OLIVIA DEAN IS VOCALLY RADIANT IN HER NEW ALBUM, ‘The Art of Loving’

Photo Credit: Polydor Records

Olivia Dean is reaching new heights. Renowned for her stellar vocals and neo-soul sound, she’s earned BRIT and Mercury Prize nominations, all while becoming the face of Adidas and Burberry. Since the release of her debut album Messy, her status has flourished. 

Now she returns with The Art of Loving, a beautiful twelve-track album to be released worldwide on 26^th September. Accompanied by her recent Across the Atlantic tour, this new era invites listeners into her most honest work yet. Already climbing the charts with singles Man I Need and Nice to Each Other, the album is already proving to be both a critical and commercial success. 

The record opens with its title track, The Art of Loving. Warm and calming, Dean’s vocals blend with a gentle piano backing, a tender introduction that sets the tone for the intimate, romantic exploration ahead. 

Nice to Each Other follows, a single that has already gone viral on TikTok thanks to its exceptional one-take video directed by Jake Erland. Hailed as the beginning of “Olivia Dean summer”, it’s irresistibly catchy yet meaningful, exploring independence in dating, with charm and authentic candour. 

Lady Lady, released earlier in July, radiates a soulful warmth. Capturing the heat of summer, it reflects on womanhood, self-acceptance, and spiritual guidance. Dean’s maturity shines here, and her Hackney roots come through with a sound more assured than ever.

On Close Up, Dean channels the London charm of Amy Winehouse; understated yet lyrically sharp. Reflecting on love’s difficulties with the refrain “do you even see me”, she returns to her soul roots proudly. Following this, So Easy to Fall in Love lightens the mood with Motown flair and autumnal warmth, keeping her lyrics relatable and tender. 

The tempo slows with Let Alone the One You Love, where mellow brass and subtle synths intertwine. Man I Need provides a lively contrast, her career-defining track that, alongside her Sam Fender collaboration Rein Me In, has cemented her status as a rising popstar. With over 100 million Spotify streams, it remains one of her most commanding moments, and its feature on this album truly secures her status. 

The second half of the album leans into her authentic reminiscence and reflection. Something Inbetween and Loud weave synths with acoustic textures, slowing the pace while showcasing Dean’s vocal power. Loud is particularly captivating, exploring the turmoil of love with the evocative lyric, “silence is so loud”. Baby Steps follows with playfulness, offering soulful dating advice with nostalgic flair. 

As the album winds down, A Couple Minutes delivers orchestral backing, one of the most soulful tracks in Dean’s repertoire. Again, autumnal and renewing, she feels relaxed and calm, a sentiment true throughout the album. The final track, titled I’ve Seen It, brings the album to a close. Reminiscent of Lovely Day by Bill Withers, Dean culminates on a high. A quintessential summary of her musical flair, she’s authentic and mature, and vocally beautiful. 

Although only her sophomore album, The Art of Loving feels remarkably self-assured. Romantic, soulful, and unmistakably her own, this album celebrates Dean’s growing artistry and cements her as a leading voice in the soul genre. Mature and vocally radiant, the album is both a firm autumn favourite and a tantalising glimpse into Dean’s repertoire. A true standout for 2025 so far, Olivia Dean is in her prime, and her glowing new album sets her up perfectly for future success.

Olivia Dean ‘The Art of Loving’ is available to stream worldwide on 26^th September. 

Unless otherwise stated, Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Abigail Mableson/ADRENALINE Magazine.