And, since both Kai and Tove Lo appear on album singles, it is easy to see Numb and Getting Colder becoming lost in how similar it sounds. Kučka is a similar voice to both Kai and Tove Lo (who appears later on the album) which, admittedly, lends to this track sounding painfully similar to the tracks featuring the other two mentioned voices. Numb and Getting Colder is a different energy than the track preceding it, taking guest Kučka on a ride back to the cinematic, science fiction landscape sound displayed on the album opener. For the 2016 partygoer, lost to the haze and smog of an evening, Lose It carries anthem potential - a weighty accolade which the track manages to, seemingly, carry with very little effort. Flume displays his sense of attention with Vic Mensa's inclusion, recognising an artist about to blow up everywhere, and likely taking great note of Vic Mensa's previous tremendous collaborations with such electro compatriots as Skrillex and Kaytranada. Highlight featured guest Vic Mensa appears next, on Lose It, a pained, feverish ode to embracing the chaos of night. Does this sound like 'old' Flume? Not particularly, but it sounds no less epic, and pulls the listener in to a story no less beautiful. The rare single to still retain a fresh vibrancy in its sound, Never Be Like You sonically speaking, is the gentle kiss on your neck as you dance beneath an adoring crowd of Cherry Blossom trees. Second track, and album single, Never Be Like You featuring the sultry Kai, is vastly different in the sense that it strays far from the cinematic sound and further towards the flowery, weightless imagery of dancing in the Summer sun.
The cogs of the mind immediately begin to turn, imagining this song soundtracking a modern interpretation of classic sci-fi films such as Blade Runner, which it could well do so easily. With grandiose, cinematic sound, ‘Helix’ is apt in its ability to pull in a keen-eared listener. Opening track ‘Helix’ induced chills reverberating down my hunched spine, a fitting opening pulling off the true fitting opening effect. Ignoring the previous album and stepping in to the experience that is this one, Skin, allows moments of true rapture akin to that first album and, in this reviewer's opinion, further than that first album. Does this album sound like 2012's Flume ? Not particularly, but why would you want it to? On that front, Flume has well and truly delivered with Skin. In fact, the demand should be exactly the opposite. So why is his evolution so scary? Did he wait too long between albums (with his self-titled debut Flume hitting the airwaves in 2012, and this being, of course, 2016)? Regardless of the excuse for the complaints, and cries, with concern for Flume's sound having changed - there is no real rhyme or reason for demanding that an artist not evolve in some way, shape or form.
Evolution is a natural form of fluid movement for any artist, regardless of their medium, and Flume has been one of the finest examples of artistry in electronic music since his rapturously received debut.
But, even in that case, Springsteen's music has changed. "What happened to the old Flume?" Call down the cries, as if Flume were an artist like Bruce Springsteen who has been around for decades. All I, personally, have seemed to hear regarding Flume's newest effort(s) is how disappointing it is compared to his debut album. Especially when their numbers are great, as is the case with Flume, the crowd of disgruntled die-hard fans of Flume's debut album is extensively large - and loud. After all, if people have connected so strongly to your debut work, they're going to expect much the same for any (all) of your follow up works. However, it doesn't come without its own drawbacks. Blasting their way in to the mainstream consciousness with heat, and gusto, it would seem they are launched in to superstardom overnight.
For obvious reasons, dropping an extraordinary debut album is an ideal move for any artist, of any genre.
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