In “Sick Boy,” Andrew Taggart deals with the cultures of the East and West coasts of America and the self-doubt they cause in him. Unlike previous tracks, usually revolving around themes of love, this song combines a political stance with an ironic undertone.

The song features a new sound for the DJ duo, that sets it apart from past songs. Furthermore, it’s the first single release after the 2018 rebrand and their new sound, that started with the release of their debut album Memories…Do Not Open.

On May 10, 2017, the duo was interviewed by KISS FM Phoenix at their Memories: Do Not Open tour stop in Phoenix and revealed working on this track. When the hosts asked Andrew Taggart to give them a taste of the song, he said “They say that I’m a sick boy.” Taggart further described the track as being “angrier” and “darker” than their hit song with Coldplay “Something Just Like This.”

The New-York-City-based duo confirmed the title by tweeting it on May 31, 2017. On June 4, 2017, Taggart previewed a melody of the song on his Instagram Story.