In the age of streaming, it’s never been less clear knowing when you can safely say an artist is well known in the mainstream. But for the rising star of Olivia Dean, the neo-soul Londoner, if Spotify streams count for anything then with over 20 million listeners, you could argue she is arriving on centre stage.
On her debut album, 2023’s Messy, Dean provided a respectful and worthwhile offering of a vintage sound with lo-fi stylings: horn arrangements, slightly de-tuned piano chords, and soulful ballds. There was also mega-hit, “Dive”, which was an early hint of what Dean could achieve. But it was otherwise solid without completely rewriting the script.
In a sense, Messy didn’t outright suggest what was to come; supporting slots for Sabrina Carpenter, collaborating with Sam Fender, or most of all, that “Man I Need”, lead track off her sophomore album, would reach number two in the charts. The success has come quickly for Dean, but it has been well earned for an artist whose warm soulful vocals are a welcome change for a writer who is more at home listening to heavy, downtuned guitar riffs.
Which brings into view The Art of Loving, and Dean immediately shows that alongside her growing success, is also her burgeoning maturity as a songwriter. Alongside “Man I Need”, there is also “Nice To Each Other” currently at home in the upper echelons of the charts too. An enveloping, embracing lo-fi track that showcases Dean’s style, with subtle rustic chords, skipping beat, and playful yet earnest vocals, it is illustrative of what Dean has done so well here.
The Art of Loving doesn’t simply retread what came before, but with Dean’s vulnerable and relatable songwriting, it is far more intimate and personal than her debut. It is also more varied and shines in subtly different hues at times: the funky, sultry “Lady Lady”, the energetic beat under “Something Inbetween”, the unravelling and captivating lullaby toned “Loud”; it would also be exciting to see Dean push the envelope further. Full of grace and elegance, it is ultimately a shame that The Art of Loving is over so soon.
