Taylor Swift "Midnights" (2022)

 
Following up on The Life Of A Showgirl, Midnights hasn't exactly illuminated her broad appeal but perhaps such pursuits are an aimless distraction. Its an entertaining record, yet perplexing with its split lyrical directions. Home to my favorite Swift song, the anthemic Anti-Hero, Its introspective maturity and witty sentimentality stand in deep contrast to low point Karma, a spiteful revel in another's misfortune. It plays like a revenge track, harnessing the idea of karma in a rather un-spirited derisive gloat.

This contrast in tone highlights a spectrum of topicality marred by polarization. Taylor grapples with personal battles, fame, stardom and relationship woes from humble points of self critique to then lashing back with jeering ridicules and needling taunts. Fortunately, much of Midnights is the former with Vigilante Shit being a primary example of Taylor slipping into a meaner demeanor. It paints a troubled impression, the drive of emotional weights unable to resolve an anchor in stormy weathers.

That song highlights a reoccurring musical aesthetic of the record, Bedroom Pop, akin to Billie Eilish in my limited range of reference. Its a snug, cozy tone. Stripped back sleepy beats and subtle dreamy synths downplaying melody for dusky twilight atmospheres. Swaying with lunar Electronic tones and Synthpop influences, the music often slips into nocturnal Dream Pop territory with a touch of Ethereal charm. Softened yet modern murmurs of whirling Berlin Synth nestle in the velvet backdrops, playing into a partial minimalism production style as Taylor is given a limelight to shine.

Her singing is quite hit and miss for me. Occasionally striking gold with the whispery mustering magic of Lavender Haze yet much of her deliveries play mediocre. Picking up on more tropes and quirks, the rising vocal inflections at the end of sentences perk the ears. These techniques and others sometimes land but often feel like a bit of a clutch. She can certainly align the stars with impressive magnitude but like on The Life Of A Showgirl, the luminosity sparkles for just a couple of tracks and moments. Her inflections and lyrical cadences seeming like the core chemistry landing inconsistently.

Rating: 5/10

Taylor Swift "The Life Of A Showgirl" (2025)

 

Yet to figure out the secret sauce that explains Taylor's astronomical stardom, I do hear a warming charm. Armed with a fair voice and gratifying range, her tender strength in singing navigates the pop appeal competently. Mostly an ease on the ears, momentary strokes of sensation illuminate a handful of passages on The Life Of A Showgirl. Being primarily a Pop record, one could rattle off a long list of toned-down genre influences each track takes on. Soft Rock & Country feel like the main theme as roomy Acoustic Guitars and snappy percussion grooves guide a core of its songs.

Its the synth and string laden theatrical strides of opening tracks The Fate Of Ophelia and Elizabeth Taylor that sparkles. These are delightful ear worms, exchanging their infectious vocal hooks with grandiose emotive sentiments. Its a powerful opening, extending itself into the crafty dancefloor fusion of a warming Opalite. Taylor flexes her range effortlessly here, soaring in spirit, sailing her voice into the endless sunset.

Father Figure reveals reoccurring blemishes one can linger on when pondering her lyrical sentiments. Its crudeness emphasizes her egocentric battles heard elsewhere on the record, flipping from the sensitive pains of Eldest Daughter, too emboldened sentiments of critical immunity. Across the runtime, one can hear a fair few lyrical contradictions that muddies the point this albums naming hints it might land on. I may be lacking context but it loosens the records grip on a broader overall takeaway.

On the minor topic of short comings, sparse moments of lyrical cadences slipping into casual, direct and coarse wordings, stick out like a sore thumb. Alongside stride breaking vocal inflections, some of Taylor's approach to piecing together her hooks seem odd and unfinished on occasion. It adds some hiccups to an otherwise smooth experience, a pleasing, easily enjoyable record lavishing one in musical pleasures.

After a lengthy string of fair to do songs, it ends on a high with the Americana tinged title track featuring Sabrina Carpenter. Wrapping the record with a bow, the two allure one another for a tuneful peak with charming chorus hook. Its heights reminds one of a gulf in difference to an averageness that flowed on routine Pop songs before it.

I've really enjoyed The Life Of A Showgirl and I'll treasure its best numbers for years to come, however I'm mostly left with the sentiment that Taylor is capable of much more. Still fresh to her appeal, there are moments of brilliance in how she sings. Subtle shifts with inflections, layering and harmonies. The usual tricks, yet subtler in execution, a seemingly "plainer" tone but carrying a persuasive power the best singers do.

Rating: 6/10