FLO has had a run since they first hit the scene with their viral debut single, “Cardboard Box.”
For Stella, Reneé, and Jorja, that moment (from March 2022) felt like “so long ago” and rightfully so. Since then, they’ve performed at Coachella, opened for Kehlani, and collaborated with Missy Elliott— all of which led to the long-awaited November 2024 arrival of their debut album, Access All Areas.
However, the journey to get here wasn’t all smooth sailing. Following the virality of the “Cardboard Box,” the group confessed to feeling pressure to release their debut album much sooner. “We never felt like it wasn’t ready. We believed it was ready and thought we’d be releasing the end of [2023],” Jorja explained before describing the process as a “blessing in disguise,” so they could “hone in on the [album’s] sound.”
The critically-acclaimed LP features some of the biggest acts within music and entertainment— GloRilla, Cynthia Erivo, Chlöe, Halle, DIXSON, Kehlani, and Bree Runway— and cemented their place in the current R&B pantheon.
“I feel like people are going to be able to understand us a lot more with this album,” Reneé explained during a sit-down with VIBE.
Access All Areas means “being open and vulnerable and just talking about what we’ve experienced on this journey in the industry.” Working with the likes of MNEK, Camper, and more, the women knew they wanted “futuristic” sounds whilst still being inspired by “old R&B.”
Stella noted, “We like to make a bit of a fusion. We’re obviously looking forward. What’s R&B going to start turning into? We want to be a part of that, but also paying homage to the music that we love from the past.” It was a challenge that effortlessly succeeded in, making something fresh yet familiar.
In terms of sound, though, “AAA” is the record that the group feels is a “very accurate representation of FLO.” Reneé teased, “Straight off the bat [it’s] drama. It’s like a whole show. It’s theater; it’s R&B […] They’re going to know that this is the standard of the album. Nothing less.”
The women also spoke to the powerhouse nature of “I’m Just A Girl,” who they want on a potential “Shoulda Coulda Woulda” remix, and what they want fans to take away from Access All Areas.
FLO kicked off their North American tour earlier this month and it’s set to conclude on May 22 in Los Angeles. Check out the full interview above.
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