Last fall, Swifties were in a state of grace with the re-release of “Red.” However, on Oct. 20, Taylor Swift released a brand new album titled, “Midnights.” Now, it wouldn’t be in her character to not give the fans an extra treat. This resulted in seven more songs at 3 a.m. that same night.
Midnight is a time between two worlds—two days. Meeting Swift at midnight is like stepping on the line between two states, being at the center of both. She’s on her “Vigilante Shit,” but she’s still a “mirrorball.”
The album opens with a transcending track titled, “Lavender Haze.” Its euphoric production sounds as though you’ve escaped to the bathroom of a party but you can still hear the music outside of the room, radiating off the walls. She expressed that the term, lavender haze, originates from the 1950s, “being in an all-encompassing love-glow.” The song is a form of being in the honeymoon phase. It’s a code for not wanting to move on to the public’s much-expected, next part of their relationship. Instead, she exists in a lavender haze, a safe space for her and her partner to sit peacefully without the rest of the world dictating their relationship.
The lyrics, “(All they keep asking me) / is if I’m gonna be your bride / The only kinda girl they see / is a one-night or a wife” are so reflective of society’s view on relationships, and particularly hers. Swift is someone who is consistently ridiculed for her relationships. Swift’s lovers have come to realize that it’s a treacherous road to cross her because she will profit off of the pain.
This opening track compliments the album and introduces it in a raw way. Aside from the “all-encompassing love” that her partner brings to daylight, she also experiences scrutiny — whether it’s ghosts from her past or a constant feeling of insecurity.
Jack Antonoff, producer and king of the sad girls, has done justice again with the help of this album. It’s no surprise that he was the cause of incorporating Lana del Rey on this album for “Snow On The Beach,” the only person who holds a featuring credit. Its uplifting and fantasy-like feel is, of course, a fan-favorite collaboration.
The tracks, “Anti-Hero,” “You’re On Your Own Kid,” and “Labyrinth” are as soul-crushing as they sound. They bring a sense of reality and sadness to her life. She may seem like a confident fire sign, but her lyrics trickle it all down to the real sorrow and hurt she experiences.
In “Anti-Hero,” she writes, “When my depression works the graveyard shift, / all of the people / I’ve ghosted stand there in the room.” Her representation in the media is quite scattered. People either love or hate her. Swift acknowledges this idea and how all she does is try to get everyone to understand that she’s still similar to the rest of us out of the limelight.
All of the tracks encompass “13 sleepless nights” of her life. However, one track that I believe to be a relaxing thought is “Karma.” It’s a breath of fresh air to know that no matter what happens, karma has her back. Karma is her bestie!
Aside from all the animosity and pain she undergoes, she exists in a place where she knows that it’s all going to be just fine. Everyone will get what is coming to them in time. Her lyrics, “Karma is the guy on the screen / coming straight home to me,” make me so relieved and happy for her. She’s finally content with her life and her relationship. It doesn’t matter what happens or what you think, because she’s doing great!
My favorite tracks, as of right now, are “Lavender Haze,” “Karma” and “Vigilante Shit.” Honorable Mentions are “Anti-Hero” and “Labyrinth.” “Vigilante Shit” definitely gives off “Reputation” era vibes. I mean, come on, “Draw the cat-eye sharp enough to kill a man?” It has “…Ready For It” written all over it.
I think “Midnights,” is a relatively fresh version of the Taylor we know and love. If anything, it’s for the “1989” and “Lover” fans. Its lavender and star-like vibe are parented by those two albums. So, what are you waiting for? Meet her at midnight!
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