Memories...Do Not Open
Memories...Do Not Open | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 7, 2017 | |||
Length | 43:19 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | The Chainsmokers | |||
The Chainsmokers chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Chainsmokers studio album chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Memories...Do Not Open | ||||
|
Memories...Do Not Open is the debut studio album by American electronic music duo the Chainsmokers,[1][2] released on April 7, 2017, by Disruptor Records and Columbia Records.[3][4][5] Its release was preceded by the singles "Paris" and "Something Just Like This" (in collaboration with Coldplay), both of which reached the top 10 in several national charts. Upon its release, the album received generally mixed reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 221,000 album-equivalent units, of which 166,000 were pure album sales.
Background[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/The_Chainsmokers.jpg/220px-The_Chainsmokers.jpg)
Chris Martin of Coldplay had first tweeted about the album, prompting the Chainsmokers to confirm it.[6] It was revealed during an on-screen Grammy red carpet interview with the duo that their album title was to be named Memories...Do Not Open and it would be released on April 7, just before they embarked on the tour of the same name. As seen in the interview,[7] Taggart was hesitant after revealing the release date of the album, before asking Pall if he should say it.[3][8] Taggart said "We're ready. We've got a full album; it's going to be amazing. It's coming out April 7, was I supposed to say that?" before Pall responded "No, but it's alright".[9]
Singles[]
The lead single, "Paris",[10] was released on January 13, 2017. The lead single peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.[11] The song went on to receive multiple certifications.
The second single, "Something Just Like This", which is a collaboration with British alternative rock band Coldplay, was released on February 22, 2017, along with the pre-order of the album. The single peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. During the week of March 18, 2017, "Something Just Like This", "Paris", along with "Closer", were simultaneously within the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, making the Chainsmokers the third group to have three simultaneous top 10 hits.[12]
The third single, "Honest", was sent to top 40 radio on July 11, 2017.[13] The single peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100.[11]
Promotional singles[]
A promotional single, titled "The One", was released on March 27, 2017, and reached number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100.[11]
Another promotional single, a remixed version of "Young", by Midnight Kids was released on September 29, 2017.[14]
Critical reception[]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 4.3/10[15] |
Metacritic | 43/100[16] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | C+[18] |
Financial Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Observer | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pitchfork | 4.2/10[21] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Slant Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spectrum Culture | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 43, based on eight reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[16] Damien Morris of The Observer gave a two-out-of-five star review, describing the group's music as, "instantly memorable yet completely forgettable", comparing the album to US President Donald Trump, "shallow, always betraying its influences, with a third-grade vocabulary and ambition that runs no further than emptying the nearest wallet."[20] In Entertainment Weekly, Barry Walters highlighted the duo's commercial success, describing their style as, "smoothed-out, mid-tempo, nearly easy-listening formula", but opined it sounds, "as if you're playing the radio instead of one solitary album". He considered "Break Up Every Night" as the only dance cut, while "the other cuts are basically ballads with beats — modernized Moby without the soul-searching or gospel samples."[18]
Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine gave the album two stars out of five, criticizing Taggart's lack of personality and vocal ability. Additionally, Cinquemani stated, "the downside to the wild success of that approach is that Taggart and Pall have been forced to discover their creative voices in front of the whole world. And unfortunately, the sound they've settled on is parked firmly in the middle of the road."[23] On AllMusic, Neil Yeung also gave a two-out-of-five star review, calling Memories...Do Not Open a, "calculated dose of millennial escapism that peddles the same sounds as their far more engaging EP work."[17] Maeve McDermott of USA Today questioned, "is this the worst album of 2017?", calling Taggart's vocals "hilariously bad".[26] Philip Sherburne of Pitchfork claimed that, "The debut album from the celebrity production duo is a somber departure from their EDM days—a lifeless, anodyne pop record that wallows in basic feelings of regret and narcissism."[21] Along with comparing the album to 2014 single "#SELFIE", Sherburne wrote, "None of it sounds anything like '#SELFIE,' but its worldview is barely any bigger than that song's narrow perspective".[21] Jon Caramanica from The New York Times called the album a "savvy success that cannily toys with expectations" with its songs veering from the "usual gut punch" approach for its drops, but felt that the record is a "meaningless concept" in the "big-festival dance music" where the duo thrived in. He also commented on Taggart's "capable but unexciting" vocal performance and his "shockingly" few lyrical ideas, with most of the album's songs "[moaning] about brittle young relationships".[27] Jordan Sargent of Spin observed the monotony of the record, stating: "The Chainsmokers have one song, and if you don’t want to hear 12 versions of it, please do not un-click the latch holding this box closed." He noted Taggart's "unique" vocal accessibility for listeners, but felt that his charm dissipated as the album wears on which resulted in a "series of songs that bleed endlessly into each other".[28]
On Metacritic, Memories...Do Not Open stands as the lowest ranked album of 2017.[29]
Commercial performance[]
Memories...Do Not Open debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 221,000 album-equivalent units, of which 166,000 were pure album sales.[30] As of August 25, 2017, the album has moved 1,000,000 album-equivalent units in the United States.[31]
Track listing[]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "The One" |
| 2:57 | |
2. | "Break Up Every Night" |
| 3:27 | |
3. | "Bloodstream" |
| 3:44 | |
4. | "Don't Say" (featuring Emily Warren) |
|
| 3:48 |
5. | "Something Just Like This" (with Coldplay) |
| 4:07 | |
6. | "My Type" (featuring Emily Warren) |
|
| 3:37 |
7. | "It Won't Kill Ya" (featuring Louane) |
| 3:37 | |
8. | "Paris" |
|
| 3:41 |
9. | "Honest" | 3:28 | ||
10. | "Wake Up Alone" (featuring Jhené Aiko) |
|
| 3:35 |
11. | "Young" |
| 3:44 | |
12. | "Last Day Alive" (featuring Florida Georgia Line) |
|
| 3:34 |
Total length: | 43:19 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
13. | "Closer" (featuring Halsey) |
|
| 4:04 |
14. | "Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) |
|
| 3:28 |
15. | "Roses" (featuring Rozes) |
|
| 3:46 |
Total length: | 54:37 |
Personnel[]
Credits are adapted from Memories...Do Not Open CD liner notes.
The Chainsmokers
- Andrew Taggart
- Alex Pall
Additional musicians
- Emily Warren – vocals (4, 6), background vocals (1, 8)
- Sean Scanlon – additional vocals (2)
- Jordan Young – background/additional vocals (2, 8)
- Phoebe Ryan – background vocals (2)
- Kane Parfitt – piano(2), keyboards (2)
- Philip Plested – guitar (2)
- Matthew Holmes – sampling and programming (2)
- Philip Leigh – sampling and programming (2)
- Chris Martin – vocals (5), piano (5)
- Guy Berryman – bass guitar (5)
- Jonny Buckland – lead guitar (5)
- Will Champion – drums (5), backing vocals (5), programming (5)
- Louane – vocals (7)
- Harry Roberts – background vocals (8)
- Jhené Aiko – vocals (10)
- Jeremy Most – guitars (11)
- Jonathan Perkins – string arrangement (11)
- Brian Kelley – vocals (12)
- Tyler Hubbard – vocals (12)
Design and managerial
- James Zwaldo – photography, creative direction
- Olivia Smith – package design
- Adam Alpert – management
Production
- The Chainsmokers – producers (all)
- Adam Alpert – executive producer
- Alex Pall – executive producer
- Captain Cuts – co-production (2)
- KIN – co-production (2)
- Mac & Phil – co-production (2)
- Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young – additional production (3, 7, 9, 11), vocal production, mixing, recording (1-4, 7-11)
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- Emily Lazar – mastering (5)
- Chris Allgood – mastering assistant (5)
- Nicole "Coco" Llorens – recording assistant (1, 7, 9)
- Martin Gray – recording assistant (2, 11)
- Desi Aguilar – recording assistant (3)
- Rik Simpson – recording (band tracks) (5)
- Owen Butcher – recording assistant (band tracks) (5)
- Daniel Green – recording (additional band tracks) (5)
- Tony Smith – recording assistant (additional band tracks) (5)
- Bill Rahko – recording (vocals and piano) (5)
- Aleks Von Korff – recording assistant (vocals and piano) (6)
- Adam Catania – recording (6)
- Matthew Holmes – recording (6)
- Philip Leigh – recording (6)
- Emily Warren – recording (6)
- Alex Pall – recording (8)
- Brian Warfield – recording (10)
- Joey Moi – vocal production (12)
- Eivind Nordland – vocal editing (12)
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
|
Year-end charts[]
|
Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[83] | Gold | 35,000![]() |
Canada (Music Canada)[84] | 2× Platinum | 160,000![]() |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[85] | Gold | 10,000![]() |
France (SNEP)[86] | Gold | 50,000![]() |
Italy (FIMI)[87] | Gold | 25,000* |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[88] | Gold | 30,000![]() |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[89] | Platinum | 20,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[90] | Platinum | 30,000![]() |
United Kingdom (BPI)[91] | Gold | 100,000![]() |
United States (RIAA)[31] | Platinum | 1,000,000![]() |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
See also[]
- List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2017
- List of Billboard number-one electronic albums of 2017
- List of number-one albums of 2017 (Canada)
References[]
- ^ Shouneyia, Alexa (February 15, 2017). "The Chainsmokers Tease Upcoming 'Paris' Video". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers Announce Debut Album, 'Memories: Do Not Open' Tour". The Nocturnal Times. January 31, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ a b Bein, Kat (February 14, 2017). "The Chainsmokers Announce Album Title and Release Date: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ Varga, George. "The Chainsmokers announce 40-city 'Memories: Do Not Open' spring tour". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (February 14, 2017). "The Chainsmokers reveal debut album details – NME". NME. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ Medved, Matt (January 30, 2017). "The Chainsmokers Announce Debut Album & 2017 Arena Tour". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: The Chainsmokers React to First GRAMMY Win Talk New Album". Entertainment Tonight. February 12, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ Wicks, Amanda (February 14, 2017). "The Chainsmokers Accidentally Reveal Album Title and Release Date". Radio.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers announce album release date". Sunday World Site. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ Romano, Nick (April 9, 2017). "SNL: The Chainsmokers perform songs off new album". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ^ a b c "The Chainsmokers Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers Match Beatles & Bee Gees With Three Songs in Hot 100's Top 10 & Ed Sheeran Holds at No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
- ^ "CHR Available for Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017.
- ^ "Midngith Kids remix single". Apple Music. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
- ^ "Memories...Do Not Open by The Chainsmokers reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
- ^ a b "Reviews and Tracks for Memories: Do Not Open by The Chainsmokers". Metacritic. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
- ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Memories...Do Not Open – The Chainsmokers". AllMusic. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ a b Walters, Barry (April 10, 2017). "The Chainsmokers' Memories...Do Not Open: EW review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 11, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
- ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (April 14, 2017). "The Chainsmokers: Memories . . . Do Not Open — 'effective formula'". Financial Times. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ a b Morris, Damien (April 9, 2017). "Chainsmokers: Memories... Do Not Open review – simpering, shallow Trump-pop". The Observer. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
- ^ a b c Sherburne, Philip (April 11, 2017). "The Chainsmokers: Memories...Do Not Open". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
- ^ Johnston, Maura (April 13, 2017). "Review: Chainsmokers' 'Memories' Is a Drab, Monotonous Whinge". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ a b Cinquemani, Sal (April 6, 2017). "The Chainsmokers: Memories...Do Not Open". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ^ Bromfield, Daniel (April 19, 2017). "The Chainsmokers: Memories… Do Not Open". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ Hodgkinson, Will (April 14, 2017). "Pop: The Chainsmokers: Memories . . . Do Not Open". The Times. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
- ^ McDermott, Maeve (April 7, 2017). "The Chainsmokers' Memories': Is this the worst album of 2017?". USA Today. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (April 12, 2017). "Review: The Chainsmokers Find That Pop Is an Awkward Fit". The New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
- ^ Sargent, Jordan (April 10, 2017). "Review: You Know Exactly What The Chainsmokers' Memories...Do Not Open Sounds Like". Spin. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
- ^ "Album Releases By Score". Metacritic. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (April 16, 2017). "The Chainsmokers' 'Memories' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ^ a b "American album certifications – The Chainsmokers – Memories". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ "Memories...Do Not Open by The Chainsmokers". Apple Music (US). Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- ^ "ACE Repertory – Young – The Chainsmokers". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved June 3, 2017.
- ^ "Amazon.co.jp: メモリーズ...ドゥー・ノット・オープン". Amazon.com (in Japanese).
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
- ^ "ARIA Dance – Week Commencing 30th October 2017" (PDF). ARIA Charts (1444): 17. 30 October 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-31. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 201714 on the field besides the word "Zobrazit", and then click over the word to retrieve the correct chart data. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers: Memories...Do Not Open" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2017. 15. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Chainsmokers". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2017.04.17" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Charts.nz – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Chainsmokers – Memories...Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
- ^ "2017년 14주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 16, 2017.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Chainsmokers – Memories... Do Not Open". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
- ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Albums 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Highest Selling Dance Albums 2017" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-25. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten Albums 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ "Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ "Album Top-100 2017". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2017". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- ^ "Top Albums annuel (physique + téléchargement + streaming)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. 2017. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ "Classifiche annuali dei dischi più venduti e dei singoli più scaricati nel 2017". FIMI (in Italian). Archived from the original (Click on "Scarica allegato" and open the "Classifica annuale 2017 Album combined" file) on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2017". nztop40.co.nz. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ "Årslista Album – År 2017". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ "Årslista Album – År 2018" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
- ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – The Chainsmokers – Memories". Music Canada. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
- ^ "Danish album certifications – The Chainsmokers – Memories". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- ^ "French album certifications – The Chainsmokers – Memories" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
- ^ "Italian album certifications – The Chainsmokers – Memories" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 4, 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Memories" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Certificados Musicales Amprofon (in Spanish)". Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Norwegian album certifications – The Chainsmokers – Memories" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 14, 2018 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 15, 2019. Scroll to position 59 to view certification.
- ^ "British album certifications – The Chainsmokers – Memories". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 24, 2019.Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Memories in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- 2017 debut albums
- Albums produced by DJ Swivel
- The Chainsmokers albums
- Columbia Records albums