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Many Midnights in the Making: A Taylor Swift Album Review

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bowling Green chapter.

(All times in this article are written in regards to Eastern Standard Time)

Taylor Swift has released a new album, which means I have something new to base my personality around (kidding! sort of…). Last night at midnight, on October 21st, Swift released her latest album entitled Midnights. According to her Instagram, Midnights is “the story of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life.” The album announcement was released at the 2022 VMAs, which was 13 years after rapper Kanye West rudely interrupted her acceptance for Best Music Video by a Female Artist for her song “You Belong With Me.” Because hey, we all know the significance of Taylor Swift and the number 13, as she constantly uses the number 13 in her discography and life.

For about the past month, Taylor Swift gradually would release the name of a track title on social media, something she called “Midnights Mayhem.” Recently, she also announced a Midnights schedule, which included a 3am “special, very chaotic surprise” on the night of October 21st as well. This surprise was the release of Midnights, the 3am Deluxe Version. On this deluxe version, our ears were blessed with seven bonus tracks! While I did make it to the Midnights initial release at 12am, I had fallen asleep before 3am (so I woke up to an awesome surprise)! It was then followed by the “Anti Hero” music video at 8am this morning.

In my honest opinion of the new album, I thought it was incredible. It definitely gives the vibes of if 1989 and Reputation got together and had a baby, with a splash of Lover. It has a pop/love feel with a little bit of edge. The main themes are her ongoing relationship with actor Joe Alwyn, revenge and karma, the scrutiny she’s faced from the media, and reflecting on past relationships. She addresses topics such as how the media is always asking her when she’s getting married. There’s also speculation she addressed the issues she’s had with Scooter Braun (the guy who bought the masters to her music).

It’s also speculated that “Would’ve, Could’ve Should’ve” is about her relationship with John Mayer, because of lyrics such as “And I damn sure never would’ve danced with the devil at 19” because she was 19 when she dated a 32 year old Mayer. Then of course, we have the track “Karma” which fans speculate is about the constant battles she has faced from West, but how she has handled it well and gained good karma, thus good things happening to her. Kanye West, well, it doesn’t seem like he has gained much good karma (and continues to do horrible things). However, it’s also likely this track is about Braun, who has also gained some bad karma in a divorce and a legal dispute over a $200 million private equity fund.

In my opinion, the album has a lot of great tracks that I could really relate to. My favorites thus far are “Anti Hero”, “Bejeweled”, “Karma”, “Vigilante Shit” and “You’re On Your Own, Kid.” For me personally, I can really relate to how Swift feels in “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” as I have faced some similar life experiences. I also think “You’re On Your Own, Kid” really sums up the life of being the oldest daughter, something I am extremely familiar with.

It was also announced today on the official Spotify Twitter that Midnights has already broken the record for most streamed album in a single day in Spotify’s history. This makes sense, as the release broke Spotify at midnight (good thing for the ability to pre save, am i right?) As for the future of Midnights, some highlights are another music video set to release on October 25th. What music video do you think is being released next? I’m hoping for a “Karma” or “Bejeweled” music video, but will be happy no matter what! There has also been a ton of speculation that Swift is going on tour for the first time since the Reputation tour in 2018, next summer in 2023. What do you think? Do you think Swift is going to tour soon? For our sake, I hope so! I will be anxiously waiting to buy tickets to see the “Mastermind” herself.

Kassidy Hoyt

Bowling Green '22

I am a student at Bowling Green State University. My major is Political Science and my minor is Sociology. After graduation I want to get my Masters in Public Administration and work for a Non-Profit Organization. I love hanging out with my friends, coloring, and playing my Nintendo Switch. I have a cat and I love all animals. She/her they/them.