FLO Has The Key To R&B On Debut Album ‘Access All Areas’

FLO has been bringing the R&B girl group back to prominence one song at a time since debuting in 2022 with their viral single “Cardboard Box.” Now, two years later, UK darlings Stella Quaresma, Renee Downer and Jorja Douglas are standing at the head of the R&B class with their debut album Access All Areas and its mini-deluxe edition Access All Areas: Unlocked. Best described as a love letter to ’90s and 2000s R&B with a fresh Gen-Z twist and multi-generational appeal, Access All Areas is the R&B album we’ve been waiting for. 

Many classic albums have attention-grabbing opening tracks, and FLO captures that spirit here on “Intro,” which sets the scene for the prject. Narrated by GRAMMY, Emmy and Tony-winning singer and actress Cynthia Erivo, the Wicked star introduces the girls as a “tenacious trio of talented young ladies” and briefly shares a little of their history over a soulful instrumental. Then, the trio makes their grand entrance. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to let you in / Make sure you’re listening / From the beginning ’til the end,” they harmonize. “Take a seat for the show / Let it breathe, let it flow.”

“Intro” segues flawlessly into the title track “AAA.” With flirtatious lyrics and sensual ad-libs, the ladies make it known that they’re ready to take things to the next level with a lover over a sumptuous sample of Teena Marie’s “Portugese Love.”

After getting it popping in the bedroom, they get the party started on “In My Bag” featuring rapper GloRilla. The four women team up on this upbeat, confident anthem perfect for a night on the town with your girls or when you need to hype yourself up.

They keep the tempo up with the first single from the album “Walk Like This” next on the tracklist. FLO gets saucy with the song’s provocative lyrics and its hard-knocking, boom-clap beat.

The mood of the set changes on “How Does It Feel?” A smooth yet bold track, the gals exude confidence as they ask one important question. “Tell me how does it feel to have the baddest? / That last girl you had, know she was practice / If we keeping it real, I ain’t your average / Now that you have it, I need to ask this,” Jorja sings before Stella and Renee chime in on the hook as they all repeat, “How does it, how does it, how does it feel?”

After another flawless transition between songs comes “Soft,” which sounds just like its title. Camper’s slinky production, FLO’s buttery vocals, their vocal arrangements and clever lyrics set the sexy mood. On the Unlocked version of the album, this track gets an upgrade with a feature from Chloe x Halle, who adds their touch of angelic harmonies. 

“Soft” blends right into the bop “Check,” their cutesy ode to early aughts R&B bangers and a boo who checks off every box on their list. They switch up the pace yet again but keep the throwback vibes coming with “On & On.” It’s another sensual song reminiscent of R&B from the 1990s and 2000s, an era FLO seems to have a thorough understanding of. They sing about how they can love their romantic interests all night long and convey the message vividly through their harmonies and ad-libs.

They stay on the slow jam tip for “Bending My Rules.” The tender love song is all butterflies, heart eyes and harmonies as they share their desires with a potential lover. Despite feeling nervous and anxious, they assert themselves when they sing, “I don’t want nobody like I want you.” The mini-deluxe edition showcases two additional versions – a remix featuring a verse from singer DIXSON bringing his masculine energy to the track and FLO’s live rendition from their Vevo Live performance. 

The interlude “Trustworthy” follows, and although it’s just over a minute and a half long, it has the depth of a whole song. In this emotional ballad, the girls affirm that their loved one can trust them without doubts or worry. However, by the next song “Caught Up,” FLO finds out their man was actually the one not to be trusted. The ladies float atop Pop Wansel, Jay Versace and Access All Areas’ executive producer MNEK’s rhythmic production. 

“IWH2BMX” appears to be a message to the same dude in “Caught Up.” The title is an acronym for "I Would Hate To Be My Ex,” and they make it clear that they are better off without their exes. The trapsoul vibe, ominous feel of the song’s chord progressions, in-your-face lyrics and head-nod factor give this track heavy replay potential. Kehlani, who the group recently shared the stage with on the U.S. leg of the CRASH WORLD TOUR, hopped onto the remix on Access All Areas: Unlocked with an arrogant verse that matches FLO’s energy perfectly. 

The final lyric of “IWH2BMX” flows right into “Nocturnal” in another seamless transition. The ladies proceed to let their enemies know that they are on top and no one else is even close. Impressively co-produced by Renee, this track has a similar sound to “IWH2BMX,” which makes both tracks feel like one song. On the “Nocturnal” remix, the final new addition to Access All Areas: Unlocked, FLO is joined by UK singer and rapper Bree Runway who serves up vocals and bars complemented by their harmonies on her verse.

The collection circles back to a more traditional R&B sound with “Shoulda Woulda Coulda.” The subject might remind listeners of Brandy’s “Almost Doesn’t Count,” as the girls sing about an inadequate lover. This song is also a great example of how FLO can easily execute a classic R&B bridge. They deliver another bop and even more vocals on “Get It Til I’m Gone.” A slick track with a heavy bassline, the girls display lots of attitude as they school about knowing when to walk away from a relationship.

For the final song on the album “I’m Just A Girl,” FLO switches it up one last time to rock out. Seemingly inspired by the popular phrase on social media, the introspective track has a powerful, lasting message, as they address issues they face as up-and-coming Black women in the recording industry.

Lyrics like, “What’s a girl gotta do to be seen / Beggin’ hard, pretty please on my knees / Tryna be what I don’t see on TV” and “How many black girls do you see on center stage now? / Yet you wonder why they’re going to the States now,” give listeners a glimpse into FLO’s experiences since entering the music scene as they share their vulnerability outside of the other topics tackled on the set. 

Through this collection of songs about love, lust, confidence, self-worth and more, we truly get to Access All Areas of Renee, Jorja and Stella and get to know these three young women on a deeper level. With their bright vocals, runs and riffs galore, lyrics that resonate, perfect sequencing, smooth transitions and pristine production, FLO has the key to R&B on Access All Areas and we’re locked in.

FLO Access All Areas: Unlocked [Amazon][Apple Music][TIDAL]