Access All Areas | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 15 November 2024 | |||
Genre | Contemporary R&B | |||
Length | 46:55 | |||
Label | Island | |||
Producer |
| |||
Flo chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Access All Areas | ||||
|
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 standard version of the album features guest vocals from Cynthia Erivo and GloRilla, while the Unlocked version includes guest vocals from Chlöe, Halle, Kehlani, Bree Runway and Dixson.
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.
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, 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. [5]
Like their previous work, the album is primarily contemporary R&B, with elements of pop, soul and hip hop. The last track, "I'm Just a Girl", leans into rock.
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 American 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 singer and actress 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 extended remixes 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 ]
Access All Areas debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number three, selling 9,500[ citation needed ] album-equivalent units in its first week and becoming highest-charting album by a British R&B girl group in 23 years. [19] The album remained on the chart for one week, while spending two weeks each on the UK Album Downloads Chart and the UK Album Sales Chart. It also reached number one on the UK R&B Albums Chart, where it spent three weeks in the top-ten. In Scotland, the album reached number ten on the Scottish Albums Chart. [20]
In the United States, Access All Areas became Flo's first project to appear on the Billboard 200, debuting at number 163. [21] Additionally, the album charted in the lower regions of the album charts in Belgium (Flanders) and France, reaching number 127 and number 188 on each, respectively. In Portugal, the album debuted at number 182 on the Portugal Streaming Albums chart. The 'Unlocked' version of the album has achieved over 75 million streams globally on Spotify, as of January 2025. [22]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.7/10 [23] |
Metacritic | 68/100 [24] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Clash | 7/10 [25] |
DIY | [26] |
The Guardian | [27] |
The Independent | [28] |
The Line of Best Fit | 7/10 [29] |
NME | [30] |
Pitchfork | 8/10 [31] |
The Rolling Stone | [32] |
The Telegraph | [33] |
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. [24]
Puah Ziwei of NME described Flo as "having it all down: the talent, charisma and star power" on Access All Areas, with the album having "plenty of anthemic, showstopping vocal moments". [34] Clover Hope of Pitchfork praised the album as a solid debut, referring to the project as a "confident vision of what a modern girl group can be: tender, headstrong, and unified", while suggesting influences from girl groups Destiny's Child and TLC on tracks such as "In My Bag" and "Nocturnal". [35] Amy Perdoni of The Line of Best Fit dubbed Access All Areas as an album with "a number of remarkable pop, soul, and R&B fusions", highlighting "Check" as a standout track from the album, describing it as "maybe their most upbeat yet" and "the style of track allowing the group to gleam brighter and richer". [36]
A more mixed review came from Alexis Petridis of The Guardian , who described the project as a "solid start", and noted the influences from SWV and Destiny's Child, but criticised the lack of a stand-out track, and felt that "a sense of innovation is lacking" as found on prior iconic girl-group hits such as the Sugababes' "Freak Like Me". [37] Similarly, Annabel Nugent and Roisin O'Connor of The Independent felt that the album failed to produce "stadium-filler" songs, describing the project as sticking to "generic themes about love", although offering praise to the group's vocal ability and producer MNEK's vocal-layering work on the tracks “How Does It Feel” and “Bending My Rules”. [38] Larisha Paul of Rolling Stone highlighted Flo's "infectious confidence" on "standouts" "How Does It Feel?" and "In My Bag", describing the latter as being "boosted by a vibrant feature from GloRilla", however felt that at times the record "stumbles over its ambition to lean into the classic R&B playbook while remaining experimental". [39]
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
Flo
Additional musicians
Technical
Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [45] | 127 |
French Albums (SNEP) [46] | 182 |
Portugal Streaming Albums (AFP) [47] | 182 |
Scottish Albums (OCC) [48] | 10 |
UK Albums (OCC) [49] | 3 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [50] | 1 |
US Billboard 200 [51] | 163 |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 15 November 2024 | Island | [52] |
Read My Lips is the debut studio album by English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released on 3 September 2001 by Polydor Records. After the disbandment of the Britpop group Theaudience, for which Ellis-Bextor served as lead vocalist, she was signed to Polydor. Prior to the LP's completion, the singer collaborated with several musicians, including band Blur's bassist Alex James, Moby and New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander. The record was described as a collection of 1980s electronica and 1970s disco music.
Overloaded: The Singles Collection is the first greatest hits album of British girl group Sugababes. It was released on 10 November 2006—almost one year following the departure of founding member Mutya Buena and the introduction of her replacement, Amelle Berrabah. Overloaded features twelve of the group's singles, four of which reached number one in the UK; "Freak like Me", "Round Round", "Hole in the Head", and "Push the Button". The Sugababes collaborated with members from Orson to produce two new tracks for the album, "Easy" and "Good to Be Gone". Overloaded received positive reviews from critics, who generally praised it as a reflection of the group's success.
Change is the fifth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released through Island Records on 1 October 2007. It was their first album to feature complete vocals by Amelle Berrabah, who joined the group following founding member Mutya Buena's departure in 2005.
Turn It Up is the debut studio album by English singer Pixie Lott, released on 11 September 2009 by Mercury Records. The album's first two singles, "Mama Do " and "Boys and Girls", both topped the UK Singles Chart, while subsequent singles "Cry Me Out", "Gravity" and "Turn It Up" all reached the top 20. Turn It Up peaked at number six on the UK Albums Chart and was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, with sales in excess of 900,000 copies.
Uzoechi Osisioma "Uzo" Emenike, professionally known by his stage name MNEK, is an English singer, songwriter and record producer. He has been nominated for a Grammy and a Brit Award, and has received the ASCAP Vanguard Award. His writing and production credits include H.E.R., Jax Jones, Zara Larsson, Little Mix, Dua Lipa, Flo, Sugababes, Clean Bandit, Julia Michaels, Kanye West, Måneskin, Craig David, Christina Aguilera, Becky Hill, Selena Gomez, Years & Years, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé, Hailee Steinfeld, Madonna, KSI, Mabel and Twice.
Young Foolish Happy is the second studio album by English singer Pixie Lott, released on 11 November 2011 by Mercury Records. Lott enlisted previous collaborators Mads Hauge, Phil Thornalley, Toby Gad, Steve Kipner and Andrew Frampton to handle production for the album, in addition to new collaborators such as Tim Powell, The Matrix and Rusko. The album also includes collaborations with artists such as Stevie Wonder and John Legend.
DNA is the debut studio album by British girl group Little Mix, released on 19 November 2012 through Syco Music and Columbia Records. The recording stages for the album took place between December 2011 and concluded in September 2012. Throughout the recording process, the group worked with several producers, with the album being largely co-written by them and other girl group members, Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud, Shaznay Lewis of All Saints and T-Boz of TLC. The group stated that they were involved in the development of the album as much as possible.
Following My Intuition is the sixth studio album by English singer Craig David. The album was released on 30 September 2016 by Insanity Records and Sony Music and features the likes of Big Narstie, Blonde, Sigala, Hardwell and Kaytranada.
Delirium is the third studio album by English singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding, released on 6 November 2015 by Polydor Records. Music critics were generally impressed by the overall production of the record, although they were ambivalent in regards to its originality. It debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, earning Goulding her highest-charting record in the latter country and her highest first-week sales figures in both territories. The album spawned three singles: "On My Mind", "Army" and "Something in the Way You Move".
Wonderland is the eighth studio album by English band Take That. It was released on 24 March 2017 through Polydor Records.
Gang Signs & Prayer is the debut studio album by British rapper Stormzy. It was released on 24 February 2017 independently through #Merky Records while being distributed by ADA of Warner Music Group. It is Stormzy's first major commercial release, following the Dreamers Disease EP (2014). The album features guest appearances from fellow MCs Wretch 32, Ghetts and J Hus, along with singers Kehlani, Raleigh Ritchie and MNEK. It features production from Fraser T. Smith and Sir Spyro, among others.
Yours is the debut studio album by American country pop singer and songwriter Russell Dickerson. It was released on October 13, 2017, through Triple Tigers Records. Produced by Casey Brown, the record follows Dickerson's 2016 EP of the same name. Its lead single, the title track, has been certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA.
It Was Good Until It Wasn't is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Kehlani. It was released on May 8, 2020, by Atlantic Records. It features guest appearances from Tory Lanez, Jhené Aiko, Masego, Lucky Daye and James Blake, Megan Thee Stallion, as well as uncredited vocals by Ty Dolla Sign.
Only Honest on the Weekend is the debut studio album by English singer Becky Hill, released on 27 August 2021 through Eko and Polydor Records. The album was preceded by the release of five singles over the course of 2020 and 2021: "Better Off Without You", "Heaven on My Mind", "Last Time", "Remember" and "My Heart Goes ", all of which reached the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart. It includes collaborations with Shift K3Y, David Guetta, Topic, S1mba, Ella Eyre, Banx & Ranx, Sigala and 220 Kid.
Blue Water Road is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Kehlani. It was released through Atlantic Records and TSNMI on April 29, 2022. The album features guest appearances from Blxst, Justin Bieber, Syd, Jessie Reyez, Ambré, and Thundercat. Production was handled by Pop Wansel, Wesley Singerman, Some Randoms, Mike Wavvs, Jack LoMastro, Sam Wish, Rogét Chahayed, DaeDaePIVOT, Daoud, and Grades. It was executive produced by Wansel and serves as the "lighter" follow-up to Kehlani's previous album, It Was Good Until It Wasn't (2020).
Homesick is the second studio album by English indie rock band Sea Girls. It was released on 18 March 2022 under Polydor. It is the band's second album to chart at number three on the UK Albums Chart consecutively after their debut album, Open Up Your Head.
Flo is a British girl group formed and signed with Island Records. The London-based group is composed of three members: Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer. The trio gained prominence for their debut song "Cardboard Box" (2022) after achieving viral popularity throughout social media, and received a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
About Last Night... is the second studio album by English singer Mabel. It was released on 15 July 2022 through Polydor Records, and serves as the follow-up to her debut album, High Expectations (2019). Production of the album took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the singer deciding to explore new sounds after watching TV shows such as Pose and RuPaul's Drag Race, while also listening to dance songs by Madonna, Whitney Houston and Cece Peniston.
Cheshire is the sixth extended play by South Korean girl group Itzy. It was released by JYP Entertainment and Republic Records on November 30, 2022, and contains four tracks, including the pre-release English-language single "Boys Like You", and the lead single of the same name.
I'll Like You is the second extended play by South Korean girl group Illit. It was released by Belift Lab on October 21, 2024, and contains five tracks including the lead single "Cherish ".