Memories...Do Not Open: Or Should You?
The Chainsmokers have become some of the most sought after EDM DJ's in the United States, due to their catchy beats that provoke colorful parties, good moods and for some of their music, some angst.
Several of their previous songs have done admirably well in the charts; "Closer", featuring Halsey, peaked at #1 on the charts for 12 weeks weeks; songs such as "Don't Let Me Down", "Paris", and "Something Just Like This" also were in the top 10 during their debut time. Prior to their current album, the Chainsmokers released two short EP's, "Collage" in 2016 and "Bouquet" in 2015, along with a respectable number of singles and remixes to keep their momentum going.
As expected then, their fans couldn't wait for the duo's first full album "Memories...Do Not Open" to be released on April 7th, 2017. The Chainsmokers did not disappoint-and it's worth noting why, pulling up your favorite media player, and checking it out for yourself.
Why do the Chainsmokers do so well? It's their flawless combination of euphoria-inducing beats and melodies combined with lyrics that speak to all of our basic emotions and drives. "Something Just Like This" featuring Coldplay, the fifth track on the album, describes the unconditional love all humans crave. The protagonist of the song isn't looking for 'some superhero/some fairytale bliss'-just somebody to rely on. "Paris", another song that was released early as a single, describes the determination of a couple to make it work.
Scattered throughout the rest of the songs are other encouraging, hopeful lyrics, but there's much more to these upbeat songs than a listener would initially think-and that's part of the magic here. In their iTunes, review, the Chainsmokers earned the statement: "This is the sound of world domination in 2017."In a very personal Facebook post, the pair offered these words to their fans: "The box of Memories…Do Not Open symbolizes the message of our album. We all have childhood bedrooms, filled with objects that illustrate special moments. Eventually, that room and its objects are boxed up as we grow up and move out but a few of the very important items remain in a box that is saved…memories. For us and many of you, these items are precious and private. The box of memories we collected has been there in all of our past cover art, the text box. We are opening that up to you. We have been put in this box of who we are supposed to be and what people think of us, and now we are literally taking that box and showing you what is really inside us."
"Break Up Every Night", one of the album's arguably catchiest songs, features the difficulties of a relationship that goes back and forth, motivated by one partner's need for control and love of manipulation. In "Wake Up Alone" featuring Jhene Aiko, the listener is reconnected to the fear of waking up to find that their lover no longer cares for them. The eleventh track "Young" sports the relatable lyrics 'Don't worry my love/we're learning to love/but it's hard when we're young'. A few tracks before that, "It Won't Kill Ya" featuring Louane enticingly encourages someone to 'Dance with me/It won't kill ya/And one for the road/Dance with me/It won't kill ya'.
All music albums are a work of art-some tell a chronological story, some have a very obvious theme, some are arranged like an old playlist of diverse favorite tunes. "Memories...Do Not Open" falls under the last two. No two song is the same (which debunks EDM critics' claims that EDM is unoriginal) and while there isn't a consistent emotional theme, the lyrics and the rhythms that reinforce them encourage listeners to do the opposite of the album's title. Open the memories, feel them, experience them, and appreciate them, the Chainsmokers urge. Go out and take what the world has to offer and make sure there's a good soundtrack while seizing the days and the nights. Their first full-length album will certainly satisfy old fans and bring in new avid followers.
At a glance:
Several of their previous songs have done admirably well in the charts; "Closer", featuring Halsey, peaked at #1 on the charts for 12 weeks weeks; songs such as "Don't Let Me Down", "Paris", and "Something Just Like This" also were in the top 10 during their debut time. Prior to their current album, the Chainsmokers released two short EP's, "Collage" in 2016 and "Bouquet" in 2015, along with a respectable number of singles and remixes to keep their momentum going.
As expected then, their fans couldn't wait for the duo's first full album "Memories...Do Not Open" to be released on April 7th, 2017. The Chainsmokers did not disappoint-and it's worth noting why, pulling up your favorite media player, and checking it out for yourself.
Why do the Chainsmokers do so well? It's their flawless combination of euphoria-inducing beats and melodies combined with lyrics that speak to all of our basic emotions and drives. "Something Just Like This" featuring Coldplay, the fifth track on the album, describes the unconditional love all humans crave. The protagonist of the song isn't looking for 'some superhero/some fairytale bliss'-just somebody to rely on. "Paris", another song that was released early as a single, describes the determination of a couple to make it work.
Scattered throughout the rest of the songs are other encouraging, hopeful lyrics, but there's much more to these upbeat songs than a listener would initially think-and that's part of the magic here. In their iTunes, review, the Chainsmokers earned the statement: "This is the sound of world domination in 2017."In a very personal Facebook post, the pair offered these words to their fans: "The box of Memories…Do Not Open symbolizes the message of our album. We all have childhood bedrooms, filled with objects that illustrate special moments. Eventually, that room and its objects are boxed up as we grow up and move out but a few of the very important items remain in a box that is saved…memories. For us and many of you, these items are precious and private. The box of memories we collected has been there in all of our past cover art, the text box. We are opening that up to you. We have been put in this box of who we are supposed to be and what people think of us, and now we are literally taking that box and showing you what is really inside us."
"Break Up Every Night", one of the album's arguably catchiest songs, features the difficulties of a relationship that goes back and forth, motivated by one partner's need for control and love of manipulation. In "Wake Up Alone" featuring Jhene Aiko, the listener is reconnected to the fear of waking up to find that their lover no longer cares for them. The eleventh track "Young" sports the relatable lyrics 'Don't worry my love/we're learning to love/but it's hard when we're young'. A few tracks before that, "It Won't Kill Ya" featuring Louane enticingly encourages someone to 'Dance with me/It won't kill ya/And one for the road/Dance with me/It won't kill ya'.
All music albums are a work of art-some tell a chronological story, some have a very obvious theme, some are arranged like an old playlist of diverse favorite tunes. "Memories...Do Not Open" falls under the last two. No two song is the same (which debunks EDM critics' claims that EDM is unoriginal) and while there isn't a consistent emotional theme, the lyrics and the rhythms that reinforce them encourage listeners to do the opposite of the album's title. Open the memories, feel them, experience them, and appreciate them, the Chainsmokers urge. Go out and take what the world has to offer and make sure there's a good soundtrack while seizing the days and the nights. Their first full-length album will certainly satisfy old fans and bring in new avid followers.
At a glance:
- The Chainsmokers, an EDM-pop duo, release their first full length album "Memories...Do Not Open"
- Two previous, short EP's: Collage and Bouquet
- Multiple hits on the charts; available on Spotify.
- For in depth thoughts on every track from the artists themselves: The Chainsmokers Track by Track Analysis
- Follow them on social media: Facebook , Twitter , Instagram
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