For the last few years, FLO have been spoken about as a group on the verge. A trio destined for greatness. The future of R&B. The next big thing.
At some point, though, we need to stop talking about FLO as a promise and start recognising them as a reality.
As they prepare to release their sophomore album, Therapy at the Club, Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma and Renée Downer find themselves in a peculiar position. Critics love them. Their peers adore them. They have the co-signs, the awards, the viral moments and the vocal ability to back it all up. Yet somehow, they still feel strangely underappreciated by the wider public.
Maybe it’s because we’re living in an era that prioritises solo stars over groups. Maybe it’s because modern pop culture rarely allows acts the time to organically build careers anymore. Whatever the reason, FLO deserve to be much bigger than they currently are.
The evidence is all over the three singles they’ve released from Therapy at the Club so far.
“Leak It” is an irresistible throwback that channels the glossy confidence of early-2000s pop and R&B without ever feeling like cosplay. It’s nostalgic but contemporary, familiar but unmistakably FLO. The kind of record that reminds listeners why that era of music remains so beloved.
The title track, meanwhile, reveals an entirely different side of the trio. “Therapy at the Club” is softer, more vulnerable and emotionally exposed. Rather than chasing trends, it leans into confession and introspection, allowing the group’s harmonies to do the heavy lifting.
Then comes “Don’t Break Her Heart“, a song that feels ripped from the golden age of R&B girl groups. Built around rich vocal arrangements and timeless songwriting, it showcases something that has always separated FLO from many of their contemporaries: they can actually sing. Not just individually, but together.
That’s the secret weapon.
In an age where many groups are assembled around aesthetics, choreography or social media presence, FLO are built around vocals. Shared vocals. Real harmonies. Three distinct voices working together rather than competing for space.
It’s something that has been missing from mainstream pop for far too long.
With Little Mix on hiatus, a Spice Girls reunion forever trapped in rumour cycles and nostalgia, and most modern girl groups struggling to break through internationally, FLO occupy a lane that has been sitting vacant for years. They represent something increasingly rare: a genuine girl group where each member feels essential.
The obvious comparison is Destiny’s Child, and not simply because of the R&B influences. It’s because FLO understand the power of individuality within a collective. Jorja, Stella and Renée each bring something unique to the table, yet none of them feel like background players in someone else’s story.
Every member gets her moment. Every member gets her spotlight. Every member earns it.
That’s what makes watching FLO so exciting. You’re not seeing three singers orbiting around a designated star. You’re witnessing three stars choosing to move together.
Their catalogue already reflects that philosophy. From the breakup anthem “Cardboard Box” to fan favourites like “Fly Girl“, “Walk Like This” and now the Therapy at the Club era, they’ve demonstrated an understanding of R&B history while still sounding contemporary. They honour the legacy of TLC, SWV and En Vogue without becoming trapped by it.
Most importantly, they make it look effortless.
The frustrating thing about FLO’s current position is that they feel like the exact kind of group audiences constantly claim they want. People regularly lament the disappearance of vocal groups. They complain that modern pop lacks harmonies, personality and star chemistry. FLO offer all three. And yet they remain a group that music fans feel compelled to “put people onto” rather than one that dominates the conversation.
Perhaps, on July 24th, Therapy at the Club will finally change that.
If the singles are any indication, the album promises to be their most complete statement yet – one that embraces club records, vulnerable songwriting and old-school R&B craftsmanship in equal measure. But whether the album becomes a commercial breakthrough or not almost feels beside the point. FLO have already proven themselves. They’ve shown that girl groups can still thrive in 2026 without sacrificing vocal ability, individuality or artistic identity. They’ve built one of the strongest catalogues in modern R&B and continue to evolve with every release.
The rest of the world simply needs to catch up. Because FLO aren’t the future of girl groups anymore. They’re the present.
