Is Sick Boy a good place to start with The Chainsmokers?

Yes, Sick Boy is recommended as a starting point for new The Chainsmokers listeners. A pulsating blend of electronic beats and introspective lyrics, capturing the struggles of modern life through a dance music lens. Released in 2018, Sick Boy marked The Chainsmokers' return following their commercially successful album Memories...Do Not Open. This EP showcased a shift towards deeper emotional themes, aligning with the duo's evolving artistic identity as they navigated personal challenges and industry pressures.

Sick Boy works well if you're into quick bursts of catchy energy, short tracks for easy replay and playful vibes for social settings.

How many songs are on Sick Boy?

Sick Boy has 5 tracks, running approximately 16 minutes.

Sick Boy

The Chainsmokers · 2018

16 min · 5 tracks · electronic dance music

A pulsating blend of electronic beats and introspective lyrics, capturing the struggles of modern life through a dance music lens.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sick Boy — This title track encapsulates the EP's theme by confronting societal expectations and personal struggles, blending catchy hooks with thought-provoking lyrics.
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Everybody Hates Me — The song captures a sense of isolation and anxiety amid fame, illustrating the toll of public perception on personal well-being with an infectious chorus.
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Side Effects Start here — With its upbeat tempo and relatable lyrics about love and vulnerability, this track highlights the juxtaposition of joy and pain that permeates the EP.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album combines catchy hooks with introspective themes but lacks significant depth for long-term engagement.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered synths and vocal harmonies, creating a rich electronic soundscape throughout.
Each track employs a verse-chorus structure, with hooks that are often repeated to enhance memorability.
Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements or narrative lyrics that reflect on personal and societal issues.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

quick bursts of catchy energy
short tracks for easy replay
playful vibes for social settings
upbeat anthems for group sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer, cohesive albums
want deep lyrical exploration

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Features a darker, more introspective sound than previous works.
Themes: societal expectations· fame-induced isolation· modern anxiety
Career context: Released in 2018, Sick Boy marked The Chainsmokers' return following their commercially successful album Memories...Do Not Open. This EP showcased a shift towards deeper emotional themes, aligning with the duo's evolving artistic identity as they navigated personal challenges and industry pressures.
Stylistic neighbors: Zedd· Calvin Harris· David Guetta