: Many critics felt the best songs from this era were actually "banished" to the deluxe edition. Tracks produced by Aaron Dessner , such as "The Great War" and "Would've, Could've, Should've," are frequently cited as superior to the main album's pop-heavy songs.

: Reviewers at Three Penny Press noted that while the standard edition can feel "cookie-cutter" or focused on branding, the 3am tracks like "Bigger Than the Whole Sky" and "Dear Reader" offer raw, confessional storytelling reminiscent of her Folklore and Evermore eras.

Reviewers generally consider a significantly stronger and more complete experience than the standard 13-track version. While the standard album focuses on a dark, sleek synth-pop aesthetic, critics from Insider and Rolling Stone argue the 3am bonus tracks provide necessary lyrical depth and emotional balance that the core tracks sometimes lack. Key Review Highlights

The album is packed with self-critical tropes and the moments of self-doubt we all suffer when night closes in. “It's me, hi // I' The Indiependent Midnights (3am edition) album review - Three Penny Press

: Some reviewers on Reddit argue that including the bonus tracks makes the album feel "bloated" and less sonically tight, as the new songs often break the specific late-night electronic atmosphere of the original 13. Notable Tracks Album Review: Midnights (3am Edition) //Taylor Swift