'Palaces' began to take shape when Flume returned to his native Australia after struggling to write music in Los Angeles at the beginning of the pandemic. Settling in a coastal town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Flume quickly found the inspiration he needed through reconnecting with the nature around him - the rolling hills, walking around barefoot, the green colour the sky turns before a big storm, growing and eating his own vegetables, the smell of rain. 'Palaces' features a host of vocalists and collaborators, its cast list spanning new and household names from around the world - breakout U.S. star Caroline Polachek, British polymath-icon Damon Albarn, Spain's Vergen Maria, France's Oklouand fellow Australian Ku?ka, who returns following her standout turn on Skin.