Girl groups used to run the world. From the Supremes to the Spice Girls to TLC to Destiny’s Child, there’s just something about seeing a group of women being unapologetically unique and confident, while also performing exceptional music, that always draws crowds. However, as we’ve gotten further into the 21st century, there haven’t been many girl groups that have lived up to the names of their iconic predecessors.
Yes, there was Fifth Harmony and Little Mix, but even they weren’t those girls, they weren’t the it girls, and both groups are no longer actively making music. After the disbandment of Fifth Harmony and the hiatus of Little Mix, music lovers began to wonder if there would ever be another girl group to take over the world. Well, FLO has risen to the occasion.
FLO is a British girl group that debuted this year and have already shown the music industry that they are not to be messed with. Their E.P. The Lead was released in July of this year, with an extended version released Sept. 21. The well rounded E.P. takes listeners back in time to reminisce on the R&B sounds of the late ‘90s and early 2000s.
The Lead opens with “Cardboard Box” and “Immature”. The former is a breakup anthem that gives off the same energy of Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” or TLC’s “No Scrubs”. The latter is a song sung over a Timbaland-type beat that follows the spiraling of a relationship due to the man’s lack of maturity. Both “Cardboard Box” and “Immature” encapsulate the energy of a girl who is ready to move on with her life after a poorly functioning relationship. The biggest highlight of these songs are the phenomenal harmonies that will make you feel like you’re levitating. A perfect example is the outro of “Immature.” The once-hard beat transforms into an ethereal instrumental carried by an acoustic guitar and strings while the trio flex their harmonious vocals for the final 30 seconds.
Unlike the first two songs, “Summertime” is a fun song about forgetting all about your ex and hanging out with your girls. “Know you see me, on some real heat/Don’t even bother botherin’ me/I’m catching flights without the feelings.” “Summertime” is a fun song that is pop/R&B brilliance and still showcases FLO’s rich vocals and harmonies. Think about Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women”, because that’s what “Summetime” is a reminder of.
“Another Guy (Acoustic)” wraps the E.P up beautifully. For every song in this review, I’ve highlighted FLO’s harmonies and this song puts them on full display. The only thing between you and their voices is an acoustic guitar that takes the back seat. While singing about wanting someone who doesn’t respect their time, FLO tells their men, “You ain’t mister right/You’re just another guy”. Between each chorus and verse they showcase their three part harmony with a concoction of oh’s and ah’s to wrap the listener around their fingers.
Overall, The Lead is an E.P that would fit right in with whatever throwback R&B playlist you have. The trio of Reneé Downer, Stella Quaresma, and Jorja Douglas debuted with an exemplary project that is the first stepping stone to solidifying their spot in the girl group hall of fame. With just six tracks—“Feature Me” and “Not My Job” were barred from this review but are both incredible—and 18 minutes long, The Lead tells its own story and creates a vibe that I haven’t felt in a while when listening to music, especially a new act like FLO.
FLO has proven that they are the next generation of girl groups, and they’re just getting started. Check them out; you won’t be disappointed.