“Skin” marks the second studio album by Flume, the Australian electronic artist. It was released on May 27, 2016, through Future Classic. This album follows his 2012 self-titled debut and boasts collaborations with artists like Kai, Vic Mensa, Kučka, Tove Lo, Vince Staples, Allan Kingdom, Raekwon, Little Dragon, AlunaGeorge, MNDR, and Beck.
The reception for “Skin” was generally positive, and it claimed the number one spot on the Australian Albums Chart, also reaching number eight on the US Billboard 200. It clinched the title of Album of the Year at the 2016 ARIA Music Awards and won the Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards. At the J Awards, it was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.
The album was unveiled via a Facebook live stream on May 26, 2016, accompanied by video segments featuring an interview with Flume at the album listening party in London. “Never Be like You,” featuring Kai, was the lead single released on January 15, 2016. The second single, “Smoke & Retribution,” featured American rapper Vince Staples and Australian singer Kučka and was released on January 28, 2016. The third single, “Say It,” featuring Swedish singer Tove Lo, dropped on April 20, 2016.
In terms of critical reception, “Skin” received positive reviews. On Metacritic, which provides a normalized rating for professional reviews, the album scored an average of 75 based on 11 reviews. AnyDecentMusic? gave it a 6.8 out of 10 based on their assessment of critical consensus.
Reviewers praised the album for its growth and maturity, with comparisons to prominent figures in the electronic music scene. They described it as an album that can evoke strong emotions and move listeners. Despite some critiques about the length and pacing, most found it to be an engaging and memorable work, showcasing Flume’s evolution as an artist.
