The Chainsmokers returns with the follow-up to their no. 1 hit “Closer,” “All We Know,” enlisting assistance from Phoebe Ryan. 

The Chainsmokers have had big year.  After numerous hit singles – “Roses” (2015) and “Don’t Let Me Down” come to mind – The electro-pop production duo hit gold with no. 1 hit “Closer.” Following up a record that recently spent its seventh week at no. 1 is tough.  That said, who is more equipped to do it than The Chainsmokers? The duo returns with “All We Know,” another potential hit enlisting assistance from singer/songwriter Phoebe Ryan. 

 “All We Know” opens with guitar and some complementing electronics (synths, nothing too crazy). It Instantly contrasts mega-hit “Closer,” but isn’t a starkly different vibe.  The overall personnel are the same – female singer (Ryan instead of ROZES, Daya, or Halsey) and Andrew Taggart on vocals. The vocal mix is excellent with Ryan’s upper register contrasting Taggart’s lower register.

Ultimately, “All We Know” possesses an even “cooler” effect compared to “Closer.”  This record never soars, but also doesn’t fall flat or underwhelm. It’s centered around a fading relationship:

“Are we fading lovers? / we keep wasting colors / maybe we should let this go.”

Expectedly, the pre-chorus is catchy, remaining in line with the theme:

“We’re falling apart, still we hold it together / we’ve passed the end, so we chase forever / ‘cause this is all we know / this feeling’s all we know.”

The chorus can’t be written off either:

“I’ll ride my bike up the road / down the streets right through the city / I’ll go everywhere you go / from Chicago to the coast / you tell me, ‘hit this and let’s go / blow the smoke right through the window’ / ‘cause this is all we know.”

Fantastic synths are used following the chorus (part of the post-chorus).

Final Thoughts

All in all, “All We Know” is another enjoyable and respectable single from The Chainsmokers. It is well performed and well produced.  “All We Know” isn’t as great as “Closer,” but serves as a fine follow-up.  Can “All We Know” reach no. 1? Anything’s possible, though it might fall just short of the glory. 

The Chainsmokers • ‘All We Know’ ft. Phoebe Ryan • Disruptor/Columbia • Release: 9.30.16

 Photo Credit: Disruptor/Columbia