On Friday night time, as a part of what could have been probably the most epic night time of the whole Eras Tour so far, Taylor Swift personally premiered the music video for “Karma” that includes Ice Spice stay to the group at her first East Rutherford, New Jersey present. (Different highlights of that present included Ice Spice really becoming a member of Taylor on stage to carry out “Karma” stay, in addition to bringing Jack Antonoff out for a duet of “Getaway Automotive,” and actually, only a bunch of different stuff followers who had been there will likely be bragging about without end.)
Even with all the wonderful issues on the present, nevertheless, the “Karma” video premiere nonetheless stood out because the spotlight of the night (/a lot of the weekend, if we’re being sincere). The video is actually visually gorgeous:
This content material is imported from youTube. You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra info, at their site.
And now, out of respect to Swiftian custom, a breakdown of all of the Easter Eggs, references, and potential layers of which means within the video:
Taylor’s portray, which is perhaps an announcement about her breakup with Joe.
Within the opening shot of the video, you’ll be able to see a glimpse of a portray that seems to be a Taylor Swift unique. The artwork contains haunting panorama with a stick figure-esque home and is visually fairly much like the Home on the Coast portray that is featured within the “Cardigan” music video. This time, nevertheless, the home is an overview/empty shell—which might be a reference to the best way her dwelling life has been upended because the final portray made its look, which she and Joe had been spending loads of time collectively throughout quarantine. (I may be reaching wayyy too deep.)
The vinyl file with a swirl of re-release nods.
Subsequent up, now we have the vinyl copy of Midnights that is enjoying firstly of the video, which is actually surrounded by re-release clues/references. The vinyl itself is mild blue (the colour related to the 1989 Period) and the magical swirl with purple and teal butterflies might be seen as a nod to 1989, Communicate Now, and Debut, TBH.
Taylor as Nemesis, surrounded by 1989 imagery.
Our first depiction of Taylor herself within the video has her on a pedestal, dressed as Nemesis, the Greek goddess of retribution/revenge, all whereas surrounded by all types of 1989 Easter Eggs (most notably, the numerals on the pedestal are “MCMLXXXIX,” which interprets to 1989 and there is a distinct Empire State constructing jutting out of one of many columns behind her). This all comes collectively in a big approach: She’s on a literal pedestal, which calls to thoughts the metaphorical one she was on for a lot of the 1989 Period, throughout which she was using excessive on peaks of each essential and industrial success.
Additionally, she’s dressed as Nemesis, which may signify that Taylor, looking back, sees herself as her personal worst enemy at the moment in her life. And, in fact, there’s the truth that we all know that, in actual life, 1989 preceded her personal retribution story arc (her public downfall following the Kimye drama, her 12 months in hiding, after which her return with Repute).
Oh, and there is additionally a reappearance of the Karma graffiti from the video for “The Man” on one of many columns should you look intently.
Some pointed commentary on her Rep Period.
Even the transition right here is important, because the body spins the wrong way up, not not like Taylor’s world/life/status had been all turned the wrong way up following the entire being-cancelled-and-called-a-snake-by-thousands-on-Twitter factor. After that transition, we’re deep in a bunch of very pointed Repute imagery and commentary, beginning with the truth that Taylor—who was publicly demonized by many throughout this time—is sporting a full-on demon masks.
To drive dwelling the Rep connection for anybody not getting it in some way, Taylor’s look when she removes the masks is pure Repute Period Taylor:
Then, the world turns the wrong way up but once more to take us to…
Some contemporary commentary on the candy-colored (presumably fake-ish) pleasure of the Lover Period.
The subsequent scene takes us to a brightly-colored pop-up storybook land, with Taylor wearing a child doll gown together with her hair in pigtails and Dorothy-style Ruby Slippers on her toes. Following the chronology that is been established (and the colour palette), this places us firmly within the Lover Period, however the imagery means that Taylor would possibly see her outward exuberance and heart-eyes at the moment (smack in the course of her relationship with Joe Alwyn), as a bit of faux and/or infantile or naive looking back.
Three grim reapers for Taylor’s three largest public feuds.
When Taylor appears over, her colourful world is invaded by darkness thanks to 3 grim reapers standing menacingly throughout the best way. My greatest guess can be that these guess signify her three largest enemies, professionally-speaking: Scooter Braun, Scott Borchetta, and Kanye West. All three males/their sins towards Taylor have repeatedly been referenced in songs in recent times. Framing this explicit section in a literal storybook additionally highlights the truth that that is very a lot part of Taylor’s public narrative (and one she’s now not making an attempt to be excluded from).
Additionally, the jagged rocks of their surroundings have a distinctly “tilted stage” vibe:
She blows the Reapers a significant kiss (off).
Storybook Taylor takes on the Reapers by blowing them a kiss that comes with a swirl of magic-y purple mud. Purple is, in fact, the colour related to Communicate Now, which is important for every of the “reapers.” It is her subsequent re-record and the undertaking of re-recording all of her previous albums is the best way she’s preventing again towards Borchetta and Braun in her battle over her masters. Additionally, Communicate Now was the primary album Taylor launched after Kanye infamously interrupted her acceptance speech on the 2009 VMAs, and it contains “Harmless,” her first music about her feud with him.
The hourglass is a reference to a coveted piece of Folklore merch (and the music “August”).
The large hourglass Taylor leads to is a reproduction of a bit of merch that was obtainable throughout the Folklore Period, often known as the “August Slipped Away” hourglass. It is just about equivalent:
The hourglass is a coveted piece of merch for collectors and options lyrics from “August” (“August slipped away right into a second in time, ‘trigger it was by no means mine”), a music written from the attitude of the “different girl” in Folklore‘s well-known teenage love triangle. Make of that what you’ll (as a result of I am actually undecided the place to start out).
Ice Spice’s seashell “Bejeweled” reference:
Some folks on Twitter have identified that the shell Ice Spice sits in appears loads just like the one featured within the “Bejeweled” video.
Taylor’s lasso will not be gold (sorry, Joe).
Within the scene the place Taylor and Ice Spice are about to lasso the moon and Saturn (extra on that reference in a sec), Ice Spice has a golden string and Taylor’s is a silvery coloration. This is not tremendous important besides that the moon and Saturn reference comes from Folklore, which additionally options “Invisible String,” by which Taylor compares destiny’s approach of tying her to now-ex Joe Alwyn as a “thread of gold.” Now, Taylor appears to need nothing to do with holding gold strings (understandably).
Lassoing the moon and Saturn is one other Folklore reference.
This one comes from the lyrics of “Seven,” by which Taylor tells a childhood buddy “love you to the moon and to Saturn.”
The lightbulbs might be a clue that 1989 would be the subsequent re-record after Communicate Now.
Why? As a result of there are three mild bulbs at first (and Communicate Now was Taylor’s third album).
After which there are 5 mild bulbs (and 1989 was her fifth album).
Taylor remains to be bejeweled post-Joe.
Along with being awe-inspiring, this visible of Taylor as an precise mountain might be a reference to “Bejeweled,” when she sings:
“I made you my world, have you ever heard?
I can reclaim the land”
“Bejeweled” appears to have been impressed by Calvin Harris, however the precept applies to Taylor after any breakup.
And he or she’s shattering the thought of Joe as a part of her good Karma.
*Precisely* when Taylor will get to the Karma lyric most particularly about Joe, “Karma is the man on the display screen, coming straight dwelling to me,” video Taylor plunges an oar into the water, breaking apart the picture that was on the display screen. Message acquired.
Oh, and the Taylor who does that? She’s very a lot STILL BEJEWELED:
Simply in case the reference wasn’t clear.
Taylor’s nail polish holding the espresso cup might be a clue about future re-recording releases.
Taylor’s left thumb is blue (1989) and her proper thumb is black (Repute). Most followers suppose it is a clear clue that 1989 would be the subsequent re-record, adopted by Repute. Some are additionally speculating that the location of her thumbs might be important (i.e. that 1989 will come out in August as a result of her blue thumb is on the 8 and that Repute will likely be out subsequent February, since that thumb is by the two).
Annnnd the Midnights Period appears to be over.
The video ends with the latte artwork clock hanging midnight, which looks as if a touch that the Midnights Period is ending with the “Karma” video and that, from right here on out, we’ll be firmly within the Communicate Now (Taylor’s Model) Period.
Kayleigh Roberts is the weekend editor at Cosmo, centered on celeb information and royals. She’s a Ravenclaw who would do nice issues in Slytherin. To study extra about her, google “Leslie Knope consuming salad GIF.”
