Recently, the Blacksmith Tavern opened on Route 53 in Pembroke, and it is the third restaurant from the people behind The Oysterman and The Anchor in Duxbury. It offers a diverse menu with a multitude of options to choose from, so it is sure to satisfy. I only attended the restaurant twice, but I had a great experience both times.

My first time, I ordered the bao buns and the spicy chicken pasta. The buns were filled with sweet and sour chicken and pickled vegetables, and it was rich, tangy, and sweet, and the buns were soft and chewy. It also paired well with the crisp lemonade I ordered beforehand. The tanginess was a little overwhelming at times, but I will still give the bao buns an 8/10 because the balance between the chicken and the vegetables was delectable. The spicy chicken pasta was loaded with toppings, including peppers, corn tomatoes, cilantro, and smoked gouda. It was covered with a white wine butter sauce, which I thought was an odd pairing, but it worked honestly way too well. The tangy taste from the sauce paired incredibly well with the southwest flavor blend in the pasta. It was honestly really good, and I would give it a 9/10.

On the second visit, I ordered the bao buns again, but this time, I also ordered the fried brussel sprouts with white balsamic vinegar and garlic aioli. They were both incredibly tangy, so eating them one after the other with nothing to balance it out made the flavors overwhelming. That’s probably my fault, though, and I truly believe that the brussel sprouts would have been amazing on their own. For now, I’ll give them a tentative 7/10. For my meal, I ordered the veggie flatbread, which came with mushrooms, red onions, goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, and garlic tahini. It was savory and had a sort of nutty flavor, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am also a texture-sensitive person, and this had a really satisfying texture. It was crunchy and chewy, and the peppers and artichokes added a layer of softness that paired with it well. I will definitely give this one a 9/10 as well.

In the 2 times I visited the Blacksmith Tavern, I was thoroughly satisfied with my experience. I thought the setting and ambiance were charming and the staff were incredibly friendly. I also thought the food came out quickly as well. Overall, I am the giving the whole experience a 9/10, and I highly recommend checking this place out!

by Lily Rioux
Titan Times Correspondent

Almost a year after the release of Red (Taylors Version), the re-recorded version of her fourth studio album, Taylor Swift announced on August 28th that her tenth album, Midnights, would be released on October 21, 2022.

Fans speculated that the album next in line for release would be either re-records of 1989 (Taylor’s Version), or Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), due to the major hints, or “easter eggs”, and merchandise drops within the past three months. “I thought that 1989 was next to be completely honest. I would never have expected a completely new album,” said Emma Quigley, a sophomore who has listened to Swift since the Reputation era.

Midnights includes tracks written from the experiences throughout all stages of Swift’s life and musical career, straining from the beginning- the release of her self-titled album Taylor Swift, to her last formally released album Evermore.

With references to drama, heartbreak, betrayal, revenge, and growth, Midnights has a song for every emotional "rollercoaster." Further linking these tracks to previous eras, many songs on the new album have similar beats, tones, and rhythms that fit almost perfectly with the era fans believe they are to be from.

Although there are similarities between older songs and the newly-released ones, a different and unexpected side to the ‘routine love songs' is told that exemplifies growth, change,and indifference, still following along with her signature pop touch.

Navina Bekheit, another sophomore who has also listened to Swift throughout multiple album releases, states that this new album “brings everything out in the open.”

Swift continues to touch on her journeys throughout life as a global sensation- now going into her thirties, but still reminiscent of life-altering decisions and past experiences, good and bad. “For all of us who have tossed and turned and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching-hoping that just maybe, when the clock strikes twelve.. We'll meet ourselves."

Stream Midnights now, and revel in the stories of thirteen sleepless nights- no matter terrors or sweet dreams.