Ones to Watch 2023 #3 FLO

 

First Featured on Breaking More Waves: 25th March 2022

Cast your mind back to March 2022 when Flo released their first single. At the time I wrote: “Their debut single Cardboard Box is out this week and it’s a big smooth and sassy slice of hooky 90’s referencing R&B pop that’s catchier than Covid. They sound like a modern-day equivalent of Destiny’s Child, En Vogue, TLC.”

As we reach the end of 2022 and look forward to 2023 I stand by those words. 

Since Cardboard Box Flo have continued to impress. An appearance on Jools Holland, praise from Missy Elliot and SZA, a debut EP in September, placement on the BBCs annual Sound of List (now called Radio 1's Sound of 2023) and a gig at Outernet in London next March already sold out, Renee, Stella and Jorja are in the ascendency. They’ve already been touted as the future of R&B and on the basis of their releases so far, it’s hard to disagree. Ones to Watch commercially, but also because of good songs and clear talent.

FLO - Cardboard Box

FLO · Cardboard Box

NEW #48 FLO

 

The raison d'être of Breaking More Waves is new music. Pop music, indie music, folk music, electronic music, dance music, any music. As long as it’s good music.

Of course, what is good is entirely subjective, but for those of you who don’t like an occasional dose of commercial mainstream major label pop, stop reading now.

Still with me? Ok good. Today let’s say hi to FLO. Their debut single Cardboard Box is out this week and it’s a big smooth and sassy slice of hooky 90’s referencing R&B pop that’s catchier than Covid. They sound like a modern day equivalent of Destiny’s Child, En Vogue, TLC. Who knew that a song called Cardboard Box, which on the face of it sounds less than inspiring, could tick the good music box.

The cardboard box in question is the box that a cheating boyfriend is going to find his stuff in as FLO announce they’re “changing my number and I’m changing my locks.” How do we know he’s been cheating? “There’s no room for questions, I saw her panties on the bathroom floor,” they open with. Ouch.

FLO consists of Renee, Stella and Jorja and this single is produced by the ever successful MNEK who has worked with the likes of Dua Lipa, Mabel, Anne Marie and Little Mix.

You can hear Cardboard Box below but it's also included on the Breaking More Waves New Music Weekly playlist (here), which is updated each Friday. It’s one hour of my favourite new releases from that week curated to be played in order, like an old fashioned mix tape. It's full of good music.

FLO - Cardboard Box