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Photo by Yana Van Nuffel

At just twenty-one, Joyce Cissé, better known as flowerovlove, already feels like an artist who knows exactly what her world looks like. Since making her debut in 2020, she has built a distinct identity around her music, from her stage design and signature mini heels and skirts to her instantly recognisable afro. With support already coming from artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Elton John, there was plenty of anticipation around where she would take things on her debut album, MINI SKIRT WARRIOR. Thankfully, she did not disappoint.

The album opens with the interlude “Legend Has It” which immediately transports you to a dreamy ’80s disco vibe. However, the rest of the album feels much more modern and young, but so full of movement, even when the subject matter isn’t always. 

At its core, MINI SKIRT WARRIOR is a coming-of-age record about all the messy firsts that come with growing up such as first loves and heartbreaks. There is a real sense of Flowerovlove figuring things out in real time, moving between topics of romance, insecurity, self-belief and the realisation that sometimes you are simply too good to be losing sleep over a boy.

“I’m Your First” leans perfectly into Gen Z language and attitude, becoming one of the album’s biggest singles. It is playful, confident and made to be screamed with your friends when getting over a heartbreak. However, alongside her usual confidence, the album has its more vulnerable moments, which really made the album for me. 

One of the standouts is “Girls Will Be Girls” featuring WILLOW. It feels like one of flowerovlove’s most open songs yet, sharing the feeling of being too emotional and feeling like you are too much, crying in the club and trying to hold yourself together anyway. It sums up what the album does very well: giving you music you can dance to while your heart is still breaking.

Despite being at the beginning of her career, Flowerovlove already feels remarkably sure of herself. Her music is sweet without becoming overly cute, romantic without feeling naive and youthful without lacking depth. In a pop landscape where it can sometimes feel difficult to stand apart, her personality comes through in everything she does.

If you want a fun, danceable pop album that will leave you in a better mood than it found you, this is one worth putting on repeat. And with flowerovlove opening for Niall Horan this September, these songs feel made for a crowd. MINI SKIRT WARRIOR is the perfect introduction to an artist who is only just getting started.

Listen to MINI SKIRT WARRIOR below: