Fresh off of sweeping the ARIA Awards Flume has given us a fantastic gift. His sophomore effort ‘Skin' dropped earlier this year and to say it was met with critical acclaim is an understatement. The album will no doubt top the ‘Best of' lists coming with the year's end in sight. ‘Skin' has also given dozens of artists ample opportunity to create dynamic and impressive remixes of Flume's work. Most noteworthy have been Illenium‘s and Clean Bandit's reworks of ‘Say It' and Disclosure's remix of ‘Never Be Like You”.
It is appropriate to say that ‘Skin' is a front runner for this year's Grammy Awards in the Electronic Music categories even with the awards being months away. This album is just the gift that keeps on giving, as today Flume dropped a companion EP to the album with four new tracks that did not make the original cut.
The EP starts off with the only vocal cut of the companion with TRUST featuring Isabella Manfredi. It is a beautiful introduction to four track effort. Chimes start the song off and become an upbeat melody as Isabella's powerful voice goes onto give a performance that is beyond noteworthy.
The next track, simply known as ‘v' is much more experimental. Rustling noise starts the track and is soon met with vocal samples which have been chopped and filtered to create a melody bordering the obscure. The track itself is a sonic journey for the listener to embark on. It starts in chaos but slowly as it evolves it gives way to a euphoric conclusion that is both introspective and delightful.
The third track on the record is ‘Heater'. A throw back to the arrangements of Flume's self titled debut album. It is reminiscent of his early style in many ways. Echoing vocal samples lead the charge as this track will make anyone who has followed Flume from the start get sweaty palms. This track might sound familiar as it was teased on Soundcloud for quite a bit.
Finally the EP wraps up with “Quirk'. This is a powerful way to wrap up a stellar companion to an incredible album. ‘Quirk' has an undeniable Chemical Brother's vibe to it. Utilizing the duo's infamous otherworldly vibrating high pitched sounds (as heard in ‘Another World') Flume pushes the track's tension to a maximum level. Drum claps pave the way as this track slowly fades into nothingness as ‘Skin Companion' comes to an end.
This is beautiful work all around, we cannot wait to hear what come's next from Australia's man of the year. You can stream the EP via Spotify below and purchase it here.
Featured Image: Charles Reagan Hackleman
