Mini skirt warrior enthusiasts, the wait is finally over. Pop saviour Joyce Cissé, known by her moniker flowerovlove, has arrived with her first full length: a debut that refers to her preppy, ‘90s-inspired wardrobe and the feminine power she feels wearing micro garments paired with high heels. 

The 21-year-old Ivorian-British singer-songwriter writes introspective slumber party pop with punchy wit about refusing to accept less than she deserves and coming-of-age as a lover girl. Cissé says the 12 track project details her firsts: “First times falling in love, first times getting to know yourself, first times falling out of love, first times realizing girlhood is so important.” 

The album chronicles four years of Cissé’s journey from her teens into her early 20s — a period of learning who you are, what you want, and what you need from a partner. While Cissé tends to shy away from blatant vulnerability, she lives in it on this record. Finding joy in tearing men apart, she also recounts earth-shattering heartbreaks and pining for who she’s lost. 

MINI SKIRT WARRIOR opens with the funky, synthy disco track “Legend has it,” which introduces listeners to Cissé’s bad bitch energy. “She makes onions cry,” Cissé says. “When she got married, her father in law asked for her blessings.” “Legend has it” exemplifies flowerovlove’s cool confidence in herself as a person and artist. The track also draws from her love of Black disco music from the ‘70s, like that of Euro-disco group Boney M. 

“In My Victoria’s Secret” delights in Chappell Roan-esque synths as Cissé explores a painful situationship through bumping drums and a playful melody. “American Wedding” is a flirty, acoustic-driven country-infused track romanticizing spontaneous nuptials, evoking the cheeky sensibility of Sabrina Carpenter. She even leans into thumping, gothic, western-tinged pop on “Don’t Even,” where she tells a lover that their toxic situationship is over. 

“Debonair” is a sweet, sapphic song about the dreamy feeling of falling for a girl for the first time with bright strumming and a nostalgic melody. “What Happened” elicits early 2000s energy with lush instrumentation and devastating lyrics.

Previously released single “KISS KISS KISS” leans into a ‘90s rom-com vibe with the line, “Oh my gosh, I’m totally buggin’. I’m totally in love with him” – a cheeky reference to Cher’s famous line from 1995 cult-classic Clueless. Over a pounding drumline and video game synths, Cissé allows herself to be swallowed whole by thoughts of a bright future with a lover. 

On “girls will be girls,” expressive layers of strumming hover over ringing keys as she explores a deep heartbreak and attempts to hold in overwhelming emotions. It’s a glimmering track, one that encompasses the feelings of dramatically pressing your hand to the car window in the passenger seat as you maneuver through a storm. The song features Grammy-nominated musician WILLOW, her stunning, soulful vocals towering as both artists sing about wanting to move forward. The track functions as a beautiful reminder to women that they can emerge from difficult periods of life and relish in being a girl. 

Throughout MINI SKIRT WARRIOR, flowerovlove reflects on her typical breezy outlook and signature campy melodies while expanding her emotional depth and conveying her very real yearning for true love.