Olivia Dean is the biggest musical sensation of the moment. The British singer made history by becoming the first female solo artist to have four singles in the UK Top 10 simultaneously.
From her massive hit Man I Need to the powerful collaboration with Sam Fender: all of Europe is in love with her sound. Olivia Dean now shows two distinct sides: the warm, soulful breakthrough surrounding the album Messy, and the polished pop-soul of her latest chapter, The Art of Loving. We have listed her ten best tracks.
10. Dive
If you want to introduce Olivia Dean to a friend, you quickly end up with the song Dive. It sounds smooth, sunny, and emotional without being heavy. The production is light, giving her soft yet steady voice plenty of room. It is typically the kind of song you accidentally listen to three times in a row during a car ride.
9. Ok Love You Bye
Direct, down-to-earth, and featuring a healthy dose of British humor. Ok Love You Bye is a break-up song without the whining. Olivia is determined; she closes the door behind her and does not look back. A great listen for anyone who is completely done with relationship drama.
8. The Hardest Part
This is Olivia at her most vulnerable. The Hardest Part is not about dramatic heartbreak, but about a mature way of saying goodbye. You hear a smile that is not quite sincere. The melody is comforting, even though the lyrics about letting go of a loved one cut straight through it.
7. Loud
On Loud, she proves how much she has grown as a songwriter. Loud is not noisy as the title suggests, but radiates confidence. There is a beautiful tension: the music remains tight and controlled, while Olivia allows more and more emotion into her vocals.
6. Close Up
Close Up feels like an honest conversation in the late hours. The production is small and intimate, making every detail in Olivia’s voice audible. She does not sing here to impress with high notes, but to hit the listener right in the heart.
5. A Couple Minutes
This is the moment of rest on her album The Art of Loving. In A Couple Minutes, time seems to stand still for a moment. The chorus does not force itself but tenderly invites the listener. Olivia’s voice floats over the chords in that familiar mix of comfort and edge for which she is now known.
4. Lady Lady
In Lady Lady, she opts for a grander sound, almost ethereal, yet the warmth remains. The song is about having faith and accepting that you cannot always direct life. It sits somewhere between soul, pop, and a spiritual vibe.
3. Nice To Each Other
A cheerful song with a mature message. Nice To Each Other is about the unwritten rules in a relationship: just be a little kind and do not damage each other unnecessarily. The groove is incredibly natural and the lyrics are sharp.
2. So Easy (To Fall In Love)
Only recently released, this track could easily become a major classic. It sounds like a timeless pop-soul record that will still feel fresh ten years from now. She sings with playful ease, although you hear the necessary doubt between the lines, and that is exactly what makes it so good.
1. Man I Need
Man I Need has it all: a chorus you can sing along to immediately, a beat that invites you to dance, and a powerful presence. She sounds like an artist who knows exactly where she stands. Pop-soul with an edge, perfect for the radio and even better to sing along to at the top of your lungs live.
via muziektop10.nl