Album Review: Memories...Do Not Open - The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers are an EDM-pop duo from New York, US, consisting of members Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall.

They first found success in 2014, when their single, '#Selfie', was re-released through Dim Mak Records. The single charted internationally and peaked on the Dance/Electronic Songs chart. They further released two follow up singles before signing with Disruptor Records, under Sony Music Entertainment.

In 2015, they released their first EP, 'Bouquet', featuring songs 'New York City', 'Until You Were Gone', and 'Roses'. The follow-up single, 'Don't Let Me Down', featuring Daya, was released at the beginning of 2016. With another single, 'Inside Out', featuring Charlee, being released two months later. In July, 2016, they released 'Closer' featuring Halsey, which peaked at number one in the United Kingdom and United States, as well as, charting in eleven other countries. At the end of 2016, with no plans for an album, they released their second EP, 'Collage'.

In 2017, they released 'Paris' as their next international single, it was certified gold in both Canada and the US, whilst receiving over 270 million streams on Spotify.

Track Listing:

1. The One

2. Break Up Every Night

3. Bloodstream

4. Don't Say (Ft. Emily Warren)

5. Something Just Like This (with Coldplay)

6. My Type (Ft. Emily Warren)

7. It Won't Kill Ya (Ft. Louane)

8. Paris

9. Honest

10. Wake Up Alone (Ft. Jhene Aiko)

11. Young

12. Last Day Alive (Ft. Florida Georgia Line)

The first song on the album, 'The One', is a really nice opening song. It is quite simple and slow, and what stuck out for me the most was the piano. It wasn't what I was expecting at all. I liked that the male and female voice blended nicely with one another. It does pick up when a beat is added, which brings the dance element into it.

'Break Up Every Night', is probably my favourite song on the album. I love the lyrics, I feel like they have a comical aspect to them. It is much faster paced, and really catchy. I really liked the bridge part of the song as it brought a different element to the song. I think it will sound incredible live, especially at a festival.

'Bloodstream', is one I don't have much to say about it. It was a slower song, again with the added piano element, and it had a build up. It is quite a unique song, however I do think that their songs all have similar structures to them.

The fourth and sixth songs, 'Don't Say' and 'My Type', feature a female singer, Emily Warren. It doesn't feel like it is a Chainsmoker song, especially 'Don't Say'. Don't get me wrong, she is a good singer, but something about these songs makes me think they should be on her album rather than theirs. Both are really catchy and slightly repetitive. On 'Don't Say' there is a bit at the end where they are all joking around etc. It's a nice touch, but if I was in my car blasting this, I would most likely hate that bit.

'Something Just Like This' is a song I had heard before (their performance at The Brits). Although I'm not a massive fan of Coldplay (I'm sorry), I like that they have a higher profile artist featuring on their album. It opens The Chainsmokers up to a whole new fan base, and if you have the image of Coldplay supporting the duo and their endeavours, it probably gives them more opportunities to grow. It's a really catchy song, and makes a great single.

The seventh song, 'It Won't Kill Ya', features another female singer, Louane. The lyrics are good, and the composition and structure of the song is nice. There is a build up again in this song, and it has a very EDM vibe to it.

'Paris' is another song I had already heard before the album, due to it, again, being a single. I adore this song, I was completely obsessed with it when it first came out. I love the lyrics, vocals and melody in this song.

'Honest', the ninth song on the album, is another song that starts slow, with the piano, it does get slightly quicker, but stays quite mellow compared to others. It is very catchy and the lyrics/vocals are great. The lyrics do seem to be about someones personal life and it seems the song is quite focused on the lyrics/emotional aspect of it.

The tenth song, 'Wake Up Alone', features, once again, another female singer, Jhene Aiko. The beginning of the song reminded me of 'Fancy' by Iggy Azalea. The lyrics are good, but it is probably my least favourite song on the album. I think I would like it better if it was a different singer. Her vocals are good but is not my preferred taste. I really didn't like the last 20 seconds. I thought they were irrelevant and so different to the rest of the song.

'Young' is the eleventh song on the album. It has a nice guitar strum to the melody. It is a slow song, with nice vocals. It sounds like they are using a band/actual instruments rather than electronics/beats. The lyrics have a sort of narrative element to them. Only criticism is that the backing vocals sound electronic.

The last song, 'Last Day Alive', is a nice song to finish off the album. It features Florida Georgia Line, giving it a tiny hint of country to it. I like that they've mixed genres. However, the vocals, again, sound very electronic which I hate.

Overall, I think it is a pretty decent album. Funny because I don't like EDM music but I really like these guys. I think it would be a great album to have in the car. The songs all have a similar structure to them, but are so different and unique. I'm gonna give this album a 4/5 stars.