Filipino Swifties rode different waves of emotions as they spent jamming to Taylor Swift’s Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition) album.
The new edition has 23 songs, with the addition of Hits Different, Snow On The Beach, and Karma. The last two songs in the album are Swift’s collaboration with singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey and rapper Ice Spice, respectively.
As expected, the newly-released album trended on Twiiter. Titles such as Snow On The Beach, Hits Different, You’re Losing Me, Karma, and Taylor dominated the trends list after the album’s release.
Elated fans, meanwhile, expressed their excitement, including these four pinoy Swifties – human resource associate Chelsea Dianne Guieb, 24, and students Val Patrick dela Rea, 22, John Lennon Jeff Genon, 21, and Rich Francis Gozum.
Guieb from the group Swifties Philippines and dela Rea, Genon and Gozum from Filipino Swifties – Volunteer’s Version told republicasia how the album hit them differently.
Hits Different
Guieb said that the deluxe album took her by surprise because she was not expecting it. In fact, she was looking forward to the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).
“It’s like completely random to drop another version of Midnights.. but I guess, yeah, we’re really in the Eras Era,” said Guieb, a Swiftie since 2009.
It wasn’t the first time that some Swifties, like her, heard Hits Different as it was already on the Target Exclusive CD of Midnights in 2022. Thanks to the new album, more Swifties got the chance to hear the song.
“[I]t made me so happy that the song is now available on digital platforms for all the fans to enjoy and access easily,” Guieb said.
Among the Midnight tracks, dela Rea said it is Hits Different that takes the cake.
“It perfectly depicts the kind of love that’s really different and how hard it is to move on from the kind of love you know is hard to forget. We’ve all been there!” he said.
Karma
Swifties were also delighted by the new version of Karma, which they found a bop as the drill rapper added a new flavor to it.
The 33-year-old singer had previously worked with various artists for her songs and one notable collaboration is her Bad Blood with rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Guieb said that she expected it to be as “lit” as Bad Blood, but the new song did not meet her expectations.
“[M]aybe my expectations are so high, because Bad Blood’s version with Kendrick Lamar is really explosive. But this one is okay. Maybe it will grow on me soon,” she said.
Genon initially had the same reaction but the song eventually grew on him as he listened more to it.
“Ice Spice’s part is so good and soothing to my ears; there’s something about her voice that makes me appreciate that woman,” he said.
Snow On The Beach
Like Hits Different and Karma, Snow On The Beach has been included in the 2022 Midnights album. The song, however, did not sit well with some fans who said that they could barely identify Del Rey’s part.
Swift said on Thursday that she recorded it anew with additional parts for the Say Yes To Heaven singer.
The new Snow On The Beach did not disappoint Gozum, who praised Swift and Del Rey’s “perfect” blending.
“The blend of Lana Del Rey’s mature voice along with Taylor Swift’s soft angelic voice gave the song a whole new level from the original version,” he said.
Dela Rae also has one word to describe the collaboration: heavenly. The song, he said, made him feel like he’s “floating in heaven.”
Genon, on the other hand, had a contrasting reaction to this.
While he approved of Swift’s decision of having more of Del Rey’s vocals on the song, Genon said that Del Rey’s voice in the second verse did not suit his liking.
“I know that’s how she sounds, but I am expecting her to somehow have the same range as the original one,” he explained.
Despite that, Genon still complimented their blending which he described as “magical.”
You’re Losing Me
If you think the Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition) album is all that Swift has for her fans, then you’re wrong.
Her announcement also came with another surprise beside the three tracks — “a never before heard Midnights vault track” titled You’re Losing Me which is included in a new special edition CD.
The CD, however, was only available to fans who attended The Eras show in East Rutherford in New Jersey.
Guieb still hopes that international Swifties will also have the opportunity to hear You’re Losing Me in digital platforms, just like Hits Different.
“[E]njoying music will be more fun if everyone can access it easily. Who knows? This song might set a new online trend?” she pondered.
From the song’s title, Genon said that he anticipates the song to give him nothing but pain.
“This song might be personal to her, but whatever it is, I am ready to read the lyrics, hear the production, and feel the emotion it will convey,” he said.
