“I see myself in so many of these young Black girls”: Flowerovlove on how her debut album is just the beginning
British singer-songwriter Flowerovlove on self-acceptance, the moment she realised she wanted to be an artist and manifesting an opening slot on Niall Horan’s upcoming tour.
A debut album is usually a true statement of intent from an artist. But Flowerovlove insists that her first full-length project is only the beginning. “[This album] is a space for people to see this world that I’m crafting. It’s more of an introduction than me saying, ‘I’m here.’ I think my next album is going to be like, ‘Wow I’m here,’” says the 21-year-old.
Despite a discography dating back to 2020, including her hits breaking news and a girl like me, her upcoming album Mini Skirt Warrior marks her first full length release. The project casts a spotlight on the disorientating voyage through one’s early 20s, encountering love, growth and deep introspection along the way. The messages are delivered over candied pop beats, by Flowerovlove’s buoyant vocals, reminiscent of Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams’ hits.
Following the album’s release, the London-born artist will join pop sensation and former One Direction member Niall Horan on his Dinner Party: Live On Tour, closing out a monumental chapter in the artist’s career.
Ahead of the album’s release, Flowerovlove joined EE72 to talk the film that inspired her to become an artist and the biggest lessons she’s learnt in her early 20s.
What were some of your earliest musical influences?
My earliest musical influences were definitely this disco group called Boney M., ABBA and Donna Summer. I grew up hearing a lot of bands, disco, gang vocals, chants and big anthems thanks to my mum. She’s got good music taste.
When was the moment you thought, ‘I want to be an artist’?
When I was six years old and Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never documentary dropped. The documentary is all about Justin’s work around his Madison Square Garden show, and I was like, ‘I really want to do that.’ I felt such a spark following his journey and from the way they told his story. I felt a real connection, and it made me really want to play at the iconic space. Ever since then, that’s been my dream venue.
Congratulations on the new album. Why did now, following years of EPs and singles, feel like the right time for a debut album?
I feel like I hadn’t intentionally thought about making an album until last summer, when I was like, ‘I think it’s time.’ So it’s more than just a gut feeling where you’re like, ‘Okay, now is a good time and now that I have made it, I have to stand by the fact that it’s ready.’ I could always say, ‘Yeah, I would love more time,’ but sometimes you’ve just got to release something.
What music were you listening to on the way to the studio when creating this body of work?
During this era, I was actually listening to a lot of instrumental music. I love listening to music that has no lyrics, and I also love listening to frequencies because it helps me tap into this character that I have, who is a great songwriter, and who is now myself.
You’ve been described as a “dreamer who romanticizes all aspects of her life”. Have any of your dreams informed your music?
I have so many dreams where I’ve written a song in it, and they sound like the best thing ever, and then when I woke up and tried to voice note it, it was the worst thing ever. They’ve influenced me to keep going as a human being and to understand that not everything I’m making is going to be great. I recently listened to so many of Prince’s archives, and a lot of them are very bad, so there has to be bad to be great. That’s something I learn a lot from being a romanticizer and a dreamer. This album is also about being a thought daughter, which I am. I’m always in my thoughts and thinking about stuff on a deep level that I don’t think normal people do.
The album encompasses the fun and confusion surrounding entering your 20s. What’s been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your 20s?
Patience. I would say I’m still learning patience. Not everything is going to be exactly how you want it to be, but you are always in the right place at the right time, even if you don’t know it just yet.
Yana Van Nuffel
I would say I’m still learning patience. Not everything is going to be exactly how you want it to be, but you are always in the right place at the right time, even if you don’t know it just yet.
FLOWEROVLOVE
What do you want listeners to take away from the project?
I want them to feel seen. I want them to know they’re not in their head and it’s not abnormal to be like, ‘This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me, it feels like the end of the world,’ and then the next day be like, ‘That was absolutely nothing.’ It also feels like a space for people to see this world that I’m crafting. It’s more of an introduction than me saying, ‘I’m here.’ I think my next album is going to be like, ‘Wow, I’m here,’ for sure.
Yana Van Nuffel
[With this album] I want them to feel seen. I want them to know they’re not in their head and it’s not abnormal to be like, ‘This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me, it feels like the end of the world,’ and then the next day be like, ‘That was absolutely nothing.
FLOWEROVLOVE
Next, you’ll be joining Niall Horan on tour. How did that come about?
I’d say it came about by manifestation, to be honest, but I do also have great agents. I brought in new agents and the first thing they got for me was this tour. My manager and I really wanted to do this, and it happened. I’m very honoured that he believes in the project and in the vibes of Flowerovlove.
What does your pre and post-show ritual look like?
I just started working on my pre-show ritual; I never used to have one. Both pre and post-show rituals involve needing to be alone. The pre-show involves talking to the band and saying, ‘It’s going to be a good show no matter what happens.’ I’ll also go and do some vocal warm-ups. I’m very into longevity and Chinese routines like lymphatic movements, and I push on some acupuncture points on my body. At the end of the show, I like to be alone for 10 minutes, then I’m like, ‘Hey guys!’ I don’t get to be by myself after the show because there’s always so much to do. I get to say hello to fans, but lowkey I’d love to just get 10 minutes so I’m not sweaty anymore.
What’s exciting you most about the future?
I think the impact I believe I’m going to have on people, especially Black people. Today I saw this girl who was maybe in Nigeria, in a car, and she was jamming out to my song In My Victoria’s Secret. I was like, ‘Wow, that feels like me when I was younger.’ I felt seen. I see myself in so many of these young Black girls, and I hope they feel the same. I also hope I get to see more people wearing their natural hair. That’s something I’m extremely excited about. Seeing a crowd full of natural hair and different textures is something I aspire to see when I’m stepping out on the stage. If I grew up seeing that, it would’ve made me not grow up wanting to be white. That’s a thing a lot of us have that we don’t really talk about. Now there’s nothing that I love more than being Black.
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