Olivia Dean poses for the official “The Art of Loving” album cover. “The Art of Loving” is Dean’s second studio album, and discusses the contradictions throughout relationships. (Photo courtesy of Capitol Records UK)

Olivia Dean’s “The Art of Loving,” released Sept. 26, feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy Sunday evening: cozy and timeless. Dean brings her signature sincerity to this album, reminding listeners that heartbreak can be sad and happy all at once.

Her voice carries that satisfying, jazzy rasp reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, but with a vibrant spin. She wears her heart on her sleeve, crafting songs that feel like soulful storytelling.

Even without seeing her live, it’s easy to tell that Dean loves performing. During her “You Can’t Hurry Love” cover from Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny, she radiated pure joy. That same energy translates beautifully into “The Art of Loving.” 

The title track, “The Art of Loving,” opens the album with a warm embrace. “It’s the art of loving… it wasn’t all for nothing, yeah, you taught me something,” she sings, setting the tone for the rest of the album. It’s an introduction to her belief that love, even when it ends, leaves something beautiful behind.

From there, Dean moves into “Nice to Each Other,” a bittersweet anthem for those trying to stay kind while falling apart. “We could be nice to each other, right for each other, and rise to each other,” she croons, before undercutting the sentiment with the hook, “Wait for you to call it off, ‘cause I don’t want a boyfriend.”

This quiet, funny line echoes the sentiment of that recently viral British Vogue article about how having a boyfriend feels “embarrassing” now. Apparently, according to Vogue and Dean, independence is in fashion. However, Dean’s writing also reveals the unease beneath that freedom. When she sings, “I don’t know where the switches are, or where you keep the cutlery, and I’ll probably crash your stupid car and make your life a misery,” she’s poking fun at her flaws, acknowledging both her messiness and her intent to change. 

On “Lady Lady,” Dean shifts toward reflection and growth, singing “Keeps rearranging me a little bit … and I was just getting used to her.” There’s something liberating in her tone — she’s letting go and making room for something new. The synth-jazz fusion in this track is one of the album’s high points.

“Close Up” and “Let Alone the One You Love” explore the fragility of connection. “How can you get so close to someone you can keep out of reach?” she asks on “Close Up,” sounding both vulnerable and wise. Later, in “Let Alone the One You Love,” she wrestles with disappointment in a relationship, asking, “Who would do that to a friend, let alone the one you love?” The track builds like emotional momentum made audible.

“So Easy (To Fall in Love)” is, in my opinion, the album’s standout. From the opening line, Dean radiates self-assurance. “Some people make it hard with me, that isn’t the case, ‘cause I make it so easy to fall in love, so come give a call and we’ll fall into us.” It’s buoyant, confident, and irresistibly fun — a track that celebrates her worth. “I’m the perfect mix of Saturday night and the rest of your life, anyone with a heart would agree, it’s so easy to fall in love with me,” she sings, fully aware of what she brings to the table.

Dean gives herself the credit she deserves here, flipping the script on traditional love songs that center on yearning or heartbreak. Instead, she revels in the joy of being someone who makes it easy to love. “There’s no need to hide if you’re into me ‘cause I’m into you quite intimately, and maybe one night could turn into three, well, I’m down to see, ‘cause I make it so easy to fall in love.” Her delivery is flirtatious but grounded. The overdubbed vocals add texture and movement, adding to the dynamic of the song.

Later tracks like “Something Inbetween” and “Loud” peel back her optimism to reveal genuine introspection. “I’m not his, I’m not hers, I’m not your all or nothing, I’m more, can we still be something in-between?” she asks, embracing the ambiguity of love. The acoustic guitars and violins on “Loud” echo growing emotional dissonance.

The album closes with “I’ve Seen It,” a song that never says the word “love” — yet that’s exactly what it’s about. “I’ve seen the films, I’ve read the books … the fairy tale, the search goes on,” she sings. It’s about recognizing that love isn’t confined to romance — it’s everywhere, all the time. 

Dean’s artistry extends beyond her music. Her fashion mirrors her sound: she’s classy, bohemian, and timeless, often seen in Miu Miu or Chopova Lowena, blending vintage textures with modern silhouettes. As someone deeply interested in fashion, this detail about her artistry especially resonated with me. Her aesthetic feels cohesive and intentional, as if she’s telling stories through both her lyrics, and her clothes. 

“The Art of Loving” is an album about contradictions: independence and intimacy, joy and grief, hope and heartbreak. It’s humble, warm, and refreshingly optimistic — the kind of album you’ll return to again and again.