Taylor Swift Midnights reviews: Star’s ‘darkest’ album yet ‘has no hits’ | Music | Entertainment
Overnight, Taylor Swift’s tenth studio album, Midnights, finally hit streaming services, and the response has been extremely mixed. While her dedicated fanbase have sounded off on Twitter over how much they love the entry, critics have been left underwhelmed. One slammed the record for failing to have any “hits”.
The Telegraph’s Neil McCormick praised the record for its “array of insights into [fans’] heroine”.
He added that Midnights shows Swift as “a singer-songwriter who has thrived writing about crisis and conflict in her love life, [she] now finds herself negotiating domestic contentment.”
“Yet it also suggests an artist betwixt and between,” he added. “Uncertain whether to press deeper into intimate songcraft or restart a commercial juggernaut.”
The Independent’s music critic was equally as enthused about the album, giving it a staggering five-stars in the process.
Writer Helen Brown waxed lyrical about the grounded intimacy of Swift’s lyrics, echoing the styles and tempo of her most recent albums, Folklore and Evermore.
Brown said: “Playing Midnights will make you feel as though you’re sleeping over at her house while she spills secrets and settles scores into the night. Over a series of murky electronic grooves (mostly co-written with Jack Antonoff), the pop star unpacks her darkest dreams, deepest doubts and cruellest thoughts.”
She added that the American singer keeps things “just cryptic enough” to keep the “tension crackling”.
Not every album review was as positive as these, however.
The Evening Standard’s David Smyth was less-than-impressed about Midnights.
The writer said the album does not have “a smash hit in sight”.
He mused that the more pop-centric track Karma is the only song that “could be a highlight” in the album. “Otherwise,” he hastened to add. “Midnights sounds ready for bed.”
He went on to say: “It’s hard to spot anything that sounds like a smash hit on her third muted collection in a row.”
On the other hand, Swifties seem to be adoring the new record.
One sounded off on Twitter: “Taylor Swift giving us a reason to live.”
Another added: “im not going to say anything but perfection. #MidnightsTaylorSwift.” (sic)
One touched fan said: “I’m only 6 songs in and #MidnightsTaylorSwift is perfect. I’ve loved each song more than the last. Such an easy and catchy listen.” (sic)
Taylor Swift – Midnights is out now.
