So Far So Good (The Chainsmokers album) explained

So Far So Good
Type:studio
Artist:the Chainsmokers
Cover:File:SoFarSoGood.jpg
Recorded:2020–2021
Genre:EDM-pop
Length:44:54
Label:
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Prev Year:2020
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Next Year:2023

So Far So Good is the fourth studio album by American DJ and production duo the Chainsmokers. It was released on May 13, 2022, via Disruptor and Columbia Records and is their first album in 3 years since World War Joy (2019) following their hiatus in 2020. [1] Unlike the duo's previous projects, this album does not feature any artists, but includes production credits from Ian Kirkpatrick and Ethan Snoreck, and writing credits from Chris Martin, Emily Warren, Faheem Najm and Akon. The album debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic albums chart.[2]

This album was preceded by singles, "High", "iPad", and "Riptide". The former peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the latter two debuted at number six and number nine on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart respectively. "High" and "I Love U" were pushed to US Pop radio.

On October 21, 2022, a remixed version of the album, titled So Far So Good (Lofi Remixes), was released with lo-fi renditions of all of the standard edition tracks.

Background

The creation process for So Far So Good began after the Chainsmokers' 2019 tour, with the duo recording vlogs of them making the album and the process. The project was made under vastly different circumstances than much of their past work. Whereas the duo often built albums while on the road, releasing one track at a time between tour stops, at the end of 2019 they announced they were going on an extended hiatus to give themselves time to focus on just recording music. The production process for So Far So Good began on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii a few weeks after the World War Joy tour ended. Taggart and Pall rented a house with the electronic producer Whethan, Ian Kirkpatrick and Emily Warren to work on the album. Work continued during writing retreats in Joshua Tree, California, New York and London, with the duo assembling, then discarding, lyrics and production elements hundreds of times. "To me, these songs sound like they took two years to make," said their manager Alpert.[3] [4] [5] They also did an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, where they talked about mental health struggles and how the album came together.[6]

On May 17, 2022, the Chainsmokers distributed 5,000 NFTs that give rights to streaming royalties from So Far So Good.[7]

On June 8, 2022, The Chainsmokers via Twitter announced a new song, "The Fall", a collaboration with Ship Wrek. The song was added to the album on June 10, as So Far So Good (+ The Fall). On July 1, 2022, the duo released "Why Can't You Wait", a collaboration with Bob Moses. The song, along with "The Fall", was added to a reissue of the album subtitled (+ Why Can't You Wait). On July 22, 2022, the duo released "Time Bomb". The song, along with both "The Fall" and "Why Can't You Wait", was added to a reissue of the album subtitled (+ Time Bomb).

Critical reception

Neil Z. Yeung from AllMusic stated that "While the overall energy is familiar, fun, and groove-forward enough to provide proper escapism, the vulnerable lyrics and sad boy gloom could inspire unexpected tears on the dancefloor. The Chainsmokers seem to be demonstrating more and more maturity and emotional depth with each successive album, especially on this aptly titled set." Daniel Bromfield of Pitchfork wrote that the Chainsmokers retained the "essential elements of their EDM-pop style and cut out everything else, including guest features", resulting in "easily their most enjoyable front-to-back listen".

Commercial performance

So Far So Good debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart and at No. 106 on the Billboard 200 with 10,000 album-equivalent units (including 9,000 pure album sales) on the chart dated May 28, 2022.[8]

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

The Chainsmokers

Additional contributors

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[10] 10

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Heffler . Jason . April 6, 2022 . The Chainsmokers Reveal Tracklist, Release Date, Inspiration Behind New Album, "So Far So Good" . May 13, 2022 . EDM.
  2. The Chainsmokers . 2022-05-24 . Billboard . en-US.
  3. Web site: The Chainsmokers - So Far So Good (Chapter 1) . . en . 2022-05-12.
  4. Web site: The Chainsmokers - So Far So Good (Chapter 2) . . en . 2022-05-12.
  5. Bain . Katie . 2022-05-06 . The Chainsmokers Are Back — And Yes, They Know What You Think of Them . 2022-05-16 . Billboard . en-US.
  6. Web site: The Chainsmokers: 'So Far So Good,' A Break From the Spotlight, and Love for Vegas Apple Music . . en . 2022-05-12.
  7. Web site: We're partnering with Royal to give away royalties in "So Far So Good" to our biggest fans for free - A message from The Chainsmokers Royal . 2022-06-04 . royal.io . en.
  8. Murray . Gordon . 2022-05-26 . The Chainsmokers' 'So Far So Good' Launches at No. 1 on Top Dance/Electronic Albums Chart . 2022-05-26 . Billboard . en-US.
  9. Web site: Katie. Bain. The Chainsmokers Are Back — And Yes, They Know What You Think of Them. . May 6, 2022. December 23, 2023.
  10. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2022/05/18 公開. Billboard Japan. ja. May 18, 2022.