The Chainsmokers Ft Halsey: Architects of Pop-EDM Anthems

The Chainsmokers are an American DJ and production duo known for crafting chart-topping electronic pop anthems. Their 2016 collaboration with singer Halsey, "Closer," became a global phenomenon, dominating the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks and achieving multi-platinum status worldwide.

Early career

The Chainsmokers formed in New York City in 2012, initially consisting of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall. Their early work consisted of remixes and novelty tracks, with their first notable release being the 2012 song "#SELFIE" on the independent label Dim Mak Records.

Breakthrough

The duo's true commercial breakthrough arrived in 2015 with the single "Roses," featuring the vocalist ROZES. Released on Disruptor Records in partnership with Sony Music, the track cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and signaled their shift toward emotive, vocal-driven electronic music.

Key tracks

Closer — This 2016 collaboration with Halsey became a cultural touchstone, earning diamond certification in the US and defining the sound of mainstream pop-EDM for years.

Don't Let Me Down — Featuring Daya, this 2016 hit won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording and further cemented their chart dominance.

Something Just Like This — Their 2017 collaboration with the British band Coldplay blended arena rock with their signature production, becoming a global radio staple.

Paris — Another self-vocaled single from 2017, it demonstrated the duo's growing confidence as performers and songwriters beyond featured artists.

The success of their debut album, "Memories...Do Not Open," which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 2017, solidified their status as hitmakers. Subsequent albums like "Sick Boy" (2018) and "World War Joy" (2019) continued to spawn hits, including "This Feeling" with Kelsea Ballerini and "Takeaway" with Illenium.

Their collaboration with Halsey on "Closer" remains a landmark moment for both acts, perfectly capturing a specific youthful, nostalgic energy. The Chainsmokers have consistently leveraged high-profile collaborations, working with artists like Emily Warren, 5 Seconds of Summer, and the Japanese duo Yoasobi.

Illenium This American producer shares a similar fusion of melodic electronic music with emotive, song-focused structures.
Gryffin Another artist known for blending instrumental dance music with accessible pop songwriting and featured vocalists.
Kygo The Norwegian tropical house pioneer operates in a similar space of crafting radio-friendly electronic music centered on strong vocal performances.
Marshmello This masked American DJ/producer also achieves massive crossover success by merging electronic beats with pop and hip-hop collaborations.

The music of The Chainsmokers is a fixture on contemporary hit and top 40 radio stations, as well as dedicated electronic dance music channels. Their anthemic choruses and polished production make them a perfect fit for mainstream FM playlists and online radio streams focused on current hits.

Listeners can discover the high-energy pop-EDM of The Chainsmokers, including their iconic track with Halsey, through the various radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their music remains in regular rotation.