I started faithfully listening to Taylor Swift when she released Fearless (Taylor’s Version). Yes, I know, I was a little late to the game. But that did mean that I had not been a “Swiftie” for the release of a completely new album. So, naturally, when Taylor Swift announced that she would be releasing a new album, I was quite excited. 

“Midnights” is Taylor Swift’s tenth studio album and was released on Oct. 21, 2022. This is her first new album since 2020.  In 2021 she released “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” and “Red (Taylor’s Version),” updated re-recordings of her old albums with some new songs (From the Vault songs).

There was lots of hype surrounding this album in the days leading up to it. Starting at the beginning of October, Swift posted videos on her TikTok called “Midnights Mayhem with Me” to announce the tracklist of the album. Additionally, she posted videos explaining the background of some of the tracks. During the third quarter of Thursday Night Football on Oct, 20, Swift released a preview of the music videos for the album. The album dropped, of course, at midnight EST. Later, at 3:00 a.m. EST, the deluxe version “Midnights (3 am edition)” dropped with seven more songs. 

I finally sat down to listen to the album mid-afternoon on the 21st. From the very beginning, the album rocked me to my core as it was just as good as I was hoping it would be. The album is very pop-heavy with lots of synth courtesy of producer Jack Antonoff. As a whole, the album gives me similar vibes to “Reputation” but much more romantic and vulnerable. 

Swift describes this work as a conceptual album about thirteen of her sleepless nights. It is very conceptual about midnights, memories, and past lovers. She does a lot of reflecting on important events in her life, most surrounding previous relationships, but more about people that are very important to her. 

But enough about the album as a whole. Let’s talk about the best songs. 

I must admit, I am a hopeless romantic, so it might not come as a surprise that “Lavender Haze” is my personal favorite. “Lavender Haze” focuses on how she wants to stay in the sweet initial love of a relationship without letting critics ruin that relationship.

Another personal favorite is “Snow on the Beach” featuring Lana Del Rey which focuses on two people falling for each other at the same time. Swift’s and Del Rey’s voices blend beautifully to create this sweet song.

The song with the best production has to be “Vigilante Shit.” The song is similar thematically to “no body no crime” from “Evermore” with the same musical vibes as her 2017 album “Reputation.” While the song never reaches a climax, it is nevertheless fantastic. 

The award for best bridge goes to “Question…?” which says, “Does it feel like everything’s just like/ Second best after that meteor strike? / And what’s that that I heard? That you’re still with her? / That’s nice, I’m sure that’s what’s suitable / And right, but tonight.” 

Overall, this is my favorite of all of Swift’s albums, which is saying something, because I have never been able to choose a favorite album. Once again, we have gotten to see just how much of a lyrical and musical genius Swift is.