The album debuted at Number 1 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart and peaked at Number 8 on the US Billboard 200. The crowning achievement came in February 2017, when Skin won the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album, cementing Flume's status as a premier global electronic artist. The Companion EPs
The album reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200, showcasing its mainstream appeal.
– A grand, indie-electronic finale bringing an emotional close to the record. Visual Identity: Jonathan Zawada’s Artwork
The Evolution of a Sound: A Deep Dive into Flume's "Skin" Released on May 27, 2016, by the Future Classic label, is the second studio album by Australian electronic pioneer Flume (Harley Edward Streten). Far more than just a follow-up to his self-titled 2012 debut, Skin served as a bold architectural expansion of the "future bass" genre, blending abrasive experimentalism with chart-topping pop sensibilities. A Sound That "Tears the Fabric of the Universe" flume skin album
The album includes 16 tracks, many of which feature prominent guest vocalists: Never Be Like You : Featuring : Featuring Smoke & Retribution : Featuring Vince Staples : Featuring Tiny Cities : Featuring Take a Chance : Featuring Little Dragon : Featuring Allan Kingdom : Featuring AlunaGeorge Numb & Getting Colder : Featuring Like Water : Featuring Notable Details Production : Entirely produced by Flume (Harley Streten) using Ableton Live synthesizer. : The album won Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 59th Grammy Awards. Instrumentals
But more important than awards was the critical consensus. Pitchfork gave it a 7.5, noting its "ambitious unpredictability." Rolling Stone called it "a bold step into the unknown." Even detractors admitted: no one else was making music that sounded like this.
The middle of the album introduces characters. Flume curated features that weren't just "rent-a-vocalists"; they were artists with distinct personalities. The album debuted at Number 1 on the
A haunting and widely popular track that earned a Grammy nomination.
– A dramatic orchestral opener built on modular synth arpeggios.
A purely instrumental track that highlights Flume's experimental freedom. It features no traditional melody, instead relying on abrasive, distorted bass swells and mechanical glitches that build into a overwhelming, avant-garde crescendo. 8 on the Billboard 200, showcasing its mainstream appeal
By blending pop vocalists with experimental beats, Flume created a unique, balanced sound.
" starts with a flute-like overture before plunging into heavy, rumbling synths and pummeling beats, setting the tone for the record's "organic vs. mechanical" aesthetic [20, 27]. Abrasive Standouts : Tracks like " k**" and "
The is not a perfect record. It is occasionally abrasive, structurally odd, and emotionally elusive. But those are its strengths. In an era of algorithm-driven playlists and safe production, Flume created a body of work that demands active listening.
Whether you are a long-time fan revisiting "3" on a late-night drive, or a new listener curious about where modern electronica began, Skin is essential listening. It is the sound of an artist ripping up his own blueprint and building a cathedral from the scraps.
The album also showcases Flume's experimentation with new sounds and techniques. Tracks like "Bloodflood" (feat. Niki Rijk) feature eerie, atmospheric soundscapes, while "Say It" (feat. Tove Lo) boasts a catchy, pop-infused hook. These experiments demonstrate Flume's willingness to push the boundaries of his sound and explore new creative avenues.