Pop Perspective: The Chainsmokers & Halsey’s “Closer” Rated & Reviewed

At Idolator, the editors share a passion for high-quality pop. Occasionally, our tastes align. Other times, not so much. So, in the spirit of debate (and online drama), we’ve developed a recurring feature called Pop Perspective. In a nutshell, our editors dissect a particularly noteworthy pop-happening, and give it a rating out of 10.

That way you’re getting a full spectrum of views and we can all vent. (It’s cheaper than therapy!) The latest event to be dragged under the Idolator microscope is The Chainsmokers and Halsey’s feel-good anthem “Closer.” Will this be the electronic duo’s third top 10 hit in a row or have they missed the mark? Read our thoughts below.

Robbie Daw — 4/10

There’s something buried in this song, some kernel of a melody, that’s kind of endearing. Unfortunately, it’s buried under a pile of cliched lyrics (“I can’t stop!” “We ain’t ever getting older!”) and a cheap-sounding track with no substance. NEXT.

Rachel Sonis — 5/10

This song is so easily digestible it’s mush. It has all the essential ingredients to become a radio hit: the bouncy, sun-kissed melody, the “live-laugh-love” lyrics, Halsey’s warbling croons. But it just doesn’t hit as hard as “Don’t Let Me Down” or “Roses.”

Carl Williott — 4/10

I cannot believe we’re talking about the bros behind “#Selfie” more than two years later. So props to them for escaping the tacky pop meme bargain bin. This latest collab shows how much they, and EDM, have matured over that stretch. In other words, it’s another tasteful twee-DM bore to add to the current dogpile.

Speaking of bores: This song does nothing to debunk my theory that Halsey is probably the least compelling pop “rebel” of all time.

Mike Wass — 7/10

Well, I like it.

AVERAGE SCORE: 5/10

What would you give the song out of 10? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!