Taylor Swift is the gift that keeps on giving. Midnights, Swift’s tenth studio album, was released on October 21st. While being one of her most experimental and versatile projects, the record has managed to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the album yet, add it to your to-do list. Now that it’s been over a week since Midnights was released, it’s time to rank the tracklist.
20. “Vigilante Sh*t”
Is an explanation really needed for this one? Taylor Swift has quite a few cringe-inducing lines in her music; this album is no exception. However, none of the songs on Midnights come close to beating “Vigilante Sh*t” in the cringe Olympics. I would say this track rivals Reputation’s “Look What You Made Me Do” in being horrible. Sometimes I think Swift should stay away from heavy bass beats because it unlocks her strange, bad girl alter ego, which is so unbecoming.
19. “Paris”
The track “Paris” isn’t horrible, but it doesn’t add anything to the album thematically or in any way, really. At points, it can sound over-produced and repetitive. It feels very album filler-y, but it gets points for the fun, glitzy pre-chorus that builds enthusiastically into the hook.
18. “Dear Reader”
Swift’s attempt on “Dear Reader” to pass down some big sister advice comes off as a little preachy. It’s also pointless because Swift fans can retain much of this info from any of her other songs. Overall, the track has a strange parody-like quality about it.
17. “Question…?”
There is absolutely nothing remarkable about this song other than the line “Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room, and every single one of your friends was making fun of you”. The line describes a moment almost everyone has witnessed or experienced themselves, so it has a certain universality about it. Aside from that, there is nothing too attention-grabbing about the track.
16. “Anti-hero”
“Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby”, need I say more? I will add that the chorus is super-catchy while being incredibly human. “Anti-hero” reminds us of Swift’s ever-impressive ability to remain relatable while simultaneously being one of the biggest stars in the world.
15. “Midnight Rain”
The hook to this song has been stuck in just about every Swift fan’s head since it was released and I know this to be a fact. I will not elaborate.
14. “Bejeweled”
While I personally find this song annoying, I can appreciate the twinkling beat and its pop-sensibility.
13. “Mastermind”
The over-dramatic declarations of being a ‘mastermind’ on this track are excused in my books by the shimmering synth-instrumentals and otherwise clever lyrics. The song snowballs in the direction of what feels like a crescendo but never reaches its full potential. It’s still a decent song.
12. “Glitch”
“Glitch” is ‘Midnight Rain’’s cooler, older sister. The song’s moody lyrics combined with Swift’s breathy vocal inflictions over a wiry beat make for such a catchy song. This new alternative feel is rarely-explored territory for Swift. It suits her well.
11. “Labyrinth”
I think this is as close to Taylor Swift in her Beach House meets Lorde era as we’re going to get and I, for one, love it. Somehow Swift manages to perfectly craft the musical manifestation of the feeling of falling in love after being hurt before.
10. “Sweet nothing”
Reminiscent of “New Year’s Day” and “The 1”, “Sweet Nothing” is a soft and earnest love ballad that tells the tale of a sweeping love that makes withstanding the harsh realities of life worth it.
9. “The Great war”
This one is for Folklore fans! The song tells the story of a love gone wrong and the fight that ensues to save it. The lyrics sing of metaphorical battles and wars and are accompanied by a fittingly medieval-esque backing track.
8. “High Infidelity”
Cheating never sounded so good, (sonically, of course). On “High Infidelity”, Swift showcases her enchanting story-telling abilities. This is truly such a beautiful song; I can’t understand why Swift didn’t include it on the original album cut, especially considering how cohesive it would sound alongside the other songs.
7. “Lavendar haze”
The first track off Midnights starts the album off with a bang. Anyone can appreciate this thumping standout track fit for dancing or driving. One of the reoccurring themes of the record seems to be going out. It sounds exactly like the walk that starts off an unforgettable night out.
6. “Karma”
Like “Midnight Rain”, the hook of this song is instantly addicting. “Karma” is another synth-banger with lyrics that seem a little outlandish at first but quickly make sense within the context of the song.
5. “Maroon”
Breathy, desperate and atmospheric. This song is a masterpiece. Swift paints a picture of a love that comes in shades of, well, “Maroon”. (Note: Swift avoids using the word ‘red’, instead choosing specific shades of red to describe her relationship).
4. “Snow on the beach”
Swift and Lana Del Rey’s harmony at the end of this track’s bridge is just everything. Truly an anomaly on this record, this bewitching track evokes nostalgia. Swift and Del Rey’s vocals whimsically mesh together.
3. “Bigger than the whole sky”
I can’t listen to this song too often or I become inconsolable. The haunting synths match Swift’s equally haunting, yet beautiful voice. Swift’s raw emotion transcends the track. This track surpasses the album, it’s incredibly important given its painful subject matter and the way she portrays it.
2. “Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve”
Somehow Swift’s penmanship continues to top itself. On “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”, Swift manages to share such a personal experience in such a painfully truthful way. Her vulnerability reaches a height at the bridge that so-satisfyingly explodes into the chorus, making for one of the most intense moments on the album. This track is arguably some of Swift’s best work.
1. “you’re on your own kid”
The bridge alone is some of Taylor’s most incredible work with its swooning instrumentals and lyrics that grow increasingly feverish and resolute. The track feels all-encompassing of the experiences that come with growing up: escaping, changing, fear, growth and freedom. It’s the perfect track-five song, leaving fans inspired to face life head-on in spite of fears and failures.