Flume is back! Australia’s favourite producer of the past decade is currently readying the release of his hotly anticipated third album, Palaces. Set to hit streaming platforms May 20, fans are already frothing at the mouth after the hitmaker dropped the MAY-A assisted first single Say Nothing, a thumping electronic tune made for the club. Along with MAY-A, Palaces contains a host of exciting collaborations with Flume enlisting help from the likes of Damon Albarn, Caroline Polachek and Emma Louise.
To celebrate Flume’s return and his love for getting in the studio with his peers, here are the Sydneysider’s 10 best collaborations of his career so far.
Never Be Like You (Feat. kai)
Flume’s first single to top the ARIA charts is arguably the biggest song of his career. Never Be Like You is a stuttering future trap production featuring the blissful vocals of Canadian singer kai. The track is about a woman asking forgiveness from her partner who she cheated on, conveyed by kai’s super emotive vocals that gel superbly with Flume’s rhythmic beats.
Say Nothing (Feat. MAY-A)
The first taste of Flume’s third release deservedly gets a mention. This is a festival ready banger that has ‘hit’ written all over it. Aussie singer MAY-A provides the striking vocals over Flume’s bombastic production that will have you up out of your chair and shaking your ass. The psychedelic film clip is also worth a watch, if just to see Flume dressed in bike leathers and sporting a '90s boy band haircut.
Lose It (Feat. Vic Mensa)
Vic Mensa was arguably at the peak of his powers when he teamed with Flume on Lose It. Linking up in Sydney while Mensa was touring Australia, Flume gave the Chicago rapper several beats to choose from. He selected what is now known as Lose It, a tune featuring braggadocious raps about Mensa’s talent and indulgent lifestyle over Flume's energetic beats.
Smoke & Retribution (Feat. Vince Staples and Kucka)
It’s hard to tell who takes the honours on this one. First there is local boy Flume. The Aussie legend crafts another synth-heavy beat that infiltrates your brain like that first hit of weed. Then you’ve got Vince Staples. The Compton rapper gets deep with lyrics about life and death. Lastly is Australian talent Kucka. Her ethereal vocals add a whole other dynamic to Smoke & Retribution, with the three crafting an eclectic rap meets electronic monster.
Drop The Game (Feat. Chet Faker)
The collaboration all of Australia had been waiting for. Flume and Chet Faker jumping on a song together was real big news back in 2013. Drop The Game is exactly what you want – Faker’s unmistakable and lush vocals paired with Flume’s future beat production. It’s a downtempo modern soul classic. This beast of a tune is a fan favourite as evident by the YouTube video that has over 193 million plays.
Say It (Feat. Tove Lo)
Another huge hit taken from Flume’s sophomore album Skin, Say It is a churning slow burner about trying to get over a breakup by having lots of sex with strangers, which is relatable to most. Tove Lo absolutely nails it with her sultry vocals, helping Say It become Flume’s second biggest single of his career.
Enough (Feat. Pusha T)
Pusha T makes any track he is on better, and that’s exactly the case with this collaboration with Flume. Enough is a dark and brooding synth construction and exactly the type of beat that accentuates Pusha T’s cocaine lyrics. Paired with Flume’s production it makes for an eerie and foreboding atmosphere.
Rushing Back (Feat. Vera Blue)
One of our most underrated singer-songwriters got a chance to flex her vocal chops on this downtempo track from Flume. It’s another mind-bending creation from the much loved producer, with heavy bass sections and warped sounds bubbling below the surface as Vera Blue performs vocal gymnastic with her intoxicating tones.
The Difference (Feat. Toro Y Moi)
You wouldn’t think Flume and Toto Y Moi would gel well together, but The Difference is pure magic. The duo manages to capture the elements that make up both of their sounds – Flume’s future bass sonics and Moi’s chilled electronica – with The Difference sure to please fans of both artists. Although short at just two minutes and 19 seconds, this is a great tune that makes you wish these two would do a joint album.
Sleepless (Feat. Jezzabell Doran)
Flume’s debut single showcases everything we now come to associate with the mercurial producer. Wonky synths. Check. Downbeat rhythm. Check. Heavy bass blasts. Check. Soothing vocals. Check. With the assistance of Jezzabell Doran, Flume crafted his signature sound on this track. The rest, as they say is history.
