Olivia Dean‘s debut album ‘Messy’ is a passionate, heartfelt exploration of complex emotions, forging a relatable and warm connection that proves just why she’s one of the most exciting new talents around.
Words: Martyn Young.
Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett.
Make-up: Emily Engleman.
Hair: Donica Campbell.
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It’s easy from the outside to presume that success for some artists is straightforward and effortless. The reality, though, is that nothing is ever quite that simple. We’ve always known that Olivia Dean was a special talent, but for the singer-songwriter from London, the path from the ‘Growth’ of her previous EP in 2021 turned out to be a little more complex as we arrive at her stunning debut album ‘Messy’; a richly evocative and dynamic record that highlights that things don’t always turn out like you’d imagine.
For Olivia, messy is precisely where she wants to be. “I’m feeling so happy,” she smiles from San Francisco, where she’s travelled to perform a show. “Living the rock star dream!” she laughs. There’s a feeling that by embracing things not being perfect, Olivia has landed at a place of maximum contentment both personally and with her artistry. “I’m the most sure of myself that I’ve ever felt,” she says confidently.
‘Messy’ is the product of …
