Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving

Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving is the British singer-songwriter’s second album, and a clear step forward from Messy. Framed around love in its many forms rather than just romance, it finds Dean writing with more focus and ease, from the open-hearted pull of Nice to Each Other to the warm, classic-pop lift of So Easy (To Fall in Love).

What makes this one stand out is how thoughtfully that theme is matched by the music. Reviews picked up on its softer 70s-pop and R&B touches, while AllMusic noted that Dean rebuilt the record in East London with a tighter circle of collaborators, especially Zach Nahome, giving it a more cohesive feel. The album also arrived at a high point in her rise: Dean was already a BRIT and Mercury Prize nominee, and The Art of Loving later landed at number 19 in Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of 2025.

Reviews

• The Art of Loving pushes Dean into an elevated tier. – Rolling Stone AU/NZ
• it certainly constitutes a noticeable rethink – The Guardian

Genre: Pop & Rock