Sleepless nights, tiring relationships and self-worth struggles are themes Taylor Swift explores in her latest album. For college students, “Midnights” provides 13 tracks that discuss some of the struggles they face on a daily basis.
American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift released her 10th studio album on Oct. 21. The 13-track album was announced on Aug. 28 during Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.
“Midnights” portrays the complexities and thoughts that contributed to 13 pivotal sleepless nights throughout Swift’s life. From sadder, more dramatic songs hinting at darker undertones of someone’s death to playful, more upbeat tracks following tropes of falling in love, Swift’s newest collection of songs unpacks a plethora of reasons that might keep someone up at night.
“This is a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams,” Swift said on social media platforms when announcing “Midnights.” “The floors we pace and the demons we face. For all of us who have tossed and turned and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching — hoping that just maybe, when the clock strikes twelve … we’ll meet ourselves.”
While none of Swift’s albums boast the exact same genres, rhythms or production styles, the overall sound of “Midnights” barely resembles any of her previous work. Her lyrics and production style boast a new, edgier sound that has both delighted and disappointed fans.
“Midnights” tackles deeper lyrics and themes by juxtaposing the album’s pop tendencies with frequent synthetic styles. Singer, songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff remains one of the key reasons “Midnights” strays from Swift’s traditional sound. Although the pair has collaborated on numerous albums before, “Midnights” is Swift’s first album where Antonoff was the only main collaborator. This album’s synthesized sounds and techno tendencies resembles other music Antonoff has produced and released.
“My first perception of the album was that it was not the sound I was expecting,” freshman Olivia Walsh said. “To say this album grew on me would be an understatement. At first, there were a few songs I really enjoyed. Now, I love almost every song.”
Genres and production style aside, part of what makes listening to any type of music fun and compelling is relating to different songs and lyrics. After releasing her first album at age 17 and continuing to release music to her current age of 32, the severity of Swift’s lyrics intensified as she grew older and inevitably matured. “Midnights” constitutes one of Swift’s more serious, contemplative albums.
Despite upbeat melodies and catchy choruses, the album’s overall sound remains mysterious to match Swift’s thought-provoking lyrics. Swift and Antonoff achieve this by strategically placing drum and synth sounds throughout the album.
From staying out late to failed relationships and battling with mental health, the content and themes in this album strike a chord with younger, college-aged listeners.
“I 100% think being a college student has affected my opinion of this album,” Walsh said. “Although she’s more than 10 years older, this reflection of midnights throughout her life is applicable to me right now. I think if I were in a younger stage of life still I might not appreciate it as much as I do now.”
Of the 13 tracks, “Anti-Hero” stands out as a particularly relatable song for college students. The song follows tropes discussing mental health, self worth and anxiety issues. From more complex lyrics portraying these issues to simpler metaphors comparing people to sexy babies, the song epitomizes the ups and downs that come with mental health journeys.
“I really relate to ‘Anti-Hero’ because it reminds me of mental health struggles I’ve faced, and Taylor perfectly describes the way I’ve felt during those times in my life,” freshman Ella Berg said.
Swift depicts the feelings of never being enough and always questioning one’s worth in this song by comparing herself to an anti-hero. College students constantly comparing themselves to others around them can find comfort in this chorus and song as a whole as they grapple with their mental health journeys.
“I think there are themes in ‘Anti-Hero’ of self loathing that I and many others can connect with,” Walsh said.
Since “Midnights” release, it has become 2022’s best-selling album. Additionally, on Nov. 1 Swift announced that she will tour next year for the first time since 2018. Swifties hoping to hear their favorite tracks from “Midnights” live can purchase tickets starting November 15 for Swift’s July 8 performance in Kansas City at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Edited by Egan Ward | eward@themaneater.comCopy edited by Sam Acevedo and Jacob Richey