Gus Stewart/Getty Images

Olivia Dean brings the energy on stage with stylish outfits and beautiful vocals.

When I heard Olivia Dean’s song “Dive” for the first time, I was pulled in by the clever and connected lyrics alongside the soft, harmonious undertones. As I’ve listened to more of her music, I continue to be inspired. Her songs go well with any activity or time of day, whether I’m painting, driving, doing homework, or completing tasks around the house.

Dean is from London, UK, and has over 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Despite her massive audience, she might not be on everyone’s radar, especially in the U.S. Also, she’s only 26 years old, so she has a long career ahead of her.

She has released over 30 singles, along with a debut album, Messy, in 2023. My favorite songs, “UFO,” “Dive,” and “I Could Be A Florist,” take the listener on a calming journey, and the poetic lyrics flow so smoothly. “I Could Be A Florist” is just over a minute long, but the gentle sound and kind message provide comfort and sympathy, which I think we all need sometimes.

Her music often discusses falling in love and the confusion or unfamiliar feeling of it. “Fall Again” is about overthinking what falling in love is supposed to be like, and “Danger” transitions to how embracing real love can feel risky. She acknowledges the beauty and comfort of this new relationship in her 2024 song, “Touching Toes.” Dean’s songs transition to show growth and acceptance of being in love.

However, Dean furthers her self-acceptance regardless of her relationship status, especially through “Be My Own Boyfriend,” “Messy,” and more. She describes her journey of learning to embrace and show up for herself. She knows her worth and doesn’t let others put her identity or music genre in a box.

I feel connected to her music, which gets stuck in my head all the time, because she fits my vocal range, and her songs also remind me of my own poetry. One of the first songs I heard of hers was “The Hardest Part” featuring Leon Bridges, who is another one of my favorite soulful singers. This song replays in my head often, but listening to the song always makes a deeper impact. Their voices layer so perfectly together and it’s nice to hear Dean’s British accent pull through as well.

Dean’s songs are a message to herself and all her listeners that it’s okay to get a little messy, and she’s right there with you. At the end of the day, “it’s a gift to exist.”