For years, enjoyment of hard rocking, brain-bashing metal music was a daily occurrence in my life. But over time, it got repetitive. I needed something new.
After losing my metal mojo, I got deep into rap and rock. Being a fan of N.W.A, Eminem, Baby Keem and many others, I have found a good place in the rap world. With rock, I have always loved Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Rush for grooving out.
Even though my music taste has branched out far, I will never forget that my planted roots stem from the fast-tempo metal music genre. Funny enough, I still have the long hair from those head-banging days, showing the influence metal has had in my life.
One genre I’ve always discredited was pop. I have always written it off as easy to write and perform. For so long, I thought the pop-music formula consisted of repeating a catchy chorus, along with simple chords and some relatable lyrics. Because of this, I never allowed myself to enjoy it. I have now evolved and can say I appreciate all kinds of music.
I’ve always thought Taylor Swift was super talented. She knows how to write and record good music. Starting with country, moving to pop, and eventually ending up dabbling in dream-pop or electronica in her newest album, Midnights, Swift continuously evolves her style.
Released October 21, 2022, Midnights consists of chill, pop-like songs with catchy hooks and bubbly instrumentals.
Taylor’s previous records about her ex-boyfriends, broken love life and crazy tendencies gave me an idea of what was to come in Midnights. This made some of the lyrics feel predictable. But the entire thing feels like a rollercoaster of heartbreak, sadness and distrust. Still, Taylor puts her best foot forward, showing many elements of her musical ability.
My favourite part of Midnights are the instrumentals. Each beat has its own vibe. They add layers to the album, creating a buildup of emphasis at certain points.
Taylor knew what she was doing with this album, creating an easy-listening experience for anyone tuning in. The best songs on the album are Lavender Haze; You’re on Your Own, Kid; and Midnight Rain.
Lavender Haze serves as a very strong opening track for Midnights. The beat is groovy and has a good build-up to the raise of vocal pitch in the chorus. The backtracking and change in pitch made me feel like I’m floating in a cloud, wavy and smooth.
The soft delivery in You’re on Your Own, Kid conveys a sense of love and care. Swift’s trials and troubles are illustrated to the listener in what seems to be a form of personal acceptance. Calm and collected, she sings “Everything you lose is a step you take.” She tells her listeners that’s what life is about: losing things and growing from it.
I enjoy Swift’s vocal effects during the chorus of Midnight Rain. It made me imagine that she’s trying to speak through muffled rain. The song looks back on her conflict with a lover in the early stages of her career. She wanted fame, and he wanted to settle down. The song’s title is how she describes herself: the midnight rain to her former lover’s sunshine.
Overall, I’d rate Midnights a seven out of 10. With her soft voice singing stern lyrics, Swift’s songs almost feel like a pleasant disguise of intentions. Being in the industry for so long and still proving to be a relevant artist, Taylor knows how to follow the spotlight. She’s done this by adjusting the music she’s made over her career. Although I was skeptical of Midnights, I surprisingly enjoyed it and would definitely listen to Swift’s next album.
