Taylor Swift has been in the spotlight for over fifteen years, and has kept the world on its toes awaiting to hear her music. During the pandemic, she composed two surprise albums that began her indie era. After a busy year of re-recording her old albums and a sudden disappearance of Swift from the music front, it seemed as if she decided to take a break. However, at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, she announced a new album: Midnights.

Scheduled to release on the twenty-first of October, Midnights seems to mark the beginning of a new era. Junior Sophia Parish, who classifies herself as a mega-Swiftie, has substantial knowledge and optimism for this upcoming album. “It’s gonna be a pop album…It’s thirteen songs about stories she has written in her entire life,” Parish said.

By recording a pop album, Swift is returning back to a previous stage of her singing and writing career. She began as a country artist until 2012 when she entered a pop era. She continued with this until the slower paced life of COVID was brought forth into her music. While some were hoping for Swift to dive deeper into her indie style, junior Annabelle Nicholson is looking forward to Swift returning to her roots. “I love folklore…but I also love 1989…and [the album covers] give me 1989 vibes from her pop style. I would be excited if it was a pop album,” Nicholson said.

Swift has taken a different approach in the release of information about her new album compared to previous releases. Her indie albums were released twenty-four hours after their announcement, whereas Midnights has Swifties waiting over seven weeks from the VMA’s until the album drops. The only hints fans have are the covers of the album. One speculation followers have based on the background of the album covers is that the music will have a seventies rock vibe. “I really want her to do rock…it’s more fun at concerts. You could not go to a concert for [her indie albums]. You cannot dance to [that music],” Parish said.

Regardless of the direction Taylor Swift decides to take Midnights, fans are in agreement that she will have a successful album. “It is going to be amazing. There is no doubt about it. It is already my favorite album. The second I saw the cover I knew this is my favorite. And these thirteen songs too. It is amazing,” Parish said.