall global, influential impact is undeniable. This listener wonders how her music will change as her life does, in her 30’s and beyond.
Overall Rating:: 7.9/10
Favourite Song: Sweet Nothings
LUNDI
Nocturnal contemplation. What a nice descriptor Miss Swift. I’ll be using that term next time I’m lying awake with existential angst and dreading my morning alarm. Maybe I too should write an album?… on second thought I think I’ll just stick to giving uneducated opinions on other’s musical excellence. You already know what this is, let’s get to it.
Despite being a Taylor Swift album, Midnights most noticeable features are the production and numerous stylistic choices. Kudos to Jack Antonoff for just how many albums he’s producing these days while continuing to remain fresh and chalked full of innovative ideas. On Midnights he works with Taylor to inject synthesizers, drum machines, and even some basic hip hop beats to take on soundscapes rarely explored on her previous albums. The 44 minutes is invigorating and comprehensive, yet still perfectly pop.
After many listens though the shine of the glossy new album unfortunately wears off and the damning flaw of the record’s song writing bursts to the forefront. Listen, Swift has always had a knack for penning some of the most emotional and sharp lyrics ever to grace the pop landscape, but with Midnights she surprisingly falls short. She’s created such a high bar over her career that other pop moguls rarely reach, but Midnights is dare I say it uninspiring and even questionable in places. A majority of the songs feel incomplete or rushed, with mixes of incredible verses and forgettable choruses or addicting hooks and puzzling refrains. It’s striking how much the final product does indeed feel like a collection of random thoughts through sleepless nights. Perhaps this was the idea but boy does it ever feel unpolished. It’s never bad, but it’s never Swift-like either.
While the album might not live on as one of her great efforts you do have to give it up to Taylor for providing the world the next round of Instagram captions and, before we go, I present some of my top picks for captions coming to a feed near you:
It’s me, Hi I’m the problem, it’s me
Lately I’ve been dressing for revenge
Best believe I’m still bejeweled
He wanted a bride, I was making my own name
Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend
Enjoy the posts and toss your friends a like.
Under the pop music microscope Midnights is a fine album, but when stacked against Swift’s discography and its multitude of hits, her latest album becomes a mostly forgettable experience.
Overall Rating: 7.1/10
Favourite Song: Midnight Rain