Taylor Swift’s 10th studio album, “Midnights,” was released on Oct. 21 and is already breaking records and breaking hearts.

Complete with 13 tracks, the album’s topics range from self-love to self-hatred, romantic bliss to all-consuming contempt. The album features a synth-heavy, ‘80s pop vibe, reminiscent of Tumblr poetry and Lorde’s 2017 album, “Melodrama.” On the day of its release, “Midnights“ became the most streamed album in a single day in Spotify and Amazon Music history. 

In some ways, “Midnights” is just like every other project released by Swift. It has a clear “era” or aesthetic that is certain to usher in glitter-heavy makeup looks and maroon, mustard and hunter green outfit combos for the next six months. It is a romantic album including multiple melodic love songs with an obvious subject: her longtime boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. 

The opening track to the album, “Lavender Haze,” shares the woes of Swift and Alwyn’s very public relationship. In the 1950s, the term “lavender haze” was used to refer to being in love, and Swift sings about wanting to stay in her very own lavender haze. A later song, “Sweet Nothing,” describes how Alwyn is the first person Swift has dated that loves her for who she is and not for her fame and fortune. Finally, “Mastermind” finishes out the album with the story of the first night Swift and Alwyn met in 2016.

“Midnights” is a Swift classic in that it was produced almost wholly by Jack Antonoff, the musical artist also known as Bleachers. Antonoff and Swift have been an unstoppable duo since the release of her album “1989,” and his influence can be clearly heard in all of her recent releases. Lorde and Lana Del Rey are also known for their collaborations with Antonoff, which explains the dreamlike quality of Swift’s album. 

However, there are many aspects of “Midnights” that were a surprise to Swift’s longtime listeners. Her past two albums, “folklore” and “evermore,” fall in the indie folk and indie pop categories, and feature slow, haunting melodies and intricate lyricism. “Midnights” stands apart from these projects with its upbeat instrumentals and rather un-Shakespearean word choice. Swift seems to have taken a step back lyrically, as “Midnights” includes more than a few questionable, if not confusing, lines. 

“Anti-Hero” is the fifth track on the album and is about being your own worst enemy. While many of the lyrics in the song are artful and thought-provoking, the line “sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby” has fans scratching their heads. Similarly, the highly anticipated “Karma” is marked by simplistic lyrics like “karma is a cat / purring in my lap ‘cause she loves me.” As Swift is well known for her masterful writing, the lyrical choices made on this album were shocking. 

The sound of “Midnights” was not the only surprise that came on Oct. 21. The Monday before the album release, a post was made on the Taylor Nation Instagram with a schedule for the upcoming week. It included the “Midnights” drop, two music video releases and a talk show appearance, but the event that really had fans excited was the “Special very chaotic surprise” slated for 3 a.m. EST on the day of the release of “Midnights.” Swifties speculated it could be a tour announcement or possibly the re-recorded versions of “1989” or “Speak Now.”

When the fateful day came, three hours after the initial album, Swift revealed her secret: a second half of “Midnights” comprised of seven more songs that Swift calls “3am tracks.” These additional tracks are more sonically similar to “evermore,” with less production and a folk-leaning vibe.

Taylor Swift has made it. She is one of the most recognizable names in the world and is crushing records with every new album. She has a devoted fan base that would do practically anything for her, including staying up until 3 a.m. for a mystical reveal. 

The overwhelmingly successful release of Swift’s “Midnights” leaves only one question: what will she do next?