Taylor Swift has unleashed ‘Midnights’ – her tenth studio album.
Led by the effervescent ‘Anti-Hero,’ the set sees Swift explore themes of self-exploration, mental health, and more.
That Grape Juice has been spinning the LP since its release. Join us below to find out which five tracks are essential on ‘Midnights.’
5. Maroon
Swift is no stranger to lyrics that pertain to colors and on ‘Maroon,’ detailed memories come flooding back to Swift like a welcome ghost. Building from burgundy to scarlet and then to maroon, the feelings grow more intense until Swift delivers a dynamic final chorus that is perfect for heavy realizations.
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4. Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve
Swift reunites with her ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ collaborator Aaron Dessner for the track ‘Would’ve, Could’ve, ‘Should’ve.’ Tearing into an ex lover, Swift completely eviscerates them as she sings “Give me back my girlhood, It was mine first.” Breaking even the hearts made from the most solid stone, ‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve’ is one of Swift’s most vulnerable songs in recent years.
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3. Mastermind
On her past few albums, Swift has been toying with the idea of fate – see ‘Invisible String’ on ‘Folklore’ – however, on ‘Mastermind’ she declares that she was behind the romance the whole time and not fate. Brilliantly constructed, ‘Mastermind’ is a prime example of Swift’s wit as a songwriter.
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2. You’re On Your Own, Kid
Swift’s track 5’s are infamous for being the most vulnerable on her albums and ‘You’re On Your Own, Kid’ is no different. A muted beginning soon builds to a snowball demolishing everything with vulnerable lyrics until it hits the album’s supreme crescendo and delivers one of Swift’s best bridges.
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1. Anti-Hero
While Swift said that “self-loathing” was one of the themes that inspired ‘Midnights,’ it is more apparent on ‘Anti-Hero’ than anywhere else on the album. Leveling the criticisms of herself before anyone else can lob them at her, Swift delivers one deliciously cynical lyric after another.
More importantly, on ‘Midnights’ – specifically on ‘Anti-Hero’ – Swift delivers a brazen and exploratory look into the inner workings of one of pop music’s best and brightest songwriters. A true masterclass in understanding and interpolating human emotion in all of its delicate intricacies.