On Oct. 21, Taylor Swift, the 32-year-old internationally renowned super star, dropped her 10 studio album after weeks of cryptic messages and easter eggs. Midnights is without a doubt, Swift’s most revealing and personal album yet.
Swift comments that Midnights was inspired by self loathing, falling in and out of love and seeking revenge. The first 13 (Swift’s favorite and lucky number) songs on the album were released at midnight, while seven surprise songs were dropped at 3 a.m. as her “chaotic surprise” revealed darker and more frantic themes.
Her tracks “Lavender Haze,” “Midnight Rain,” “Bejeweled” and “Labyrinth” feel as if Swift never left her 1989 era of her sleek bob cut and sequin skirts. With her pop tempos and lyrics that echo the rush feeling in love, Swift reclaims her throne of pop queen.
While “Anti-Hero,” “You’re On Your Own,” “Kid,” “Dear Reader” and “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” highlight her ability to convey loss of love, hope and youth. These perfectly counteract with the purity of “Sweet Nothing,” “Bigger Than The Whole Sky,” “Snow On The Beach” (feat. Lana Del Rey) and “Maroon” which swept up listeners in charming piano ballads and romantic melodies that illustrate the tenderness of love.
Lastly, the honesty of “MIdnight Rain,” “Question…?,” “Vigilante Shit”, “Karma” and “High Infidelity” showcase Swift’s ruthlessness to illustrate revenge.
All 20 songs on the album give listeners an insight into a different midnight in Swift’s life. While fans have theories on exes and events that have inspired certain tracks, the importance of “Midnights” lyricism is that it allows for listeners to validate their own experiences, heartbreaks, betrayals, hopes and lavender hazes.