Phantogram Earns RIAA 2x Platinum for "Black Out Days"

The electronic rock duo Phantogram has achieved a significant milestone for their enduring 2013 single, "Black Out Days." The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) officially certified the track 2x Platinum on November 19, 2025, recognizing 2,000,000 certified units sold in the United States. Released by Republic Records on September 30, 2013, the song first appeared on the group's self-titled EP before becoming a centerpiece of their acclaimed 2014 full-length album, Voices.

"Black Out Days" has demonstrated remarkable longevity, propelled by its atmospheric and emotionally charged sound. The song's meaning has been a subject of interest, though vocalist Sarah Barthel has stated it "comes from a very personal place" and prefers to keep its specific inspiration private. The track is widely interpreted as a cathartic exploration of inner turmoil and mental health. Its continued relevance is evident in its digital performance, including a massive viral resurgence on TikTok, where it has been used in over 303,000 posts and a top video has garnered over 1.4 billion views. The single has also accumulated more than 14.2 million Shazams and over 412 million streams on Spotify for the original version alone.

Phantogram, composed of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, formed in Saratoga Springs, New York, and released their debut album, Eyelid Movies, in 2010. Known for their genre-bending approach that merges electronic, pop, and rock elements, the duo has become a staple at major festivals and has toured with acts like Queens of the Stone Age and Arcade Fire. Their experimental sound has led to a wide range of collaborations, including projects with Big Boi (as the group Big Grams), the Flaming Lips, Deftones, and Miley Cyrus. With over 11.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 423 million total views on YouTube, Phantogram maintains a career status described by Chartmetric as "superstar" with "explosive growth."