Olivia Dean’s discography has long been praised for its relaxed melodies, loving lyrics, and signature blurry album covers. Her most recent offering, The Art of Loving, is crowned my favourite, and it has been the perfect companion to the start of crisp, autumn days in St Andrews. Fans have likened Olivia’s new album to the festive classic Love Actually, reminding us of love’s omnipresence, even when we don’t always notice it.
Beyond her alluring persona, I’ve found Olivia Dean’s music to be the best accompaniment to romanticising university life, particularly as we dive into deadline season. Whether you’re on a walk into town or making your way through a mountain of reading, there’s an Olivia Dean song for every autumn and winter mood, which you can even pair perfectly with a seasonal TV favourite. Here are six of my favourites for romanticising life at St Andrews.
For tackling your to-do list: Ok Love You Bye
With a bouncy beat and lyrics about knowing your worth and pushing through, ‘Ok Love You Bye’ always fuels my productivity. It’s the perfect anthem for returning to the rhythm of work after your study break. For Olivia, this was the breakthrough record that launched her career, making it a perfect pairing with that assignment you’ve been procrastinating. It makes the daunting tasks feel achievable, and helps me to romanticise library days by transporting me into my uni Pinterest board or ‘StudyTok.’
My favourite lyric: “If you can’t see my mirrors/Then I can’t see you”
For your sunset stroll: So Easy (To Fall In Love)
If you’ve seen the music video for this song, you’ll know exactly where I’m going with this. On release, this track made its way straight into my ‘My Life is a Movie’ playlist. Paired with a St Andrews sunset, this is the perfect accompaniment to end a lecture-filled day. Its quiet confidence and punchy melody complement St Andrews’ architecture and falling leaves, allowing me to slow down and relax after spending the day staring at my laptop screen and mind-numbing statistic formulas. It’s a post-library dopamine boost and a soft self-loving reminder that I have made progress with my goals. Olivia affirms this energy is threaded through the song.
My favourite lyric: “I’m the perfect mix of Saturday night and the rest of your life”
For the 9am lecture commute: Touching Toes
Nobody looks forward to a 9 am lecture—trust me, I’ve had them for 4 years, and this year I have them every single day. Aside from my morning commute to the Scottish Oceans Institute (located on East Sands, and some days include dolphin spotting), the best way to prepare for the day ahead is a finely curated morning walk playlist. ‘Touching Toes’ in particular is the perfect track to slowly wake me up and romanticise those crisp early mornings. As someone with synesthesia, this song always sparks up plenty of autumnal tones in my mind.
While the song is about allowing someone into your world, and at its heart is about the beginning of romantic love, many lines can instead be tied to romanticising your day. The beautiful acoustic melody, paired with morning birdsongs, gently grounds and reminds me why I’m here and what I’m working for. For just a moment, playing this song makes those assignments seem slightly less of a mountain to climb.
My favourite lyric: “And he flows and flows like a river in my mind”
For your independent era: Baby Steps
Whether you’re navigating your new life at university, living alone for the first time, or tasked with something independent and outside of your comfort zone, ‘Baby Steps’ from Olivia Dean’s latest album is your new best friend. The song is about healing and growing after a breakup, but I think it applies to many situations beyond heartbreak. When I moved into my first flat, living alone, I found comfort in vlogs and songs about living alone that helped me settle in, just like this one. The TikTok community identifies this song as a way to romanticise the slow life too, and even Olivia describes the album as her way of figuring things out, but not expecting to know it all.
My favourite lyric: “I won’t fall back/If I fall forwards”
For the Sunday Reset: I’ve Seen It
If ‘The Art of Loving’ is reminiscent of Love Actually, ‘I’ve Seen It,’ the final track, is the pinnacle. In the song, Olivia sings about the places we can find love —whether romantic, platonic, or familial. This sentiment has been welcomed by social media, where our fast-paced world challenges us to stop, smell, and appreciate the flowers. That’s why I think this song is perfect for your Sunday reset routine as you reflect on the week and plan the next. It’s easy to let the little moments slip, but Olivia’s warm melodies force us to reconnect with the silent depths of meaning in our surroundings. Think of the iconic opening scene in Heathrow Airport from Love Actually —it is footage of real people. Love actually is… all around!
My favourite lyric: “And it makes me cry to think that I am able/To give it back the way it gives to me”
Olivia Dean’s emotionally moving work is the perfect addition to add magic and meaning to your university day-in-the-life. Add these tracks to your playlist and begin to notice the joy and love in the little moments. So, spare ‘A Couple Minutes,’ and start practicing ‘The Art of Loving.’