Compared to their 2017 official debut, the Chainsmokers' sophomore album, Sick Boy, is more introspective, thoughtful, and emotional.
It's also a vast improvement on the often precious (and, frankly, boring) EDM-pop of Memories...Do Not Open.
For Sick Boy -- which was slowly rolled out in monthly installments throughout 2018 -- the duo of Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart digs a little deeper, addressing their post-breakthrough critical and popular backlash and delivering something akin to substance.
Everything is relative here, so while they're trying harder and shooting for more artistry, listeners should not expect Jon Hopkins or SOPHIE.
Instead, consider this the Chainsmokers' attempt at emo-EDM.
Hitting those self-pitying notes on contemplative moments such as "Somebody" with Drew Love, "Sick Boy" (which is unlike anything in their prior catalog), and the confessional "Everybody Hates Me," Taggart flexes his lyrical muscle and laments with clunky but vulnerable lyrics like "I'm so defeated/I just want this shit to end." Elsewhere, fans of indie pop acts such as Lauv, LANY, and the 1975 should find kindred appeal here, especially on pop-friendly highlights like "This Feeling" with Kelsea Ballerini and the delicately bright "Hope" with Winona Oak.
For those in search of something heavier, the Chainsmokers deliver a pair of cacophonous floor-shakers with "Siren" and "Save Yourself," which include crashing dubstep drops and sonic stabs fit for dancefloor mosh pits.
Finally, album standout "Side Effects" with frequent collaborator and co-writer Emily Warren is the deep soul of the album and also its best track.
At the heart of it all, this set is dark, sometimes exciting, and a step in the right direction for the immensely popular but critically maligned duo.
World-weariness and a troubled heart suit them well and managed to do some good on Sick Boy.
| Title/Composers | Performer | Listen | Time | Size | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | This FeelingAlex Pall, Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren | The Chainsmokers | Play | 03:17 | 7 MB | 23 MB |
| 2 | Beach HouseAlex Pall, Andrew Taggart | The Chainsmokers | Play | 03:26 | 7 MB | 23 MB |
| 3 | HopeChris Lyon, Kate Morgan, Winona Oak, Alex Pall, Andrew Taggart | The Chainsmokers | Play | 03:00 | 6 MB | 20 MB |
| 4 | SomebodyAndrew Taggart, Emily Warren | The Chainsmokers, Drew Love | Play | 03:42 | 8 MB | 25 MB |
| 5 | Side EffectsTony Ann, Corey Sanders, Sly, Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren | The Chainsmokers | Play | 02:52 | 6 MB | 21 MB |
| 6 | Sick BoyTony Ann, Alex Pall, Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren | The Chainsmokers | Play | 03:13 | 7 MB | 21 MB |
| 7 | Everybody Hates MeAndrew Taggart, Emily Warren | The Chainsmokers | Play | 03:43 | 8 MB | 27 MB |
| 8 | SirenAazar, Alex Pall, Andrew Taggart | The Chainsmokers, Aazar | Play | 02:54 | 6 MB | 20 MB |
| 9 | You Owe MeChelsea Jade, Alex Pall, Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren | The Chainsmokers | Play | 03:10 | 7 MB | 19 MB |
| 10 | Save YourselfNGHTMRE, Andrew Taggart | The Chainsmokers, NGHTMRE | Play | 03:30 | 8 MB | 27 MB |
| 32 mins | 75 MB | |||||
| 32 mins | 229 MB | |||||
| Artist | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aazar | Composer, Mastering, Mixing, Primary Artist, Producer |
| 2 | Adam Alpert | Executive Producer |
| 3 | Kelsea Ballerini | Featured Artist, Vocals |
| 4 | The Chainsmokers | Primary Artist |
| 5 | Shaun Frank | Mixing, Producer, Programming |
| 6 | Chris Gerhinger | Mastering |
| 7 | Chelsea Jade | Composer |
| 8 | Drew Love | Primary Artist |
| 9 | Chris Lyon | Composer, Producer |
| 10 | Michelle Mancini | Mastering |
| 11 | Matt McGuire | Drums |
| 12 | Randy Merrill | Mastering |
| 13 | Kate Morgan | Composer |
| 14 | NGHTMRE | Composer, Mastering, Mixing, Primary Artist, Producer |
| 15 | Winona Oak | Composer, Featured Artist, Vocals |
| 16 | Alex Pall | Composer, Executive Producer, Mastering, Mixing, Piano, Programming |
| 17 | Nicolas Petitfrere | Mastering |
| 18 | Corey Sanders | Composer |
| 19 | Sly | Composer, Producer |
| 20 | Jordan Stilwell | Mixing |
| 21 | Andrew Taggart | Composer, Guitar, Mastering, Mixing, Programming, Vocals |
| 22 | Tony Ann | Composer, Piano |
| 23 | Petra Vasuri | Art Direction |
| 24 | Emily Warren | Composer, Featured Artist, Piano, Vocals |
| Quality | Format | Encoding | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | MP3 | 320kps 44.1kHz | MP3 is an audio coding format which uses a form of lossy data compression. The highest bitrate of this format is 320kbps (kbit/s). MP3 Digital audio takes less amount of space (up to 90% reduction in size) and the quality is not as good as the original one. |
| CD Quality | FLAC | 16bit 44.1kHz | FLAC is an audio coding format which uses lossless compression. Digital audio in FLAC format has a smaller size and retains the same quality of the original Compact Disc (CD). |