Sophia Sullivan, Editorials Editor
Alarms were set for 12a.m. Pajama parties were held. Social media was raging. Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift watched as the affectionately coined “Swifties” lost their minds over her brand-new tenth studio album, Midnights. Millions enthusiastically canceled their plans on Oct. 21, 2022, to listen to Midnights at, you guessed it, midnight.
Midnights, a pop concept album, consists of thirteen main tracks (Swift’s signature number) and a surprise seven additional tracks. Ranging from energetic, upbeat tracks like “Bejeweled”, to somber, heart-wrenching songs such as “Bigger Than the Whole Sky”, there is something on the album for everyone to enjoy.
Through a mixture of story-telling and personal narratives, Swift paints a picture of lonely, candid, tiring nights where words and music were her lifelines. She speaks of love, revenge, and loss in her typical poetic lyrics. On the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Swift spoke about her songwriting experience.
“I love writing because there’s a part of it that I don’t quite understand how it comes to fruition,” she states. “But I found the more I write, the more I keep writing.”
Swift even invited some of her friends to work with her on Midnights, such as the esteemed singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, actor, and drummer Dylan O’Brian, and her main musical collaborator Jack Antonoff.
“I love to make things with my friends. I think the experience of making something is just as important as how proud of it you are at the end,” stated Swift in her interview with Jimmy Fallon.
Saint Leo University had no shortage of students awaiting the new album. Amy Stassio, a sophomore majoring in English, gave her opinion on Midnights.
“My favorite song on Midnights is ‘Bejeweled’ because it’s upbeat and fun but also has an impactful message about reclaiming your confidence and power after putting someone else first for too long.” says Stassio.
Chloe Doherty, a freshman majoring in forensic science, had qualms about some of Swift’s language, but nonetheless still enjoyed the album.
“I thought it was good with very descriptive lyrics, but some of the lyrics were sort of strange.” says Doherty.
Although Midnights contains some darker themes, Swift felt the songwriting process contradicted that.
“This is a pretty dark album, but I’d say I had more fun making it than any album I’ve ever made,” she said on the Tonight Show. “I don’t think that art and suffering have to be holding hands all the time.”
Once again taking the world by storm, Swift stunned her fans and left them in a haze with a relatable, beautifully written album. It has already broken the record for the largest album ever released in Spatial Audio on Apple Music.
“Life can be dark, starry, cloudy, terrifying, electrifying, hot, cold, romantic, or lonely,” Swift writes on her Instagram account. “Just like Midnights.”
