Olivia Dean has quickly risen in the ranks of mainstream music with her unique blend of R&B and soul-filled sound, coupled with skillfully crafted lyrics. I wouldn’t say I discovered her early; I was introduced to her last year when she was spotted on a couple of occasions accompanied by one Mr. Harry Styles, and honestly… it was love at first sight– for Olivia and I, that is.
Her music is timeless, with jazz and bossa nova influences. Her voice is intimate and relaxed, which pairs incredibly well with the subject matter of her music: vulnerability. The lyrics that accompany Oliva’s classic sound are what have made her a new favorite of mine. In being incredibly introspective and open, she creates accessible stories exploring relationships– romantic, familial, and those within yourself. She broaches universal topics not regularly discussed explicitly, creating a connection with listeners. Olivia’s music not only sounds good; it feels good, too.
A lot of Olivia’s themes connect to the idea of change– within yourself, a relationship, etc. As someone who thrives under stability and structure, stressed about the ever-changing nature of life as a young adult, I’ve felt comforted by her focus on this universal fear. “The Hardest Part” references knowing that you’ve changed and you’ve grown, and recognizing that this change and growth is affecting your relationship. Olivia specifically references transformations in your late teens and early twenties as being inevitable, and often for the better. This song acknowledges the beauty of a relationship for what it was while simultaneously realizing it’s not growing with you. “Baby Steps” is similar; set after a breakup, it encapsulates how it feels to build yourself back up piece by piece. Creating a sense of independence tied to self-value is clear in this track, with all the scariness of being alone, but knowing you are capable and strong enough to exist separately from the past. And finally, “Lady Lady” is all about the wonder and unpredictability of Mother Nature. While you may not understand the plan, She does. Phase to phase, chapter to chapter… knowing there is a reason and intention behind all versions of yourself.
Olivia’s love songs are incredibly complex, with authenticity to all experiences that come with being in a romantic relationship. “Dive” puts its heart on its sleeve, admitting to the anxieties of love but being brave enough to jump in headfirst. “Man I Need,” arguably Olivia’s biggest hit as of late, while very upbeat, shares a lesson of the necessity of clear communication in a relationship. It’s about seeing the potential in a relationship, and knowing that it (and you) are worth the time and effort. And “So Easy (To Fall in Love)” is about just that: how carefree and simple love can be, knowing you are lovable just as you are.
Comparatively, some of Olivia’s most open lyrics concern the less-than-sunshine-and-rainbows aspects of romance, or rather, the realities of relationships. From her debut EP, “Reason to Stay” straight up asks for your partner to give you something to hold onto, something to keep you from separating, whereas “Ok Love You Bye” recognizes the two-sidedness to a relationship, seeing fault on both sides. While from different albums, “Something in Between” and “Ladies Room” (one of my all-time favorite songs) both work through the struggles of holding independence separate from a relationship. There is respect for the connection at hand, but also for oneself. And finally, Olivia dissects those more complicated relationships in “Nice to Each Other,” where she talks about the playfulness of modern dating in exploring connections, and in “A Couple Minutes”, which is a conversation between former partners, where Olivia makes clear that care still exists from the past and is still beautiful despite being over.
I’ll conclude with a single song that, to me, encapsulates Olivia Dean’s general aim, which reads as much as poetry as it does lyrics. “I’ve Seen It” highlights all the shapes and colors to love, the ups and downs, the universality…and overall, the song is about gratitude for both receiving and giving love, knowing it’s often unexplainable but still feeling comfort in your ability to hold it.
Olivia Dean is a masterclass in pairing sound with feeling. Though she is new on the charts, her maturity in her lyricism and conjunctive music as a whole is awe-inspiring. As someone who looks for music they not only can relate to but can also learn from, I recommend Olivia Dean to anyone and everyone.