The release of Taylor Swift’s tenth studio album Midnights on October 21 has left fans dreaming under a blanket of starry-eyed haze. This is Swift’s first autobiographical album release in years, and she seemed to use this opportunity as a way to reveal a much more raw journey of self-exploration. 

By opening up about vivid experiences in various chapters of her life, Swift has given audiences an album they can see themselves in. Listeners now have a musical outlet in which they are able to process emotions that may have gotten lost in the “Midnight Rain.”

This sort of vulnerability is present through the nostalgic yet hopeful “You’re on your own, Kid,” as Swift reassures “Everything you lose is a step you take.”

Swift exposes personal struggles as well in the insecure albeit comical “Anti-Hero” which details personal and human adversity that resonates with many fans. 

That being said, the tone of these 13 songs is not limited to restless nights. In fact, many songs on the album embody warm ethereal romance, easing fans from their tossing and turning onto soft sparkling pillows.

Swift invokes these emotions through careful and intentional diction in songs such as “Sweet Nothing,” written by her and her long-time partner Joe Alwyn (under the pseudonym William Bowry).

However, not everybody finds themselves singing praises about this new album. I will admit that when I listened to the first few songs, the overall sound was different than I had expected. That being said, I found that I really enjoyed the route Taylor Swift took to create these 13 tracks. 

In my opinion, Swift’s writing style is seemingly simple in this album, but with that simplicity and rawness comes the ability of these lyrics to hit when you least expect it. 

Swift worked with long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff to carefully construct musical choices. From a variety of voice distortions, haunting vocals that feature the voice of Lana Del Rey, and abruptly muted tones, Midnights takes listeners on a profound journey.

With that in mind, I would rate this album a 5 out of 5. Not only did Swift record the stories of these thirteen sleepless nights, she also gave fans a “3am Edition” of this album with seven more tales to tell. On top of that, she wrote and directed multiple music videos, leaving audiences in awe of the multi-talented musician.