It was released on 16 January 2016, by Future Classic, as the lead single of Flume's second studio album, Skin (2016).

[5] In a press release, Flume said, "kai and I were sending ideas back and forth online, then met up in New York and went into the studio.

Harley Brown of Spin said that "Diplo‑endorsed artist kai provides sumptuous and sterling vocals over sparkling half‑time drops, like an instrumental B‑side from [Justin Timberlake's 2006 album] FutureSex LoveSounds" and that "The new R&B look is a good one for Flume".

[7] Billboard said "The song features Canadian chanteuse kai, smoothly balancing chilled out trap effects with spacey ambient noise and future bass elements, going hard and soft at once – a duality expressed in the lyrics as well, with kai begging forgiveness while asserting right to just be herself".

[8] Rolling Stone named "Never Be like You" one of the 30 best songs of the first half of 2016: "The pop realization of the twisted techno mutations of cutting-edge acts like Flying Lotus, Rustie and Arca.