Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

Two years after Messy cemented her as one of Britain’s most compelling and engaging new voices, Olivia Dean returns with The Art of Loving. While this new record revisits themes of candid vulnerability and romantic encounters, it leans into a more expansive, direct and honest exploration of the self. Dean encapsulates love as a multifaceted emotion, singing with passion, warmth, sincerity and intimacy.

So Easy (To Fall In Love) is a charming number that highlights Dean’s wide range of vocal inflections, whether endearing, confident or flirtatious, accompanied by a playful assortment of instrumentation and backing vocals. Chart-topping single Man I Need remains a standout within the bigger picture of the album as a vibrant, forward, danceable track with an assertive lyrical voice. Reaching a deeper level of sincerity, Loud is emotive and raw: 'I understand if you changed your mind about me / But all you had to do was say'.

Though some of her songwriting relies on familiar territory, the lush production prevents the record from feeling stale, with soaring strings and belting brass, honky-tonk piano and sharp and rhythmical electric guitar stabs. The Art of Loving proves to be both a continuation and a step forward from Messy, with Dean bringing a new level of maturity and authenticity that brings depth and complexity to the album.

Listen to: So Easy (To Fall In Love), Man I Need, Loud