Midnights
by Taylor Swift
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2022
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 3039 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,467 out of 3039
  2. Mixed: 155 out of 3039
  3. Negative: 417 out of 3039
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  1. Acrixmony
    Oct 23, 2022
    6
    For a Taylor Swift album, I’m honestly underwhelmed. It feels like it’s stuck in the world of folklore mixed with lover and things just sound off at times.

    It is a good album but compared to her other albums this one doesn’t seem strong. I do hope it grows on me tho, I miss her 1989 and rep eras
  2. Kirbypperez1
    Oct 24, 2022
    4
    It puts the MID in midnights. The album is not cohesive and fully structured " pop album". I am lost of what she is trying to put. Maybe she needs another producer aside from Jack. Her songwriting trying to be different and edgy. This album is not for me.
  3. leumassregor
    Dec 26, 2022
    4
    Taylor Swift just seems to be pumping out work lately: multiple singles this year, two new albums in 2020, and remastered versions of her classics; she seems to be an absolute workaholic. However, with the release of her newest album 'Midnights', I question if she's a workaholic that'll continue to pump out quality work.

    Midnights reminds me of an artist that is confused. Multiple    Taylor Swift just seems to be pumping out work lately: multiple singles this year, two new albums in 2020, and remastered versions of her classics; she seems to be an absolute workaholic. However, with the release of her newest album 'Midnights', I question if she's a workaholic that'll continue to pump out quality work.

    Midnights reminds me of an artist that is confused. Multiple tracks on this album sound like Taylor simply stopped caring and wrote whatever came to mind first without going back to revise it later. For example, "Karma", one of the nicer tracks on the album in terms of production, lacks cohesive songwriting. "Karma is my boyfriend" and "Karma is a cat" are weird and oddly specific ways to describe her connection and belief in karma. Despite the cringy songwriting, the track comes through with wonderfully airy, light, cute, and catchy production.

    A track that stood out to me, in all the wrong ways possible, was "Snow on the Beach". Personally, I absolutely hated the line "And it's like snow at the beach, weird but it was beautiful" as it sounded odd and a forced attempt to be quirky for Taylor. It sounded like Taylor had that idea suddenly pop into her head, wrote it down, and went for it without any more questions. On top of that, Lana Del Ray's so-called "feature" is nonexistent on this track as her vocals are buried behind Taylor's. This is not a feature for Lana. Lana acts as Taylor's backing vocals throughout the entirety of the track.

    The opener for the album, "Lavender Haze" is one of the more forgettable tracks as it's simply hazy and bland. This track has some potential, but Taylor ignored to act on it.

    "Anti-hero" is one of my least favorites as it's almost too poppy and radio sounding. It's obvious Taylor wanted this to be the stand-out and most listened-to single from the album, but it's simply soulless and boring, however, contains decent songwriting.

    "Midnight Rain" comes off as another attempt for Taylor to show her quirkiness. Taylor tries to use the wavy, auto-tuney-sounding vocal effect as an art form here, but it comes off as goofy and out of pocket.

    "Question...?" is a questionable track. The vocals sound like they were mixed by a person who's never mixed vocals before as they are messily mixed and seem rushed. However, there is a moment of hope in the bridge with Taylor's great flow and pacing there. The songwriting is also decent and straightforward.

    Moving away from the forgettable tracks, a few of my favorites were "Vigilante **** with its bass and self-confident lyrics, "Labyrinth" with its slightly EDM-inspired production and great synths, "Sweet Nothing" with its intimacy and improved vocal mix, and finally, the closer "Mastermind", which is my personal favorite, with its delightful storytelling of reflection and realization and lovely synths.

    'Midnights' had potential that Taylor failed to grab. The production is all over the place, sounding messy at times and somehow too clean at other times. Through the mess, however, Taylor still holds onto her incredible talent and ability to tell a story and paint a picture through her writing, which shined through a few tracks on this project.    … Expand
  4. godkaiser
    Oct 23, 2022
    4
    The production doesnt deliver someting new. Most of the songs have a similar sound compared to her lastest records.
  5. tinaco_falls
    Oct 24, 2022
    6
    She does nothing wrong here, the production is very professional and well done, but it feels like she's more focused on an overall sound rather than keeping each track engaging, resulting in a listening experience that could be tedious and even monotonous.
  6. 0987
    Oct 23, 2022
    6
    Well the artwork gave the the vibes of 1989 album. I can't say it's a bad album because it's not bad, but also I can't say it's her best. 1989 is still her best album.
  7. rudster1138
    Dec 5, 2022
    5
    So, removing the superfan-coloured glasses and listening to this album on it's own merits, to me it really is a letdown. There are some nice sounds for sure, and the production is clean. However, I found this to be overwhelmingly...blah. Just kind of boring, several of the songs sound too similar to really tell them apart. There are a few decent tracks buried in here, but mostly sheSo, removing the superfan-coloured glasses and listening to this album on it's own merits, to me it really is a letdown. There are some nice sounds for sure, and the production is clean. However, I found this to be overwhelmingly...blah. Just kind of boring, several of the songs sound too similar to really tell them apart. There are a few decent tracks buried in here, but mostly she uses the same tone for many of the tracks, with the same laid back production and lack of energy that I really struggled remembering any individual track soon after listening to it. I know she'll get a lot of 10 ratings no matter what she puts out, but come on, be honest, this is mediocre Taylor at best. To me the 5 rating is perfect, it's about the lowest that Taylor will ever get, she's just too talented to get lower, but this album offers nothing new or exciting. Not one that I will really look forward to revisiting outside of 2-3 stand out tracks.… Expand
  8. AncientAmber
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    I get why people like Taylor Swift. Her lyrics are clearly personal, fairly unique, and relatable for a lot of people, but not me. I don't know what it is but she almost always leaves me emotionally cold, and I am someone that regularly gets chills listening to music.

    Even though she styles herself as honest, her actual performance is never vulnerable enough for me to really connect.    I get why people like Taylor Swift. Her lyrics are clearly personal, fairly unique, and relatable for a lot of people, but not me. I don't know what it is but she almost always leaves me emotionally cold, and I am someone that regularly gets chills listening to music.

    Even though she styles herself as honest, her actual performance is never vulnerable enough for me to really connect. I'm sure she has it in her, so I always check out her new stuff to see if it happens this time.

    Production wise, it's very cool - too cool. Not varied enough for me, but it is coherent and doesn't distract from the vocals too much, so this isn't a major issue.

    Karma is very very catchy, I **** love it. It's also very peppy, and plays to Swift's strengths. I enjoyed the reference to Lykke Li too.    … Expand
  9. Ky_Tree_No
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    More like mid because Taylor carries an otherwise mostly uninteresting set of tracks.
  10. Benhasbigballs
    Oct 24, 2022
    5
    This is the first Taylor swift album I have listened to in its entirety, and if I were to sum it up, its exactly what I expected. It lacks in substance and plays it very safe with its generic and monotonous sounding tracks, the lyricism is nothing to write home about and the instrumentation is adequate at best. Despite this, it didn't leave me pissed off, however it was deeply rooted inThis is the first Taylor swift album I have listened to in its entirety, and if I were to sum it up, its exactly what I expected. It lacks in substance and plays it very safe with its generic and monotonous sounding tracks, the lyricism is nothing to write home about and the instrumentation is adequate at best. Despite this, it didn't leave me pissed off, however it was deeply rooted in her personal experiences, which made it hard for anyone but the hardcore fan to get behind and for that reason I find it forgettable and expected more.… Expand
  11. psyat
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    Antonoff's production is quirky but falls flat on several songs with buildup, though no follow through, leaving them feeling unfinished. Taylor's classic lyrical bridges are lacking on this album but overall it is a fun album and her experimentation is welcome. The album would feel stronger with Dessner's tracks added throughout the standard version. Content wise it feels a littleAntonoff's production is quirky but falls flat on several songs with buildup, though no follow through, leaving them feeling unfinished. Taylor's classic lyrical bridges are lacking on this album but overall it is a fun album and her experimentation is welcome. The album would feel stronger with Dessner's tracks added throughout the standard version. Content wise it feels a little uninspired and repetitive.… Expand
  12. Bella222
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    This album is a copy/paste of the sounds of several current/trendy artists and haphazardly put together with some, at times, cringy lyrics. Sure, there are some standout songs (especially the 3am bonus tracks release), but I don’t love this as much as her previous works. Someone mentioned there’s sapphic undertones and, quite honestly, it would make a lot more sense and make this albumThis album is a copy/paste of the sounds of several current/trendy artists and haphazardly put together with some, at times, cringy lyrics. Sure, there are some standout songs (especially the 3am bonus tracks release), but I don’t love this as much as her previous works. Someone mentioned there’s sapphic undertones and, quite honestly, it would make a lot more sense and make this album more interesting than Taylor still writing songs reminiscing and pining over the same 4-5 white dudes she dated a decade ago while happily in a long term relationship with another similar white dude. It doesn’t make any sense. What makes even less sense is how this album received 100/90 ratings from the “critics” when it’s so disjointed and ideas are all over the place. I guess they weren’t lying when they say Taylor Swift is the music industry and the joke’s on us.… Expand
  13. Lennavcarvalho
    Feb 7, 2023
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Weird production, lyricism-wise not taylor's best work, the visuals are great, sure, but the album itself is lacking something. Kinda boring.… Expand
  14. sennikotka
    Feb 1, 2023
    4
    If there is one thing that Taylor Swift is lacking at the moment its consistency. A whole lot of this album actually sounds pleasurable, however its completely undercut by terrible chorus writing and lyrics. Perfect example of this: Anti Hero, the lead single, a song that has a really great sound and style, however, its ruined by the grade level word salad that she conjures up in the preIf there is one thing that Taylor Swift is lacking at the moment its consistency. A whole lot of this album actually sounds pleasurable, however its completely undercut by terrible chorus writing and lyrics. Perfect example of this: Anti Hero, the lead single, a song that has a really great sound and style, however, its ruined by the grade level word salad that she conjures up in the pre choruses.

    "I should not be left to my own devices, They come with prices and vices, I end up in crisis" ??
    "Did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruism, Like some kind of congressman?" ??

    Not to mention how empty, meaningless and out of touch the chorus is, how choppy the ending is, and the fact that, like NEARLY EVERY OTHER SONG on the album, the sounds and styles are entirely copied off of Lana Del Rey, but without the harshness of voice or themes that make her so appealing.

    Ultimately, its yet another disappointing project from Taylor Swift, and the question of why she makes music at such a rapid pace remains. This album shows promise, but the uninspired production and underwritten lyrical performances brings it down to a sub par level. IMO, she should probably get a few fresh faces in the writers' room for her next album.    … Expand
  15. ifspedro
    Oct 22, 2022
    4
    Despite other great releases like red, reputation and folklore, midnights shows how much of a basic white girl Swift has been through out her career. I could easily write a whole essay on the disappointment when I first heard the album and why I think this is Taylor showing the world how simple is it to be white, but this album is so boring that it took all the energy out of my body,Despite other great releases like red, reputation and folklore, midnights shows how much of a basic white girl Swift has been through out her career. I could easily write a whole essay on the disappointment when I first heard the album and why I think this is Taylor showing the world how simple is it to be white, but this album is so boring that it took all the energy out of my body, therefore making me unable to say all the things I wanted to.… Expand
  16. Ijv98
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    Same vocal energy during the whole album, too monotonous. Good production though, with some interesting bases. Lyrics are good in general as usual with Taylor. However I don’t think we find something new, I hope it gets better with the visual concepts.
  17. hannahbaana
    Oct 21, 2022
    5
    I absolutely love Taylor Swift but this album didn't do it for me. While there were some good songs like Maroon and Anti-Hero, most of the tracks I found disappointing and quite frankly, boring. I think this may be one of her weakest albums to date, recycling the same themes from previous albums, and seemingly recycling the vibes as well.
  18. ybustorf4
    Oct 22, 2022
    4
    Midnights lacks ambition. Nothing new when it comes to sound and production. No risks. Just a safe play for her to sell something.
  19. Thedavidr
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    Not her best work. Really basic pop album. Nothing new. Best sings on the album were Snow on the beach and Vigilante ****
  20. Duhestrela
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    "More of the same". This teenage pop style, with the imaginary plot of those who don't come out of puberty, doesn't sound like something that 20 years from now will be remembered for its content. Numbers! That's all that can make these works remembered, because culturally it doesn't add anything to be registered in pop culture as great landmarks of memorable pop stars: Michael Jackson,"More of the same". This teenage pop style, with the imaginary plot of those who don't come out of puberty, doesn't sound like something that 20 years from now will be remembered for its content. Numbers! That's all that can make these works remembered, because culturally it doesn't add anything to be registered in pop culture as great landmarks of memorable pop stars: Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Beyoncé...… Expand
  21. Emmawithluv
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    Falls short of her best work, the album is very monotonous and none of the songs were all that memorable. Not a bad album by any means but definitely not her best.
  22. bhsera
    Oct 21, 2022
    5
    The 3am Edition tracks stood out more to me than the standard tracks. Many filler songs are present. Probably my least favorite out of the 5 projects she released this decade.
  23. danielortma
    Oct 22, 2022
    4
    Quite forgetful some songs and super disappointing that lana hasn't had anything but just a few choruses
  24. AliArabic
    Oct 24, 2022
    4
    I was very dissappointed. This coming after Folklore and Evermore was shocking.
    Bad production and cringy lyrics to the point you struggle to even finish listening to the album.
  25. Yunopoot
    Oct 22, 2022
    5
    she is so talented but this album so boring. Taylor deserved more. Keep going taylor
  26. atreuflores
    Oct 21, 2022
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. well…definitely not her best album she’s put out but there’s some good songs. most of them sound the same.… Expand
  27. Aniketthakur
    Oct 21, 2022
    4
    Her worst album so far..All tracks feels like the rejects of reputation, lover, folklore/evermore
  28. cocoposa
    Oct 21, 2022
    5
    Kind of a disappointment for Taylor. Her other albums are on another level.
  29. prisantws
    Oct 21, 2022
    4
    I found the album with many songs boring, very boring even that makes me want to sleep, lana's participation was terrible, I couldn't hear her voice
  30. Dre11
    Oct 21, 2022
    4
    I love her music but this album is not it, May listen to it while on the car once but not her best work at all, folclore and evermore remain superior
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Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best Album of 2022
3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. PopMatters
    Nov 4, 2022
    90
    It allows Swift to do what she has always wanted: make an album for its own sake that is received primarily as a work of art instead of a commercial entity or tabloid fodder.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    Nov 2, 2022
    80
    It is very good. ... There are no major missteps within the album, although not everything works as well as the album’s brightest spots.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    Oct 31, 2022
    80
    While her 10th album doesn’t make instant classic status like 1989, and Evermore and Folklore remain her masterpieces, it is still an understated, beguiling look into the mind of one of the biggest pop stars of our age.
    Read full review
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