British girl group FLO just dropped their debut album on Friday, Nov. 15, with the release of Access All Areas. The exciting and energetic album comes off the back of several highly successful singles, viral hits, and well-received EPs that have made it clear that FLO is restoring the feeling. As the London-based trio – Stella Quaresma, Jorja Douglas, and Julian “Renée” Downer – aims to follow in the footsteps of legendary groups of the past like TLC, SWV, and Destiny’s Child, FLO could teach the course on how to ride the wave of popularity and self-promotion in the modern music industry.
With their album release three decades - to the day - since TLC’s iconicCrazySexyCool, FLO has always shown a knack for perfect timing. CrazySexyCool won two Grammys and went Platinum 12 times over, and FLO aims to reach similar heights with Access All Areas. The 16-piece project takes listeners on a journey of personal growth, romantic missteps, and burgeoning ambitions, delivered with the bold, brave vocal performances they have become known for. (Listen to my favorite track, Shoulda Woulda Coulda, on the Malindi Press Play playlist to see what I mean.)
Although new to the scene, fans will listen to this debut album with anticipated familiarity and excitement as the trio continues honing in on their sound.
Formed in 2019, the group’s genesis began when Quaresma and Downer became acquainted at the Sylvia Young Theatre School for performing arts. They later discovered Douglas through her singing videos on Instagram – a moment harnessing the power of social media that would prove the first of many.
From there, the new R&B outfit would focus on their niche and individual sounds before connecting with British songwriter and producer MNEK. This linkup would prove an essential first step in the winning formula that FLO has established. MNEK, who boasts a resume of writing and producing credits for H.E.R., Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, and Beyoncé, produced the group’s debut single, Cardboard Box, in 2022. The song was a viral hit – garnering almost a million views in days. A viral hit is not unheard of, especially today, but what they did following the song’s success proved the difference.
Rather than try to repeat the formula and drop more songs with a copycat sound or production style, FLO went all-in on Cardboard Box–capitalizing on the virality of the song and released acoustic, sped-up, slowed-down, pitched-up, and remixed versions of the song in succession. It’s a tactic that utilizes the consumptive nature of platforms like TikTok and Instagram reels with certain “sounds” that lend themselves easily to different trends or videos.
Fast forward two years to the present day – when the trio rode the wave that led to famous collabs with Missy Elliot, television appearances, and the commencement of their international tour. The talented British vocalists may not recognize themselves as the leaders of an R&B girl group resurgence quite yet – still, even early in the process, they have taken a route propelled by authenticity.
It all came together quickly, as Jorja tells Dazed Magazine: “We were thrown into the deep end as far as being in business with a bunch of strangers goes. The pandemic allowed us not only to bond with each other but to make our bond unbreakable.”
With that bond, the trio solidified the second half of a proven recipe for success. As they capitalized on the success of their initial releases, the girls amplified their presence through magnetic personalities that further endeared them to fans. As they first discover FLO’s music, fans can connect with three unique identities. What may seem like a given is an essential part of the group’s allure that has proven to be a further point of appeal. Just look at their IG, which gives the vibe of three friends who happen to be stars in the making. Or watch their “Chicken Shop Date” with Amelia Dimoldenberg to get a sense of how different their personalities are. They’re genuine and real – a perception that can be hard to achieve as an aspiring artist focused on numbers.
Renée tells Apple Music: “We want to push the perception of girl groups so we had to start and finish with really strong statements on this album,” she said. “As young Black women on the rise in this industry, when we reflect on our come-up and everything that we’ve been through, there are bittersweet but also positive messages that mean so much to us.”
They might be having fun with it, but they’re serious too. They recognize that while many of their younger fans may not be aware of previous trailblazing groups, the trio has the opportunity to shape the future of the space and genre. And with their breakthrough coinciding with that of other young, Black UK-based R&B artists like Jaz Karis, Ama Lou, and Olivia Dean it’s an exciting time for the sound.
As FLO’s come-up continues to bring the comeback of R&B girl groups, this is one wave you’ll want to be on.
Writer Maxwell Wright, who played Division 1 soccer at American and Coastal Carolina University, works for a full-service sports and entertainment firm. He has a passion for exploring the convergence of music, culture, and sport and an eye for seeing what’s at the forefront of all three.