Just days after Skin won Flume a Grammy for ‘Best Dance/Electronic Album’, he’s back with the second of its Companion EPs.
Another follow-up to the titular main event, the Australian producer released the first Companion EP in November; a short but sweet collection of previously unheard tracks, taken from his time in the studio recording Skin.
This second Companion EP has been cast in the same mould; with Enough, Weekend, Depth Charge, and Fantastic acting as stop gaps for Flume fans until his numerous festival appearances in the summer – including Reading & Leeds – and his eagerly anticipated next project.
Flume is joined on this EP by Pusha T, Moses Sumney and Glass Animals’ Dave Bayley – but is II’s company good or bad?
Companion EP II kicks off with a huge statement of intent in the form of Enough, which features the lyrical talents of Pusha T over a thumping glitch-hop backing track. Right from the off, Flume’s massively bassy beat drowns the listener in sound, complemented by Pusha T’s slow and methodical lyricism.
Flume then introduces Moses Sumney to the party in Weekend. After a hypnotic and slow-burning introduction, Sumney’s voice gradually builds up to a gorgeously layered harmony, before being taken over by the synthy melody that – upon reaching its crescendo – fades into nothingness.
Next, comes the unerringly absorbing instrumental track, Depth Charge, which is the only offering on the EP without a featured artist or a distinctly lyrical aspect to it. However, this unadulterated musical interlude is one that really showcases the incredible production talents of Flume in painting a truly vibrant picture through his own sound.
Bringing Flume’s short, yet compelling adventure to an end is Fantastic, with Glass Animals’ Dave Bayley overseeing singing duties this time. Staying true to his trademark sound, Flume’s glitch-ridden beat combines well with Bayley’s vocals to craft a psychedelic and trance-inducing farewell.
The sheer notion that Flume has the confidence to release Companion EPs to Skin proves that this is a man who cares about maintaining his creative process – and the undisputed quality of this recent work indicates that he’s not just surviving in the industry; he’s thriving.
Skin Companion EP II will be released digitally this Friday (February 17) via Transgressive Records and available on vinyl on May 5.
Words by Jonno Mack
