The duo that took ‘party music’ and made it the soundtrack for people whose wildest nights involve spilling a White Claw on the Uber driver’s seat. These guys managed to turn a Snapchat caption into a song format, like ‘drink too much, forgot what day it is, woke up in my clothes’—because apparently, having the life goals of a college freshman is relatable content. Their lyrics are essentially BuzzFeed quizzes in song form: ‘Are you messy, heartbroken, and somehow on a mattress in the middle of nowhere? Congrats! You’re living a Chainsmokers anthem.’
And let’s talk about that sound—a mix of EDM and pop with a dash of let’s-see-what-rhymes. Every song has the exact same beat drop, like they figured out one formula that works at Coachella and just hit repeat. It’s like they’re saying, ‘Who needs variety when we’ve got millennial whoops and synths on lock?’ Their biggest hit, Closer, might as well come with a trigger warning for anyone who can’t bear to hear ‘pull me closer in the backseat of your Rover’ one more time. Oh, and as if ‘Closer’ wasn’t enough, they’ve made an entire career out of songs about getting dumped, getting drunk, or both. Real variety, right?
Credit where it’s due, though—The Chainsmokers know how to cash in on relatable mediocrity. They took every hazy night and questionable decision and made it sound like a lifestyle brand. The Chainsmokers: for everyone who peaked during Spring Break and thinks nostalgia for two years ago is deep. Hey, at least they’ve made a name for themselves in basic anthems.
Someone had to say it!
