The Chainsmokers release their second single of 2018, the dark-tinged, yet bright, exuberantly produced, “You Owe Me.”

The Chainsmokers are Grammy winners – that’s a huge accomplishment.  They also released an album in 2017 – Memories…Do Not Open – which debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  Unfortunately, the album ended up being a hot mess. Initially, when reviewing it, I must have been feeling good-natured, settling on three stars.  What was I thinking? Remaining focused on the task at hand, after releasing single “Sick Boy,” Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart return with another new single, “You Owe Me.”

“You Owe Me” opens with signature The Chainsmokers cues. Personally, the intro reminds me of the harmonic progression/intro from “All We Know” (Collage EP, 2016).  The production is bright and exuberant. Andrew Taggart handles the vocal duties once more.  While he is somewhat divisive vocally, to his credit, he has a bit more ‘life’ and distinction on “You Owe Me.”  Compared to the likes of “Paris” or “The One,” Taggart sounds much better here.

On “You Owe Me,” Taggart dabbles in gossip, mischaracterization, and skepticism. “And they don’t really care if we’re awesome or not.” Hmm.  As interesting as that lyric is, perhaps the key lyric is “But I know, they wanna see me hang on the wall.” The first verse has a bit more ‘meat,’ while the second verse is shorter, more repetitive, with less depth (“Say it to my face if you mean it / Say it to my face, but you won’t.”) On the chorus, Taggart exhibits nice vocal enthusiasm, representing the best part of his performance.

“You don’t know me / Don’t you think that I get lonely? / It gets dark inside my head / Check my pulse, and if I’m dead, you owe me / If you’re lonely / Don’t you think you’re on your own? / When it gets dark inside your head / Check my pulse, and if I’m dead, you owe me.”

Final Thoughts 

“You Owe Me” is merely okay. This record is not the second coming, but there is vocal progression by Taggart, which is a pro. Still, unlikely that this will be on rotation on my personal playlist.

The Chainsmokers • You Owe Me – Single • Disruptor / Columbia • Release: 2.16.18

Photo Credits: Disruptor / Columbia