The Chainsmokers, Kills You Slowly | Track Review

The Chainsmokers deliver an enjoyable, well-rounded record with “Kills You Slowly,” their second single of 2019 following “Who Do You Love.”

Grammy-winning dance duo The Chainsmokers continue to be prolific in 2019.  In 2018, Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall released numerous singles, including “Sick Boy” and “Everybody Hates Me”, which ultimately ended up being their second studio album, Sick Boy.  They seem to be taking a similar approach in 2019, having first released the respectable 5 Seconds of Summer collaboration, “Who Do You Love”.  This time, on “Kills You Slowly,” Drew is back on lead vocal duties, and it actually doesn’t end up being a bad thing.

One of the first things I notice when listening to “Kills You Slowly” is the fact that Taggart does sound stronger as the lead man.  His vocals were a bit sketchy throughout the course of Memories…Do Not Open, and while improved on Sick Boy, still not a ‘surefire’ thing.  Here, he sounds much more expressive, and perhaps most importantly, smoother.  But this is dance-oriented pop, so, the production and sound of the record takes precedence.  In the case of “Kills You Slowly,” the sound is appealing, idiomatic of urban-pop.  The melodic lines during the verses are rhythmic, clearly influenced by hip-hop. Add in some profanity, and it’s definitely even more idiomatic to say the least.  The chorus is definitely catchy:

“Hold it, even though it kills you slowly

Explosion, hidden when we’re in the open

Keep on smilin’, until it’s over

Hold it, even though it kills you slowly.”

Final Thoughts

Will “Kill You Slowly” change your life? No, but this is a pleasant single from The Chainsmokers, period.  The production is effective, particularly the vocal layers that occur as “Kill You Slowly” progresses.  Again, Andrew Taggart wins the ‘much-improved’ award in the vocal department, delivering this pop joint respectively.  Throw in some hip-hop cues, a f-bomb, and a catchy chorus, and “Kill You Slowly” totally works.

The Chainsmokers • Kills You Slowly [Single] • Disruptor / Columbia • Release: 3.29.19

Photo Credits: Disruptor / Columbia