At midnight on October 21st, Taylor Swift released her 10th studio album, Midnights, followed by a 3 AM surprise edition containing 7 tracks not featured on the original. Swift first announced the new album in August, and described it as “the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life.” 

Swift created the album with producer and long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff, who is also lead singer of the band Bleachers. Antonoff was also listed as a producer of her 2020 albums folklore and evermore—however, Midnights has a very different sound and approach. In her latest release, Taylor Swift explores a moodier pop sound fitting for the album’s title. The use of synthetic sounds and vocal effects is present across all 13 tracks.

In lead single “Anti-Hero,” she explores her own flaws through the usual verbose lyricism, such as “Did you hear my covert narcissism disguised as altruism like some kind of congressman?” and “I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror.” A music video also accompanies this track.

In “Snow on the Beach”, Lana Del Rey is featured and credited as a writer, providing background vocals and harmonies.

The penultimate track, “Sweet Nothing” was co-written by Joe Alwyn, Swift’s partner of six years.

The 3 AM track, “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” has also drawn special attention, as a reference to Swift’s relationship with John Mayer when he was 32 and she was 19. Fans have connected the song to others written about Mayer, such as “Dear John” from her album, Speak Now. 

Another 3 AM track, “The Great War,” is arguably one of the most descriptive songs, with lyrics such as “We can plant a memory garden/Say a solemn prayer, place a poppy in my hair/There’s no morning glory, it was war, it wasn’t fair” and “Soldier down on that icy ground/Looked up at me with honor and truth/Broken and blue” painting a vivid picture.

On November 1st, Swift also announced an Eras Tour, calling it “a journey through the musical eras of my career.” Her first dates are set in stadiums across the country, with artists Parmore, beabadoobee, Phoebe Bridgers, girl in red, MUNA, HAIM, GAYLE, Gracie Abrams, and Owenn joining her as guests.

“I am so excited to see her perform live, I think this is going to be her best tour yet because it combines all her various albums into one show,” commented Hills senior Yara Shobut. “I’m especially thrilled to see her perform Midnights, the very album that she broke records with.”