"Cardboard Box" is the debut single by British girl group Flo from their debut EP, The Lead (2022). The group co-wrote the song alongside Savannah Jada and MNEK, the latter of whom also handled the song's production. The single was released for digital download and streaming through Island Records on 24 March 2022 as the lead single from the EP. A pop and R&B song, it features the group's harmonised vocals over a dancehall-inspired beat with elements of 2000s music. Lyrically, the song describes moving on from an unfaithful romantic partner. Upon its release, the song gained popularity through Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Background After their formation in 2019, the group spent two years working on music with producers including MNEK. "Cardboard Box" was one of the first songs worked on during these sessions. The single was subsequently released on 24 March 2022. An accompanying music video was published to YouTube on 1 April 2022, which surpassed 900 thousand views within days. A Tweet containing a clip from the music video also attracted over 2 million views and 100 thousand likes on Twitter.
The single has been praised on social media by established artists including SZA, Missy Elliott, JoJo, and Victoria Monét.
"Cardboard Box" was featured as the lead single for their debut extended play, The Lead (2022). An acoustic version of the song was released to YouTube and streaming services on 27 May 2022. The group also performed the single for Vevo DSCVR, alongside the second single from The Lead, "Immature". The group made their television debut on 7 October 2022, performing the single on US talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In August 2022, "Cardboard Box" started gaining popularity on the platform TikTok after an afrobeats version emerged, starting a new trend on the video-sharing app. The group officially released DJ Happi's remix as a single and premiered a lyric video on 6 October 2022.
Track listings Streaming/digital download – remix "Cardboard Box" (Happi Remix) – 2:30 "Cardboard Box" – 2:41
Streaming/digital download – versions
"Cardboard Box" (Sped Up) – 2:18 "Cardboard Box" (Acoustic) – 2:53 "Cardboard Box" (Studio Vocals) – 2:41 "Cardboard Box" (Instrumental) – 2:41
Accolades +Accolades for Cardboard Box Publication Accolade Rank Apple Music Apple Musics 100 Best Songs of 2022 Amazon Music Amazon Musics 50 Best Songs of 2022 Complex UK Complex UKs 50 Best Songs of 2022 Esquire Esquires 45 Best Songs of 2022 PopBuzz PopBuzzs 20 Best Songs of 2022 The Guardian Guardians 20 Best Songs of 2022 NME NMEs 50 Best Songs of 2022 Billboard Billboards 100 Best Songs of 2022 The Fader Faders 100 Best Songs of 2022
Charts + Chart performance for "Cardboard Box" Chart (2022–2023) Peakposition Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan) 17 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 19
Certifications
Release history + Release dates and formats for Cardboard Box Region Date Format(s) Version Label Various 24 March 2022 Original Island 27 May 2022 Acoustic 7 October 2022Happi remix
References