After steadily building hype for a few years, Olivia Dean made a name for herself with her 2023 debut ‘Messy’. Nominated for the Mercury Prize, it blended neo-soul, jazz and more into an infectious cocktail that her second album ‘The Art of Loving’ develops further, adding pop flourishes while telling a cohesive story.
Throughout, Dean weaves tales of love between together, moving from the highs of new infatuation to the trials of relationships and the torture of heartbreak. The unbridled joy of Man I Need speaks for independence and finding the right man, while Let Alone The One You Love, which recalls early Amy Winehouse in some of its grooves, is about moving on and taking time for yourself.
Close Up is in the same vein as No One’s Watching Me, her collaboration with Ezra Collective, using a jazzy base to reflect the album’s themes of unease around relationships and self-worth.
The standout Easy to Fall in Love is much more stripped back, initially featuring just Dean and a soft acoustic guitar as she documents the early stages of falling head over heels.
Nice To Each Other, a hit single with real staying power, is poppier than some of Dean’s previous work but still built around her vocals, with an irresistible groove. Lady Lady has more of an electronic tinge to it, but again Dean’s voice is never far from the centre of attention. It has real patience on its side before delivering an impressive hook.
There is a carefree attitude to both tracks, retaining the optimism of ‘Messy’, and there is a sense here that Dean is building on much of the groundwork laid by her first LP. The 12 tracks here blend her styles while hanging together beautifully, and it’s not a surprise that they have resonated with a growing fanbase. Dean is a future pop superstar but she hasn’t lost sight of the sounds that put her on the map.
Olivia Dean Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed April 22 2026 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Thu April 23 2026 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Sat April 25 2026 - MANCHESTER Co-op Live
Sun April 26 2026 - MANCHESTER Co-op Live
Wed April 29 2026 - LONDON O2 Arena
Thu April 30 2026 - LONDON O2 Arena
Fri May 01 2026 - LONDON O2 Arena
Sat May 02 2026 - LONDON O2 Arena
Sat June 20 2026 - DUBLIN Fairview Park
Sun June 21 2026 - DUBLIN Fairview Park
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