Sheer brilliance from Taylor Swift
The name ‘Taylor Swift’ is a name that will go down in history. Despite all the odds, Taylor Swift has proved time and time again that she is one of a kind. With 10 original albums to her name, countless awards, sensational concerts and an overwhelming fan base, Taylor Swift is an artist that will surely be remembered for changing the face of the music industry.
Swift’s latest album ‘Midnights’ has certainly not marred the reputation (pun intended) that Swift has made for herself. It is a prime example of the way in which Swift repeatedly reinvents herself and her music in each album she creates. She is a pioneer in exploring a new genre of electronic dream pop that is, in many ways, unique to her and the array of music she has released over the years. From the country days of ‘Debut’ and ‘Fearless’, to the timeless pop albums ‘Red’ and ‘1989’, before delving deeper into her own personal life with the iconic tunes of ‘Reputation’ and ‘Lover’. In 2020, Swift released two indie-pop albums ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ which consisted of intense yet melancholic storytelling which allowed millions of listeners to be transported into magical and cathartic narratives whilst in the constraints of lockdown.
Swift is also in the process of re-recording her old albums, in order to legally own her older work which was sold without her permission by her old record label. Two albums, ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ and ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’ have already been released. Both were extremely successful, reinforcing the significance and power of taking ownership of one’s own work.
Now, in 2022, Swift has once again proved her ingenuity and musical abilities by releasing ‘Midnights’ which is a biographical insight into the depths and complexities of Swift’s life - from old relationships, to her personal image and insecurities. This new album consists of 13 tracks plus an additional 7 tracks on the ‘3am edition’ of the album. Each and every single song feels like a window into the mind of Taylor Swift, with transcendent lyrics that beautifully express complex emotions that millions of fans can relate to and recognise.
‘Midnights’ contains a real mixture of songs, the most notable perhaps being the single ‘Anti-Hero’ in which an upbeat tempo disguises the heart wrenching lyrics that depict Swift’s personal struggles with fame and relationships in her life. The lyric ‘I stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror’ is a line that has truly resonated with fans across the world. The album contains other upbeat songs such as ‘You’re On Your Own, Kid’, ‘Question…?’, ‘Karma’ and ‘Paris’ which are hugely popular amongst fans. Alongside these tracks, ‘Midnights’ also consists of melancholy and slower songs which reflect the pure and honest emotions felt by Swift as she reflects back on past and present relationships during long, sleepless nights. The song ‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve’ is arguably the rawest and most heart-breaking song on the album as Swift recounts her relationship at 19 with the musician John Mayer. The lyrics depict a 32-year-old Taylor describing her deep feelings of regret and grief for her younger self, which is amplified by the lyrics ‘I regret you all the time’ and ‘Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first.’
The whole album is full of lyrical genius complemented beautifully by stunning vocals and music. It has already broken a whole range of streaming records, such as: most album streams in the first day, first artist to occupy the top 10 of the Billboard 100 simultaneously and Swift became the most streamed female artist in Spotify history. It goes without saying that Taylor Swift is one of the greatest artists of all time, consistently producing record-breaking music and ‘Midnights’ is no exception.
Etta Stubbings, Y11
Swift’s latest album ‘Midnights’ has certainly not marred the reputation (pun intended) that Swift has made for herself. It is a prime example of the way in which Swift repeatedly reinvents herself and her music in each album she creates. She is a pioneer in exploring a new genre of electronic dream pop that is, in many ways, unique to her and the array of music she has released over the years. From the country days of ‘Debut’ and ‘Fearless’, to the timeless pop albums ‘Red’ and ‘1989’, before delving deeper into her own personal life with the iconic tunes of ‘Reputation’ and ‘Lover’. In 2020, Swift released two indie-pop albums ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ which consisted of intense yet melancholic storytelling which allowed millions of listeners to be transported into magical and cathartic narratives whilst in the constraints of lockdown.
Swift is also in the process of re-recording her old albums, in order to legally own her older work which was sold without her permission by her old record label. Two albums, ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ and ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’ have already been released. Both were extremely successful, reinforcing the significance and power of taking ownership of one’s own work.
Now, in 2022, Swift has once again proved her ingenuity and musical abilities by releasing ‘Midnights’ which is a biographical insight into the depths and complexities of Swift’s life - from old relationships, to her personal image and insecurities. This new album consists of 13 tracks plus an additional 7 tracks on the ‘3am edition’ of the album. Each and every single song feels like a window into the mind of Taylor Swift, with transcendent lyrics that beautifully express complex emotions that millions of fans can relate to and recognise.
‘Midnights’ contains a real mixture of songs, the most notable perhaps being the single ‘Anti-Hero’ in which an upbeat tempo disguises the heart wrenching lyrics that depict Swift’s personal struggles with fame and relationships in her life. The lyric ‘I stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror’ is a line that has truly resonated with fans across the world. The album contains other upbeat songs such as ‘You’re On Your Own, Kid’, ‘Question…?’, ‘Karma’ and ‘Paris’ which are hugely popular amongst fans. Alongside these tracks, ‘Midnights’ also consists of melancholy and slower songs which reflect the pure and honest emotions felt by Swift as she reflects back on past and present relationships during long, sleepless nights. The song ‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve’ is arguably the rawest and most heart-breaking song on the album as Swift recounts her relationship at 19 with the musician John Mayer. The lyrics depict a 32-year-old Taylor describing her deep feelings of regret and grief for her younger self, which is amplified by the lyrics ‘I regret you all the time’ and ‘Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first.’
The whole album is full of lyrical genius complemented beautifully by stunning vocals and music. It has already broken a whole range of streaming records, such as: most album streams in the first day, first artist to occupy the top 10 of the Billboard 100 simultaneously and Swift became the most streamed female artist in Spotify history. It goes without saying that Taylor Swift is one of the greatest artists of all time, consistently producing record-breaking music and ‘Midnights’ is no exception.
Etta Stubbings, Y11
