Grade: A+
Shortly before winter break, The Chainsmokers released a special extended play (EP) made up of their latest hits. If you recognize any of these titles, all of which have been mainstream plays for the past semester, then you’ll know just who they are. If you do not recognize “Setting Fires” or “Don’t Let Me Down” you will certainly recognize one of their greatest hits — “Closer” — while listening to their second EP “Collage.”
The Chainsmokers have been dominating the airwaves ever since their 2014 hit “#Selfie.” The musical duo is made up of producers and songwriters Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall. Taggart is a native of Freeport, Maine and combined forces with Pall in 2012.
In 2015, their EP titled “Bouquet” hit double platinum thanks to their song “Roses.” When “Closer” hit number one in 2016, the song beat out Drake’s “One Dance” for most consecutive weeks in the number one spot. This group has since collaborated with a huge collection of artists such as XYLO, Halsey, Daya, Phoebe Ryan and Robotaki.
The most well known single of The Chainsmokers arsenal is “Closer.” This track is filled with long, echoing piano tones along with a backing of claps and bouncing techno notes that help the vocal tones feel blended together. This song has easily become a favorite for many of listeners and is great to dance to, sing along with in the car, or quietly jam out to in Fogler Library.
“Inside Out” is the deepest in tone of their songs, definitely designed to feel a bit heavier. Swedish singer Charlee, the vocal artist on this track, has a deeper register and sings in a soft layers additional emotion onto to this already moody electropop song. Spanning about three minutes, a collection of old style vacation trip clips are presented to the audience, wherein viewers meet a lovely woman going about her day. This song has low tones and is a bit moodier than their other features.
Other earlier hits of theirs, as mentioned previously, have been included on this EP. A majority of their songs tend to follow the theme of at-odds relationships, often regarding distance, struggling and falling out of love, making them very relatable to a majority of listeners. They have a song for every situation and they have yet to disappoint with every following release. We should all be looking forward to what they will be releasing throughout the rest of this year.
