The last time I stood up and took notice of a UK female singer and songwriter of such immense talent whose soulful influences were unmistakeable, a gal by the name of Adele Adkins out of London had just emerged on the scene. And at that time, she hadn't yet had us 'rolling in the deep' or 'wanting to find someone new', but rather 'chasing pavements'. And interestingly, much like Adele, the fellow Londoner, Olivia Dean, is emerging into international superstardom with her sophomore album, The Art Of Loving.
With already more than 1.2 billion streams less than two months after its September release, the album showcases Dean's natural gifts as a performer and writer, co-composing every song on the project. And while Adele sings of relationship complexities and heartbreak, Dean conversely brings infectious melodies and thoughtful lyrics with the central theme of love, either romantic or platonic, and most
certainly full of hope. “Man I Need”, her breakthrough North American hit mixes pop, soul, and gospel influences that Dean says were made for dancing, while laying out her relationship desires for the world to see. What's interesting to note is that this massive hit is co-written by Canadian, Tobias Jesso Jr., who also has written for Adele and contributes to one additional track, “Something Inbetween”. The album's pre-release single, “Nice To Each Other”, delivers smooth instrumental layering, while Dean explores the possibility of being friends, being more, or just being on good terms. Self assurance, empowerment, and evolution reign on “Lady, Lady” as Dean's voice is layered, allowing her to be her own backup singer on the track's chorus.
Stunning vocal arrangements await on “Close Up”, a passionately written and performed track that is deeply dipped in R'n'B with horn and Hammond B3 accompaniment and may be the song that is most reminiscent of the classic soul era on The Art Of Loving. However, I would be remiss if I didn't note the Motown influences on the slower ponderous and tender “A Couple Of Minutes”. The ballad shares thoughts of reconnection with an old love, cherishing the memories, knowing that love was not wasted despite its fleeting nature.
While vocally and musically Dean bares her soul on the album, she also lays her heart on her sleeve emotionally. As she noted about The Art Of Loving, "I don't think this is a cynical thing to say but I don't think that love is just magic that happens to you, I think you have to put the time in". Dean adds, "I'm a romantic, hopelessly, hopelessly. And I suppose I'm trying to just bring a little bit of love, and loving, back into your life". It's this outlook, combined with soulfully smooth production and song arrangement plus her natural gift of songwriting, that makes the album sophisticatedly sweet and raw.
If there's any torrid romance happening, it's definitely with her massive legions of fans eagerly waiting to see her perform with a just announced North American tour in 2026, which includes two Canadian dates in Toronto and Montreal. Dean professed on her social media page that the large venues where she will be commanding the stage are ones she could only have dreamt of performing in earlier in her career. This, of course, coming on the heels of her 2026 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and Jesso Jr.’s nomination as Songwriter Of The Year for his work on “Man I Need”.
If indeed there is an art of loving, the young UK talent, who lists Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Carol King among her most influential artists, has seemingly mastered it, at least with this album.
Reviewed by Stu Berketo