Midnights Autumn

On October 21, 2022, Taylor Swift released Midnights, right around the time the downtown girl aesthetic was everywhere. And somehow, four years later, this album still feels like autumn in 2022 to me.

I remember listening to Midnights in late autumn that year. It was cold outside, the sky was gray, and I was watching the trees pass by through the car window while the album played. Nothing particularly exciting was happening, but for some reason that little memory has stuck with me. Now whenever I listen to the album, I think of those chilly, gray autumn days.

Of course, Red, evermore, and The Life of a Showgirl all have their own special places in my autumn rotation. I love all of Taylor’s albums, and I think each one carries its own little world of nostalgia.

But there’s something about Midnights.

It’s moody, dreamy, a little messy, and full of glitter. The way it blends synth-pop with poetic, reflective songwriting makes it feel like staying up far too late, thinking about your life, falling in love, or remembering things you thought you’d forgotten.

And maybe it’s partly the nostalgia of when it came out, but whenever autumn rolls around, I find myself wanting to listen to it all over again.

So I thought I’d share what Midnights reminds me of, along with a few of my absolute favorite songs from the album!

The Midnights Autumn Aesthetic

When I think of Midnights, I think of…

Coffee on chilly mornings. Leather jackets. Fog hanging over the streets before the sun has fully risen. Candles flickering softly in the breeze.

Smudged mascara and glitter eyeshadow. Corduroy pants, argyle sweaters, incense, and the earthy smell of patchouli.

Smudged lipstick after a night out. Stars scattered across a dark sky. New Year’s Eve, when everything feels a little magical and bittersweet at the same time.

It’s that strange in-between feeling of autumn, when the days are getting colder, the evenings are getting darker, and everything feels just a little more cinematic.

It’s cozy, but not necessarily in the traditional pumpkins-and-cinnamon kind of way.

It’s more like walking through a sleepy town in your favorite sweater, listening to music through your headphones, and pretending you’re the main character in a coming-of-age movie.

A little romantic. A little melancholy. A little glittery.

And I absolutely adore it.

My Favorite Songs From Midnights

I genuinely love every song on this album, there are literally no skips for me! But these are a few of my absolute favorites.

Dear Reader

I love this one because it gives me such small-town protagonist vibes. Like dreaming of escaping your hometown and starting a whole new chapter of your life.

Snow on the Beach

This song feels like falling in love. It’s slow, dreamy, cinematic, and oh so romantic.

You’re On Your Own, Kid

Literally my song. There’s something so nostalgic and bittersweet about growing up and figuring out who you are.

Hits Different

This one is just so cutesy and fun! I can’t explain it, but I absolutely love dancing around my room to it.

A Little Bit of Midnights Nostalgia

I think one of my favorite things about music is how an album can become so tied to a certain time in your life.

You can hear a song years later and suddenly remember the weather, the clothes you were wearing, the things you were interested in, or just the general feeling of that time.

And that’s what Midnights does for me.

It takes me back to those gray autumn skies, chilly car rides, and watching the trees pass by through the window. To the downtown girl aesthetic, leather jackets, and that dreamy, slightly messy nostalgia of autumn 2022.

I love how Taylor’s albums all have such different personalities. There’s always one that fits whatever mood or season I’m in.

But Midnights will probably always feel like autumn to me.

A little foggy, a little glittery, and full of late-night thoughts.

Playlist 🎧

I also made a little autumn playlist because this time of year makes me feel so nostalgic! It’s a mix of Taylor’s songs and other favorites that give me those cozy, dreamy autumn vibes.

I love adding new songs to my playlists, so if you have any recommendations, leave them in the comments! I’d love to give them a listen and maybe add a few to the playlist.