When Flume shared his album details and tracklist for his new record, Skin, there was one song that particularly stood out to me. One featuring Beck. It struck me as a really unlikely collab, but one I had high hopes for given how talented both are in their own rights, as well as how great they both shine when collaborating. Now, with just one day to go until the release of Skin, we finally have confirmation that this collab track is all we had hoped for.
Titled Tiny Cities, Flume shared this latest cut on Zane Lowe‘s Beats 1 show overnight. After a brief chat with both Flume and Beck about how the track came about (with Harley very casually saying he just “caught an Uber” to Beck’s house, because that is a very casual, every day thing to happen), it was pretty clear that this was no ordinary collaboration. Citing both Beck’s tradition, almost old-school approach juxtaposed with Flume’s new school tinkering with computers and programs that come naturally to him, the pair spoke about how they “captured” something special from both of these approaches. Also Beck talked about how he “just ran around the house singing a bunch of random things in gibberish.” Mmm yes.
What we have is a slower jam than the last few singles that Flume has released. Big drums and high pitched vocal lines fill out the song whilst Beck’s voice is sublime singing his lyrics. About half way through though, we’re thrown into a huge bassy, trap breakdown as Flume’s instrumental part grows bigger and bigger. It’s very different, and somewhat unexpected given the more pop-oriented stuff we have heard from Skin so far (Never Be Like You and Say It in particular) and is making me very excited for what else we can expect from Skin (which is out tomorrow via Future Classic).
Catch Flume at Splendour In The Grass in July, or on his huge tour at the end of the year. Dates below!
Splendour In The Grass 2016:
Friday 22, Saturday 23, and Sunday 24 July
North Byron Parklands – 126 Tweed Valley Way, Wooyung
Flume Tour
November 25 | Perth, WA | Perth Arena
December 1 | Brisbane, QLD | Riverstage
December 9 | Sydney, NSW | Qudos Bank Arena (formerly known as Allphones Arena)
December 15 | Melbourne, VIC | Sidney Myer Music Bowl
December 17 | Adelaide, SA | Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Image: NME