If you’ve happened to scroll through Instagram or TikTok in recent weeks, you have most likely stumbled across rising star Olivia Dean’s new tracks, “Man I Need,” or, “So Easy (To Fall In Love).” Olivia Dean has had a huge increase in attention ever since she released her latest album on September 26th titled The Art of Loving. This is Dean’s second album following the release of her debut album, Messy, back in 2023, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Many tracks from Dean’s new album have taken the internet by storm, and the 26 year old English singer and songwriter seems to have a bright future ahead of her.
Olivia Lauryn Dean was born on March 14, 1999 in the London Borough of Haringey and grew up in Highams Park. Dean was born to an English Mother and a Jamaican-Guyanese father, and her grandmother emigrated to the UK from Guyana as part of the Windrush generation: Caribbeans who moved to America and Europe after World War II. Dean was musically involved from a young age; she often listened to music and danced with her father in the kitchen, participated in school musicals and theatre lessons, and sang in a gospel choir. Dean was accepted by the BRIT school, where Amy Winehouse also attended, at just 15 years old where she originally studied theater but later switched to songwriting. Dean started to create songs at 16 years old and she also taught herself guitar and the piano.
Dean started her career as a backing vocalist for the British drum and bass band “Rudimental.” In October of 2018, Dean released her debut single “Reason to Stay,” on Youtube, which was the first of many self-released songs and EPs. She released her debut EP, OK Love You Bye, in November 2019, which would be followed by her second EP, What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays? in December of 2020. Dean was named the Breakthrough Artist of the Year by Amazon Music in April 2021 and she would move on to be BBC’s Music Introducing Artist of the Year in 2023, the same year she released her debut album, Messy. To add, Dean was the supporting act for Sam Fender and his “People Watching Tour” and more recently she was also the support act for Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet Tour” for five nights at Madison Square Garden.
The Art of Loving consists of twelve timeless tracks including “The Art of Loving (Intro),” “Nice To Each Other,” “Lady Lady,” “Close Up,” “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” “Let Alone The One You Love,” “Man I Need,” “Something Inbetween,” “Loud,” “Baby Steps,” “A Couple Minutes,” and “I’ve Seen It.” Emmeline Lefort, a sophomore at HHS, shares, “My favorite song by Olivia Dean is either ‘Baby Steps’ or ‘Loud.’”
Dean’s song “Man I Need” became the highest charting song from a UK act on Spotify’s Global Charts this year and she also became the first female British singer to three UK top ten singles since Adele. Kristi Fickes, a sophomore at HHS says, “I love her song ‘Lady Lady.’” Dean’s “The Art of Loving,” evokes feelings with her music rather than conforming to standard music genres. Dean blends R&B, pop-soul, Motown influences, and jazz into her music and she is influenced by famous artists including Lauryn Hill (whom Dean got her middle name from), Amy Winehouse, and Carole King. The Art of Loving explores how love presents itself in different forms varying from romantic, platonic, and even self love.
Olivia Dean recently announced her largest ever UK and EU headline tour, “The Art of Loving Live,” which begins in April, 2026. In addition, on November 15, 2025, Dean is expected to make an appearance on a Saturday Night Live episode that Glen Powell is hosting. Dean also became a brand ambassador for Chanel in 2023 and will also be the face of the Burberry Her fragrance in 2026. Olivia Dean is not only a remarkable up and coming artist making an impact on the music industry, she is also making appearances on television, and with major brands. You can keep an eye out for more updates on her music and tour by visiting her website and following her on Instagram @oliviadeano.
