Olivia Dean’s ‘The Art of Loving’ is the cherry on top of an astounding year for the artist

2025 is already shaping up to be a stellar year for London-born singer-songwriter Olivia Dean. From performing the standout soundtrack, ‘It Isn’t Perfect (But It Might Be)’ for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, to earning high-profile support slots for Sam Fender and Sabrina Carpenter, alongside having two breakout songs with ‘Nice to Each Other’ and ‘Man I Need’, as well as, recently, partnering with Adidas as part of their ‘superstar campaign’; the release of her sophomore album just seems like the cherry on top to a fantastic year.

The Art of Loving, the much-awaited second full-length album in Dean’s discography, follows the success of Messy in 2023, which earned a coveted Mercury Prize nomination the year of release. It serves as the perfect continuation, brining a new level of maturity and self-confidence.

After the 40-second eponymous track plays, ‘Nice To Each Other’, the track which began The Art of Loving era, begins. The upbeat lead single sets the tone of self-fulfilment and self-love right from the off.

There is an easy confidence and self-assurance in the lyricism

This theme is continued through ‘So Easy (To Fall in Love)’, a tune which easily would not be out of place in a rom-com, something which Dean is no stranger to, as she recently penned the title track for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. However, something is refreshing in the way she subverts the typical love songs to centre on herself as the protagonist in the rom-com-ready tune. There is an easy confidence and self-assurance in the lyricism: “I’m the perfect mix of Saturday night and the rest of your life”, with the brass accompaniment lending itself to a bright and upbeat feel.

While ‘So Easy (To Fall in Love)’ is Motown-inspired, ‘Close Up’ has an evident Amy Winehouse influence. With its brass instrumentation and layered backup vocals, ‘Close Up’ brings a jazz feel to Dean’s latest release.

Moreover, Dean does not stray away from a ballad on her sophomore album. ‘Let Alone the One You Love’ discusses the art of letting go when you have been wronged, meanwhile ‘A Couple Minutes’ showcases Dean’s vocals, as she performs a stripped-back, easily swayable track.

‘Baby Steps’ leads on from this, as Dean sings with a sense of pride about how she is taking “baby steps” in learning how to love herself and be independent. While the artist may be taking “baby steps” when it comes to self-love, the singer-songwriter certainly is not taking “baby steps” in her musical journey; the song title seems like an understatement in the way that her musical career has skyrocketed over the last year. Additionally, the use of the layered backing vocals creates a ‘gospel choir’ sound near the end of the track, cementing this track as a clear celebration of Dean’s personal journey.

The Art of Loving is remarkably mature for a sophomore album

Another track which has helped Dean’s career take off recently is ‘Man I Need’: a pop hit which still has that signature Olivia Dean twist. Although the most danceable track on the album, Dean’s soul-style vocals help to lift the standout song from being a typical pop song.

The end of the stellar sophomore album sees a complete diversion from the previous eleven tracks, yet it is a beautiful and welcome diversion. Dean’s vocals on ‘I’ve Seen It’ are accompanied by gentle strumming on the guitar, creating a softer ending to the album while also demonstrating her range as an artist.

Ending the twelve-track album on a song with just the singer-songwriter’s vocals seems fitting for an album which has the theme of self-love and fulfilment woven through it.

The Art of Loving is remarkably mature for a sophomore album. A clear self-assurance and self-confidence permeate through each lyric, showcasing how incredibly rare Olivia Dean is as an artist; she has settled into her sound so early in her career. With 2025 already being a standout year for the singer-songwriter, the only way is up as she embarks on her album tour next year.

Recommend Listening: ‘Man I Need’, ‘Baby Steps’, ‘So Easy (To Fall in Love)’

★★★★★

Listen to The Art of Loving here: