After over two months of anticipation, Taylor Swift released her 10th studio album, “Midnights,” on Oct. 21. Three hours after its release she announced seven additional songs in a deluxe version of the album: “Midnights (3am Edition).”

At the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, Swift surprised the world with the announcement of her 10th studio album. Many listeners did not know what to expect from the album, while others, like Rylee Camp (12), had their suspicions.

“I think because of the album cover picture I was expecting more of a 1989 type feel to [the album],” Camp said, “but honestly, I had no clue.”

Starting on Sept. 21, Swift began a unique series on TikTok called “Midnights Mayhem with Me,” where she released the track titles sporadically at 12:00 a.m. EST. Whitney Flach (12) believes the method is one creators should follow suit with.

“I absolutely loved ‘Midnights Mayhem with Me,’” Flach said. “I think it was brilliant and every artist should do it that way.”

Once the track list was fully announced, fans began to get a better understanding of what the album was about. Popular theories about the songs overtook social media.

“One theory I had was that the song Karma was going to be about her unreleased album ‘Karma,’” Flach said.

Based on her previous albums, Kenzie Nelson (12), believed that “Midnights” would be similar to its predecessors.

“I was expecting [the album] to be like ‘Folklore,’” Nelson said.

However, the most popular prediction came after Swift’s calendar post on Oct. 16, when she revealed that “a chaotic surprise” would occur at 2:00 a.m. EST following “Midnights’” release.

“When we found out there was a chaotic surprise, I thought it was going to be 13 extra songs [added to the album],” Flach said.

After countless nights filled with surprises, reveals and hidden easter eggs, the 13 tracks in “Midnights” were released. Two hours later, the deluxe version, “Midnights (3am Edition),” followed, adding seven additional songs and completing the 20-track collection. Camp describes her opinion on “Midnights (3am Edition).”

“They are so underrated,” Camp said. “If you actually listen to them, and analyze the lyrics they have so much more meaning, and they’re literally the saddest songs I’ve ever listened to.”

However, others, like Flach, had opposing views on the additional songs.

“In my mind they’re just the same as the regular tracks,” Flach said. “They’re not anything extra.”

Overall, the album was received by the public in a record-breaking manner, becoming Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day. “Midnights” has taken its hold, and is on track to become Swift’s most popular album to date.

“It is one of my favorites,” Camp said. “It’s just so poetic and a work of pure genius. I feel like you can connect in your own way to every single one of the songs.”