Even after the successful launch of Midnights, Taylor Swift isn’t done pumping out content. There’s no stopping Swift — she already released a music video for “Anti-Hero,” and plans to drop more installments of her Midnights video series in the near future. Football fans saw the Midnights teaser trailer as it aired during the Cardinals and Saints game on Thursday, Oct. 20. And I’m almost certain that Swifties have watched the music video for “Anti-Hero” on repeat since it was released on Oct. 21. Now, you have even more Taylor Swift content to look forward to (and stay up late for), since she’s dropping that entire visual album for Midnights.
What’s a visual album, anyway?
While Taylor only offers a vague definition of a “visual album,” she describes it as a physical representation of “the world of this record.” A visual album combines elements of cinema with music videos, where every song has its own corresponding video (think Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer and Beyoncé’s Lemonade). Fans can expect to see short films similar to All Too Well, which Taylor released in November 2021. Taylor has kept information about the visual album under wraps, so I have no idea what to expect. Whatever she has planned, though, is sure to dazzle.
Who’s in the cast for the Midnights visual album?
It isn’t a Taylor Swift visual album without a star-studded cast. You’ve probably heard of — oh, I don’t know — Academy Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner Laura Dern, who’s reported to make an appearance. Other big names, from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Mary Elizabeth Ellis to comedian Mike Birbiglia, join the cast as well. Birbiglia and Ellis already appeared in a segment in “Anti-Hero,” where they played Taylor’s insufferable family members. With celebrities like Lana Del Rey, Dylan O’Brien, and Zoë Kravitz making cameos on the album, Taylor has clearly pulled in some serious talent to ensure Midnights’s success.
Other cast members include Jack Antonoff, HAIM, John Early, and Laith Ashley, with Pat McGrath and Dita Von Teese in charge of makeup.
Many, many tears were shed during Taylor’s last short film, All Too Well. I can’t imagine the heartbreak that the videos for “You’re on Your Own, Kid” and “Sweet Nothing” will inflict. Midnights includes a lot of themes that I’m anxious to see translated visually, such as self-loathing and isolation. Please spare me from the pain, Taylor.
When is the Midnights visual album going to be released?
While there aren’t set release dates for every installment, Taylor has hinted that another video will premiere Oct. 25. Get your tissues and red lipstick ready for the visual album of Midnights — it’s going to be a wild ride.