Lana Abousalem
Culture and Opinions
Is it Reputation? Is it Lover? After the release of Midnights, Taylor Swift’s latest studio album, the internet was quick to comment. One unimpressed Twitter user tweets that they, “feel legitimately sorry for the fans who pre-ordered it,” whilst an Insider Magazine headline simply states, “Midnights is not very good.”
In recent years, Swift has taken on a very indie, autumnal persona. This identity wasn’t featured in her latest album, which surprised fans. Where Folklore was country, Midnights is pop. Where Evermore was acoustic, Midnights is heavy on the synth. The unexpected sound is reminiscent of her other pop records, such as Lover, Reputation, and 1989, and what people have forgotten is that before anything, Taylor Swift is a pop artist. Between energetic production and buoyant melodies, Swift still finds ways to sneak in her wit and insight through her lyricism. She uses words many of us would need dictionaries to understand while referencing Greek Mythology in one breath and Mad Men in another.
It is undeniable that the album’s sound was not anticipated, but some go as far as to argue that the album was a let down compared to how it was marketed. However, the album was exactly as promised: “a collection of music written in the middle of the night […] the floors we pace and the demons we face.” At midnight, we are arguably at our most vulnerable, which Swift has shown throughout the album. From hints to past and on-going feuds, to experiences with eating disorders, Swift unveils her truest self. With comical lyrics scattering the tracks, it is clear that Midnights was not written in the same serious tone as Folklore and Evermore. However, the album still provides deep insight into Swift’s mind nonetheless.
Another popular opinion circling various social media sites is that the production of the album was disappointing. On this album, Swift teamed with long-time partners Jack Antonoff and Aaron Desner, who have built an impressive production repertoire of A-list artists. In an album reaction video, YouTuber HTHAZE comments on the production in the fifth track, “You’re on Your Own, Kid”: “there's like no build up to anything.” While some may agree with him, I believe that this may have been done on purpose. One commenter writes that the production choices align with the narrative of “something keeping you up at night” and I completely agree. This album is a concept album, meant to paint the picture of “terrors and sweet dreams,” as Swift herself described it. At midnight, everything is quiet and we find ourselves having revelations and life-changing ideas. But in the morning, we wake up—still in bed, still having achieved nothing. To me, this is somewhat reminiscent of the production choices made. The song builds up but leads nowhere, just like the plans we make at midnight.
Midnights’ sound shift has only opened up more doors for Swift. She has been able to create and write a love story and revenge plan all in one record. Swift is going back to her pop roots and clearly, with each track charting on the Billboard Hot 100, it’s serving her well.