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'''''Midnights''''' is the tenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]], released on October 21, 2022, by [[Republic Records]]. Swift conceived it as a [[concept album]] about nocturnal ruminations inspired by her sleepless nights. The autobiographical songwriting explores broad emotions such as regrets, self-criticism, fantasies, heartbreak, and infatuation, using confessional
Swift and [[Jack Antonoff]] produced the standard edition of ''Midnights'', which features a subdued [[Electronic music|electronic]] soundscape
Swift announced ''Midnights'' at the [[2022 MTV Video Music Awards]] and unveiled the standard track list via the video-sharing platform [[TikTok]]. ''Midnights'' topped the charts across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. In the United States, ''Midnights'' was Swift's 11th consecutive number-one album on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], her fifth to sell over one million first-week copies, and the [[List of best-selling albums by year in the United States|best-selling album of 2022]]. Its songs made Swift the first artist to monopolize the top 10 of the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], with the lead single "[[Anti-Hero (song)|Anti-Hero]]" peaking at number one; the
Music critics regarded ''Midnights'' as an amalgamation of Swift's past albums. They praised her songwriting for engaging
== Background ==
[[Taylor Swift]]'s career has been characterized by artistic reinventions
In November 2020, Swift began [[Re-recording (music)|re-recording]] her first six studio albums
Amidst the re-recording projects, Swift sparked speculation on new music when she appeared as a guest at [[Haim (band)|Haim]]'s [[One More Haim Tour]] concert in London in July 2022; it was her first concert performance since 2019.<ref name="Snapes" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Robledo |first=Anthony |date=July 22, 2022 |title=Watch Taylor Swift Join HAIM On Stage For a 'Mashup' of 'Love Story' and 'Gasoline' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/07/22/taylor-swift-haim-london-concert-surprise-performance/10127665002/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=[[USA Today]] |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804080954/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/07/22/taylor-swift-haim-london-concert-surprise-performance/10127665002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2022 MTV Video Music Awards]] on August 28,
== Concept and writing ==
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Swift was inspired to create ''Midnights'' as a [[concept album]] about her "13 sleepless nights" by five major themes: self-hatred, revenge fantasies, "wondering what might have been", falling in love, and "falling apart".<ref name="Light-2022" /><ref name="Kate Carr">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Mary Kate |date=August 29, 2022 |title=A Brief History of Taylor Swift's Midnights, In Honor of Her New Album |url=https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-midnights-a-brief-history-1849468632 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831042320/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertag&topUrl=www.avclub.com |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |access-date=August 30, 2022 |website=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref> She wrote 11 out of the 13 tracks on the standard edition with [[Jack Antonoff]], who had co-produced all of Swift's albums starting with [[1989 (album)|''1989'']] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Songwriting Credits: Here's Who Wrote Each Song |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-midnights-songwriter-credits/ |access-date=November 27, 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227151958/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-midnights-songwriter-credits/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cantwell |first=Molly |date=September 19, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Confirms Jack Antonoff Collaboration on Forthcoming ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/taylor-swift-confirms-jack-antonoff-collaboration-on-forthcoming-midnights-22929167 |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=[[Hot Press]] |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209233206/https://www.hotpress.com/music/taylor-swift-confirms-jack-antonoff-collaboration-on-forthcoming-midnights-22929167 |url-status=live }}</ref> She wrote "[[Vigilante Shit]]" alone and "[[Sweet Nothing (Taylor Swift song)|Sweet Nothing]]" with her then-partner,
Midnight had recurred as a lyrical [[Motif (narrative)|motif]] throughout Swift's songs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=October 19, 2022 |title=''Midnights'': What We Know About Taylor Swift's Songwriting |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63233361 |access-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019233646/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63233361 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'s}} Mary Kate Carr wrote that the midnight imagery had different connotations: youthful, vulnerable, sexy, or haunting.{{efn|Carr cited four songs to demonstrate this notion. The midnight imagery in "[[22 (Taylor Swift song)|22]]" (2012) is youthful ("It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight"), "[[Style (Taylor Swift song)|Style]]" (2014) is sexy ("Midnight, you come and pick me up, no headlights"), "[[New Year's Day (Taylor Swift song)|New Year's Day]]" (2017) is vulnerable ("I want your midnights"), and "[[The Last Great American Dynasty]]" (2020) is haunting (the protagonist is "seen on occasion/ pacing the rocks, staring out at the midnight sea").<ref name="Kate Carr" />}} Carr remarked that ''Midnights'' was an album built on that singular motif.<ref name="Kate Carr" /> Its songs explore Swift's thoughts that occur during the afterhours;<ref name="Powers-2022">{{Cite news |last=Powers |first=Ann |author-link=Ann Powers |date=October 21, 2022 |title=In the Haze of ''Midnights'', Taylor Swift Softens Into An Expanded Sound |agency=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/10/21/1130293117/midnights-taylor-swift-review |url-status=live |access-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021065926/https://www.npr.org/2022/10/21/1130293117/midnights-taylor-swift-review |archive-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref> they are backward-looking contemplations on her life and mark a return to the autobiographical songwriting that had defined her artistry before the fictitious characters and narratives on ''Folklore'' and ''Evermore.''<ref name="slate">{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Carl |author-link=Carl Wilson (writer) |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Is the Right Kind of Concept Album |url=https://slate.com/culture/2022/10/taylor-swift-midnights-album-review-3am-lyrics.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021170235/https://slate.com/culture/2022/10/taylor-swift-midnights-album-review-3am-lyrics.html |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |accessdate=October 21, 2022 |magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]}}</ref><ref name="Caramanica" /> Music critics identified a wide range of topics: self-critique, self-confidence, ruminations on past decisions, hopes, fears, regrets, fantasies, and infatuation.{{efn|Attributed to ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]''{{'s}} [[Alan Light]],<ref name="Light-2022" /> ''[[NME]]''{{'s}} Hannah Mylrea,<ref name="NME" /> ''[[PopMatters]]''{{'s}} Rick Quinn,<ref name="Quinn-2022" /> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''{{'s}} Quinn Moreland,<ref name="Pitchfork" /> and ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'s}} Allaire Nuss<ref name="Nuss" />}} According to some, the broad lyrical themes make ''Midnights'' a loose concept album rather than a unified one.<ref name="slate" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Jackson |first=Lauren Michele |date=October 23, 2022 |title=In Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'', the Easter Eggs Aren't the Point |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/listening-booth/in-taylor-swifts-midnights-the-easter-eggs-arent-the-point |url-status=live |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023232033/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/listening-booth/in-taylor-swifts-midnights-the-easter-eggs-arent-the-point |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |url-access=limited}}</ref> For [[Alan Light]] of [[Esquire (magazine)|''Esquire'']], although the concept-album designation was questionable, the songs altogether constructed a cohesive record.<ref name="Light-2022" /> Rick Quinn from ''[[PopMatters]]'' opined that the lyrical sentiments, akin to "a restless mind", represented Swift's reflection on her youth and adolescence and her journey to fully realize herself as an adult.<ref name="Quinn-2022">{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Rick |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift: ''Midnights'' (Album Review) |url=https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-midnights-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104152354/https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-midnights-review |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref> Swift's songwriting on ''Midnights'' is confessional
=== Themes ===
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The songs "Vigilante Shit" and "Karma" have lyrics that conjecture revenge fantasies against one's rivals.<ref name="RS" /><ref name="Attard" /> In the former, Swift's character sides with the ex-lover of her nemesis in a revenge plot.<ref name="Esquire" /><ref name="Willman-2022-2" /> The latter has comical lyrics about how Swift benefits from [[karma]]: her righteous actions reward her with good outcomes in life, and she need not worry about sabotaging her rivals.<ref name="Willman-2022-2" /> Self-assurance is the theme of "[[Bejeweled (song)|Bejeweled]]", which depicts finding one's self-worth after a breakup.<ref name="NME">{{cite magazine |last=Mylrea |first=Hannah |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift – ''Midnights'' Review: A Shimmering Return to Pure Pop |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/taylor-swift-midnights-review-3332805 |url-status=live |magazine=[[NME]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021050213/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/taylor-swift-midnights-review-3332805 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Jenkins-2022" />
The ''3am Edition'' tracks have varied themes; [[The Atlantic|''The Atlantic'']]'s Shirley Li
== Production and music ==
Swift recorded much of ''Midnights'' at Antonoff's home studio, Rough Customer, in [[Brooklyn]] and [[Electric Lady Studios]] in [[Greenwich Village]], New York City. The two produced all tracks for the standard edition.<ref name="Sisario">{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Sisario |date=October 21, 2022 |title=The Clock Strikes: Time for Taylor Swift's New LP, ''Midnights''
''Midnights'' departs from the indie folk sound of its two immediate successors, ''Folklore'' and ''Evermore'', and incorporates a prominent [[Electronic music|electronic]] production.''<ref name="Light-2022">{{Cite web |last=Light |first=Alan |author-link=Alan Light |date=October 24, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Does Something Astonishing. Even For Her. |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a41752359/taylor-swift-midnights-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117101209/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a41752359/taylor-swift-midnights-review/ |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]}}</ref>''<ref name="Willman-2022-2" /> Antonoff created the first song drafts using the [[Yamaha DX7]] and [[Oberheim OB-8]] synths,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullenpublished |first=Matt |date=August 22, 2023 |title=Jack Antonoff on Vintage Gear, Analogue Synths and Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'': 'The Oberheim OB-8 Was the Star of That Album' |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/jack-antonoff-interview-taylor-swift-midnights-oberheim |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524025208/https://www.musicradar.com/news/jack-antonoff-interview-taylor-swift-midnights-oberheim |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |access-date=June 3, 2024 |website=[[MusicRadar]]}}</ref> and the final melodies are
Reviews in contemporary publications mostly categorize ''Midnights'' as [[synth-pop]]{{efn|Attributed to Moreland,<ref name="Pitchfork" /> ''[[The Atlantic]]''{{'s}} Spencer Kornharber,<ref name="Kornhaber" /> ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'s}} [[Alexis Petridis]],<ref name="Guardian" /> ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]''{{'s}} Craig Jenkins,<ref name="Jenkins-2022" /> and ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'s}} Saloni Gajjar<ref name="Gajjar"/>}} and [[electropop]].{{efn|Attributed to Light,<ref name="Light-2022" /> ''[[The Times]]''{{'s}} [[Will Hodgkinson]],<ref name="Times">{{cite news|last=Hodgkinson|first=Will|author-link=Will Hodgkinson|date=October 21, 2022|title=Taylor Swift Review: ''Midnights'' – An Old-Fashioned Album About Human Weakness|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-new-album-review-midnights-hhxnn89q7|url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Times]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20221021052524/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-new-album-review-midnights-hhxnn89q7|archive-date=October 21, 2022|access-date=October 21, 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]],<ref name="allmusic"/> and ''[[Slant Magazine]]''{{'s}} Paul Attard<ref name="Attard" />}} Music critics deemed the album a throwback to the pop sounds of Swift's ''1989'', ''[[Reputation (album)|Reputation]]'', and ''[[Lover (album)|Lover]]'', but its atmospheric production makes it relatively subdued and understated.{{efn|Attibuted to Petridis,<ref name="Guardian" /> Moreland,<ref name="Pitchfork"/> ''The Guardian''{{'s}} critic panel,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/17/taylor-swift-eras-best-album|title=Taylor Swift Eras Deathmatch! Making the Case for the Superstar's Best Album|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 17, 2023|access-date=November 28, 2023|archive-date=May 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524161413/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/17/taylor-swift-eras-best-album|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Exclaim!]]''{{'s}} Megan LaPierre,<ref name="LaPierre" /> ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''{{'s}} Ellen Johnson,<ref name="Johnson-2022" /> ''[[The New York Times]]''{{'}} Lindsay Zoladz,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zoladz |first=Lindsay |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' (Lindsay's Version) |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/30/arts/music/taylor-swift-midnights.html |url-access=limited |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124093141/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/30/arts/music/taylor-swift-midnights.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[The Observer]]''{{'s}} [[Kitty Empire]]<ref name="Empire-2022" />}} [[NPR]]'s [[Ann Powers]] wrote that the sound "might be called ahistorical [[Chill-out music|chillout music]]", with a "soft and mutable glow" that stimulated an intimate and isolated atmosphere.<ref name="Powers-2022" /> [[Rob Sheffield]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said ''Midnights'' was "nocturnal moody electro [[dream pop]]",<ref name="Sheffield-2022">{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Welcome to the Lavender Labyrinth: Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Is the Mastermind's Ultimate Power Move |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-midnights-sheffield-1234615239/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022185255/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-midnights-sheffield-1234615239/ |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |access-date=October 23, 2022 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Andy Von Pip from [[Under the Radar (magazine)|''Under the Radar'']] called the sound "[[Ambient music|ambient]] electronic pop",<ref name="UTR" /> and Ellen Johnson from [[Paste (magazine)|''Paste'']] deemed the album an incorporation of "[[poptronica]]".<ref name="Johnson-2022">{{Cite magazine |last=Johnson |first=Ellen |date=October 20, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Deals in Dark Magic on ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/midnights-album-review/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022212054/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/midnights-album-review/ |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref> Chris Willman of [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']] Chris Willman considered the ''Midnights'' tracks to resemble the "quieter, mid-tempo-and-under moments" of Swift's pop albums,<ref name="Willman-2022-2" /> and Quinn Moreland of [[Pitchfork (website)|''Pitchfork'']] wrote that ''Midnights'' built on the "softly stuttering" ''Reputation'' tracks "[[Delicate (Taylor Swift song)|Delicate]]" and "[[Dress (Taylor Swift song)|Dress]]".<ref name="Pitchfork" /> [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']]'s Shannon Carlin and [[The Ringer (website)|''The Ringer'']]'s Rob Harvilla deemed it a foray into [[bedroom pop]].<ref name="Carlin-2022">{{Cite magazine |last=Carlin |first=Shannon |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'': The Biggest Takeaways |url=https://time.com/6223793/taylor-swift-midnights-album-takeaways/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102070259/https://time.com/6223793/taylor-swift-midnights-album-takeaways/ |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=November 3, 2022}}</ref><ref name="ringer">{{Cite web |last=Harvilla |first=Rob |date=October 25, 2022 |title=The Anti-Hero We Deserve: Taylor Swift and Her Polarizing ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2022/10/25/23421954/midnights-taylor-swift-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103184909/https://www.theringer.com/music/2022/10/25/23421954/midnights-taylor-swift-review |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]}}</ref>
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== Artwork and aesthetics ==
The standard edition's cover artwork contains a square photo of Swift in blue [[eye shadow]], black [[eye liner]], and red lipstick, holding the
Other promotional visuals for ''Midnights'' also have 1970s-inspired aesthetics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Danielle |date=October 13, 2022 |title=Everything We Know About Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.thecut.com/2022/10/taylor-swift-midnights-release.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016065749/https://www.thecut.com/2022/10/taylor-swift-midnights-release.html |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=[[The Cut (website)|The Cut]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Huff |first=Lauren |date=October 23, 2022 |title=Everything You Need to Know About Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Album |url=https://ew.com/music/everything-to-know-taylor-swift-midnights-album/ |access-date=August 1, 2023 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523200232/https://ew.com/music/everything-to-know-taylor-swift-midnights-album/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The photographs and videos that Swift posted onto social media featured a clock face, family-room furniture with retro [[upholstery]], and a [[Rust (color)|rust]] velvet curtain in the background.<ref name="Willman-2022-2" /><ref name="Princiotti-2022">{{Cite web |last=Princiotti |first=Nora |date=October 10, 2022 |title=13 Questions About Taylor Swift's Upcoming Album, ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2022/10/10/23396011/taylor-swift-midnights-13-questions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012090804/https://www.theringer.com/music/2022/10/10/23396011/taylor-swift-midnights-13-questions |archive-date=October 12, 2022 |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Merinuk |first=Madeline |date=October 18, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's Eras: What She Was Trying to Say with Each Album's Style |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/music/taylor-swifts-album-eras-aesthetics-rcna51915 |access-date=December 4, 2023 |website=[[Today.com]] |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204085234/https://www.today.com/popculture/music/taylor-swifts-album-eras-aesthetics-rcna51915 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her wardrobe incorporated embellishments that [[Vogue (magazine)|''Vogue'']] identified as "disco [[sequin]]s" and "[[corduroy]] flare".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Will Feature a Lana Del Rey Collab and a Tribute to Her Six-Year Relationship With Joe Alwyn |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-midnights-what-we-know-so-far |url-status=live |magazine=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012084900/https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-midnights-what-we-know-so-far |archive-date=October 12, 2022 |access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The covers for three other physical editions all feature 1970s memorabilia: a retro piano, a [[push-button telephone]], and a [[Panelling|wood-paneled]] wall.<ref name="HB" /><ref name="Willman" /> Their reverse sides each portray a quarter sector of a dial and, when assembled together and combined with a [[Clockwork|clock mechanism]] sold separately, form a functioning clock.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=September 16, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' LPs Assemble to Make a Clock |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-midnights-artwork-clock-1235140079/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916080125/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-midnights-artwork-clock-1235140079/ |archive-date=September 16, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}</ref> The [[music video]]s for "Anti-Hero", "Bejeweled", and "Lavender Haze" all feature Swift in [[1970s in fashion|1970s fashion]]: [[houndstooth]] polo sweaters, ribbed knit trousers, and sequined bodysuits.{{efn|As noted by ''[[Grazia]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chandra |first=Shikha |date=November 15, 2022 |title=A Breakdown Of The Aesthetics Of Taylor Swift's Album ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.grazia.co.in/fashion/a-breakdown-of-the-aesthetics-and-fashion-of-taylor-swifts-album-midnights-10208.html |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=[[Grazia]] |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801155814/https://www.grazia.co.in/fashion/a-breakdown-of-the-aesthetics-and-fashion-of-taylor-swifts-album-midnights-10208.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rennert |first1=Jenna |last2=Valenti |first2=Lauren |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Tracing Taylor Swift's Beauty Evolution, From Country Curls to Bombshell Bangs |url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/taylor-swift-beauty-evolution-red-lipstick-vogue-cover |url-access=limited |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511175211/https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/taylor-swift-beauty-evolution-red-lipstick-vogue-cover |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Does Taylor Swift's 'Lavender Haze' Video Have a Deeper Meaning? |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-lavender-haze-video-deeper-meaning |url-access=limited |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511175207/https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-lavender-haze-video-deeper-meaning |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Light said the "head-faking" 1970s visuals were contrary to the "contemporary" electropop sound of ''Midnights'',<ref name="Light-2022" /> and Willman wrote that the 1970s sensibilities were at least complemented by the music's use of analog synthesizers.<ref name="Willman-2022-2" />
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Media publications commented on the promotion for ''Midnights''. Unterberger and [[Slate (magazine)|''Slate'']]'s Chris Molanphy described it as a middle ground between a traditional album rollout and the surprise-release strategy of ''Folklore'' and ''Evermore''.<ref name="Unterberger-2022-2">{{Cite magazine |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=October 26, 2022 |title=The Contenders: Taylor Swift Leads ''Billboard'' 200 Race by a Midnight Mile, Trailed by Arctic Monkeys & YoungBoy Never Broke Again |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-youngboy-arctic-monkeys-billboard-200-debuts-1235161345/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026231832/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-youngboy-arctic-monkeys-billboard-200-debuts-1235161345/ |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |access-date=October 26, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Molanphy-2022">{{Cite magazine |last=Molanphy |first=Chris |date=November 4, 2022 |title=How Taylor Swift Achieved the Unthinkable |url=https://slate.com/culture/2022/11/taylor-swift-midnights-drake-beatles-billboard-hot-100.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105030644/https://slate.com/culture/2022/11/taylor-swift-midnights-drake-beatles-billboard-hot-100.html |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=November 5, 2022 |magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]}}</ref> Molanphy argued that ''Midnights'' employed an optimal promotion for every consumption metric: the multiple CD and LP offers would boost physical sales, the limited-time download tracks would increase digital sales, and the surprise ''3am Edition'' release would prompt higher streams.<ref name="Molanphy-2022" /> The fact that there were no pre-release singles prompted speculation on the album's sound and content.<ref name="Snapes" /><ref name="Unterberger-2022-2" /> ''[[El País]]'' described it as an "art of suspense."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seisdedos |first=Iker |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Pop Music in the Era of Taylor Swift |newspaper=[[El País]] |url=https://english.elpais.com/culture/2022-12-27/pop-music-in-the-era-of-taylor-swift-behind-the-success-of-todays-biggest-star.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227184641/https://english.elpais.com/culture/2022-12-27/pop-music-in-the-era-of-taylor-swift-behind-the-success-of-todays-biggest-star.html |archive-date=December 27, 2022}}</ref> In ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Emily Yahr wrote that the TikTok tracklist reveal prompted Swift's fans to interpret possible [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]], which resulted in a "frenzy" and boosted the anticipation for the album.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=October 20, 2022 |title=How the Search for Clues in Taylor Swift's Music Became All-Consuming |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/10/20/taylor-swift-midnights-easter-eggs/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=October 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020150337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/10/20/taylor-swift-midnights-easter-eggs/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJpZCI6Ijg0NjgzODUiLCJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNjY2Mjc3NDQ1LCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNjY3NDg3MDQ1LCJpYXQiOjE2NjYyNzc0NDUsImp0aSI6IjJlZTI1ZTg4LWJjMjctNGJkZi1hZGI5LTk3MTYwOTM1OTAwZCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9hcnRzLWVudGVydGFpbm1lbnQvMjAyMi8xMC8yMC90YXlsb3Itc3dpZnQtbWlkbmlnaHRzLWVhc3Rlci1lZ2dzLyJ9.zn2VA8PbcM-2DM45W5md0mhQc7VuDEyJUPCY-zwxGGg |archive-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref>
To support ''Midnights'' and her other albums, Swift embarked on [[the Eras Tour]],
== Commercial performance ==
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''Midnights'' debuted at number one on the album charts in at least 14 countries, including Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden.<ref name="Young-2022" /> It was Swift's first number-one album in Germany<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift erstmals auf Platz eins der Offiziellen Deutschen Charts |trans-title=Taylor Swift at Number One on the Official German Charts for the First Time |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/news/item/1154-taylor-swift-erstmals-auf-platz-eins-der-offiziellen-deutschen-charts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028131515/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/news/item/1154-taylor-swift-erstmals-auf-platz-eins-der-offiziellen-deutschen-charts |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |language=de-de |agency=[[GfK Entertainment Charts]]}}</ref> and made her the best-selling foreign artist in China of 2022 after selling nearly 250,000 copies within one day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tobin |first=Meaghan |date=December 31, 2023 |title=Chinese Swifties Are Ready to Shake It Off at the Eras movie |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/30/taylor-swift-china-eras-tour/ |url-access=limited |access-date=January 3, 2024 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230120540/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/30/taylor-swift-china-eras-tour/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On the [[ARIA Charts|Australian charts]], ''Midnights'' was Swift's 10th consecutive number-one album<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Dominates Australia's Charts With ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-dominates-australia-charts-midnights-1235162601/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028062418/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-dominates-australia-charts-midnights-1235162601/ |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022}}</ref> and its tracks made her the first artist to have nine songs on the top 10 of the singles chart the same week.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gallagher |first=Alex |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Breaks Australian Chart Records with ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/taylor-swift-breaks-australian-chart-records-with-midnights-3338252 |url-status=live |magazine=[[NME]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028084226/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/taylor-swift-breaks-australian-chart-records-with-midnights-3338252 |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, ''Midnights'' sold over 140,000 units in its first three days to become the fastest-selling album of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=George |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift vs Arctic Monkeys: Who's Pulled Ahead In Race for Number 1? |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swifts-midnights-already-fastest-selling-album-of-2022-so-far-as-she-pulls-ahead-of-arctic-monkeys-in-race-to-number-1__37641/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024155901/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swifts-midnights-already-fastest-selling-album-of-2022-so-far-as-she-pulls-ahead-of-arctic-monkeys-in-race-to-number-1__37641/ |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> It debuted atop the [[UK Albums Chart]] with 204,000 units, helping Swift achieve the shortest duration (10 years) for a female act to accumulate nine UK number-one albums.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Carl |date=October 28, 2022 |title=It's a Taylor Swift Takeover with an Official Charts Double |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-takeover-taylor-swift-scores-biggest-opening-week-of-her-career-to-land-the-official-chart-double-with-midnights-and-anti-hero-__37687/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028164457/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-takeover-taylor-swift-scores-biggest-opening-week-of-her-career-to-land-the-official-chart-double-with-midnights-and-anti-hero-__37687/ |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> ''Midnights'' spent five weeks atop the UK Albums Chart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffith |first=George |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Settles In for Fifth Week at Number 1 on Official Albums Chart with ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-settles-in-for-fifth-week-at-number-1-on-official-albums-chart-with-midnights-__38288/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113165317/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-settles-in-for-fifth-week-at-number-1-on-official-albums-chart-with-midnights-__38288/ |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2023 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> It sold 80,000 vinyl copies in 2022, the highest annual figure for an album in the 21st century, propelling total UK vinyl sales past CD sales for the first time since 1987.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweeney |first=Mark |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Propels UK Vinyl Sales Past CDs for First Time in 35 Years |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/27/taylor-swift-propels-uk-vinyl-sales-past-cds-for-first-time-in-35-years |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227122135/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/27/taylor-swift-propels-uk-vinyl-sales-past-cds-for-first-time-in-35-years |archive-date=December 27, 2022}}</ref>
According to [[Universal Music Group]], the album crossed three million album-equivalent units in its first week and six million in two months.<ref name="SALESNIGHTS">{{Cite magazine |last=Paine |first=Andre |date=December 22, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Achieves More Than 6 Million Global Units for Midnights and 37 Billion Total Streams in 2022 |url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/taylor-swift-achieves-more-than-6-million-global-units-for-midnights-and-37-billion-total-streams-in-2022/087168 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222132856/https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/taylor-swift-achieves-more-than-6-million-global-units-for-midnights-and-37-billion-total-streams-in-2022/087168 |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |access-date=December 22, 2022 |magazine=[[Music Week]]}}</ref> [[Bloomberg News]] reported that the album generated $230 million in sales for Universal in 2022, accounting for 3% of their annual revenue—the highest from any artist.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Helmore |first=Edward |date=January 18, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Generates $230m In Sales for Universal |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/18/taylor-swifts-midnights-album-sales-universal |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120220016/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/18/taylor-swifts-midnights-album-sales-universal |archive-date=January 20, 2023}}</ref> The [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] (IFPI) recognized ''Midnights'' as the second-most-consumed album of 2022; it ranked third in pure sales (first in vinyl sales) and fifth in streams; they named Swift the [[Global Recording Artist of the Year|Global Recording Artist of 2022]], which made her the first act to win the accolade three times (after 2014 and 2019).<ref>{{cite web |title=IFPI Global Charts 2022 |url=https://www.ifpi.org/our-industry/global-charts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516150604/https://www.ifpi.org/our-industry/global-charts/ |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |access-date=November 30, 2023 |publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]]}}</ref><ref name="Artist 2022">{{cite magazine |last=Paine |first=Andre |date=February 22, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Wins IFPI's 2022 Global Recording Artist Of The Year Award |url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/taylor-swift-wins-ifpi-s-2022-global-recording-artist-of-the-year-award/087478 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222201747/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/taylor-swift-wins-ifpi-s-2022-global-recording-artist-of-the-year-award/087478 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |magazine=[[Music Week]]}}</ref> In the IFPI's 2023 report, ''Midnights'' was the year's fourth-most-consumed album (third in both streams and vinyl sales).<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=February 27, 2024 |title=K-Pop, Seventeen Dominate IFPI Global Album Awards 2023 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/k-pop-seventeen-ifpi-global-album-award-2023-1235616001/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524161053/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/k-pop-seventeen-ifpi-global-album-award-2023-1235616001/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bayley |first=Jack |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift, Seventeen and Morgan Wallen top IFPI Global Album Charts |url=https://www.ifpi.org/taylor-swift-seventeen-and-morgan-wallen-top-ifpi-global-album-charts/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328105657/https://www.ifpi.org/taylor-swift-seventeen-and-morgan-wallen-top-ifpi-global-album-charts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The album received [[List of music recording certifications|platinum or higher certifications]] in many countries, including double-platinum in Canada<ref name="MCanada" /> and Poland,<ref name="ZPAV" /> triple-platinum in the United Kingdom<ref name="BPI" /> and Australia,<ref name="ARIA" /> and
== Critical reception ==
{{Music ratings
| title = ''Midnights'' ratings
| ADM = 8.0/10<ref name="AnyDecentMusic">{{cite web |title= ''Midnights'' by Taylor Swift Reviews |url= http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/13468/Taylor-Swift-Midnights.aspx |publisher=
| MC = 85/100<ref name="MC" />
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
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}}
Upon release, ''Midnights'' was met with widespread acclaim from music critics.<ref name="single">{{Cite news |last=McIntosh |first=Steven |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift: ''Midnights'' Praised by Critics Despite Lack of Radio Hits |work= |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63341633 |url-status=live |accessdate=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021085450/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63341633 |archive-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Kelly-2022">{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Fred |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'': What the Critics Are Saying |url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/arts-life/culture/music/958268/taylor-swift-midnights-album-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023014930/https://www.theweek.co.uk/arts-life/culture/music/958268/taylor-swift-midnights-album-review |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |access-date=October 23, 2022 |magazine=[[The Week]]}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] score out of 100 to ratings from mainstream publications, the album received a [[weighted mean]] score of 85 based on 28 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="MC">{{cite web |title=Critic Reviews for ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/midnights/taylor-swift/critic-reviews |url-status=live |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021050903/https://www.metacritic.com/music/midnights/taylor-swift/critic-reviews }}</ref> The review aggregator site
Swift's songwriting was a subject of praise.<ref name="single" /> Alex Hopper in ''[[American Songwriter]]'' said ''Midnights'' displayed complex songwriting,<ref name="AS">{{Cite magazine |last=Hopper |first=Alex |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Review: Taylor Swift Delivers Her Dreamiest and Most Introspective Album to Date with ''Midnights'' |url=https://americansongwriter.com/review-taylor-swift-delivers-her-dreamiest-and-most-introspective-album-to-date-with-midnights/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[American Songwriter]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031090455/https://americansongwriter.com/review-taylor-swift-delivers-her-dreamiest-and-most-introspective-album-to-date-with-midnights/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref> and [[Alexis Petridis]] in [[The Guardian|''The Guardian'']] found it to be "confident" and contain a "sure-footedness".<ref name="Guardian" /> [[Ken Tucker]] of NPR complimented Swift's composition using rhymes "so tightly, so rigorously, that [...] you wonder if she did it on purpose to mess with your mind".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Ken |author-link=Ken Tucker |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Mixes Late-Night Dreaminess with Steely Control |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/10/27/1131891164/taylor-swifts-midnights-mixes-late-night-dreaminess-with-steely-control |access-date=December 21, 2023 |publisher=[[NPR]] |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221105327/https://www.npr.org/2022/10/27/1131891164/taylor-swifts-midnights-mixes-late-night-dreaminess-with-steely-control |url-status=live }}</ref> Some reviewers commented that her lyrics were more refined and inward. According to ''[[NME]]''{{'s}} Hannah Mylrea, [[Spin (magazine)|''Spin'']]'s Bobby Olivier, and [[The Daily Telegraph|''The Daily Telegraph'']]'s [[Neil McCormick]], the album featured Swift's intimate personal narratives that delved deep into her state of mind.<ref name="NME" /><ref name="Olivier" /><ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |last=McCormick |first=Neil |author-link=Neil McCormick |date=October 21, 2022 |title=On ''Midnights'', Taylor Swift Kisses Goodbye to the Charts |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-midnights-album-review-pop-queen-kisses-goodbye/ |url-status=live |url-access= |access-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221021055050/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-midnights-album-review-pop-queen-kisses-goodbye/ |archive-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref> Hirsh commented that while the themes were a continuation of what Swift had explored, the album showcased a newfound maturity with "serene acceptance".<ref name="EW" /> Mikael Wood of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' admired the storytelling lyrics and argued that they blurred the distinction between "what's drawn directly from Swift's real life and what's not."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Michael |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Out of the Woods, Taylor Swift's ''Midnights'' Heralds the Return of a Pop-Music Mastermind |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-10-20/taylor-swift-midnights-album-review |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021040329/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-10-20/taylor-swift-midnights-album-review |archive-date=October 21, 2022}}</ref> Hopper and Light considered the narrative-driven songwriting on ''Midnights'' an influence of ''Folklore'' and ''Evermore'';<ref name="AS" /> the latter complimented Swift's ability to address a "broad canvas" of emotions that highlighted her mature perspective.<ref name="Light-2022" /> For [[Clash (magazine)|''Clash'']]'s Matthew Neale, ''Midnights'' was a culmination of Swift's songcraft throughout past albums.<ref name="Clash">{{Cite magazine |last=Matthew |first=Neale |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift – ''Midnights'' |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/taylor-swift-midnights/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027104944/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/taylor-swift-midnights/ |archive-date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2022}}</ref>
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==
[[File:Taylor Swift at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (1).png|thumb|upright|Swift at the [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards]], where she won nine awards for ''Midnights'' and its songs.|alt=Taylor Swift in a black gown posing]]
In the United States, ''Midnights'' won Album of the Year at the [[48th People's Choice Awards|2022 People's Choice Awards]],<ref name="PPA">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/awards/peoples-choice-awards-2022-winners-list/|title=2022 People's Choice Awards: See the Full List of Winners|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Lester Fabian|last=Brathwaite|date=December 6, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=May 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524170536/https://ew.com/awards/peoples-choice-awards-2022-winners-list/|url-status=live}}</ref> Favorite Album at the 2023 [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]],<ref name="Nickelodeon">{{cite web|url=https://www.nick.com/kids-choice-awards/articles/rwskx2/every-kids-choice-awards-2023-winner|title=Every Kids' Choice Awards 2023 Winners|publisher=[[Nickelodeon]]|date=March 6, 2023|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128044334/https://www.nick.com/kids-choice-awards/articles/rwskx2/every-kids-choice-awards-2023-winner|url-status=live}}</ref> Pop Album of the Year at the [[2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards]],<ref name="iHeartAwards">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-iheartradio-music-awards-winners-list-1235293648/|title=Here Are the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards Winners: Full List|last=Atkinson|first=Katie|date=March 27, 2023|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=March 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328162749/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-iheartradio-music-awards-winners-list-1235293648/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[MTV Video Music Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] at the [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards]], where the ''Midnights'' songs and videos helped Swift win eight other awards, including [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]].<ref name=VMAs>{{Cite magazine |last=Stenzel |first=Wesley |date=September 13, 2023 |title=2023 VMAs Winners: See the Full List |url=https://ew.com/mtv-video-music-awards/2023-vmas-winners-see-the-full-list/ |access-date=September 13, 2023 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913022515/https://ew.com/mtv-video-music-awards/2023-vmas-winners-see-the-full-list/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[66th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 2024, ''Midnights'' won [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]. It was Swift's fourth win for Album of the Year, making her the artist with the most wins in history.{{Efn|Swift had won Album of the Year with ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]]'' in 2010, ''[[1989 (album)|1989]]'' in 2016, and ''[[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|Folklore]]'' in
''Midnights'' won album awards at the [[NetEase Cloud Music]] Awards in China,<ref name="NetEase">{{Cite news |date=January 6, 2023 |title=NetEase Cloud Music 2022 Music Awards: Xue Zhiqian, Deng Ziqi, Xu Song, Cai Xukun and others won |url=https://inf.news/en/entertainment/fc2ea3e482f8e1646a345c5b97982895.html |access-date=January 6, 2023 |agency=iNews }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> the [[RTHK International Pop Poll Awards]] in Hong Kong,<ref name="RTHK"/> the [[Japan Gold Disc Awards|Gold Disc Awards]] in Japan,<ref name="JapanGold">{{Cite web |script-title=ja:第37回日本ゴールドディスク大賞 |trans-title=The 37th Japan Gold Disc Awards |url=http://www.golddisc.jp/award/37/Prize_1.html |access-date=March 9, 2023 |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |language=ja |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331120758/http://www.golddisc.jp/award/37/Prize_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the [[Hungarian Music Awards|Fonogram Awards]] in Hungary,<ref name="Fonogram">{{cite web|url=http://www.fonogram.hu/jeloltek|title=Jelölték 2023|trans-title=2023 Nominees|date=March 28, 2023|publisher=[[Hungarian Music Awards]]|access-date=March 29, 2023|archive-date=March 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309185107/http://www.fonogram.hu/jeloltek|url-status=live|language=hu}}</ref> the [[Los 40 Music Awards]] in Spain,<ref name="Los40">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/espanol/musica/los40-music-awards-2023-lista-completa-de-ganadores-1235463195/|title=Manuel Turizo y Feid triunfan en LOS40 Music Awards 2023: Lista completa de ganadores|trans-title=Manuel Turizo and Feid Triumph at LOS40 Music Awards 2023: Complete List of Winners|date=November 3, 2023|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=es|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=November 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106182318/https://www.billboard.com/espanol/musica/los40-music-awards-2023-lista-completa-de-ganadores-1235463195/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Danish Music Awards]] in Denmark.<ref name="DanishAwards">{{Cite magazine |last=Strunk |first=Espen |date=November 16, 2023 |title=Danish Music Awards 2023: Og vinderne er... |trans-title=Danish Music Awards 2023: And the Winners Are... |url=https://gaffa.dk/nyheder-fra-gaffa/2023/november/danish-music-awards-2023-og-vinderne-er/ |magazine=[[Gaffa (magazine)|Gaffa]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |language=da |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117021023/https://gaffa.dk/nyheder-fra-gaffa/2023/november/danish-music-awards-2023-og-vinderne-er/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2023 ARIA Music Awards]] in Australia, it helped Swift win [[ARIA Award for Best International Artist|Most Popular International Artist]].<ref name="ARIAAwards">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/troye-sivan-dmas-taylor-swift-2023-aria-awards-1235471303/|title=Troye Sivan, DMA'S, Taylor Swift Among Big Winners at 2023 ARIA Awards|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|last=Brandle|first=Lars|date=November 15, 2023|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=November 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129052259/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/troye-sivan-dmas-taylor-swift-2023-aria-awards-1235471303/|url-status=live}}</ref> It earned nominations at the ''Capricho'' Awards in Brazil,<ref name="Capricho">{{Cite magazine|url=https://capricho.abril.com.br/entretenimento/ch-awards-2022-confira-a-lista-completa-de-vencedores/|title=CH Awards 2022: confira a lista completa de vencedores|trans-title=CH Awards 2022: See the Full List of Winners|magazine=Capricho|language=pt-br|date=December 15, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=December 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217022941/https://capricho.abril.com.br/entretenimento/ch-awards-2022-confira-a-lista-completa-de-vencedores/|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Juno Awards]] in Canada,<ref name="Juno">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/junos-2023-full-list-of-winners-1.6772299|title=Junos 2023: Full List of Winners|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=March 14, 2023|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=November 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101032214/https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/junos-2023-full-list-of-winners-1.6772299|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Gaffa Awards|''Gaffa'' Awards]] in Denmark.<ref name="GaffaAwards">{{cite web|url=https://gaffa.dk/gaffa-prisen-mappe/gaffa-prisen-vindere-2023/|title=Og årets vindere af GAFFA-prisen er...|trans-title=And the Winners for the Gaffa Awards Are...|website=[[Gaffa (magazine)|Gaffa]]|language=da|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326182016/https://gaffa.dk/gaffa-prisen-mappe/gaffa-prisen-vindere-2023/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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|style="text-align:left;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]]
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== Impact ==
''Midnights'' received extensive press attention
Publications said the album's commercial success attested to Swift's longevity in the music industry. According to ''Billboard'', it was the only album in 2022 that succeeded "evenly" across every consumption metric, namely streaming, album sales, and song downloads.<ref name="Caulfield-2023" /> Five ''Billboard'' journalists collectively agreed that Swift, upon ''Midnights''<nowiki/>' release, was "the biggest pop star in the world right now",<ref name="Unterberger3" /> and Yahr deemed 2022 a year of "all-Taylor all the time".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=December 26, 2022 |title=Analysis {{!}} 2022: The Year in Review (Taylor's Version) |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/12/26/taylor-swift-2022-midnights-ticketmaster/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226194730/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/12/26/taylor-swift-2022-midnights-ticketmaster/ |archive-date=December 26, 2022}}</ref> Molanphy argued that by employing savvy business tactics that tackled the constantly evolving chart rules, she broke previously "unthinkable" records by the likes of [[the Beatles]] and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]], which was "mind-blowing" for a musician in the "17th year" of her career.<ref name="Molanphy-2022" /> For ''The Guardian'' economics journalist [[Greg Jericho]], it was an "amazing" feat that Swift remained culturally relevant "18 years into a recording career", a mark that surpassed the peak popularity of such musicians as [[the Rolling Stones]], [[David Bowie]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], and [[U2]].<ref name="Jericho-2022" />{{efn|Swift began her recording career at 16 with her [[Taylor Swift (album)|self-titled debut album]] in 2006.<ref name="Unterberger3" /> The discrepancy in years calculated by Molanphy (17) and Jericho (18) might be due to some misunderstandings.}}
Unterberger said the physical sales of ''Midnights'' were "not seen in decades",<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Schneider |first=Marc |date=October 30, 2023 |title=9 Ways Taylor Swift Has Changed the Music Business |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/how-taylor-swift-changed-music-business/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724161024/https://www.billboard.com/lists/how-taylor-swift-changed-music-business/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Anna Nicolaou in the ''[[Financial Times]]'' said they were unseen since the "1990s boy bands" era, labeling Swift "the last pop superstar".<ref name="Nicolaou" /> The music publisher [[Matt Pincus]] called Swift "basically an [[intellectual property]] franchise [... like] a [[DC Extended Universe|DC movie]]".<ref name="Nicolaou">{{Cite news |last=Nicolaou |first=Anna |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Is Taylor Swift the Last Pop Superstar? |newspaper=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9cd1cd39-d4f5-45cd-8b72-24a1882b010b |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030163019/https://www.ft.com/content/9cd1cd39-d4f5-45cd-8b72-24a1882b010b |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref> Noting a 2021 article from ''The New York Times'' that asked "if [[Adele]] couldn't sell more than a million albums in a single week, could any artist?" after her album ''[[30 (album)|30]]'' missed the mark, ''Rolling Stone''
''Billboard'' commented in November 2022 that although the commercial success of ''Midnights'' was undisputable, "the legacy of the album within [Swift's] catalog [...] remains to be seen."<ref name="Unterberger3" /> Molanphy observed that when the initial reviews were out, "few seem to think ''Midnights'' is Swift's very best album" and "nobody seems to agree on what [its] best or worst songs are."<ref name="Molanphy-2022" /> Within one year of its release, on the rankings of Swift's 10 studio albums, ''Midnights'' appeared fifth on ''NME''<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mylrea |first=Hannah |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift: Every Single Album Ranked and Rated |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/taylor-swift-best-albums-ranked-in-order-2841752 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |magazine=[[NME]] |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180656/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/taylor-swift-best-albums-ranked-in-order-2841752 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Entertainment Weekly''<ref name="Nuss" /> and sixth on ''Paste'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2023 |title=Every Taylor Swift Album Ranked |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/best-taylor-swift-albulms-ranked |access-date=December 7, 2023 |magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212135621/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/best-taylor-swift-albulms-ranked |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Spin'',<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Shipley |first=Al |date=December 13, 2022 |title=Every Taylor Swift Album, Ranked |url=https://www.spin.com/2022/12/best-taylor-swift-albums/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125155117/https://www.spin.com/2022/12/best-taylor-swift-albums/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Slant Magazine''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 25, 2022 |title=All 10 Taylor Swift Albums Ranked |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/every-taylor-swift-album-ranked/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |magazine=[[Slant Magazine]] |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106160723/https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/every-taylor-swift-album-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In an October 2023 article for ''The Guardian'', Snapes dubbed the album Swift's "first consolidation effort" that signaled "a more sustainable, experimental, adult kind of music career".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=October 30, 2023 |title=Baby, One More Time: Why Madonna, Britney Spears and Taylor Swift Are All On a Nostalgia Trip |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/30/baby-one-more-time-why-madonna-britney-spears-and-taylor-swift-are-all-on-a-nostalgia-trip |access-date=May 10, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102223212/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/30/baby-one-more-time-why-madonna-britney-spears-and-taylor-swift-are-all-on-a-nostalgia-trip |url-status=live }}</ref>
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! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://
| 2
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| 46
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://
| 3
|-
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! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/top-billboard-200-albums/|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 21, 2023|archive-date=November 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122011131/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/top-billboard-200-albums/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 2
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2024 year-end chart performance of ''Midnights''
! scope="col"| Chart (2024)
! scope="col"| Position
▲|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2024|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment charts]]|language=de|access-date=December 9, 2024}}</ref>
| 11
|}
{{col-end}}
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2022|certyear=2023|access-date=July 17, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Midnights|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2022|certyear=2023|access-date=September 4, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Midnights|type=album|award=Platinum|number=
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Midnights|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2022|certyear=2023|access-date=April 11, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Midnights|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2022|certyear=2023|access-date=December 21, 2023|refname="ZPAV"}}
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* {{Cite journal |last=McGrath |first=John |date=2023 |title=The Return to Craft: Taylor Swift, Nostalgia, and Covid-19 |journal=Popular Music and Society |volume=46 |issue=1 |pages=70–84 |doi=10.1080/03007766.2022.2156761 |doi-access=free}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Tribulski |first=Emily |date=2020–2021 |title=Look What You Made Her Do: How Swift, Streaming, and Social Media Can Increase Artists' Bargaining Power |journal=Duke Law & Technology Review |volume=19 |pages=91–121}}
* {{Cite book |last=Zaleski |first=Annie |author-link=Annie Zaleski |title=Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs |publisher=[[Thunder Bay Press]] |year=2024 |isbn=978-1-6672-0845-9 |pages=203–231 |chapter=The ''Midnights'' Era}}
== External links ==
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