Olivia Dean creates an all-around wistful, romantic album with The Art of Loving – a lyrical tapestry dedicated to the magic and transformative effects that love withholds. Dean is tender with her soulful distinct voice and jazzy arrangements packed with balmy piano harmonies, lush grooves, and soulful brass flourishes.
Dean began to drop hints of her album with singles like ‘Nice to Each Other’ and ‘Man I Need’- songs that body the conflicts of modern love while staying true to ones-self. A divine use in rhythms of pop that transmit elements of R&B, gospel, and jazz showcases Olivia Dean’s duality as an artist.
The long-awaited LP that is a “tender, intentional deep dive,” is based on multiple themes around true intimacy. Each track is about letting yourself foster a deep understanding and connection for the person you love. The soft yet powerful track ‘Loud,’ strips back all you believe what perfection is to be. It’s raw in all the sense of the word, a haven of coiled music, allowing each attribute to shine perfectly in sync and yet independently. There are many upbeat moments, like the mellowly- wispy bosa nova ‘So Easy (To Fall in Love)’, which embodies the thrill of new love.
“There’s Heaven in my heart, and we could find you some space/I could be the world to you, the missing piece.”
While the track ‘Something Inbetween’ falters along the lines of a relationship tottering and its complexities being the end-all, be-all.
There are many moments in the album where Dean posts up emboldening sounds of funk and strong rhythms like in ‘A Couple Minutes’ and ‘Baby Steps.’ Amazing harmony texture from her and the backup singers, and flawless call-and-response patterns and jazz syncopation.
This record is timeless and Olivia Dean proves she is an artist with lasting relevance. Dean’s ability to affect people is undeniable, she writes with striking vulnerability and has a fearless emotional delivery. As Dean gets ready for her sold-out arena tours beginning in April 2026, The Art of Loving comes out just in time to skyrocket her to the top of the charts. This is the artist’s meteoric rise to fame.
