Genre: R&B Label: Republic
Flo, the British girl group formed in early 2019, consists of Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renee Downer. Since their formation they quickly gained recognition for their angelic harmonies and distinct vocals. Access All Areas marks a significant moment in the group's career.
Access All Area opens with an undeniable sense of boldness, cementing the group as one to look out for in the R&B scene. This album is a stunning display of confidence, identity, and vulnerability. The album is both concise and ambitious work that captures Flo at their peak artistry. It is not just a collection. of songs, but a invitation into Flo's world, where each track offers a glimpse into their evolution.
At its core Access All Area is rooted in Contemporary R&B, with influences of Hip-Hop, creating a nostalgic soundscape. There's a balance of sultriness and power in every note, and the production mirrors this with lush instrumentals and subtle transitions. The producers-Ashton Sellars, Camper, Jamal Woon, MNEK, Pop Wansel, RELYT, Rogét Chahayed, Rudy Sandapa, Skippz Production, Styalz Fuego, and Renée Downer—have crafted a truly engaing sonic worlds that shifts throuh various moods and styles.
From the silky beats and harmonization in the opening track Intro to the grand instrumentals in AAA, the album constantly switches moods while staying cohesive. The beat complements the emotional tone of the lyrics which drips with sensuality, driven by self- assurance, or tinged with vulnerability. Highlights like How Does it Feel showcases a a confidence and impactful mood. With lines like, "How does it feel to have the baddest?, ‘I am the attraction, if they attracted that ain’t my fault”" it it clear the members of Flo know who they are .While I'm Just A Girl introduces rock elements, showcasing the album's versatility.
Flo's lyrics reflects their moods directly. With their self declared track In My Bag they proclaim, "what I got I manifested." and to occupy this is Walk Like. Nocturnal shows a different confidence, it is a track in which Flo shows their confidence in their work. As well as WH2BMX: “First class on my flights now…I bet you miss me now" where they taught their exes while simultaneously bragging about their success.
This then shifts to a more tender, emotionally complex territory of love and heartbreak in songs like Caught Up, Get It Till I'm Gone, and Shoulda Coulda Woulda. There's a empowering undercurrent running through the album, where Flo takes ownership of their identity and places themselves unapologetically at the center. Flo's lyrics also capture universal feelings beautifully. In Trustworthy, they claim, “You don’t worry I’m trustworthy” . With all these songs about heartbreak, Flo needed the balance of different themes.
Like any great R&B album, their needs to be some sensual tracks that expresses the love. The bold declaration comes in the title track AAA, " Access all areas, I'll give you more". speaks to the power and control Flo has over their romantic and sexual encounters. Check adds to the narrative with the line, "He's taking me to cloud nine, " which hints at the intoxicating sensation of desire. On & On, Soft and Bending My Rules capture the complexity of emotions in relationships with lyrics like, "I’ve been feigning for you…I don’t do this for just anyone," giving a sense of vulnerability and the magnetic pull of love and lust."
Access All Areas is a electrifying debut from Flo. It is a celebration of self, an exploration of vulnerability, and a beautiful callback to the old school R&B genre. The album captures Flo's artistry as a upcoming girl group. It had reminisced of Little Mix and Destiny Child's that was missing in the music industry. Pitchfork ranked the album a 8.0 while Metacrtic gave the album a score of 68. I would have to agree with Pitchfork, and would even give the album a 8.5.
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