Ronan O'BrienOlivia Dean is an artist with stardom in her future. On her second studio album, her balladry and warm vocals provide a beautiful narration of relationships and self-discovery.
Olivia Dean
Londoner Olivia Dean grew up with an affinity for music. Her middle name is Lauryn, inspired by the one and only, Lauryn Hill. Dean’s songwriting journey started at age 16, after she was accepted into the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. Following a stint as a backing vocalist for drum & bass band Rudimental, her solo career began in 2018.
Dean released her first EP, Ok Love You Bye in 2019, after being signed to EMI. A second EP, What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?, was released in 2020. In the following years, Dean was highlighted as an emerging artist by both Amazon Music and the BBC. This was followed by the release of her first studio album, Messy, which was commended for its versatility and boldness.
A spate of notable performances, including Glastonbury and Jools’ Annual Hootenanny, saw Dean creep into the public eye. This only grew when she served as the opening act for Sam Fender‘s 2025 tour. Her soft, pillowy vocals and neo-soul backing is easy on the ears, and many were hooked. While she is not the type of artist I am normally drawn to, I decided to give her newest album, The Art of Loving, a listen. And I loved it.
The Art of Loving
A gentle piano and Olivia’s smooth vocals open the album with a 30-second title track. Setting the mood from the start, the atmosphere is blissful. The Art of Loving was inspired by an exhibition Dean visited in LA. As she puts it, Mickalene Thomas’ All About Love depicts love as “less of this fantastical thing that you hope might happen to you one day and more as a reality”. Love exists in every crevice in one’s life, and it can be so easily cultivated.
The lead single, “Nice To Each Other“ is a playful ditty. Emphasising the push and pull of many relationships; gaining someone new but sometimes losing yourself in the process. An upbeat rhythm definitely encapsulates the fun that comes with many relationships, and her vocals are as sweet as one’s love. Falling more sombre towards the end, the song does indeed signify the ups and downs every relationship brings.
A more melancholic song, “Lady, Lady“ has such a beautiful message. Lyrically, it romanticises the universe and mother nature constantly changing and evolving around us. As Dean puts it, “It’s about the feeling of having to change just as you’re getting used to a version of yourself.” Delivered with fantastic vocals, Dean’s range flowing from lower to upper register is mesmerising. The backing vocals are soulful and the instrumental is a soft, funky ensemble.
Close Up
A soft, yearning vocal line opens “Close Up“. The song opens as a tearful ballad, with Dean comparing her story to that of Alice in Wonderland; “Chasing rabbits don’t usually end / With happy ever after”. The song evolves into a jazz-fused anthem as the chorus hits and Dean aches for validation. Once more, the song rises and falls, much like the songwriter’s heart in the relationship.
Boss nova is a huge inspiration to “So Easy (To Fall In Love)“ with its opening guitar and trumpet. One of the biggest hits from the album, it’s easy to see why. The instrumental blends a retro style with a modern, upbeat swing. And as for the vocals, they are sublime. Dean’s voice is like nectar to the ears, and the lyrics are so infectious. Blending self-confidence with flirtation, it’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but incredibly likeable and melodious. Olivia Dean is so easy to fall in love with.
The mood instantly drops with “Let Alone The One You Love“. A wonderful swing on the drums accompanies a groovy bass and tonally sweet guitar. Further layers are added with double-time horns, subtle piano and angelic backing vocals. The spotlight is most certainly on Dean’s vocals here, where in that lower register, she expresses hurt in her voice. This is especially evident in the closing line of the chorus, where she provides the coup de grâce; “Who would do that to a friend, let alone the one you love?”
Man I Need
“Man I Need“ appears to have become the biggest hit from the album. Its groovy and upbeat mood is incredibly irresistible. Another beautiful swing on the drums is accompanied by a fantastically groovy bassline. Dean’s vocals are sumptuous once again, and the backing vocals propel them to another universe. Setting the scene, she suggests an emotional distance between lovers; “Looks like we’re making up for lost time”. As the song evolves, the distance between the lovers narrows, their dancing in unison can be pictured. It’s such a fun song, it’s practically made to be a first dance.
Another upbeat sounding instrumental opens “Something Inbetween“. While the message is slightly less joyful, the vocals make it so sweet. A fantastic showcase of the versatility in her voice, the song explores complexity in modern relationships. While a relationship is yearned for, the idea of giving up one’s independence is allowing doubt to creep in. Dean says she “love[s] love, but I also can really function alone”. It’s an important message for sure, and can give clarity to those experiencing the same thing.
“Loud“ is a stripped-back song, which isolates the vocals perfectly. A lone acoustic guitar accompanied by soaring violins and gentle piano, the instruments are minimal. The main focus is definitely on Dean’s vocals, where she pours her heart out in an emotional manner. Detailing the raw pain that comes with a break-up, she painstakingly acknowledges the situation; “No, I won’t phone, ’cause we went straight to lovers / So we can’t even talk as friends”.
Baby Steps
Building on the demise of a relationship, Dean explores the journey of self-discovery in “Baby Steps“. A funky pop instrumental, it’s another fun little ditty. Her gentle, soulful vocals exhibit healing in such a touching manner. Rediscovering herself with hope and self-love, Dean delivers her message beautifully. As she puts it, “this house gon’ love itself”.
The penultimate track, “A Couple Minutes“, is a beautiful piece. A reflective ballad, it details the emotions that come with bumping into an old flame. Her soft delivery expresses the care she still has for the ex-lover, while the lyrics detail the raw intimacy of a brief reunion. While the relationship has passed, the love forever exists; “And although it’s over / I’ll always be there”. While there is a lot of weight to these old memories, there is not enough time to fully relive them. It’s like an interlude between her past and present life, and it’s so poignant.
“I’ve Seen It“ is, quite simply, a perfect song to end the album on. Minimal guitars provide the instrumental, accompanying Dean’s beautifully sweet vocals. The lyrics detail love in every aspect, from the singer’s point of view. Dean intimately describes all the love she sees around her, from “after school and in the park” to “right across me on the tube”. Perhaps most beautiful of all, are the closing lines. While she has painted a picture of love in different scenarios, she reminds herself of the love she has herself; “I know it’s somewhere in my chest / I guess it’s been inside me all along”.
Final Thoughts
This album blew me away. It felt like a film, as it detailed relationships and love in every single sense. From playful beginnings, to heartbreaking moments, to recovery and hope, Olivia Dean tells the story of modern love in such a beautiful way. This is delivered with some of the sweetest vocals I have heard in a long time. Her voice is incredibly infectious and her range versatile enough to not go stale. It’s easy to see the comparisons she has already received to Adele, Beyoncé and Amy Winehouse.
Instrumentally speaking, the album has a fantastic jazz-funk-pop fusion to it. It’s polished and refined like most modern pop albums, but it has so much soul where it doesn’t sound artificial in any regard. From listening to this album, I can tell Olivia Dean will be a superstar in the near future. As long as she keeps that genuine soul to her art, there will be a lifelong fan in me.
