Access All Areas (Flo album)
Access All Areas | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 15 November 2024 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 46:55 | |||
Label | Island | |||
Producer |
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Flo chronology | ||||
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Singles from Access All Areas | ||||
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Access All Areas (also abbreviated as AAA) is the debut studio album by English girl group Flo. It was released on 15 November 2024 through Island Records.[1] It marks their first full-length project after releasing their previous extended plays, The Lead (2022) and 3 of Us (2023). The album features guest vocals from Cynthia Erivo and rapper GloRilla.
Upon its release, Access All Areas received generally positive reviews from critics. The album was preceded by three singles—"Walk Like This", "Caught Up", and "Check"—and two promotional singles, while a fourth single, "In My Bag", coincided with the release. It is a contemporary R&B album featuring production and songwriting from MNEK and notable contributions from Camper, Jay Versace, Pop Wansel, Sevyn Streeter, and more.
Background
[edit]On 3 July 2023, Flo surprise announced their second EP, 3 of Us as a "gift" to their fans for patiently waiting for new music.[2][3] Before releasing the singles "Walk Like This" and "Caught Up" for the debut project, the group was announced as an opening act for singer Kehlani's Crash World Tour for the fall.[4]
Prior to the announcement of Access All Areas,[a] the group described the album as a continuation of the legacy of girl groups:
Access All Areas is a labour of love. To us it represents our growth and dedication to making girl group history, to making a project we are truly proud to call our debut album.
— Flo about the album, [5]
Release and promotion
[edit]The album's first single, "Walk Like This" was released on 8 March 2024 after being previewed on TikTok weeks back, and the accompanying music video released a week later.[6][7] The single was Flo's first single since "Fly Girl" with rapper Missy Elliott in 2023.[8] The group, then, revealed there would be at least 17 songs on the album after posting a picture of an unconfirmed tracklist on a drawing board on social media.[citation needed] On 24 May 2024, Flo released the second single for the album, "Caught Up", along with the visualizer.[9][10]
On 2 August 2024, Flo released the third single for the album, "Check".[11][12] After officially announcing the album's title, artwork, and release date on the same month, the group released pre-orders for vinyl, CDs, and exclusive bundles that include an autographed ticket, and three bonus tracks.[citation needed] The group released two promotional songs, "Bending My Rules", which they performed live for Vevo Studios,[13][14] and the album's title track, "AAA".[15]
On 1 November 2024, Flo announced the Access All Areas Tour, which will visit Europe and the United Kingdom.[16] On 7 November 2024, Flo partnered with AMC Theatres to give their fans an early listen to the album in select theatres in the United States.[citation needed] On 10 November 2024, Flo revealed the official tracklist of the album, revealing collaborations with Cynthia Erivo and rapper GloRilla.[17]
Three days after the album's initial release, Flo hinted at "unlocking" features, and released a deluxe edition titled Access All Areas: Unlocked featuring remixes and extended versions with collaborations from Chlöe, Halle, Dixson, Kehlani, and Bree Runway.[18] The group, alongside Chlöe and Halle all hinted a collaboration before the album's release.[citation needed]
Critical reception
[edit]This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2024) |
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.5/10[19] |
Metacritic | 68/100[20] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Clash | 7/10[21] |
DIY | [22] |
The Guardian | [23] |
The Independent | [24] |
The Line of Best Fit | 7/10[25] |
NME | [26] |
Pitchfork | 8/10[27] |
The Rolling Stone | [28] |
The Telegraph | [29] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Access All Areas received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 from 9 critic scores.[20]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" (featuring Cynthia Erivo) |
| 2:40 | |
2. | "AAA" |
|
| 3:24 |
3. | "In My Bag" (featuring GloRilla) |
|
| 3:08 |
4. | "Walk Like This" |
| 3:17 | |
5. | "How Does It Feel?" |
| 3:08 | |
6. | "Soft" |
| 2:10 | |
7. | "Check" |
| 2:45 | |
8. | "On & On" |
| 3:21 | |
9. | "Bending My Rules" |
|
| 3:44 |
10. | "Trustworthy (Interlude)" |
| 1:36 | |
11. | "Caught Up" |
|
| 3:50 |
12. | "IWH2BMX" |
| 2:43 | |
13. | "Nocturnal" |
| 2:03 | |
14. | "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" |
| 3:46 | |
15. | "Get It Till I'm Gone" |
| 3:00 | |
16. | "I'm Just a Girl" |
| 2:20 | |
Total length: | 46:55 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
17. | "Do Too Much" |
| 3:20 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
17. | "Conceited" |
|
| 2:34 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
17. | "Say Less" |
|
| 3:03 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Soft" (Unlocked; featuring Chlöe and Halle) |
| 3:10 | |
2. | "Bending My Rules" (Unlocked; featuring Dixson) |
|
| 4:47 |
3. | "IWH2BMX" (Unlocked; featuring Kehlani) |
| 2:45 | |
4. | "Nocturnal" (Unlocked; featuring Bree Runway) |
| 2:37 | |
5. | "Bending My Rules" (Vevo Live) |
|
| 3:50 |
Notes
- ^[p] signifies a primary and vocal producer.
- ^[c] signifies a co-producer.
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer.
- ^[v] signifies a vocal producer.
- "AAA" interpolates "Portuguese Love", as written and performed by Teena Marie.[33]
- "Check" samples "I Too Am Wanting," written by Curtis Robertson Jr. and Leon Ware, as performed by Syreeta Wright.[34]
- "Caught Up" samples "Night and Day," composed by Cole Porter for the 1932 musical, Gay Divorce; as performed by Joe Pass.
- "Do Too Much" interpolates "What You Won't Do For Love", written by Alfons Kettner, as performed by Bobby Caldwell, and samples "Do for Love", as performed by 2Pac.
Personnel
[edit]Flo
- Jorja Douglas – vocals
- Renée Downer – vocals
- Stella Quaresma – vocals
Additional musicians
- MNEK – programming, synthesizer pads (tracks 1, 2, 4–8, 11–16); keyboards (1, 2, 4–6, 8, 10–16), background vocals (4), vocal programming (6)
- Relyt – keyboards (tracks 1, 4), drums (4), piano (4), strings (4)
- Wired Strings[b] – strings (tracks 1, 2, 6, 10, 14)
- Ashton Sellars – guitar (track 1); bass guitar, bells (4)
- Kierran – programming (track 1)
- Cynthia Erivo – spoken word (track 1)
- Pop Wansel – keyboards, programming (tracks 2, 11)
- Rogét Chahayed – keyboards, programming (track 2)
- Albin Tengblad – guitar, keyboards, synth pads (track 3)
- Tayla Parx – background vocals (track 3)
- Kz – programming (track 3)
- Grant Boutin – programming (track 3)
- Rudy Sandapa – strings (track 3)
- Alexander Lewis – trombone (track 3)
- Kyla Moscovich – trumpet (track 3)
- GloRilla – vocals (track 3)
- Darhyl Camper, Jr. – drums, guitar, piano (tracks 6, 9)
- Ryan Ashley – background vocals (track 7)
- Aminata Kabba – background vocals (tracks 8, 12)
- Sillkey – synthesizer (track 10)
- Jay Versace – keyboards, programming (track 11)
- Yakob – bass, drum programming, synthesizer (track 13)
- Hayley Yum – background vocals (tracks 14, 15)
- Mike Brainchild – bass, drum programming, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer pads (track 14)
- Curtis Kantsa – spoken word (track 14)
- Rashaan Brown – guitar (tracks 15, 16)
- Jamal Woon – additional keyboards (track 15); drum programming, programming (16)
- Skippz – piano (track 15); drum programming, programming (16)
- Chlöe – vocals (disc 2, track 1)
- Halle – vocals (disc 2, track 1)
- Dixson – vocals (disc 2, track 2)
- Kehlani – vocals (disc 2, track 3)
- Bree Runway – vocals (disc 2, track 4)
Technical
- Ohad Nissim – mastering (tracks 1, 2, 5–16)
- Chris Gehringer – mastering (track 3)
- Joe LaPorta – mastering (track 4)
- Patrizio "Teezio" Pigliapoco – mixing (tracks 1, 2, 4–16)
- Serban Ghenea – mixing (track 3)
- MNEK – engineering, vocal arrangement (all tracks); string arrangement (tracks 1, 2, 6, 14), horn arrangement (3), vocal engineering (7)
- Ben Loveland – engineering (tracks 1, 2, 10, 14)
- TommyD – engineering (track 2), string arrangement (1, 6, 10, 14)
- Greg Eliason – engineering (track 2)
- Relyt – engineering, vocal engineering, additional mixing (track 4)
- Pop Wansel – additional engineering (track 11)
- Federico Giordano – mixing assistance (tracks 1, 2, 4–16)
- Ignacio Portales – mixing assistance (tracks 1, 2, 4–16)
- Bryce Bordone – mixing assistance (track 3)
- Dillon Brophy – mixing assistance (track 3)
- Rosie Danvers – string arrangement (tracks 1, 2, 6, 10, 14)
- Sillkey – string arrangement (track 10)
- Mike Brainchild – string arrangement (track 14)
- Alexander Lewis – horn arrangement (track 3)
- Kyla Moscovich – horn arrangement (track 3)
- Tayla Parx – vocal arrangement (track 3)
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 15 November 2024 | Island | [35] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ "Access all areas" is a type of backstage pass.
- ^ Wired Strings consists of: cellist Rosie Danvers; violists Emma Owens and Jordan Bergmans; and violinists Jenny Sacha, Kerenza Peacock, Natalia Bonner, Patrick Kiernan, and Steve Morris.
References
[edit]- ^ "Access All Areas by FLO". Retrieved 6 November 2024 – via Spotify.
- ^ Duran, Anagricel (5 July 2023). "FLO surprise release new EP '3 Of Us'". NME. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (3 July 2023). "FLO Drop Surprise EP '3 Of Us'". NME. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Irvin, Jack (23 July 2024). "Kehlani to Hit the Road for Crash World Tour in Fall 2024 with Special Guests FLO and Anycia — See the Dates!". People. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Rigotti, Alex (22 August 2024). "FLO announce debut album 'Access All Areas'". NME. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Keith, James (8 March 2024). "FLO Push Towards Debut Album With New Single "Walk Like This"". Complex. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Powell, Jon (14 March 2024). "FLO teaches viewers how to "Walk Like This" in new visual". Revolt. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (4 March 2024). "FLO Is Ready to Show You How to 'Walk Like This' for Their First Single of 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (24 May 2024). "FLO Share New Single "Caught Up": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (27 May 2024). "FLO return with new single, "Caught Up"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Sam (2 August 2024). "FLO have released their new "lover girl anthem" 'Check' ahead of supporting on Kehlani's Crash tour". Dork. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (5 August 2024). "FLO feel the love on latest single 'Check'". DIY. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (30 August 2024). "FLO preview debut album with new single, "Bending My Rules"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (30 August 2024). "FLO Shine With New Single 'Bending My Rules'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Bolarin, Ore (11 November 2024). "FLO drop music video for new single "AAA"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Molloy, Laura (4 November 2024). "FLO announce 2025 UK 'Access All Areas' tour". NME. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "FLO Unlocks 'Access All Areas' Tracklist & Shares 'AAA' Video". SoulBounce. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Samuels, Keithan (19 November 2024). "FLO Releases 'Access All Areas: Unlocked' Mini Deluxe Album". Rated R&B. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Access All Areas by FLO reviews | Any Decent Music". Retrieved 19 November 2024 – via AnyDecentMusic?.
- ^ a b "Access All Areas by FLO". Retrieved 15 November 2024 – via Metacritic.
- ^ Shanté Collier-McDermott (15 November 2024). "FLO – Access All Areas". Clash.
- ^ Otis Robinson (15 November 2024). "FLO - Access All Areas". DIY.
- ^ Alexis Petridis (15 November 2024). "FLO - 'Access All Areas' review: skifull R&B revivalists need to get their freak on a bit more". The Guardian.
- ^ Nugent, Annabel; O'Connor, Roisin (15 November 2024). "Albums this week: Shawn Mendes plucks at the heartstrings; Flo fail to make a mark; Warmduscher are here to party". The Independent.
- ^ Amy Perdoni (15 November 2024). "FLO accelerate their status on Access All Areas". The Line of Best Fit.
- ^ Puah Ziwei (15 November 2024). "FLO – 'Access All Areas' review: a front row seat to the next big thing". NME.
- ^ Clover Hope (19 November 2024). "FLO: Access All Areas Album Review". Pitchfork.
- ^ Tom Emmerson (15 November 2024). "Are FLO the Next Great Girl Group?". The Rolling Stone.
- ^ Poppie Platt (15 November 2024). "Linkin Park's From Zero is a scream – plus the week's best albums". The Telegraph.
- ^ "Access All Areas: Jorja CD - FLO". Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Access All Areas: Renée CD - FLO". Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Access All Areas: Stella CD - FLO". Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Best New R&B Songs This Week: Kiana Ledé, FLO, And Ella Mai". Uproxx. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Samuels, Keithan (5 August 2024). "FLO Releases New Song 'Check'". Rated R&B. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Access All Areas release formats:
- "Access All Areas Standard CD". Flo Official Shop. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- "Access All Areas Standard Vinyl". Flo Official Shop. Retrieved 31 August 2024.