Imagine you’re sipping a coffee, relaxing in your favorite sweatpants, all while it rains outside but you just can’t figure out what music to listen to… enter Olivia Dean. The 25 year old singer was born in Haringey, England in 1999, and given the middle name of “Lauryn”, inspired by neo-soul musician Lauryn Hill. This middle name turned out to be much more than simply a coincidence, as Dean eventually fell in love with the world of music and taught herself to play both the piano and guitar. At 15 years old, she got accepted into the BRIT School for theater, but she would eventually switch over to focusing on music. At 17, Dean was hired by British pop band Rudimental as a backing vocalist. However, Dean knew she was destined to create her own music and released her first single (“Ok Love You Bye”) in 2019.
Since creating her own label as a musician, Dean has released various compilations and singles, which all accumulated into her debut album – Messy – which was released in June of 2023.
With her iconic British accent, Dean creates effortlessly catchy songs that combine jazz, motown, and pop. Messy harnesses the earworm melodies of pop songs, the soulfulness of motown, and the captivating instrumentation of traditional jazz. Dean has masterfully compiled these elements into her own genre of music, one that is showcased from all angles in her new album.
“Danger” and “Dive” are more heavily pop influenced and feature lighter vocals and more upbeat rhythms. This arrangement fits perfectly with the theme of falling in love, which is celebrated throughout these two pieces. Dean’s piano skills are highlighted throughout the songs, especially in “Dive”, which features an impressive piano riff in the intro.
“Ladies Room” and “Everybody’s Crazy” are upbeat, funky, and fun. These beats match the themes of the songs, which discuss the ups and downs of relationships. The honest lyrics are catchy, witty, and peak your interest, which leaves you hooked for the rest of the song.
“Carmen” is the most beautiful song on the album. It tells the story of Dean’s grandmother, who immigrated to England from Guyana at the age of 18. It includes clips of Dean listening to the story of her grandmother’s immigration, as well as jazz beats and metaphors surrounding Dean’s family tree. It’s wonderfully composed and covers a very personal topic, and definitely worth a listen.
My Top Ten:
- “Danger” (Messy)
- “Just For You” (L.L. Bean Christmas Advert)
- “UFO” (Messy)
- “Dive” (Messy)
- “Carmen” (Messy)
- “Ok Love You Bye” (Olivia Dean If You Know What I Mean)
- “Crosswords”
- “Password Change”
- “Ladies Room” (Messy)
- “Everybody’s Crazy” (Messy)
For fans of RAYE, Leon Bridges, and Frank Ocean.
