Flume’s Skin (May 27, 2016) won Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2017 Grammys and cemented the Australian producer as electronic music’s most innovative voice. The album blended future bass, trap, and experimental electronica.
The Sound
Skin featured glitchy production, pitched vocals, and unexpected rhythmic shifts. Tracks like “Never Be Like You” ft. Kai and “Say It” ft. Tove Lo were simultaneously accessible and experimental. The production felt both organic and synthetic.
”Never Be Like You” Success
The lead single peaked at #13 on Billboard Hot 100 — rare for a pure electronic track. Kai’s soulful vocals paired perfectly with Flume’s stuttering, pitched production. The song earned a Grammy nomination.
Festival Dominance
Flume’s Coachella 2016 performance was legendary. His elaborate visual production and genre-defying sound made him a festival headliner. The performance’s waterfall visuals and pyrotechnics became iconic.
Influence on Future Bass
Skin popularized “future bass” — a subgenre characterized by bright synths, pitched vocals, and trap-influenced drums. Artists like Louis the Child, Illenium, and San Holo cite Flume as foundational.
Sources:
- Pitchfork Review: https://pitchfork.com/
- Grammy Win: https://www.grammy.com/