Let’s face it, girl groups have all but vanished from the pop scene despite icons like No Doubt, Spice Girls, and Destiny’s Child dominating the charts for decades. Female popstars have made a huge comeback this year so where are all the groups?
If you’ve been waiting for someone to fill that Little Mix-shaped hole in your playlists, Flo are effortlessly ticking all the boxes even before they drop their seductive debut album, Access All Areas.
First ever single, ‘Cardboard Box’, firmly placed them on our playlists with 2022’s EP The Lead securing festivals, TV appearances, and a Brit Award for the up-and-coming group.
No pressure then for Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer who have been touted as this generation’s answer to Destiny’s Child.
Flo are not about to back down from a challenge — especially when we’re in the middle of a girl group drought.
Comparisons to Destiny’s Child are easily made with Flo’s bold ‘Intro’, which on the surface is a direct homage to The Writing’s On The Wall but dive a little deeper and the introductions are worlds apart.
Aided by a feature from the inimitable Cynthia Erivo, Flo’s track evolves into the band’s signature R&B pop fusion and sets the tone for this bolshy and downright dirty record.
While ‘Intro’ blends seamlessly into the title song ‘AAA’, this is sadly one of the weaker moments on the album, despite its punchy opening notes.
Flo’s vocals are consistently strong but here they wobble slightly, overwhelmed by the competing instrumentals and not-quite-supporting harmonies.
This clash crops up a few times on the album — Shoulda Woulda Coulda has the same flaw — with experimental risks sometimes falling flat as off-beats and overlapping lyrics become jarring rather than a symphony.
At the same time, this hints at the potential to really push boundaries and it’s hard not to fall in love with Flo’s unabashed lyrics and 90s-inspired melodies.
For a debut pop album, the trio rarely put a foot wrong and Access All Areas is a mission statement declaring the band’s core values; being hot, horny, and confident.
Sex appeal oozes from the album, with unapologetic Walk Like This and In My Bag (featuring GloRilla) instant classics designed to get you moving.
We’re unabashedly in an era of sexy pop but Flo leans more into Rihanna’s steamy influence rather than mirroring the often sanitised girl groups before them. Posh Spice would be blushing at some of these lyrics.
‘Soft’ stands out as a particularly seductive R&B heavy tune that will no doubt make its way onto more than a few bedroom playlists.
Sex isn’t all the trio are offering though, there’s real star power here with witty lyrics and a strong identity shining through.
When Flo allow their songs to breathe, it’s easy to see why they have amassed such a huge following so quickly.
I’m Just A Girl is a strong finish, giving BlackPink’s Kill This Love meets Beyonce’s Run The World which will be an instant crowd pleaser at future concerts.
Overall, Access All Areas is a strong debut with tracks that will undoubtedly become staples in Flo’s discography and on pop playlists.
90s and 00s inspirations are everywhere but there is also an experimental undertone, this trio aren’t afraid to try something new; even if that doesn’t always work out.
Girl groups are officially back and Flo could become one of the greats, they just have to let the music flow.
Flo’s debut album Access All Areas is out everywhere on November 15.
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