Flume

Each year as the warmer months approach, one’s hunger for something new and fresh reaches an unexplainable peak. It’s a new season, a new feeling and time for a new sound to take us through to the new year.

The Sydney musician’s self-titled debut album comes out at the perfect time, with songs that strike a satisfying balance between being incredibly catchy, while carrying subtle layers of complexity.

“Sintra” opens the record, with a rich and crisp synth tone that pumps through the short song to create a playful vibe, quickly leading into “Holdin’ On” which has a vocal line that is fantastically full of soul.

Melbourne’s own Chet Faker makes a guest appearance on “Left Alone” with Flume manipulating Faker’s heartbreakingly affected voice to compliment the crescendo of the deep chords that pump the pulse of the song faster and faster.

Although there aren’t any songs on the album that will alienate the listener, for those unaccustomed to Flume’s sound “Bring You Down feat. George Maple” is a great way in.

Carrying a classic song structure and simple, well executed harmonies, this number has the familiarity of a pop structure with interjections of simple electronic tangents.

While the structure of each song remains relatively consistent, they all have an individuality to them, with the young artist hinting at R&B with “On Top” featuring T.Shirt, and moving into pop territory with the already familiar “Sleepless” featuring the recognisable vocals of Jezzabell Doran.

Flume sets the bar high in his first full length release, and he’s managed to create a definitive sound for himself which, hopefully, will continue through on future releases.

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