Taylor Swift’s much awaited 10th studio album “Midnights” has proven to take the world by storm. Swift has already broken multiple records upon the album’s release including being the first artist to occupy the entire top 10 of the Billboard Hot 10, the highest selling album of 2022 after only one day, the biggest album debut in Spotify history, and much more. Despite this, many people have extreme opinions on Swift: they either love her or hate her. So, is “Midnights” really worth all the hype? Using our expert opinions, along with peer input, we have written an in-depth review of each song. Enjoy, Swifties!

• Lavender Haze 

7/10

An upbeat start to her album, establishing the uniqueness and maturity of her new style. Many fans (including myself) were hoping for more folklore and evermore-sounding music, but “Lavender Haze” opened the album as a fresh, poppy, carefree and breezy singalong that isn’t too controversial. 

• Maroon

7.5/10

A big jump is seen here between “Lavender Haze” and “Maroon” in terms of sound, style, lyrical quality, and overall feel of the song. In contrast to “Lavender Haze”, “Maroon” is richer and gloomier but also more romantic. Additionally, the song showcases Swift’s growth and maturity in her songwriting: in reference to her “Red” era, multiple different colors are mentioned throughout the song that are just darker shades of red– burgundy, wine, scarlet, rosé, ruby, and, of course, maroon. 

• Anti-Hero 

7/10

Listening to this album in order proved to be a rollercoaster for me, as I listened to Swift bounce back and forth from bright, imaginative lyrics with an upbeat tempo to more folklore-type introspective and romantic tones with softer beats. In “Anti-Hero”, Swift returns to the more casual but still musing tones found in “Lavender Haze” while accepting her own faults and spotlighting vulnerability and fear of her own fame. Swift pokes fun at herself in the recurring hook, “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” 

• Snow on the Beach

7/10

This collaboration with Lana Del Rey is dreamy, muted, quiet, and reminiscent of christmastime thanks to the bells in the background. “Snow on the Beach” showcases some of Swift’s best lyric writing and her capability to incorporate complicated and unique words/phrases easily throughout her music: “This scene feels like what I once saw on a screen/I searched aurora borealis green”. I know that many fans (including myself) were disappointed that Del Rey did not have a verse to herself in the song (just backing vocals) and were excited to hear Del Rey’s signature melodic voice mixed with Swift’s genius songwriting. Nonetheless, their voices together create a melancholic and soothing layered harmony that might only be appreciated by folklore and evermore fans. 

• You’re on Your Own, Kid

8.5/10

This song is sweeping, heartbreaking, fantastically heavy, and full of nostalgic and painstakingly beautiful lyrics that explore individuality, isolation, and lingering feelings. The bridge of the song is where Swift brings her lyrics to an optimistic crescendo: “So make the friendship bracelets/Take the moment and taste it/You’ve got no reason to be afraid” and “Everything you lose is a step you take.” Swift wants her listeners to know that change in our life is necessary to grow. “You’re on Your Own, Kid” serves as a comfort and reassurance for anyone who feels lost and alone in changing times: Swift wants us to know that you’re on your own but you’ll be okay.

• Midnight Rain 

5.5/10

“Midnight Rain” opens with a distorted-voiced Swift reminiscing on a failed past relationship. The distorted and synth-y sound is new for Swift, and, personally, I did not enjoy the synth and edited vocals. However, her lyrics touch on change: “All of me changed like Midnight” and leaving a lover to prioritize her career: “He wanted a bride/I was making my own name/Chasing that fame/ He stayed the same” 

• Question…

7.5/10 

This song is super fun and upbeat, but not so much that it seems cheesy. It is also not as deep as some of her other songs, but very enjoyable overall!

• Vigilante Sh*t 

6/10

Personally, “Vigilante Sh*t” is one of my least favorites on the album. It leaves the “real life” aspect of the album, as it is not relatable. It feels out of place for the album in general, but for sure Reputation vibes.

• Bejeweled 

7/10

“Bejeweled” is so upbeat and is definitely a classic pop song. It is definitely meant to be a mindless sing-along song, and I think it works for this song. 

• Labyrinth

8.5/10

I think that this song is kind of what people were anticipating for this album, which is why it is so well liked. It definitely gives folklore and evermore vibes. The lyrics are a bit repetitive, but the calmness in between two very intense pop songs is much needed! 

• Karma

6.5/10

“Karma” is way overhyped, in my opinion. It is definitely a fun one to dance to, but the lyrics are cheesy for sure. It’s really hard to take a song seriously when one of the lyrics is “Karma is a cat/purring in my lap cause it loves me”.

• Sweet Nothing 

5.5/10

This is the song I always skip when I listen to this album in my car. It sounds like a lullaby and I don’t really understand what would be the situation where this would be the perfect song to listen to. It is also repetitive. 

• Mastermind

9/10 

Mastermind has the most mesmerizing background music, and the whole song is so pretty. It sounds lighthearted, but there is a relatable message as well. The lyrics match the vibe so well!