Taylor Swift' s ' Midnights' album is out So what' s the verdict CNN - Celebrities HEAD TOPICS

Taylor Swift' s ' Midnights' album is out So what' s the verdict CNN

10/21/2022 11:04:00 PM

' Midnights ' Taylor Swift' s 10th studio album is a move away from folk-rock back to mainstream pop

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CNN International

Taylor Swift has unveiled her 10th studio album, “Midnights,” following a surprise announcement at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards 'Midnights,' Taylor Swift 's 10th studio album, is a move away from folk-rock back to mainstream pop. Taylor Swift is endorsing late nights with her first original album in two years.By ELISE RYAN, Associated Press "All of me changed like midnight," Taylor Swift confesses halfway through her latest album, the aptly named and moody"Midnights.By ELISE RYAN, Associated Press "All of me changed like midnight," Taylor Swift confesses halfway through her latest album, the aptly named and moody"Midnights.speech Swift gave at NYU’s spring commencement ceremony , at which she was presented with an honorary doctorate in fine arts. The 11-time Grammy Award winner unveiled her 10th studio album, “Midnights,” on Friday, following a surprise announcement at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Swift, who is currently in the midst of revisiting her early albums in a bid to regain ownership of the work she released under her former label Big Machine Records, has pivoted from the folk-rock sound of 2020’s “Folklore” and “Evermore” to something more mainstream. The song's chorus begins:"He was sunshine, I was midnight rain. “Midnights is a collage of intensity, highs and lows and ebbs and flows,” she told fans on social media following the release." And continues:"He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain. “Life can be dark, starry, cloudy, terrifying, electrifying, hot, cold, romantic or lonely. He wanted a bride, I was making my own name. Just like Midnights.m. Which is out now. He stayed the same. He stayed the same.” As “Swifties” rushed to Spotify to listen to the record at midnight, the streaming giant experienced overwhelming traffic and users reported outages worldwide. But despite the initial tech issues, the 13-track album, almost entirely written, produced and performed with Swift’s long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff, is already a hit with fans." The sound feels experimental for Swift, opening with her own vocals artificially pitched down to an almost-unrecognizable tone. “Can’t stop listening Midnights. It's among the album's most sonically interesting, an indie-pop beat that feels reminiscent of her producer Jack Antonoff's work on Lorde's"Melodrama," but also fresh and captivating. This entire Album is amazing! You’re so genius, @taylorswift13!” one fan wrote on Twitter. Keep scrolling for a look at the throwback songs that made Taylor Swift famous People are also reading… The song's words, by Swift and Antonoff, are steady and detailed, but not distracting — allowing you to sink into the rhythm, flowing and feeling it with her. Another said: “Taylor Swift mothered so hard with Midnights no one will ever come close to her level of prodigiousness. This woman is not just a talented writer but also a clever musician. For her 10th original album, the 32-year-old pop star approaches the themes she's grown up writing about — love, loss, childhood, fame — with a maturity that comes through in sharpened vocals and lyrics focused more on her inner-life than external persona. For her 10th original album, the 32-year-old pop star approaches the themes she's grown up writing about — love, loss, childhood, fame — with a maturity that comes through in sharpened vocals and lyrics focused more on her inner-life than external persona. I never doubted her.” Music critics were just as enthusiastic about the album, though some noted its subdued tone. Of course, she's centered her work around themes before — on"Red," an ode to the color and the emotions it stands for,"reputation," a vindictive reconfiguring of her own, and most recently on"folklore" and"evermore," quarantine albums that expressed vulnerability in ways only isolation could. Awarding “Midnights” a five-star rating, the Guardian’s Alexis Petridis describes the sound as “pop rich with self-loathing and stereotype-smashing” and “misty, atmospheric and tastefully subdued. But Swift presents"Midnights" as something different: a collection of songs that don't necessarily have to go together, but fit together because she has declared them products of late night inspiration. ” He adds that: “Midnights delivers her firmly from what she called the ‘folklorian woods’ of her last two albums back to electronic pop. Positioning listeners situationally — in the quiet but thoughtful darkness of night — instead of thematically, feels like a natural creative experiment for a songwriter so prolific that her albums have become synonymous with the pop culture zeitgeist.” Petridis also noted that Swift’s much talked about Lana Del Rey collaboration, “Snow on the Beach,” is “beautifully done – a perfect gene-splice between their two musical styles with a gorgeous melody – but it’s a long way from a grandstanding summit between two pop icons: there’s a striking lightness of touch about it, a restrained melding of their voices.” According to Rolling Stone writer Brittany Spanos, Swift’s new album “picks up where the pure pop triptych of 1989, Reputation, and Lover left off, a dazzling bath of synths complementing lyrics caught between a love story and a revenge plot. Track one,"Lavender Haze," pairs a muffled club beat and high-pitched backing vocals from Antonoff with stand-out, beckoning melody from Swift. Track one,"Lavender Haze," pairs a muffled club beat and high-pitched backing vocals from Antonoff with stand-out, beckoning melody from Swift.” For LA Times pop critic Mikael Wood, the song-writing and vocal performances in “Midnights” carry the album. “She’s playing with cadence and emphasizing the grain of her voice like never before … eventually you stop caring what’s drawn directly from Swift’s real life and what’s not,” he writes. "Labyrinth" makes clear she's carried the best of her previous pop experiments with her — the synth of"1989" and the softer alternative sounds of"folklore" — as she admits as only a songwriter can that a heartbreak"only feels this raw right now, lost in the labyrinth of my mind," on top of a track featuring Bon Iver-esque electronic trills. Giving “Midnights” 8 out of 10, website Clash Music’s Matthew Neale writes that the album “feels both voyeuristic in its exposition and brash in its execution. Swift shines when she is able to marry her signature lyrical musings with this new arena of electronic beats.” “Defined by dark nights of the soul and cast in the same bluish-purple hues, ‘Midnights’ offers little of revelatory purpose to those who have yet to succumb to Swift’s charms,” he explained. And while this isn't another album of acoustic indie sounds like"folklore," it is clear that Swift has taken a step forward in the indie-pop genre — even if it's a step in a different direction. “For those already swayed by her craft, however, it may reasonably go on to be recognized as her best album to date.” ."Bejeweled" is a bit too candy sweet, with lyrics that feel like an updated, glittery take on"Me!" The much anticipated"Snow On The Beach," featuring Lana Del Rey, is poetic, pretty, and at times cheeky, but not as emotionally deep as the lyricists' combined power suggests it could be."Bejeweled" is a bit too candy sweet, with lyrics that feel like an updated, glittery take on"Me!" The much anticipated"Snow On The Beach," featuring Lana Del Rey, is poetic, pretty, and at times cheeky, but not as emotionally deep as the lyricists' combined power suggests it could be. Read more:
CNN International » Review: Taylor Swift plays dark, electric on 'Midnights' Review: Taylor Swift plays dark, electric on 'Midnights' Taylor Swift Leaves Fans Breathless by Revealing ‘Midnights’ Lyrics She First Teased 5 Months Ago Taylor Swift to Tease ‘Midnights' Album During Thursday Night Football

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The pop star revisits her best—and boldest—outfits over her career. Read more >> journalism 🤡 Review: Taylor Swift plays dark, electric on 'Midnights' Taylor Swift 's newest album 'Midnights' is out. Here's a review by AP's Elise Ryan. Review: Taylor Swift plays dark, electric on 'Midnights' Taylor Swift 's newest album 'Midnights' is out. Here's a review by AP's Elise Ryan. Taylor Swift Leaves Fans Breathless by Revealing ‘Midnights’ Lyrics She First Teased 5 Months AgoThe pop star first shared the line with unsuspecting fans during her NYU commencement speech. Taylor Swift to Tease ‘Midnights' Album During Thursday Night Football Taylor Swift will tease her new album, “Midnights,” in the third quarter of Thursday Night Football between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn appear to have collaborated again on 'Midnights' track CNNAs Swifties around the world countdown to midnight and the release of Taylor Swift 's tenth album 'Midnights,' she's tried to keep her fans happy by dropping a few hints about her new music in recent days. Who and who? Taylor Swift called out George Soros over the rights to her music. Is she Anti-Semetic or only Ye? Taylor Swift Reveals First Look at ‘Midnights’ Music Videos Featuring Haim, Laura Dern and More Taylor Swift gave fans an early glimpse at the music videos for her 10th album, “Midnights,” in a teaser trailer during “Thursday Night Football.” “I just wanted to fi… 🔥🥳🥳🥳🥳 Been up for it Taylor Swift is endorsing late nights with her first original album in two years.By ELISE RYAN, Associated Press "All of me changed like midnight," Taylor Swift confesses halfway through her latest album, the aptly named and moody"Midnights.By ELISE RYAN, Associated Press "All of me changed like midnight," Taylor Swift confesses halfway through her latest album, the aptly named and moody"Midnights.speech Swift gave at NYU’s spring commencement ceremony , at which she was presented with an honorary doctorate in fine arts. The 11-time Grammy Award winner unveiled her 10th studio album, “Midnights,” on Friday, following a surprise announcement at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Swift, who is currently in the midst of revisiting her early albums in a bid to regain ownership of the work she released under her former label Big Machine Records, has pivoted from the folk-rock sound of 2020’s “Folklore” and “Evermore” to something more mainstream. The song's chorus begins:"He was sunshine, I was midnight rain. “Midnights is a collage of intensity, highs and lows and ebbs and flows,” she told fans on social media following the release." And continues:"He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain. “Life can be dark, starry, cloudy, terrifying, electrifying, hot, cold, romantic or lonely. He wanted a bride, I was making my own name. Just like Midnights.m. Which is out now. He stayed the same. He stayed the same.” As “Swifties” rushed to Spotify to listen to the record at midnight, the streaming giant experienced overwhelming traffic and users reported outages worldwide. But despite the initial tech issues, the 13-track album, almost entirely written, produced and performed with Swift’s long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff, is already a hit with fans." The sound feels experimental for Swift, opening with her own vocals artificially pitched down to an almost-unrecognizable tone. “Can’t stop listening Midnights. It's among the album's most sonically interesting, an indie-pop beat that feels reminiscent of her producer Jack Antonoff's work on Lorde's"Melodrama," but also fresh and captivating. This entire Album is amazing! You’re so genius, @taylorswift13!” one fan wrote on Twitter. Keep scrolling for a look at the throwback songs that made Taylor Swift famous People are also reading… The song's words, by Swift and Antonoff, are steady and detailed, but not distracting — allowing you to sink into the rhythm, flowing and feeling it with her. Another said: “Taylor Swift mothered so hard with Midnights no one will ever come close to her level of prodigiousness. This woman is not just a talented writer but also a clever musician. For her 10th original album, the 32-year-old pop star approaches the themes she's grown up writing about — love, loss, childhood, fame — with a maturity that comes through in sharpened vocals and lyrics focused more on her inner-life than external persona. For her 10th original album, the 32-year-old pop star approaches the themes she's grown up writing about — love, loss, childhood, fame — with a maturity that comes through in sharpened vocals and lyrics focused more on her inner-life than external persona. I never doubted her.” Music critics were just as enthusiastic about the album, though some noted its subdued tone. Of course, she's centered her work around themes before — on"Red," an ode to the color and the emotions it stands for,"reputation," a vindictive reconfiguring of her own, and most recently on"folklore" and"evermore," quarantine albums that expressed vulnerability in ways only isolation could. Awarding “Midnights” a five-star rating, the Guardian’s Alexis Petridis describes the sound as “pop rich with self-loathing and stereotype-smashing” and “misty, atmospheric and tastefully subdued. But Swift presents"Midnights" as something different: a collection of songs that don't necessarily have to go together, but fit together because she has declared them products of late night inspiration. ” He adds that: “Midnights delivers her firmly from what she called the ‘folklorian woods’ of her last two albums back to electronic pop. Positioning listeners situationally — in the quiet but thoughtful darkness of night — instead of thematically, feels like a natural creative experiment for a songwriter so prolific that her albums have become synonymous with the pop culture zeitgeist.” Petridis also noted that Swift’s much talked about Lana Del Rey collaboration, “Snow on the Beach,” is “beautifully done – a perfect gene-splice between their two musical styles with a gorgeous melody – but it’s a long way from a grandstanding summit between two pop icons: there’s a striking lightness of touch about it, a restrained melding of their voices.” According to Rolling Stone writer Brittany Spanos, Swift’s new album “picks up where the pure pop triptych of 1989, Reputation, and Lover left off, a dazzling bath of synths complementing lyrics caught between a love story and a revenge plot. Track one,"Lavender Haze," pairs a muffled club beat and high-pitched backing vocals from Antonoff with stand-out, beckoning melody from Swift. Track one,"Lavender Haze," pairs a muffled club beat and high-pitched backing vocals from Antonoff with stand-out, beckoning melody from Swift.” For LA Times pop critic Mikael Wood, the song-writing and vocal performances in “Midnights” carry the album. “She’s playing with cadence and emphasizing the grain of her voice like never before … eventually you stop caring what’s drawn directly from Swift’s real life and what’s not,” he writes. "Labyrinth" makes clear she's carried the best of her previous pop experiments with her — the synth of"1989" and the softer alternative sounds of"folklore" — as she admits as only a songwriter can that a heartbreak"only feels this raw right now, lost in the labyrinth of my mind," on top of a track featuring Bon Iver-esque electronic trills. Giving “Midnights” 8 out of 10, website Clash Music’s Matthew Neale writes that the album “feels both voyeuristic in its exposition and brash in its execution. Swift shines when she is able to marry her signature lyrical musings with this new arena of electronic beats.” “Defined by dark nights of the soul and cast in the same bluish-purple hues, ‘Midnights’ offers little of revelatory purpose to those who have yet to succumb to Swift’s charms,” he explained. And while this isn't another album of acoustic indie sounds like"folklore," it is clear that Swift has taken a step forward in the indie-pop genre — even if it's a step in a different direction. “For those already swayed by her craft, however, it may reasonably go on to be recognized as her best album to date.” ."Bejeweled" is a bit too candy sweet, with lyrics that feel like an updated, glittery take on"Me!" The much anticipated"Snow On The Beach," featuring Lana Del Rey, is poetic, pretty, and at times cheeky, but not as emotionally deep as the lyricists' combined power suggests it could be."Bejeweled" is a bit too candy sweet, with lyrics that feel like an updated, glittery take on"Me!" The much anticipated"Snow On The Beach," featuring Lana Del Rey, is poetic, pretty, and at times cheeky, but not as emotionally deep as the lyricists' combined power suggests it could be.