Released 29 January 2016 Length 4:01 | Recorded 2015 Label Future Classic | |
Genre Electronic
experimental
hip hop Writer(s) Harley Streten
Vince Staples
Laura Jane Lowther | ||
"Smoke & Retribution" is a song by Australian musician Flume. It features vocals from Vince Staples and Kučka. It made its debut on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show and was released on 29 January 2016, by Future Classic. The track is taken from Flume's second studio album, Skin.
Contents
Background
Flume explained how the collaboration occurred explaining that he had started work on this song in the back of a van on the way to Las Vegas in mid-2015. Flume said, "It wasn't originally intended to have rap on it. Vince and I got to meet in person for the first time in L.A. in September, and that's when I showed him the beat... a few weeks later he sent back new verses for it. I was really happy, I love the tone of his voice... Similar story with Kučka's involvement in the track... she's got a lot of talent and I'm hoping to work a lot more with her in the future."
Critical reception
In a positive review, Ryan Middleton of Music Times said "In 'Smoke & Retribution' Flume continues to show growth away from his oft-copied Australian synth-heavy sound for a track that is more conducive to a rapper, but also remains familiar to what Flume fans know the Australia producer for. He adds in quirky 8-bit synths, video game sounds and a jerky beat that molds to the sensibilities of Staples and Kučka." Eric Torres of Pitchfork described the track as a "thrilling makeover" of electro music.
Consequence of Sound said "Here, synths flicker and flare as guest collaborators Vince Staples and Kučka unfurl lines both swaggering and hypnotic."