British R&B trio FLO have secured a Grammy nomination for their second album, Therapy at the Club, marking the first time in two decades that a British female group has been recognised by the US academy. The nomination is expected to open doors to larger tours in the United States and increased radio play in Canada.
From rising stars to Grammy contenders
The three singers – Stella Quaresma (24), Jorja Douglas (24) and Renée Downer (23) – first broke through with their debut Access All Areas, released twenty months before Therapy at the Club. The debut earned broad critical acclaim, a viral TikTok dance and the Brit Awards Rising Star prize in 2023, after which the group embarked on a worldwide tour.
Therapy at the Club was written and completed within six months, its concept emerging after collaborator Lauren Keen presented the title track. Each member initially wrote songs alone before sharing them with the group, a process that the trio says has strengthened their friendship and kept negative days rare.
Creative collaborators and influences
The album features contributions from producers Julian Bunetta and Steph Jones, as well as creative direction from Ciarra Pardo and Ana Boaretto. Jorja Douglas co‑wrote the track Remedied with Amy Allen and Oak Felder, and the trio also spent studio time with Stevie Wonder, an experience Downer described as a reminder of how far they have progressed.
Musically, FLO blend classic R&B influences with contemporary sounds, citing Frank Ocean and Mariah Carey among their artistic inspirations. They note that the market currently hosts few girl groups, attributing the scarcity to the difficulty and expense of forming such ensembles.
Looking beyond the UK
Therapy at the Club has already secured placements on popular Canadian streaming playlists, and the band intends to capitalise on that momentum with live dates in Toronto and Vancouver later in the year. The Grammy nomination is seen as a catalyst for larger US tours and greater radio exposure across Canada.
Despite the growing attention, the members stress that they do not view themselves as celebrities. They describe themselves as ordinary people whose primary motivation is creating music, and they aim to present a more mature and confident image in their work.
Club culture as creative fuel
Both Douglas and Quaresma have spoken about the role of nightclubs in their creative process, describing venues such as Pacha in Ibiza as spaces where ideas are generated and important conversations take place. The club environment, they say, helps them think and discuss matters that shape their music.
Overall, FLO’s blend of strong camaraderie, disciplined songwriting and strategic expansion plans positions them as a notable new force in the transatlantic R&B scene.