"I was really excited about the initial idea but it was only once I got back to Australia in early 2021 and linked up in the studio with MAY-A that the song really came to life." Adds MAY-A: "Working with Flume on 'Say Nothing' has been a really incredible experience. "We wrote the song midway through 2020 while the pandemic was still pretty new. "This song is about feelings of post-relationship clarity," Flume says. But in terms of an album that pushes productional boundaries – Flume wholeheartedly delivers.It's been six years, but Flume's long awaited third studio album 'Palaces' is incoming later this year, the Grammy-winning artist introducing the new record with lead single 'Say Nothing' featuring Sydney artist MAY-A. Sonic consistency is not what the album lacks, more conceptual refinement.
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‘Palaces’ is a great introductory point for a new listener as it delivers on exploring the full range of Streten’s abilities. However, the highs of the album are already echoing around the venues of gigs to come, where the grand scope of Flume’s mixing mastery can be displayed. This is absent from ‘Palaces’, in its place instead is an abundance of pop vocals and ballads that unfortunately outstay their welcome at times. Hip hop is usually a major component of his work, giving certain tracks a rawness that compliments his edgy production choices. This is only worsened by the lack of variety from elements outside production. Potentially its biggest downfall is layout, the track listing is disjointed appearing random in places which leaves it a little directionless – especially in the first half.
On the whole the record delivers on what we’ve come to expect from Flume, but as someone who tends to stand at the forefront of the genre it feels a little safe – albeit enjoyable. It slowly builds alongside Albarn’s cryptic lyricism into a rush of sounds that end the record on a crescendo, capturing a sense of release. It begins with an almost ominous build-up of repeating sound, centred around a breath like distortion. ‘Go’ is a highlight of the latter half of the track list, reminiscent of previous Flume releases with a simple and fluid style that helps begin the descent into what is the strong finale for the album.įinal track ‘Palaces’ features Damon Albarn, those with a keen eye will eagerly await his addition as you run through a first listen. ‘Only Fans’ uses erratic layering that combines harsh, sharp noises with disjointed lyricism, prompting overstimulation and oozing experimentation. It’s skipping piano rolling across the runtime like pastures green in the distance. One of the songs most prominently infused with nature – production accentuating a buzz as if insects surround you. ‘Jasper’s Song’ is the delicate follow up that sounds like the track is skipping or the record has been warped, adding a physicality to the experience. ‘Get U’ manages to capture vibrating basslines and whistling high frequencies that mimic proximity to a speaker, eventually blossoming into a light, yet grandiose layering of sounds that are euphoric. The middle of the album is perhaps the strongest portion, as Streten begins to push his own limits by incorporating expansive abstract elements.
Immediate stylistic whiplash presents intrigue for what is yet to come. This is followed quickly by ‘Say Nothing’ which breathes a little life into the project thanks to vocals from MAY-A, lifting the dark, understated production above the clouds in this dreamy track.
Opening with the lyrically sparse ‘Highest Building’, it combines elements of hyper pop with glitchy synths that ultimately lack a little punch. Whilst the track list is a little bloated and repetitive in places, there are some moments of true genius that will surely stand out amongst the rest of his discography. The album weaves together an amalgamation of edgy pop vocals, bold synthesisers, and impressive features. Streten cited rural life being the driving force behind the development of the album as it draws on influences from his move back to rural Australia, after he was prompted to depart Los Angeles during the pandemic. He is set to release ‘Palaces’ Friday 20th May 2022, which is his first full length LP since 2019. His conscious experimentation has littered his discography with a unique sound that is instantly recognisable amongst listeners. Latest Flume album ‘Palaces’ builds an expansive sonic kingdom fit for a king.Īn abstract and consistent artist within the electronic music space, Flume (Harley Streten) has never failed to deliver the unexpected.
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