The Lead (EP)
The Lead | |
---|---|
EP by | |
Released | 8 July 2022 |
Genre | |
Length | 14:24 |
Label | Island |
Producer |
|
Singles from The Lead | |
|
The Lead is the debut extended play by English girl group FLO. It was released on 8 July 2022 through Island Records.[1] The EP was supported with three singles: "Cardboard Box", "Immature" and "Summertime".
The debut extended play was produced by MNEK, except for "Another Guy (Acoustic)". On 14 September 2022, the English trio re-released the extended play which served as a deluxe. The deluxe EP was supported with a promotional single: "Not My Job".[2]
Background
"Cardboard Box" was first released on 24 March 2022, by the English trio and acted as the trio's debut single.[3] Later on, this single also acted as the lead single for their extended play. The debut song was produced by English producer, MNEK.[4] An accompanying music video was published to YouTube on 1 April 2022, which surpassed 900 thousand views within days.[5] Many established artists, such as SZA and Missy Elliott praised the song on social media.[6] The trio described the song as "getting yourself together after a breakup".[7] On 6 May 2022, an acoustic version of this single was released.[8]
"Immature" acted as their second single which was released on 6 July 2022.[9][10] Pitchfork described the trio's vocals as "an icy edge, while the trio's golden harmonies at the bridge keep things crisp."[11] A music video for this single was released on the same day as the EP.[12] The trio performed both singles live for Vevo DSCVR on 5 August 2022.[13]
The same day where their second was released, the English trio announced their debut extended play.[14] The EP was released on 8 July 2022, with a total of five tracks.[15] MNEK produced four out of the five songs featured in the EP.[16] In September 2022, the trio re-released the extended play with an additional track, named "Not My Job", which was released as a promotional single.[17]
Critical reception
The EP received generally favorable reviews from critics. Complex called it "an essential listen".[18] Hype Magazine noted that the EP represents a revival of girl group sounds in the British R&B scene, which have not been heard for many years,[19] with Nylon making a similar assessment.[20] Rolling Stone predicted that the EP would vault FLO to stardom.[21] MuuMuse noted that the EP displays the confidence and authority of a long-establish star act, despite being FLO's first full release.[22] The EP also received positive reviews from The Honey Pop,[23] 360,[24] and Soul Bounce.[25]
Track listing
Credits adapted from Tidal and Genius.[26][27]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Cardboard Box" |
| Emenike | 2:41 |
2. | "Immature" |
|
| 2:53 |
3. | "Summertime" |
|
| 2:28 |
4. | "Feature Me" |
|
| 3:22 |
5. | "Another Guy" (Acoustic) |
|
| 3:03 |
Total length: | 14:24 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
6. | "Cardboard Box" (Acoustic) |
| Emenike | 2:41 |
Total length: | 17:17 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Cardboard Box" |
| Emenike | 2:41 |
2. | "Immature" |
|
| 2:53 |
3. | "Not My Job" |
|
| 2:55 |
4. | "Summertime" |
|
| 2:28 |
5. | "Feature Me" |
|
| 3:22 |
6. | "Another Guy" (Acoustic) |
|
| 3:03 |
Total length: | 17:18 |
Notes
Personnel
Credits adapted from Genius.[28]
Musicians
- Jorja Douglas – vocals (all tracks)
- Renée Downer – vocals (all tracks)
- Stella Quaresma – vocals (all tracks)
Production
- Uzoechi Emenike – producer (tracks 1-4)
- Jamal Woon – producer (tracks 2-3)
- Joe Gossling – producer (track 3)
- RELYT – producer (track 3)
- Maths Time Joy – producer (track 4)
- LOXE – producer (track 4)
- Joe Hartwell Jones – producer (track 5)
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 8 July 2022 | Standard | Island | |
14 September 2022 | Deluxe | |||
9 December 2022 | Vinyl | Standard |
References
- ^ Folk, Antwane (8 July 2022). "R&B Trio FLO Releases Debut EP 'The Lead'". Rated R&B. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ O'Connor, Siobhain (21 September 2022). "FLO share new single 'Not My Job'". Dork. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (24 March 2022). "Brand new London-based trio FLO have shared their debut single, 'Cardboard Box'". Read Dork. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ Keith, James (4 April 2022). "UK R&B Trio FLO Step Out With MNEK-Produced "Cardboard Box"". Complex. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ Murray, Robin (5 April 2022). "UK Girl Group FLO Share 'Cardboard Box' Video". Clash. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ Irvin, Jack (15 July 2022). "FLO on Viral Hit 'Cardboard Box,' Reviving R&B and Striving to Go Down in 'Girl Group History'". People. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Lamps, JK (7 July 2022). "FLO Break Down Their Smash Hit "Cardboard Box" On Genius' 'Verified'". GRM Daily. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Logan, Philip (11 May 2022). "FLO Share 'Cardboard Box' Acoustic Video - WATCH HERE!". CelebMix. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Gordon, Lauren (6 July 2022). "R&B girl group FLO release second single Immature". Mixtape Madness. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (6 July 2022). ""Immature": FLO Builds Their Case for Girl Group Greatness". MuuMuse. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ Haile, Heven (7 July 2022). ""Immature" by FLO". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "FLO – Immature - Discover New Music & Unsigned Talent". Alfitude. 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
- ^ "Watch: FLO Soar with 'Immature' Live on VEVO DSCVR - That Grape Juice". thatgrapejuice.net. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
- ^ Krol, Charlotte (7 July 2022). "FLO announce debut EP 'The Lead' dropping this Friday". NME. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ^ Samuels, Keithan (21 July 2022). "Buzzing R&B Trio FLO Talks Debut EP 'The Lead': Interview". Rated R&B. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ^ "FLO Gift Us With More Smooth R&B Vibes On Debut EP 'The Lead'". GRM Daily. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ^ Wang, Steffanee (2022-09-21). "FLO's "Not My Job" continues their streak of '90s R&B excellence". Nylon. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ "R&B Trio FLO's Debut Project, 'The Lead', Is An Essential Listen". Complex. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
- ^ "R&B Girl Group FLO Shares Highly-Anticipated Debut EP The Lead". www.thehypemagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ June, Sophia. "Your Next Favorite Girl Group FLO Is About to Debut Their EP". Nylon. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (2022-07-08). "FLO Is the R&B Girl Group We Never Knew We Needed". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (2022-07-08). "With Their Debut EP, FLO Is Already in the 'Lead' (Review)". MuuMuse. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ Heady, Taylor Alexis (2022-07-10). "FLO Has The Lead As Our New Favorite Thing!". The Honey POP. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ "FLO - The Lead". 360 MAGAZINE. 2022-07-10. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ D, Double (2022-07-14). "FLO Is Ready To Take 'The Lead' On Debut EP". SoulBounce. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ "The Lead – EP". Tidal. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "The Lead (Apple Music Up Next Film Edition) – EP". Genius. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "The Lead – EP". Genius. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.