The Chainsmokers go independent after 11 years with Columbia Records
Synopsis
After 11 years and five studio albums with Columbia/Distruptor Records, The Chainsmokers — Alex Pall and Drew Taggart — have gone independent, teasing new music experiments. From '#Selfie' to a Grammy and a Billboard number-one with 'Closer', they leave with serious leverage — and apparently, records to deliver.
Key Takeaways
The Chainsmokers ( Alex Pall and Drew Taggart ) announced their independence from Columbia/Distruptor Records after 11 years .
The duo broke through with '#Selfie' in 2014 and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with 'Closer' featuring Halsey .
They won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for 'Don't Let Me Down' at the 59th Grammy Awards .
Their catalogue includes five studio albums and three EPs, with the most recent EP No Hard Feelings released in 2024 .
The duo hinted at creative experimentation in their upcoming independent releases.
Music duo The Chainsmokers — comprising Alex Pall and Drew Taggart — have announced their departure from Columbia/Distruptor Records after 11 years, stepping into a new phase as independent artists. The announcement, made via Instagram, marks a significant pivot for one of the most commercially successful electronic pop acts of the past decade.
What The Chainsmokers Said
In their Instagram post, the duo shared three photos alongside a message expressing gratitude toward their longtime label team. 'After 11 amazing years, we are now independent artists. We are eternally grateful to our incredible team at Columbia/Distruptor for a decade plus of hard work that has resulted in unimaginable success,' The Chainsmokers wrote.
They added that the next chapter would be defined by creative freedom: 'We have no idea what to expect for our next chapter but we are extremely excited to have fun and experiment with all our new music releases. Thank you for sticking with us fam… we know we owe you some records!'
A Career Built on Milestones
The Chainsmokers began their journey remixing tracks by indie artists before breaking into mainstream consciousness with their 2014 viral hit '#Selfie', which cracked the top twenty in several countries. Their debut EP, Bouquet, arrived in October 2015 and featured 'Roses', which climbed into the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100.
'Don't Let Me Down' became their first top-five Billboard single and earned the duo the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 59th Grammy Awards. Their collaboration with Halsey on 'Closer' became their first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, cementing their crossover appeal.
Discography and Awards at a Glance
Over their label tenure, The Chainsmokers released five studio albums — Memories...Do Not Open (2017), Sick Boy, World War Joy, So Far So Good (2022), and Summertime Friends (October 2023) — along with three EPs, the most recent being No Hard Feelings (2024). Their accolades include one Grammy Award, two American Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and nine iHeartRadio Music Awards.
What Independence Could Mean
Going independent gives artists direct control over release schedules, creative direction, and revenue splits — a route increasingly taken by established acts who feel constrained by major-label structures. Notably, the move comes just a year after Summertime Friends and months after the EP No Hard Feelings, suggesting the duo already has a catalogue pipeline ready for independent distribution. The music industry is watching closely, as The Chainsmokers carry substantial streaming leverage and a global fanbase that could sustain a label-free model.
Point of View
A Grammy, and a streaming-era number-one already in the bank, they carry rare leverage into independence. The real question is whether their fanbase — built on radio-friendly pop-EDM — will follow them into an experimental phase, or whether 'fun and experiment' is label-departure boilerplate. The timing is telling: going independent after a 2024 EP, not between album cycles, suggests a deliberate clean break rather than a contractual expiry. Watch whether they sign a distribution deal or go fully self-distributed — that will determine how genuinely independent this chapter actually is.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did The Chainsmokers leave Columbia Records?
The Chainsmokers announced they are parting ways with Columbia/Distruptor Records after 11 years, citing a desire to experiment and have creative freedom with their upcoming music. They expressed deep gratitude to their label team but indicated they are excited for an independent next chapter.
Who are The Chainsmokers?
The Chainsmokers are an American electronic-pop duo comprising Alex Pall and Drew Taggart. They rose to fame with the 2014 hit '#Selfie' and went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, along with multiple Billboard and iHeartRadio Music Awards.
What albums have The Chainsmokers released?
The Chainsmokers have released five studio albums: Memories...Do Not Open (2017), Sick Boy, World War Joy, So Far So Good (2022), and Summertime Friends (October 2023). They also released three EPs, the latest being No Hard Feelings in 2024.
What is The Chainsmokers' biggest hit?
'Closer', featuring Halsey, became The Chainsmokers' first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains their most commercially successful track. 'Don't Let Me Down' also earned them a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
What can fans expect from The Chainsmokers as independent artists?
The duo has said they plan to experiment with new music releases and explore creative directions without the constraints of a major label. They have not confirmed specific release dates but promised new records for their fanbase.
