Sick Boy is the second studio album by American DJ and production duo The Chainsmokers. It was released on December 14, 2018, via Disruptor and Columbia Records. The album features collaborations with French DJ Aazar and fellow American DJ NGHTMRE as well as co-production from Sly, Chris Lyon, and Shaun Frank, and writing credits from frequent co-writer Emily Warren, Kate Morgan, Drew Love of THEY., Tony Ann, Corey Sanders, and Chelsea Jade.[1] Sick Boy's tracklist is made up of singles gradually released throughout 2018 as an attempt to increase the songs' success.[2]
Sick Boy | ||||
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Studio albumby | ||||
Released | December 14, 2018 (2018-12-14) | |||
Recorded | Mid 2017—2018 | |||
Genre |
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Length | 32:46 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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The Chainsmokers chronology | ||||
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The Chainsmokers studio album chronology | ||||
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Singles from Sick Boy | ||||
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The album consists of singles that were released each month in the year 2018, except May and June, with "Sick Boy", "You Owe Me", "Everybody Hates Me" and "Somebody" being released in the first four months, from January to April. These songs were collectively released on the 'Sick Boy EP' on April 20. The next three songs, "Side Effects", "Save Yourself" and "This Feeling" were released July to September and appeared collectively alongside the first four singles on the EP 'Sick Boy...This Feeling' on September 21. "Siren", "Beach House" and "Hope" were released October to December, then collected on the final album.[3][4][5]
Songs from the album were described as "deep and introspective", while having "bangers that sound out of place". The album was noted by Your EDM as "an improvement from Memories...Do Not Open" and "a massive step in the right direction... with the Chainsmokers a little lost on their own sound."[6][7]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
The Guardian | |
Pitchfork | 3.1/10 |
PopMatters | |
The Times |
Upon release, Sick Boy was met with mostly negative reviews by the music critics.
AllMusic's Neil Z. Young positively said of the album, "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." He went on to state that, "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."
In sharp contrast, Laura Snapes of The Guardian gave the record a very negative review, calling it "a torrent of spew-inducing self-pity".[8]
Adapted from iTunes[9] and Qobuz.[10]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "This Feeling" (featuring Kelsea Ballerini) |
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| 3:17 |
2. | "Beach House" |
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| 3:26 |
3. | "Hope" (featuring Winona Oak) |
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| 3:00 |
4. | "Somebody" (featuring Drew Love) |
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| 3:41 |
5. | "Side Effects" (featuring Emily Warren) |
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| 2:52 |
6. | "Sick Boy" |
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| 3:13 |
7. | "Everybody Hates Me" |
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| 3:43 |
8. | "Siren" (with Aazar) |
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| 2:54 |
9. | "You Owe Me" |
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| 3:10 |
10. | "Save Yourself" (with Nghtmre) |
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| 3:30 |
Total length: | 32:46 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
11. | "This Feeling" (featuring Kelsea Ballerini) (Afrojack & Disto Remix) |
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| 3:27 |
12. | "Somebody" (featuring Drew Love) (Riggi & Piros Remix) |
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| 3:00 |
13. | "Side Effects" (featuring Emily Warren) (Fedde Le Grand Remix) |
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| 2:52 |
14. | "Sick Boy" (Zaxx Remix) |
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| 3:38 |
15. | "Somebody" (featuring Drew Love) (Ruhde Remix) |
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| 3:38 |
16. | "Everybody Hates Me" (Khrebto Remix) |
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| 3:15 |
17. | "You Owe Me" (Magnace Remix) |
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| 3:26 |
18. | "Something Just like This" (with Coldplay) (Alesso Remix) |
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| 4:12 |
19. | "Paris" (Vinai Remix) |
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| 3:38 |
20. | "Setting Fires" (featuring Xylø) (Sigma Remix) |
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| 4:16 |
21. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (W&W Remix) |
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| 3:15 |
22. | "Roses" (featuring Rozes) (The Him Remix) |
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| 2:57 |
23. | "Closer" (featuring Halsey) (R3hab Remix) |
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| 2:41 |
Total length: | 77:01 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Somebody" (featuring Drew Love) |
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| 3:41 |
2. | "Everybody Hates Me" |
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| 3:43 |
3. | "You Owe Me" |
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| 3:10 |
4. | "Sick Boy" |
|
| 3:13 |
Total length: | 13:47 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "This Feeling" (featuring Kelsea Ballerini) |
|
| 3:17 |
2. | "Side Effects" (featuring Emily Warren) |
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| 2:52 |
3. | "Save Yourself" (with Nghtmre) |
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| 3:30 |
4. | "Somebody" (featuring Drew Love) |
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| 3:41 |
5. | "Everybody Hates Me" |
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| 3:43 |
6. | "You Owe Me" |
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| 3:10 |
7. | "Sick Boy" |
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| 3:13 |
Total length: | 23:26 |
Adapted from Qobuz.[12]
Weekly chartsAlbum
Sick Boy (EP)
Sick Boy...Beach House
Sick Boy...Save Yourself
Sick Boy...Side Effects
Sick Boy...Siren
Sick Boy...This Feeling
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Year-end chartsSick Boy (EP)
Sick Boy...Beach House
Sick Boy...Side Effects
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[50] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[51] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[52] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[53] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
Singapore (RIAS)[54] | Platinum | 10,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[56] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |