Lavender Haze - Liz

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"Meet me at midnight" is Taylor Swift's life motto at this point. Every important thing that Swift has ever done has taken place at midnight. "Lavender Haze" is the perfect way to describe the eeriness of midnight. The lyric "I just wanna stay in that lavender haze" implies that Swift's safe place is midnight. She is safe from the paparazzi, the rumors surrounding her and her relationships, and the microscope that hovers over her life. Considering this, lines like "talk your talk and go viral" or "they're bringing up my history" add realism to this track that is often missing from popular music. The subject of this number sees only the good in Taylor. The song preaches that people love you for reasons independent of your public persona - a lesson frequently forgotten and worthy of this musical reminder.

Maroon - Virginia

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This number confirms it; Taylor is a lyrical genius. Swift is a master of metaphor, comparing shades of red to a lover and different flowers to what she thought she had in a past relationship. She does an excellent job of making the song full of emotion and ensuring that we can understand the sentiment. She inserts the listener right into one of her relationships by saying, "The rust that grew between telephones" and "The lips I used to call home." Overall, Maroon is the perfect breakup song.

Anti-Hero - Virginia

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While this song is a serious downer, its quick tempo and major key make it feel upbeat. Taylor's ownership of her "problems" makes the song relatable to a broad audience. The lyric "I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror" makes me think that she doesn't like her body or how she looks. While her insecurities definitely tug at my heartstrings, there is some relief for audiences in the knowledge that they are not alone in their feelings. Wrapping up the song with the same upbeat tempo and major key, makes you feel like if you relate to Anti-Hero, everything is going to be okay. 

Snow On The Beach ft. Lana Del Ray - Virginia

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"Featuring Lana Del Ray" is a bit of an oversell here. We don't hear her all that much. Other than that, Taylor, Lana and third co-writer Jack Antonoff nailed the "calming and comforting" vibe this song was going for. The concept of "Snow on the Beach" reminds us that whatever relationship she is talking about is unexpected (because snow doesn’t usually happen at the beach). You also get a glimpse of that 'unexpected relationship' from the lyrics, "You wanting me, tonight feels impossible ."This song perfectly represents the sudden and surprising relationship.

You're On Your Own, Kid - Liz

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This jam perfectly captures what it's like to be around people who don't seem to care. "You're On Your Own, Kid" is recognized as an "oldest sibling anthem" because that sibling "gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this," and those efforts often get overlooked. This song perfectly encapsulates the involuntary wallflower with lyrics like, "I wait patiently, he's gonna notice me." Overall, the song's sound is the perfect amount of simplicity while preserving the complicated imagery of various eldest kids' struggles.

Midnight Rain - Liz

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"He wanted a bride, I was making my own name," What a woman! The rest of the song relays that energy. Lyrics like "Chasing the fame, he stayed the same," and "'cause he was sunshine, I was midnight rain" insinuate that Taylor led this very toxic relationship. Taylor manifests toxicity when she states that they only think of each other at certain times. Swift uses this number to profess that foundation and practice of similar relationships are unnecessarily dramatic. Who needs someone that they only think about on a sleepless midnight? I agree, Taylor.

Question…? - Liz

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When we make decisions, how do we know if they are wrong? This song introduces this indecision in the form of romantic conflict. The entire piece suggests a relationship where the earth was far from shaking. Lyrics like "We had one thing goin' on," "situation, circumstances, miscommunications," and "got swept away in the grey" exemplify the confusing, benign relationship that inspired the number. The song gives a lot up to the imagination as to what happened between the two characters, but I think it is safe to assume they were both on different pages. Overall, the song gives off very grey vibes, perfectly encapsulating the "Midnights" album.

Vigilante **** - Virginia

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Vigilante "Droppings" as we will refer to it in this high school newspaper article, sounds like it should be on the album "Reputation." Talyor did an excellent job of making it sound like she was so mad. Lyrics like, "Don't get sad, get even" paints a picture of our beloved Taylor bent on revenge. This song tells people not to cross Taylor because she will get revenge and probably write a song about you.

Bejeweled - Liz

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Overall this song is a great confidence booster. From the beat to the lyrics, this song can make a mood go from zero to a hundred in seconds. Lyrics like "I can still make the whole place shimmer" and "but some guy said my aura's moonstone" prove that. Other lyrics like "I can still say I don't remember" and "but you might have to wait in line" gives the listener the thought that they are better than everyone around them, and they don't have to answer the questions of their lowly followers. The beat makes you want to strut down the street. It makes you feel as if you are shimmering, and everyone is staring. 

Labyrinth - Virginia

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Taylor has plenty of loves that happen too fast and don't last. She uses this song to tell the story of how she's falling in love again, but she is not too happy about it. The lyric that ties this whole song together is "Lost in the labyrinth of my mind." In other words, Swift is so in her head that she can barely be present in the real world. Overall, this song does a great job of expressing how people take a relationship so seriously, and it's like they aren't even a part of the real world.

Karma - Liz

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Karma is here, and not at a great time for Kanye West. "Reputation" was Taylor Swift's comeback album after much controversy with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. In the album, Swift talked about Karma and how the controversy ruined her reputation. There was also speculation that there might be a "Karma" album. We don't have an entire album, but "Karma" is exactly what we needed. Now in my mind, the song would sound dark and eerie, but it is far more upbeat and happy than I could have imagined. The chorus is a little confusing the first few times you hear it state, "Karma is my boyfriend. Karma is a god. Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend. Karma's a relaxing thought. Aren't you envious that for you it's not." In other words, history seems to be on the side of Swift, and I couldn't agree more.

Sweet Nothing - Liz

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This song would make the perfect lullaby, especially with the muted vocals and repetitive beat. Some of the words, like "that we picked up last July," seem to tumble over themselves as they add speed to the song. It reminds you of nursery rhymes like the Itsy-Bitsy Spider and Rock-a-Bye Baby that mention that falling feeling when you begin to fall asleep. Like other songs on this album, the lighthearted and happy tune gives way to lyrics that express something different. Lyrics like "you should be doing something more," "We almost forgot it," and "'cause they said the end is coming" suggest that a lot is going on, and whatever the character is doing to help is not enough. Other lyrics like "You're in the kitchen humming," "I find myself running home to your sweet nothings," introduce contrast to the latter lyrics by suggesting that, while there is trouble in the world, the character has a safe space to find refuge.

Mastermind - Virginia

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Taylor is really spilling all her secrets. Saying that the two, Taylor and a mystery guy, met because the stars aligned and they were in the same place at the same time. In reality, they met because Taylor is a "Mastermind." She designed a way for them to meet, and now he is hers. She also dives into how this has been her scheme since she was a kid. Nobody wanted to play with her, so she had to make them love her and make it seem effortless. The one lyric that ties all this together is "What if I told you none of it was accidental." She always had a plan.

Overall this album is more than impressive, and each song continues to get better with every listen. Now, all we have to do is wait for Swift's upcoming "Eras Tour" to enjoy these glorious songs with the rest of the Swifties!

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