From Destiny’s Child, to TLC, to the Spice Girls, to, more recently, Little Mix, girl groups have always had an important space in the music industry, until the last few years. Recent years haven’t seen a girl group dominate the music industry like they used to. That is, until FLO showed up. *And also since our editor keeps blasting them on the office speakers.*
The trio from South London have been blowing up with their fresh take on girl groups that borrows from what worked well in the past while keeping it modern. These girls have everything you want in a girl group from the look to the vocals to the close friendship. Not only that but their young age allows them to connect with the exact audience that a girl group would target by being relatable yet still cool enough that young girls aspire to be like them. The three members, Jorja, Stella, and Renee, make RnB and pop music, very reminiscent of 90s/00s girl groups that we all know and love, yet they add their own flare allowing their music to still feel modern.
Their debut single ‘Cardboard Box’ is a farewell message to their exes. The RnB track is fun and catchy and has the ‘girl power’ feel that many past girl groups have featured in their music. A few months after the release of ‘Cardboard Box,’ FLO released their first ep titled ‘The Lead’. This ep follows a similar theme to ‘Cardboard Box’ in which the girls sing about their exes in an empowering way. They don’t dwell on the sadness that comes after a breakup, but rather focus on the empowerment felt post-breakup. This RnB ep is very fun and feels very reminiscent of many of the girl groups we know and love, but FLO adds their own ‘flo’ to each track, which is a much needed breath of fresh air in an industry saturated with fake industry plants.
Not only is their music amazing, but these girls can SING! Each member is insanely talented in their own right, and this is highlighted in each of their verses. But the combination of these three vocal powerhouses create a sound that one could rightly describe as magic. Their harmonies and vocal blending is done beautifully, showcasing the immense talent of each of these girls both individually and cohesively. FLO’s vocal talent is especially shown on their social media, where they post numerous videos of the three of them singing and harmonizing flawlessly.
Fly Girl - FLO
FLO has the vocals in the bag, but their fashion visuals make them stand from the rest. On stage and in music videos, the trio dances and performs in cohesive outfits that show their own individual style while still looking like a group. They often rock a monochromatic wardrobe that looks very fresh and young, giving the group a vibrant aesthetic that highlights each member’s own style. A stark contrast from previous groups who may or may not have been styled by a blind person… *Cough Cough* Fifth Harmony…
Their friendship is really the thread that ties all of this together. Like any good girl group, having a good relationship with your band mates is important, however, with FLO, their relationship extends beyond a strictly professional respect for each other. You can truly feel how much these girls enjoy each other’s company, both through their music and their presence on social media. You can feel their friendship in their music. Each member is given the space to fully explore their own abilities which not only creates a great working environment, but it helps make the music and the performances as good as they are.
Cardboard Box - FLO
FLO are re-defining the meaning behind ‘girl group’. They’re talented, fresh, and have an amazing friendship which are all the key components that push them towards success. Manic predicts FLO to be the next big thing in music, and we recommend you keep them on your radar. We certainly will.
