During her acceptance speech at the 2022 VMAs, Taylor Swift sent fans into a wild frenzy by announcing a “brand new” upcoming album, Midnights. She had just won Video Of The Year for ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version)’ starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien – the song that many would deem her magnum opus – when she dropped the bomb on unsuspecting viewers (as she often does).
Swift is currently in the process of re-recording her first six albums to regain ownership of her masters after a bitter copyright battle against Scooter Braun and Big Machine Records’ Scott Borchetta. She’s already released Fearless (Taylor’s Version), and Red (Taylor’s Version), but fans eagerly await the rest. Until then, however, her tenth studio album will more than suffice.
As August slips away and the endless wait begins, here are 5 things we know about Midnights so far.
1. It comes out on October 21
📹| @taylorswift13’s “Video of the Year” speech!
New album out October 21st 🚨#MeetMeAtMidnight pic.twitter.com/qAgo7ecqJq
— Taylor Swift Updates 🕰 (@swifferupdates) August 29, 2022
As announced in her acceptance speech and in the Instagram post that followed, the album will come out on the midnight (obviously) of October 21st. Whether any other information will release before then is still unknown and up for speculation.
2. It’s a concept album
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From “2:00 am, who do you love?” to “3:00 am, and I’m still awake”, Taylor has made several references to sleepless nights in her music. But Midnights will revolve solely around the theme of lying awake at night.
3. There’s going to be 13 tracks
Taylor’s love for the number 13 is not new, so it’s only fitting that the album will have 13 tracks, six on Side A and 7 on Side B. She hasn’t revealed the names yet, so that’s another mystery we’ll be looking forward to solving.
4. You can get your hands on three special edition covers
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Apart from the album art featuring Taylor in glittery blue eyeshadow, there are also three stunning special edition covers that you can pre-order in vinyl and CD versions. Jade Green, Blood Moon, and Mahogany are available on Taylor’s official website, but only until 11:59 pm ET on September 7!
5. It will be an emotional journey
Swift has described the songs as “the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life”. So it’s safe to say we’ll need to have a box of tissues handy before we hit play. “This is a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams. The floors we pace and the demons we face.” Swift wrote in the Instagram post.
Aside from being a gifted musician, she’s also a fantastic storyteller. We’re all ready to dance, sob, and be serenaded.
