The Lead (EP)

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The Lead
A digital artwork presenting a grayish background with the English girl group, Flo, sitting down on a black staircase.
EP by
Flo
Released8 July 2022 (2022-07-08)
GenreR&B
Length14:27
LabelIsland
Producer
Flo chronology
The Lead
(2022) 		3 of Us
(2023)
Singles from The Lead
  1. "Cardboard Box"
    Released: 24 March 2022
  2. "Immature"
    Released: 6 July 2022
  3. "Summertime"
    Released: 14 August 2022

The Lead is the debut extended play by English girl group Flo. It was released on 8 July 2022, through Island Records.[1] It was preceded by three singles: "Cardboard Box", "Immature" and "Summertime".

The debut extended play was produced by MNEK, except "Another Guy (Acoustic)". On 14 September 2022, the English trio re-released the extended play which served as a deluxe, with a promotional single: "Not My Job".[2]

Background[edit]

"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 extended play 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[edit]

The EP received widespread acclaim from critics. Complex called it "an essential listen".[18] with Nylon making a similar assessment.[19] Rolling Stone predicted that the EP would vault Flo to stardom.[20] MuuMuse noted that the EP displays the confidence and authority of a long-establish star act, despite being Flo's first full release.[21] The EP also received positive reviews from The Honey Pop,[22] 360,[23] and Soul Bounce.[24]

Track listing[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal and Genius.[25][26]

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Cardboard Box"
MNEK2:41
2."Immature"
2:53
3."Summertime"
  • Emenike
  • Kabba
  • Woon
  • Rashaan Brown
  • Tyler Hotston
  • MNEK
  • Woon
  • RELYT
  • Joe Gosling
2:28
4."Feature Me"
  • Douglas
  • Kabba
  • LOXE
  • Maths Time Joy
  • Woon
  • Hannah Yadi
  • Quaresma
  • Downer
  • Maths Time Joy
  • LOXE
  • MNEK[a]
3:22
5."Another Guy" (Acoustic)
  • Aston Rudi
  • Brown
  • Quaresma
  • Downer
  • Douglas
  • Joe Hartwell Jones
  • Joshua Alamu[b]
3:03
Total length:14:27
Vinyl edition (bonus track)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
6."Cardboard Box" (Acoustic)
  • Emenike
  • Quaresma
  • Jada
  • Downer
  • Douglas
MNEK2:41
Total length:17:17
Apple Music Up Next edition (bonus track)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Cardboard Box"
  • Emenike
  • Quaresma
  • Jada
  • Downer
  • Douglas
MNEK2:41
2."Immature"
  • Kabba
  • Emenike
  • Ashley
  • Woon
2:53
3."Not My Job"
  • Jean-Marie
  • MNEK[a]
2:54
4."Summertime"
  • Emenike
  • Kabba
  • Woon
  • Brown
  • Hotston
  • MNEK
  • Woon
  • RELYT
  • Gosling
2:28
5."Feature Me"
  • Douglas
  • Kabba
  • LOXE
  • Maths Time Joy
  • Woon
  • Yadi
  • Quaresma
  • Downer
  • Maths Time Joy
  • LOXE
  • MNEK[a]
3:22
6."Another Guy" (Acoustic)
  • Rudi
  • Brown
  • Quaresma
  • Downer
  • Douglas
3:03
Total length:17:21

Notes:

  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer
  • ^[b] signifies a co-producer

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from Genius.[27]

Musicians[edit]

  • Jorja Douglas – vocals (all tracks)
  • Renée Downer – vocals (all tracks)
  • Stella Quaresma – vocals (all tracks)

Production[edit]

  • 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)
  • Tre Jean-Marie – producer (track 3 (Apple Music Up Next edition))

Release history[edit]

Release dates and formats for The Lead
Region Date Format(s) Edition Label Ref.
Various 8 July 2022
Standard Island [28]
14 September 2022 Deluxe [26]
9 December 2022 Vinyl LP Standard [29]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Folk, Antwane (8 July 2022). "R&B Trio Flo Releases Debut EP The Lead". Rated R&B. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  2. ^ O'Connor, Siobhain (21 September 2022). "Flo share new single "Not My Job"". Dork. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  3. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (24 March 2022). "Brand new London-based trio Flo have shared their debut single, "Cardboard Box"". Dork. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  4. ^ Keith, James (4 April 2022). "UK R&B Trio Flo Step Out With MNEK-Produced "Cardboard Box"". Complex. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Irvin, Jack (15 July 2022). "Flo on Viral Hit 'Cardboard Box,' Reviving R&B and Striving to Go Down in 'Girl Group History'". People. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  7. ^ Lamps, JK (7 July 2022). "Flo Break Down Their Smash Hit "Cardboard Box" On Genius' 'Verified'". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  8. ^ Logan, Philip (11 May 2022). "Flo Share 'Cardboard Box' Acoustic Video". CelebMix. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  9. ^ Gordon, Lauren (6 July 2022). "R&B girl group Flo release second single Immature". Mixtape Madness. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  10. ^ Stern, Bradley (6 July 2022). ""Immature": Flo Builds Their Case for Girl Group Greatness". MuuMuse. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  11. ^ Haile, Heven (7 July 2022). ""Immature" by Flo". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Flo – Immature". Alfitude. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Watch: Flo Soar with 'Immature' Live on Vevo DSCVR". That Grape Juice. 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  14. ^ Krol, Charlotte (7 July 2022). "Flo announce debut EP 'The Lead' dropping this Friday". New Musical Express. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  15. ^ Samuels, Keithan (21 July 2022). "Buzzing R&B Trio Flo Talks Debut EP 'The Lead': Interview". Rated R&B. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  16. ^ Wynter, Courtney (8 July 2022). "Flo Gift Us With More Smooth R&B Vibes On Debut EP 'The Lead'". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  17. ^ Wang, Steffanee (21 September 2022). "Flo's "Not My Job" continues their streak of '90s R&B excellence". Nylon. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  18. ^ "R&B Trio Flo's Debut Project, 'The Lead', Is An Essential Listen". Complex. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  19. ^ June, Sophia (6 July 2022). "Your Next Favorite Girl Group Flo Is About to Debut Their EP". Nylon. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  20. ^ Mier, Tomás (8 July 2022). "Flo Is the R&B Girl Group We Never Knew We Needed". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  21. ^ Stern, Bradley (8 July 2022). "With Their Debut EP, Flo Is Already in the 'Lead' (Review)". MuuMuse. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  22. ^ Heady, Taylor Alexis (10 July 2022). "Flo Has The Lead As Our New Favorite Thing!". The Honey Pop. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  23. ^ "Flo - The Lead". 360 Magazine. 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  24. ^ D, Double (10 July 2022). "Flo Is Ready To Take 'The Lead' On Debut EP". SoulBounce. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  25. ^ "The Lead – EP". Tidal. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  26. ^ a b "The Lead (Apple Music Up Next Film Edition) – EP". Genius. 21 September 2022. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  27. ^ "The Lead – EP". Genius. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  28. ^ "The Lead Digital EP". FLO Official Store. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  29. ^ "The Lead Vinyl LP". FLO Official Store. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
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