Olivia Dean Brings Back Joy

Photo by Loa Mansell

We’ve entered an era of music dominated by stories of heartbreak, loss, and emotional manipulation. Olivia Dean, a rising British pop star from London, stands out as proof that something vital has been missing in the modern music industry. That is not to say Dean doesn’t know sadness, because she does. Even so, she has managed to perfect blending even the most uncomfortable feelings with a beautiful understanding that everything is going to be okay.

Her recent album, The Art of Loving, was released on September 26 and features songs such as “Lady Lady,” which symbolizes Dean’s belief that a higher power is always guiding her through even the toughest moments. As an artist, she blends pop with the warmth of R&B and jazz sounds to create a sound that feels both timeless and modern.

One of the songs on the album, “I’ve Seen It,” perfectly encapsulates the record as a whole. She reflects on love in all its forms and reminds listeners that it still exists, even when it’s fleeting. On the track, Dean sings, “Catches your eye, you blink and then it’s gone. Brings out the worst, brings out the best.” While she often contradicts herself, there’s a groundedness to her that always remains.

The album itself moves between themes of love and introspection, incorporating strings, horns, and keys to create a sound brimming with depth and warmth. This sense of joy isn’t over the top; it’s something you find when you’re really listening. There’s an optimism in her writing that feels refreshed and authentic, rooted in her very real experiences.

I’m slightly biased, as I’m someone who has loved and followed Olivia Dean for years, but I can’t take the title of “biggest fan” because nobody loves Olivia Dean more than her stylist Simone Beyene. Beyene, who was raised in Stockholm and later studied fashion in London, has become known for styling British artists and has guided Dean’s sense of branding toward something deeply elegant and intentional. For some context, Dean released her first EP, Okay Love You Bye, at just twenty years old, so it makes sense that she would evolve not only musically but also in terms of her branding.

I had the opportunity to see her live at the Royale in Boston on July 19th and was struck by the growth of her visual branding, especially in the context of a live performance. She wore a light pink gown and opened her set with “Nice to Each Other,” one of the more popular songs off the album. Dean’s style has brought back a quiet sophistication, performing in full-length silhouetted gowns against a simple backdrop with her band. 

It was her first show in Boston, and the crowd’s energy was high, shouting the lyrics back at her. She also performed “Man I Need” before it came out, a happy, kind of old-school upbeat song that she just jumped around to on stage. It felt like everyone in the room was just happy to be there, caught up in the energy she brought to the stage.

I have nothing against modern pop stars who lean into themes of detachment or angst. Even so, I really appreciate an artist who celebrates the other sides of love and loss. The core of her lyrics is grounded in the true meaning of healing and living through pain, even when achingly painful. A song off the album titled “A Couple Minutes” captures a moment of closure and reflects the greater idea that love isn’t truly lost before “going back to real life.” The song opens with strings and ends with a full choir, perfectly encapsulating the arc of this encounter. 

I also appreciate how Dean has evolved as an artist, personally resonating with her music more and more over time. She’s been able to preserve the essence of her sound while maturing it. What has remained constant is her sense of joy, and what has changed is her ability to reach new audiences. She proves how approaching heartbreak with warmth can transform vulnerability into artistry.