Flames (R3hab, Zayn and Jungleboi song)

"Flames" is a song by Dutch DJ and producer R3hab, English singer-songwriter Zayn and British DJ Jungleboi.[1] It was released on 15 November 2019 through R3hab's label Cyb3rpvnk.

"Flames"
Single by R3hab, Zayn and Jungleboi
Released15 November 2019 (2019-11-15)
Length2:35
LabelCyb3rpvnk
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
R3hab singles chronology
"All Comes Back to You"
(2019)		 "Flames"
(2019)		 "I Luv U"
(2019)
Zayn singles chronology
"Rumors"
(2019)		 "Flames"
(2019)		 "Hurt"
(2020)
Jungleboi singles chronology
"Hold My Hands Up"
(2019)		 "Flames"
(2019)
Music video
"Flames" on YouTube

Background

On 5 November 2019, Zayn posted the cover of the song on his social media with the single word "Flames", in all-capitals.[2][3][4] In return, this announcement ignited some excitation from his fans.[5][6] They were invited to pre-save the song on Spotify.[7][8] In parallel, R3hab posted the following message: "25,000 comments and we will release this asap".[9] However, they did not specify a release date,[10][11] just indicating that it is "coming soon".[4] They added that they had to release a teaser very soon,[12] then the song and its video in the next weeks.[13] Indeed, R3hab said, "We're going to drop it asap and we're going to drop a teaser very very soon."[5] On 12 November, the Dutch DJ posted on his social media a short teaser showing the release date of the single.[9][14] A few days prior the release, R3hab complimented Zayn's vocals on Twitter and also said, "So excited about my record together with Zayn Malik and Jungleboi, Flames, coming out this Friday. Also this Friday I have a show playing in Hollywood Palladium, LA. Cannot wait to play Flames, it is going to be banging, I have got a special version put up for that night."[15][16] In a statement, he said, "I was working on the 'Flames' song for quite some time together with Jungleboi when we got the call from Zayn. The result is absolutely epic. I couldn't be more proud of the result and look forward to sharing this amazing tune with the world".[17][18]

Critical reception

A few hours after the announcement, Kat Bein of Billboard called the cover of the song "a red-light" and "Asian-inspired cover-art".[19] After the release, the same writer noted that the song is "part ballad, part electropop banger", endowed with a pre-chorus soulfully crooned by Zayn. She remarked that R3hab and Jungleboi, by their music styles, form a dance-pop crossover.[20] Writing for DJ Mag France, Switzerland and Belgium, Adrien Bertoni noted the anthem "a terribly effective piece", with "a dance-pop cocktail" formed by "Zayn's voice, catchy piano notes and a typical R3hab style beat".[21] Jason Brow of Hollywood Life wrote that the track "mixes together Zayn's smooth voice, a soulful piano melody, and an infectious beat".[17] Mike Nied of Idolator called the song "a staggering anthem" endowed with "a powerful chorus where Zayn lets his voice soar", all this constituting "another solid addition to his ever-growing discography".[22] Writing for MTV News, Jordyn Tilchen deemed the single "an electronic dance track". She added, "lyrically, the song feels like a message from a heartbreaker — the kind that many of us wish we would've gotten before falling head-over-heels into a toxic relationship".[23] Cameron Sunkel of EDM.com called the number "a scorcher", "a hotly anticipated collaboration" and "a dark and foreboding track [which] marks one of R3hab's biggest collaborations to date." Indeed, he noted that the Dutch DJ has released "high-energy dance hits since 2008" but presently, he has been "leaning into vocal-driven originals". And effectively, according to him, "'Flames' falls into a similar vein", by the presence of "strong vocal from Zayn Malik". He also added that the single "arrives by way of R3hab's own Cyb3rpvnk imprint".[24] Your EDM's Mark Fabrick wrote that the song is "both powerful and emotional", seeing "R3hab venture even further into mainstream territory". About its composition, he noted that it is not a pop song but "a blues-y song with some electronic elements", notably with R3hab's piano work. He went on to indicate that the song is not carried by a drop or a riff but by "Zayn's amazing vocal work". He deemed his voice endowed with "an incredible power and range affecting a wide range of emotions". The meaning of the ballad is, according to him, "a warning to a prospective love interest".[25]

Music video

Production and release

The accompanying music video was premiered on January 30, 2020.[26][27][28] It is directed by Frank Borin and Ivanna Borin with the concept and storyline from Zayn.

In an interview about the video, the singer explained, "Flames is a song full of emotions and departure. I wanted this video to reflect this and capture the character's plight which we can all relate to. I love the look, feel, and grittiness that the [directors] captured from my concept."[29] The music video is produced by Daria Ivashchuk with Frank Borin, Ivanna Borin, and Vlad Bolyelov as executive producers. Denis Stulnikov choreographed the dancers and Lena Ignatenko was signed as the stylist The video featured masks from Bob Basset with Grisha Ermolin as the production designer. (Credits adapted from YouTube.[30])

Synopsis and analysis

The dystopian-themed video is set in a dark fantasy world, wherein a totalitarian society subjects others into obedience and compliance. It depicts an environment under the supervision of menacing masked figures where, there are students dressed in all white as captives of an oppressive, male-dominated facility and they are forced to follow the instructions, social norms and action patterns in an institutional center. When enough has been enough, the protagonist, a man in black hooded attire, tries to fight his way out of the bunker in order to make it above ground and to freedom. It shows the man starting to smoke from within and gradually igniting a fire, causing the masked figures to try to suppress him which in contrast turns the flames of the hoodied man into a blazing fire. It continues with the white-dressed social group being chained to the rhythm with invisible handcuffs. The next scene shows one of the masked figures displaying a tarot card with the picture of Icarus' fall, implying the destiny of the black hoodied man's disobedience and a probable benchmark to note the end of Zayn's previous era and second studio album, Icarus Falls (2018), and welcoming the inception of the upcoming one. The next scene shows a building with a Chinese word painted on, that says, "Silence", referring to the singer's reticence toward the backlashes following the departure from One Direction; and Chinese phrases stylized with neon lights are seen that read, "Burning to the ground" and "Rising from the ashes", insinuating his comeback. It is followed by the next scene showing a sports car drifting around the hoodied guy, making a circle resembling Ensō, alluding to the singer's purpose of leaving the band to emancipate his mind and do his own creativity. In the end, the fire flares up from the inside and the hoodied man bursts into flames, a metaphor for a phoenix which obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its old self.[31][32][33][34][35]

Track listing
Digital download[36]
No.TitleLength
1."Flames"2:35
Digital download – R3hab & Skytech VIP Remix[37]
No.TitleLength
1."Flames" (Skytech VIP Remix)3:57
Digital download – Steve Aoki Remix[38]
No.TitleLength
1."Flames" (Steve Aoki Remix)2:48
Digital download – GATTÜSO Remix[39]
No.TitleLength
1."Flames" (GATTÜSO Remix)3:32

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[40]

  • R3hab – production, composition, lyrics, master engineering, studio personnel
  • Zayn - vocals, composition, lyrics
  • Jungleboi – production, composition, lyrics
  • Sinai Tedros – composition, lyrics
  • Arlissa Ruppert – composition, lyrics
  • Jacob Banks – composition, lyrics
  • Zak Abel – composition, lyrics
  • Lawrie Martin – composition, lyrics

Charts
Chart (2019–2020) Peak
position
CIS (Tophit)[41] 38
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[42] 10
France (SNEP)[43] 124
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[44] 22
Russia Airplay (Tophit)[45] 36
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[46] 7
gollark: If you try to escape they could probably (aim to) nonlethally recapture you.
gollark: You can do fear of imprisonment or something instead though.
gollark: It ultimately reduces to fear of imprisonment mostly. Or generalised loss of choice.
gollark: You probably could do things in other ways, but I can't immediately think of any which are "general purpose" and scaleable.
gollark: What if piracy?

References
  1. Mahjouri, Shakiel (16 November 2019). "Zayn New Song With R3hab & Jungleboi Is 'Flames'". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  2. Griffin, Louise (5 November 2019). "Zayn Malik completes One Direction set as he announces new single Flames". Metro. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  3. Merhi, Krisinda. "Zayn Malik Saw Harry Styles Album, And Raised Him New Music Of His Own". Nova 106.9. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  4. Skinner, Tom (6 November 2019). "Zayn teases new era of music with striking 'Flames' artwork". NME. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  5. "Zayn Malik announces new song 'Flames'". Capital. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  6. "Zayn Malik insieme a R3hab e Jungleboi nella nuova canzone "Flames"" [Zayn Malik along with R3hab and Jungleboi in the new song "Flames"]. MTV News Italia (in Italian). 6 November 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  7. Bang Showbiz (6 November 2019). "Zayn Malik has teased his return with new single Flames". The List. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  8. Bird, Daniel (7 November 2019). "Zayn Malik teases new single amid chart battle with former One Direction bandmates". Daily Star. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  9. "Zayn Malik Shares 'Flames' Snippet & Release Date Of New Track As He Joins One Direction Members In Dropping Music". Capital. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  10. Redaction (6 November 2019). "Zayn Malik revient bientôt avec «Flames»" [Zayn Malik returns soon with "Flames"]. NRJ (in French). Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  11. Paris Close (7 November 2019). "Zayn Malik Teases Hot New Song 'Flames' Feat. R3hab & Jungleboi". iHeartRadio. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  12. Bhandary, Shrishaila (7 November 2019). "Zayn Malik Announces His New Single With R3HAB And Jungleboi". Republic TV. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  13. Cartwright, Gemma (6 November 2019). "Zayn Malik's Next Single Is the Perfect Excuse to Whip Out the Flame Emoji". PopSugar. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  14. Stone, Katie (13 November 2019). "R3hab Announces Upcoming Zayn Malik and Jungleboi Collab, "Flames"". EDM.com. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  15. Bhandary, Shrishaila (14 November 2019). "Zayn Malik shares sneak peek video of his new single with R3HAB and Jungleboi". Republic TV. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  16. Bhandary, Shrishaila (November 15, 2019). "Zayn Malik's New Single Flames Out Now With R3hab And Jungleboi". Republic TV. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  17. Brow, Jason (15 November 2019). "R3hab Lights Up The Dance Floor With Help From Zayn & Jungleboi On New Song 'Flames' — Listen". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  18. Skinner, Tom (18 November 2019). "Listen to Zayn Malik collaborate with R3hab and Jungleboi on new single, 'Flames'". NME. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  19. Bein, Kat (6 November 2019). "Looks Like Zayn's Next Collab Is Going to Literally Be Fire". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  20. Bein, Kat (15 November 2019). "Zayn, R3hab and Jungleboi's New Collab Is Literally Fire: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  21. Bertoni, Adrien (15 November 2019). "R3hab, Zayn et Jungleboi unissent leurs forces sur 'Flames'" [R3hab, Zayn and Jungleboi join forces on 'Flames']. DJ Mag France, Switzerland and Belgium (in French). Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  22. Nied, Mike (15 November 2019). "Zayn Links Up With R3hab & Jungleboi On "Flames"". Idolator. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  23. Tilchen, Jordyn (15 November 2019). "Zayn brands himself a heartbreaker in new collab 'Flames'". MTV News. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  24. Sunkel, Cameron (16 November 2019). "R3hab Joins Zayn and Jungleboi For New Single, "Flames"". EDM.com. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  25. Fabrick, Mark (17 November 2019). "R3hab Teams Up with Zayn and Jungleboi for Incredible New Single "Flames"". Your EDM. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  26. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/606455-flames-zayn-malik-drops-music-video
  27. https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-zayn-maliks-new-music-video-flames-is-out-sets-internet-on-fire-277669
  28. https://www.oyeyeah.com/music/zayn-malik-releases-video-for-new-song-flames/
  29. https://www.idolator.com/7906101/r3hab-zayn-junglebois-flames-video-is-a-dystopian-nightmare
  30. "R3HAB & ZAYN & Jungleboi - Flames". YouTube. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  31. "R3HAB, ZAYN & Jungleboi's "Flames" Video Is A Dystopian Nightmare". Idolator . January 30, 2020.
  32. "Flames: Zayn Malik Drops the Song Video and Unfortunately It Doesn't Feature Him But Fans are Loving His 'Rising from the Ashes' Concept". latestly.com. January 30, 2020.
  33. "Zayn Malik drops the Flames music video". pinkvilla.com. January 30, 2020.
  34. "Zayn Malik's new music video 'Flames' is out!". Devdiscourse. January 30, 2020.
  35. "Zayn releases music video shot in Kyiv". Kyiv Post. January 31, 2020.
  36. "Flames – Single by R3hab, Zayn & Jungleboi on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  37. "Flames [R3hab & Skytech VIP Remix] – Single by R3hab, Zayn & Jungleboi on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  38. "Flames [Steve Aoki Remix] – Single by R3hab, Zayn & Jungleboi on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  39. "Flames [GATTÜSO Remix] – Single by R3hab, Zayn & Jungleboi on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  40. "Flames / R3hab". Tidal. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  41. R3hab & Zayn feat. Jungleboi — Flames. Tophit. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  42. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202015 into search. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  43. "Top Singles (Week 9, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  44. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  45. "Russia Airplay Chart for 2019-12-30." Tophit. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  46. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 2". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
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