FLO, Access All Areas Review

by Eliana Fermi

FLO, the London-based trio, is making waves in the R&B landscape by drawing from the powerhouse era of 90s and 2000s girl groups. Comprised of the talented vocalists Renee Downer, Jorja Douglas, and Stella Quaresma, FLO delivers a modern take on the genre—a fusion that acknowledges its roots and carves out a path forward. Their debut album, Access All Areas, released on November 15, 2024, is an ambitious offering that captures the trio’s desire to make girl group history. Their trajectory, marked by early success like the 2023 Brits Rising Star award, positions them as a significant force to be reckoned with.

With Access All Areas, FLO’s potential is no longer just a glimmer—it’s a bright reality. The album expands on the promise hinted at through earlier EPs like The Lead and 3 Of Us; the three-part harmonies and individual parts blend pop, soul, and R&B elements into a cohesive full-length project. Right from the start, listeners are greeted by the album’s addictive hooks, velvety harmonies, and sophisticated production, showcasing the group’s commitment to high-quality artistry. Renee, Jorja, and Stella do more than sing—they embody an alluring energy, delivering each line with confidence and an unapologetic attitude.

A prime example of this can be found in “Check,” arguably the album’s highlight. This upbeat anthem presents FLO in their element, celebrating the joy of being with someone who measures up. With a Miami bass-influenced groove driving the track, the trio’s vocal chemistry becomes its heartbeat, turning a simple inventory of romantic qualities into a gleeful proclamation. The contrast with their earlier work, like The Lead’s “Immature,” where unmet relationship expectations were at the forefront, is striking. Now, FLO turns their focus towards abundance—joy, fulfillment, and the thrill of finally finding someone worth the wait.

Tracks like “Walk Like This” and “AAA” further illustrate FLO’s sense of self-assured sensuality. In “Walk Like This,” the group explores the euphoric aftershocks of intimacy, detailing their experiences with precision over a beat that feels as confident as a model’s stride down a runway. “AAA,” the Dreamgirls-inspired title track, is another standout—a whispered invitation to foreplay, embellished by the deft interplay of go-go snares and showy hi-hats. The lyrics clarify that FLO’s idea of partnership is reciprocal and meaningful: “If I give you everything, it better mean everything, not just anything.” They’re playing by their own rules, asserting their independence while inviting their listeners to explore the tender and exhilarating layers of love.

The album’s opener, a flowing contemporary R&B groove with the spoken-word piece delivered by Cynthia Erivo, frames the project with grace and intent. It sets the stage for the trio’s sultry introduction, a statement of confidence that carries throughout the rest of the album. This consistency is a strength—FLO sticks closely to their formula, delivering song after song with a similar groove and sensibility, which, although sometimes a bit predictable across sixteen tracks, retains an unmistakable charm.

However, there are still a lot of generic sounds, like many of the hi-hat patterns and vocal productions. Tracks like “How Does It Feel?” and “On & On” come off as generic—the kind of contemporary R&B that treads familiar ground without offering much innovation. “Bending My Rules” has beautiful singing, but the song’s instrumentation is lacking, and there is no sense of natural development. The album closer, “I’m Just a Girl,” aims for empowerment but gets lost in an overproduced soundscape that strips away the raw vocal power that has become FLO’s trademark. While not entirely detrimental, these moments show that there is still room for the trio to grow as they learn to balance ambition with refinement.

While not always as nostalgic as early 2000s R & B fans might crave, the production provides a diverse palette of sounds. There are throwback moments—the Miami bass influence on “Check,” the bossa nova-adjacent guitar licks, the sweaty trap beats of “Check”—but these are combined with a modern sensibility that pushes the genre forward. In “Soft” and “Trustworthy,” the group slows things down, offering an intimate glimpse into their vocal prowess that feels reminiscent of early Destiny’s Child ballads, where emotion and harmony take center stage.

Ultimately, Access All Areas is an impressive debut that blends R&B influences with FLO’s unique energy and modern touch. The trio knows what makes them shine, and they lean into it fully, resulting in an album that’s polished, poised, and bursting with attitude. Renee, Jorja, and Stella have successfully made the leap from potential to realized talent, crafting a collection that impressively shows their vocal abilities, both in harmony and with their individual sense of identity as artists. Each member brings something distinct to the table—Renee’s soulful runs shine on “Soft,” Jorja’s powerful lead vocals take center stage in “AAA,” and Stella’s delicate harmonies add a captivating depth to “Bending My Rules.” These individual moments highlight how their unique voices and styles contribute to the group’s cohesive yet diverse sound.

FLO may still be defining the exact contours of their sound, but Access All Areas makes it abundantly clear that they are ready to take their place in the pantheon of today’s talented contemporary R&B acts. This album is a journey of self-assurance, sensuality, and celebration, and it leaves listeners eager to see how FLO will continue to evolve. That’s the short of it!