"Lol wtf" That's The Chainsmokers on Twitter, who, scrolling through their mentions, came across a tweet from pop culture site Idolator. "Everyone hates @TheChainsmokers," Idolator wrote, @-ing the electronic duo that is Alex Pall and Drew Taggart in November. "But they keep on winning with ear candy like 'Setting Fires.'" Idolator then linked to an article on their website that praised The Chainsmokers' latest joint with XYLO.
In their defense, "lol wtf" is an appropriate response to the backhanded tweet, which used their name in a hate-them-but-can't-look-away tactic in the same way that most sites use Donald Trump for hate-clicks. But Idolator wasn't wrong. The Chainsmokers, with their cleverly crafted dance tracks that dominated the year and unfiltered views on everything from Lady Gaga to United Airlines, have created an outspoken, unapologetic persona for themselves.
In a year where The Chainsmokers saw chart dominance ("Don't Let Me Down" with Daya reached number three on the Hot 100, while "Closer," featuring Halsey, doesn't seem to be leaving the chart, with several weeks at number one) and three Grammy nominations, the electro bros are 2016's success story. And to explain the phenomenon that is The Chainsmokers, you have to look at their wacky, front-facing persona, the music itself, and the women that front their songs—three incredibly calculated facets of the machine.
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