From country music to pop hits to folk songs to re-releasing albums, superstar Taylor Swift has come a long way since her debut in 2006. Her tenth studio album, “Midnights,” portrays Swift at some of her lowest moments and her experience confronting the way she is perceived by the public. “Midnights” gorgeously reflects Swift’s faults and fears, following her as she escapes from her own nightmarish thoughts. The new album expertly weaves elements of her old work into an introspective experience.

Many of the songs in the album connect Swift’s highly publicized life to her past and present relationships and self-image. A muted drum begins “Lavender Haze,” the first track of the album, in which Swift reveals how the media’s portrayal weighs on her. Despite what everyone wants from her, Swift opts to stay in the moment with her lover. In “Anti-Hero” Swift describes herself as a kaiju-like monster, who is both out of place and destroys everything around her, with a commanding voice and blaring synths. Swift dwells on the possibility that she is the problem.
Throughout “Midnights” Swift confronts her treacherous road to fame. “You’re On Your Own, Kid” is reminiscent of Swift’s country music days. The song paints the picture of Swift growing up in a town she desperately wants to run from.

In the seemingly chaotic and hopeless world that the album builds, “Sweet Nothing” is a beautiful piano ballad with hints of a violin and saxophone. Swift finds peace and contentment with a partner who loves her. “Mastermind” is the self-assured, satisfying closing song for an album that reveals Swift at her lowest.
Swift’s vocal performance excels on tracks like “Anti-Hero,” in which it goes from soft singing to a thundering harmonization. The quieter moments are also appreciated, both “Maroon” and “Sweet Nothing” give Swift’s lyrics time to shine.
“Midnights” takes the synth sound from “1989,” the darker tone from “reputation,” and the lyrical gems from “Folklore” and combines them into her best album yet. Swift stares into the mirror and isn’t afraid to reveal her faults and fears on this album. Besides some awkward lyrics on “Bejeweled” and the overly peppy “Karma,” “Midnights” is a fantastic four star worthy album.