Smoke & Retribution

"Smoke & Retribution"
Single by Flume featuring Vince Staples and Kučka
from the album Skin
Released29 January 2016
Recorded2015
Genre
Length4:01
LabelFuture Classic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Streten
Flume singles chronology
"Never Be like You"
(2016) 		"Smoke & Retribution"
(2016) 		"Say It"
(2016)
Vince Staples singles chronology
"Norf Norf"
(2015) 		"Smoke & Retribution"
(2016) 		"All Nite"
(2016)
Kučka singles chronology
"Flux 98"
(2015) 		"Smoke & Retribution"
(2016) 		"My Boo"
(2016)

"Smoke & Retribution" is a song by Australian DJ and record producer Flume. It features vocals from American rapper Vince Staples and Australian singer Kučka. It made its debut on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show and was released on 29 January 2016, by Future Classic.[2] The track is taken from Flume's second studio album, Skin.[3]

Background

Flume explained 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."[4]

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."[5] Eric Torres of Pitchfork described the track as a "thrilling makeover" of electro music.[6]

Consequence of Sound said "Here, synths flicker and flare as guest collaborators Vince Staples and Kučka unfurl lines both swaggering and hypnotic."[7]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 6
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[9] 183
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[10] 18

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[11] Gold 35,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Flume Feat. Vince Staples & Kučka – Smoke & Retribution". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  2. ^ "Smoke & Retribution – single". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  3. ^ "Listen to Flume's 'Smoke And Retribution' With Rapper Vince Staples". www.billboard.com. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Flume, Vince Staples, Kucka Release 'Skin' Song "Smoke And Retribution"". www.musictimes.com. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Flume, Vince Staples, Kucka Release 'Skin' Song "Smoke And Retribution"". www.musictimes.com. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  6. ^ "Flume: "Smoke And Retribution"". www.pitchfork.com. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  7. ^ "Flume and Vince Staples team up on "Smoke & Retribution" — listen". consequence.net. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  8. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 8 February 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  9. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK - New Entries - 06.02.2016". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  10. ^ "Flume Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  11. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 23 November 2016.