Cover British R&B trio FLO returns with Therapy At The Club, an album exploring heartbreak, healing and sisterhood
British R&B trio FLO returns with Therapy At The Club, an album exploring heartbreak, healing and sisterhood
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As FLO prepares to release its sophomore album Therapy At The Club on August 7, the British R&B trio is proving that the girl group era was never truly over
For years, the girl group felt like a relic of another era. The dominance of solo pop stars, coupled with the challenges of sustaining a multi-member act in the age of TikTok, made it seem as though the formula that produced Destiny's Child, TLC, Little Mix and Fifth Harmony had quietly faded into history.
Then came FLO.
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When Renée Downer, Stella Quaresma and Jorja Douglas debuted with Cardboard Box in 2022, their rich harmonies and unmistakable love for '90sand early-2000s R&B immediately stood out in a landscape dominated by solo artists. Four years later, FLO has evolved into something much bigger. With the announcement of their sophomore album, Therapy At The Club, the British trio isn't simply building on their momentum—they're making a compelling case for why the girl group deserves its place at the forefront of contemporary music once again.
Set for release on August 7, Therapy At The Club arrives less than a year after FLO's critically acclaimed debut album, Access All Areas, which marked a watershed moment for British R&B. The record earned the trio a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album, making them the first British girl group to receive a Grammy nomination in two decades. It also became the highest-charting album by a British R&B girl group in 23 years, proving there is still a global appetite for vocal-led groups with a distinct artistic identity.
Their timing couldn't be better.
Across pop music, there's a renewed appreciation for collaboration and chemistry—qualities that girl groups uniquely offer. Audiences are gravitating towards acts that feel less manufactured and more authentic, where each member brings a distinct personality while contributing to a collective identity. Rather than competing for the spotlight, FLO thrives because of the interplay between its three members, whose harmonies remain the group's greatest strength.
Their second album pushes that dynamic even further.
Therapy At The Club reimagines the nightclub as more than a setting for escapism. Instead, it becomes a space for emotional release—a place where heartbreak, confidence, desire and healing unfold over the course of one night out. It's a concept that feels both intimate and universally relatable, capturing the emotional conversations that often happen in the queue for the ladies' bathroom just as much as those on the dance floor.
“We’re incredibly proud to finally share Therapy At The Club with the world,” the trio said in a statement announcing the album. “For us, the club is more than just a night out, it’s like therapy. Where else do you feel more understood than in a girls’ bathroom on a night out? That’s the vibe.”
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Authenticity has become one of FLO's defining qualities. While the album sees the trio collaborate with acclaimed writers including Amy Allen, Steph Jones, Julian Bunetta and Boy Matthews, the members were deeply involved in the songwriting and creative direction themselves, building on the artistic confidence that has characterised their rise.
The title track, released alongside a cinematic album trailer, was first introduced during the group's widely praised NPR Tiny Desk performance—a testament to the confidence they've developed as live performers. It follows lead single Leak It, which became FLO's highest-charting UK single to date while its music video amassed more than nine million views within weeks of release.
The group's achievements over the past year suggest this resurgence isn't simply driven by nostalgia. Their Access All Areas tour became the biggest US headline tour by a British girl group in nearly two decades, while sold-out dates across the UK and Europe demonstrated that audiences remain eager to experience the unique energy only a girl group can deliver.
Perhaps that's why FLO feels so significant. Rather than chasing viral moments or reinventing pop entirely, they're embracing the very elements that once made girl groups cultural powerhouses: impeccable harmonies, distinct personalities and songs rooted in shared experiences.
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As Senior Lifestyle Writer, Aina writes across the lifestyle vertical, covering wellness, travel, arts and entertainment. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she previously worked at CLEO Malaysia, where she headed the lifestyle, culture and entertainment sections.
