Flyte Team Up With Grammy-Winning Songwriter Madison Cunningham on Duet Version of “Perfect Dark” (Live At RAK)
February 9, 2024 BY Emma Orland
On the heels of their critically acclaimed self-titled album, beloved UK indie duo Will Taylor and Nick Hill of Flyte unveil a stunning collaboration with their friend and Grammy-winning songwriter Madison Cunningham. Together, the kindred spirits deliver a duet version of Flyte’s “Perfect Dark,” recorded live at the legendary RAK Studios in London with renowned producer, engineer, and mixer Ethan Johns (Paul McCartney, Ray LaMontagne, Laura Marling, Michael Kiwanuka) at the helm. Listen to “Perfect Dark” on all digital retailers (here)
Madison explains the origins of her friendship with Flyte: “I was first introduced to Flyte during a lunch break while finishing my second album. My friend put on a song of theirs in the car, and the words that came out of my mouth were, ‘Where has this music been my whole life?’”
One year later I met Flyte in London, and we walked away with the sneaking suspicion that we would be a good musical fit. “Perfect Dark” is us following that suspicion, and I think in many ways being affirmed in it. Will and Nick are two of my favorite humans and songwriters of our generation, and I felt lucky to be invited into their beautiful orbit. It’s not often that you feel so naturally aligned, and then get to make music about it too.”
Will Taylor adds, “Madi is the best one around, we are mere mortals.”
Having recently collaborated with Oscar and Bafta-nominated actor and fan Florence Pugh on a stripped-down live version of their NY Times playlisted “Tough Love”, which has obtained millions of views and widespread acclaim since its release, Will and Nick continually inspire musicianship on and off stage. For their self-titled release, Flyte welcomed everyone from Bombay Bicycle Club, to Holly Humberstone, The Staves and Mystery Jets to perform alongside them, while the duo are regarded as one of the UK’s greatest lyrical talents, penning songs with artists including Sigrid, Madison Cunningham, Miya Folick, Courtney Marie Andrews and poet Simon Armitage.
Watch The Making of “Perfect Dark” Studio Documentary:
https://youtu.be/EApbTrf5K0Y
ABOUT FLYTE:
Flyte is the project of English songwriters Will Taylor and Nick Hill. After the release of three critically acclaimed albums they have established themselves as an influential mainstay. Their 2023 self-titled debut Flyte is the most intimate record they’ve produced yet, but also the most optimistic. With a lilting and idyllic tone, Taylor ruminates on his newfound love while exploring the plight of the rising modern musician through warm McCartney-esque melodies and cozy Nick Drake-like “confessional lyricism” (BrooklynVegan). Produced alongside Andrew Sarlo (Big Thief, Courtney Marie Andrews), Flyte is a modern classic, that addresses the minutiae of relationships that punctuate our lives. The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, and American Songwriter all praise the new album with Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop emphasizing the group’s “good vocal chemistry.”
ABOUT MADISON CUNNINGHAM:
Madison Cunningham is a GRAMMY award-winning artist and songwriter known for her “wonderfully tangled imagery and cutting self-awareness” (NPR). As a guitarist, Madison has pushed the boundaries of a conventional singer-songwriter as her “guitar work is both classic and wildly emotive, and her soaring vocals are pristine and inspired” (Consequence). Cunningham’s latest effort, Revealer, won the GRAMMY for ‘Best Folk Album.’ Revealer finds her working once again with producer Tyler Chester along with Mike Elizondo and Tucker Martine. Written and recorded over all states of the pandemic, Madison says, “To me, ‘revealer’ is the binding theme of the album. The hand that slowly chips away at the mirror in which you see yourself and the world and replaces it with the reflection that is most true.” The album is “full of intricate musicianship, alongside forthright observations” (All Music), intimations and hard truths—a self-portrait of a young artist who is full of doubt and uncertainty yet bursting with exciting ideas about music and life.
FLYTE IN THE PRESS…
“…starts out with typical folk-rock strumming and harmonies and grows into an avalanche.”
– The New York Times
“’Tough Love,’ make Florence Pugh exclaim, ‘Oh, my God’ because of the way the duo lets their voices descend in harmony…”
– Rolling Stone
“…a steadily chugging but understated indie-pop tune that smartly intensifies near the end…”
– Stereogum
“…a rockin’ little indie folk-rock track… good performance, good vocal chemistry…”
– the Needle Drop
“The song snaps with electronic percussion and looping piano under confessional lyrics.” – BrooklynVegan
“…A truly magical and unique moment between Flyte and actor Florence Pugh…”
– American Songwriter
“Flyte is one of the more versatile indie-alt songwriting duos to emerge from the UK in recent years. Their stylistic touchstones range from Serge Gainsbourg and the Beatles to inward-looking troubadours like Elliott Smith.”
– Document Journal
“Flyte’s self-titled output is a classic folk-rock showcase of beautiful musical pieces cultivated from tranquillity and introspection”
— Line Of Best Fit
“With their self-titled third album, Flyte have delivered a love letter. An intimate world of adoration and the rush of falling, Flyte is written with crystalline vocals and stunningly intricate guitars.”
— DORK
“Their third album welcomes new sounds, a slew of collaborators who are trailblazing their way through the industry right now, and a new intimacy never seen before from the band’s storytelling.”
– Atwood Magazine
“Tough Love finds the band once again inhabiting a bright and charming mode, guided by some breezy guitar work and dreamy percussion. Laura Marling joins for the second verse, her gorgeous vocals locking into wistful harmonies with Will Taylor and Nick Hill.”
– Under the Radar
