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Palaces
by
Palaces Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length studio release for Australian electronic producer Flume features guest appearances from Damon Albarn, Kucka, Laurel, Emma Louise, Virgen Maria, May-A, Oklou, and Caroline Polachek.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. DIY Magazine
    May 19, 2022
    80
    From this new personal phase, Flume’s latest techno-charged offering upscales the drops, fidgety distortion and replay value that has proved a constant in his playbook.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    May 20, 2022
    80
    [The] change in pace makes for a welcome modification to the Flume sound, which is elevated by his rich, newfound sonics. Yes, Streten can still soundtrack your night out, but on ‘Palaces’ he’ll also gently bring you back down to Earth when morning comes.
  3. Clash Music
    May 19, 2022
    70
    While some of the more Top 40-driven tracks risk getting lost in the mammoth-like production value of his imaginative, left-field hyper pop tracks, the sum of the album is beautiful, intended to be enjoyed by both faithful Flume stans and new listeners drawn to the beauty of a cacophonous, glitched-out style popularised by super-producers like SOPHIE, Danny Harle, and more.
  4. AllMusic
    Jun 8, 2022
    70
    Unmistakably influenced by the late SOPHIE, who appeared on Hi This Is Flume, the production has a stretched-out, rubbery-yet-metallic quality, and the songs balance sugary vocal hooks with truly intense beat formations.
  5. Pitchfork
    May 24, 2022
    65
    With little penchant for bedlam, it’s an album that lacks the exact thing that makes Flume’s music exciting.
  6. The Line of Best Fit
    May 19, 2022
    60
    Whilst some tracks are arguably a bit forgettable, this album is still full of some brilliant moments.
  7. musicOMH.com
    May 19, 2022
    60
    Flume is stuck between innovation and the urge to party like it’s 2014, and though Palaces has real highlights, it is weakened by this indecision.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. franktortuga
    May 21, 2022
    10
    Flume continues to push the boundaries of electronic music. Palaces is a masterpiece from front to back. With songs like "I Can't Tell",Flume continues to push the boundaries of electronic music. Palaces is a masterpiece from front to back. With songs like "I Can't Tell", "DHLC" and "Highest Building" going down as instant Flume classics. The singles, especially "Palaces" find their place and sound even better when listening to the album in full.… Expand
  2. cluuump
    May 21, 2022
    10
    flume has managed to build a path from dance music to the chaos of experimentation and innovation as very few achieve it in such a good way,flume has managed to build a path from dance music to the chaos of experimentation and innovation as very few achieve it in such a good way, SOPHIE's influence is very strong in this album… Expand
  4. spacemanrecords
    May 26, 2022
    9
    Its incredible that Flume can still dazzle with new sounds and strange electronic compositions after all these years. I quite loved theIts incredible that Flume can still dazzle with new sounds and strange electronic compositions after all these years. I quite loved the glitchy and unique soundscape provided throughout this project. If there is music that is just truly FUN to listen to this would be it...

    The only song that doesn't agree with my preferences would be ESCAPE, but otherwise I love being swept away by these wild arrangements.

    I really appreciate the boundary pushing nature of this project, when flume could probably easily pump out 10 milk toast edm hits just as easy.

    I'm rating this one a 9/10    … Expand
  5. MusicGuyMack
    Sep 16, 2022
    9
    Flume's undeniable programming wizardry is likely to make one with he'd do away with the superfluous guest vocals and allow his shimmeringFlume's undeniable programming wizardry is likely to make one with he'd do away with the superfluous guest vocals and allow his shimmering synths and skittering drum lines to speak for themselves [as the record's best cuts often do], but the DJ's incorporation of grittier, harder-edged dance elements to his usual future bass sound nonetheless ensures that "Palaces" provides plenty of sublime soundbites for EDM fans to sink their teeth into.

    Choice Cuts: "DHLC, "Escape [with Quiet Bison feat. Kucka]," "Get U," "Jasper's Song"    … Expand
  6. hi-cyou
    May 24, 2022
    7
    This is yet another great piece of art from Flume. What I admired the most about this album is just how immersive the whole project is, whereThis is yet another great piece of art from Flume. What I admired the most about this album is just how immersive the whole project is, where as some songs are quite forgetful they all work harmoniously in creating a world of sound that can only be accessed through Flume's imagination. The songs "Hollow" and "ESCAPE" did strike me as formulaic and underwhelming in the albums track list, they seemed very true to his other albums which for some reason created a contrast and didn't work for me on this one. That being said I have no other complaints or reasons to be unsatisfied by this project. What I consider to be the albums highs are the songs "Jasper's Song" "I cant tell" and "Palaces" I especially found the later half of the project amazing, reaching its peak in cohesiveness ultimately leaving me wanting more of this world Flume has intrinsically created.… Expand
  7. knkmra23
    Oct 8, 2022
    7
    Flume's glitchy experimentation mixed with some formulaic and basic elements makes for a generally fun listening experience.
  8. Mystic463
    May 20, 2022
    5
    It strays far away from flumes strong suits pretty often. The structures of some of the songs were weird with the drop coming in at the veryIt strays far away from flumes strong suits pretty often. The structures of some of the songs were weird with the drop coming in at the very end of the song, which left what was before it to just seem like filler. The features were pretty hit or miss, and a lot of the songs were forgettable; And its such a bummer because flume always has so much potential with anything he does. Probably my biggest problem with it is it's length. It's only 13 tracks, and 5 of them were released before the album even dropped, leaving you with only a handful of new songs to experience.… Expand

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