“Happens all the time, I bash myself and then I break even” Taylor Swift sings on a desolate tour through self-loathing, addiction and a dominant devaluation of masculinity. “I’m so mean to myself,” she sings.
Taylor Swift’s new album,
With her seventh studio album, “Midnights,” Taylor Swift has returned to her roots as a country singer. This time, though, she’s swapped out her usual twang for a more pop-centric sound. The result is an album that’s both catchy and introspective, with lyrics that explore the dark side of stardom.
Swift has always been known for her confessional songwriting, and “Midnights” is no exception. The album opens with “the last great american dynasty,” a song about the life of heiress Rebekah Harkness. Swift paints a picture of a woman who was both envied and reviled, but ultimately lonely in her wealth. It’s a theme that recurs throughout the album, in songs like “my tears ricochet” and “mirrorball.”
But it’s not all doom and gloom on “Midnights.” There are also moments of defiance (“this is me trying”) and even some hope (“august”). Ultimately, the album feels like a victory lap for Swift, who has come out on top despite all the haters.
The music video for the single
The music video for “Midnights” was directed by Drew Kirsch and released on August 26, 2020. The video features Swift lip-syncing the song in a neon-lit room as she is filmed from different angles.
The video is set in a small hours club, with its standout moments coming when Swift smashes a guitar and breaks into an impromptu rap about being rich and famous. The visual also finds the singer donning a number of different outlandish outfits, including a PVC bodysuit and sequined dress.
While the video does not feature any cameos from other celebrities, it does include a number of background dancers who contort their bodies into various positions. These dancers represent the different stereotypes that people often place on Swift, such as that she is “perfect” or “princess-like.”
By breaking these stereotypes and showing her own vulnerability, Swift allows viewers to see her in a new light. She also proves that she is not afraid to take risks, both in her music and in her videos. This risk-taking attitude is one of the things that makes Swift such an iconic figure in the pop world.
What I think about
There’s something wry and world-weary about “Midnights,” the fifth track from Taylor Swift’s new album, folklore. It’s a small-hours pop song rich with self-loathing and stereotype-smashing.
Swift has always been good at writing songs that Cutting through the noise of the internet, with its constant barrage of takes and theories and thinkpieces, can be difficult. But every now and then, a pop song comes along that feels like it was written specifically for this moment in time
“Midnights” feels like one of those songs. It’s a late-night anthem for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re not good enough, no matter how hard they try.
“I can’t see straight / I’m making all these mistakes,” Swift sings over a sparse piano melody. “And I’m just trying to survive.”
It’s a devastatingly honest portrait of insecurity, but it’s also strangely empowering. In a world where we’re constantly being told to be better, “Midnights” is a reminder that it’s okay to be imperfect. We all make mistakes, and we all have our low moments. What matters is how we pick ourselves up and keep going.
Swift has always been good at writing songs that resonate on a personal level, but “Midnights” feels particularly special. It’s the sound of an artist at the top of her game, fearlessly b
Why there are only 3 original songs on the album
When “Midnights” was released, many fans were surprised to find that only three of the album’s fourteen tracks were original songs. The rest were covers of well-known pop hits.
There are a few possible explanations for this decision. First, it could be that Swift simply wanted to put her own spin on some of her favorite songs. Second, by covering popular songs, Swift may have been trying to appeal to a wider range of listeners. And third, it’s possible that Swift wanted to experiment with different genres and styles, something that she wouldn’t have been able to do with all original material.
Whatever the reason, the end result is an album that is both unique and familiar, an interesting new take on some classic tunes.
And what to expect from her next big project
Although Taylor Swift‘s “Midnights” is her first full-length project in four years, fans can expect more new music from the singer-songwriter soon.
Swift announced the news on Instagram, writing that she has “been in the studio working on new music and can’t wait to share it with you.” She also teased that there may be more surprises in store for fans: “There’s a lot going on right now and I can’t wait to tell you about all of it.”
So far, no details have been released about when Swift’s next album will be released or what it will sound like. However, given the success of “Midnights” and its departure from Swift’s previous work, it is safe to say that her next project will be equally as groundbreaking.