Taylor Swift is one of the most popular artists of this generation. With songs like “All Too Well,” “Bad Blood” and “Look What You Made Me Do,” Swift is a household name. After the release of “Evermore” in late 2020 and two releases of old albums in 2021, fans were wondering when Swift would release a new album again. At the MTV Video Music Awards, Swift announced the release of a new album. “Midnights” was released on Oct. 21 and gives her audience more reasons to be inspired.
When the album was released, millions of Swifties answered Taylor’s call to: “meet me at midnight,” and they were not disappointed. They had anticipated the night since Taylor’s announcement of her 10th studio album on Aug. 28. She described it as the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout her life.
For people who were still up until 3 a.m., three hours after the album’s release, they received a chaotic surprise; Taylor Swift dropped ”Midnights (3am Edition).” This included seven more tracks which she added because she wrote them on her journey to find the perfect 13 tracks for the original album.
“What keeps you up at night? It’s a momentary glimmer of distraction. The tiniest notion of reminiscent thought that wanders off into wondering, the spark that lights a tinderbox of fixation. And now it is irreversible. The flame has caught. You’re wide awake,” Swift posted at 3 a.m.
This gives us an idea of her thoughts as she was putting the album together and makes it much easier to connect to it especially when you’re listening to it for the 13th time.
Many people who don’t enjoy “Midnights”, also dislike “Folklore” and “Evermore” It’s fine to not enjoy these albums, but they say she should go back to her older music or just stop. However, like everyone, Taylor has grown and evolved. She shouldn’t be put down for trying new things especially when plenty of people like both her new and old music.
Swift sparks a lot of creativity and stirs the pot quite often among her fanbase with her different tricks and clues. She knows exactly what she’s doing and doesn’t deny her cryptic clues and easter eggs. With the release of the “Anti-hero” and ”Bejeweled” music videos, which are riddled with easter eggs, fans are already speculating about the release of her re-recording of ”Speak Now.”
Re-recording her master’s is a great example of how Swift showcases her bold and empowering qualities. For the beginning of her career, Swift was signed with Big Machine Records who owned her original masters.
In 2018 she signed with Universal Music Group. They let her own her masters produced from then on. She did this so when her songs are played she will receive the profits. That’s not the only reason.
“Artists should own their own work for so many reasons, but the most screamingly obvious one is that the artist is the only one who really knows that body of work.” Swift stated. So far she’s re-recorded ”Fearless” and ”Red.” Her faithful fans of course only listen to her version of these songs now.
Taylor cleverly promoted her album through many different ways including, “Midnights Mayhem With Me.” This was a series she created on TikTok where she used a bingo ball wheel to randomly announce the different track titles. Her marketing strategies proved to be very successful.
All 20 tracks from ”Midnights (3am Edition)” are on the Billboard Hot 100. She is the only artist that has sold over one million copies of five different albums in one week. “Midnights” also became Spotify’s most streamed album in a single. These are all incredible feats, but they aren’t even all of the records ”Midnights” has broken
To many fans excitement, Taylor has announced her next tour: “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour.” She describes it as a journey through the musical eras of her career. Fans are thrilled as it’s been five years, four album releases and two re-recordings since her last tour. Unfortunately she doesn’t have any dates listed to be played at the University of Idaho. Hopefully March 22, 2007 will not be the last time she plays here.
Rose Ownes can be reached at [email protected]