If there’s anything you should take away from budding popstar Olivia Dean’s music, it’s that one of the most important relationships you can have is with yourself.
Dean’s music – neo-soul, pop-infused jazz – has taken off in recent months. You may have heard her hit songs “Nice to Each Other” or “Man I Need” on TikTok lately, the singer-songwriter has been making music since 2018. Over the past two weekends, Dean performed at the Austin City Limits Music Festival for the first time.
Her latest album “The Art of Loving,” which was released only a week prior to her ACL debut, describes the many layers of love, a subject that plagues young adults. The album feels like an intimate conversation between two friends, emphasizing optimism above all. Songs like “Lady Lady” describe the importance of having faith in divine timing, while songs like “So Easy to Fall (In Love)” remind listeners they are the true prize before a first date. The album as a whole encourages listeners to notice the amount of love in their lives, not just romantically but love for themselves and for others.
For many people in the crowd, Dean’s set is more than just another festival performance, it’s the soundtrack to their twenties. Mattea, a young Austinite in her twenties, said despite being happily married, she holds Dean’s music close to her heart.
“ It’s been the soundtrack of my year,” Mattea said. “I feel like with her new album, it’s been a lot about love, friendship, heartbreak…what that experience looks like, which is obviously very relevant when you’re in your twenties.”
According to an article from NME magazine, Dean’s 2023 debut album “Messy,” established her sound as a singer-songwriter. The track expressed similar themes to “The Art of Loving,” though emphasized imperfection and personal growth throughout early adulthood.
With the sunny Austin skyline as her ACL backdrop, Dean gave an electric performance during Weekend One. Walking out on stage with high energy, a chic pair of Jimmy Choo calf-length boots and her band behind her, the UK artist made a lasting first impression on the crowd. Opening with her hit song “Nice to Each Other,” Dean had the crowd swaying their hips to the steady beat while shouting “I don’t want a boyfriend!” (a seemingly cathartic moment for many listeners in the crowd).
It doesn’t take long after the start of her set to notice the singer’s incredible stage presence.
“We’ve never played here before so this is our first time and if you haven’t seen us live before, there’s only one rule, make sure you have a good time!” Dean said before introducing her song “Time.”
She also performed her earlier hits such as “Ladies Room,” a song she humorously said is about “the girls toilets —if you know, you know.” Dean incorporated songs from her new album as well such as “Let Alone the One You Love” and “Close Up,” where she powerfully reflects on the hurt, betrayal and feeling of being misunderstood,
“Who would do that to a friend, let alone the one you love?” Dean sang. “Do you even see me?”
Dean pulled out all the stops when performing her hit song “The Hardest Part.” It’s an honest and grounded song that confronts the confusing feeling of growing apart from someone and the bittersweet journey to acceptance.
Although personal growth and love are two common themes in her music, “Carmen,” a song about Dean’s grandmother who immigrated to the U.K. at a young age, allowed Dean to make a statement on the perception and attitudes toward immigrants in the United States.
“Those people deserve to be celebrated,” Dean said before she delivered the moving lyrics, “you transplanted a family tree and a part of it grew into me.” A song of resilience, Dean dedicated the performance to immigrants and their families everywhere.
The crowd was lively as the singer introduced the last song, “Dive,” one of her biggest singles that she said is about “falling into love, and allowing yourself to love.” With “Dive,” Dean cements the overall message that it’s okay to be unafraid of every form and face of love.
Dean delivered a phenomenal performance on the American Express Stage, engaging with the crowd and reminding us that we are all on our own journeys of self-discovery. With ACL marking the singer’s first Austin performance, she could not have arrived at a better time for young Austinites trying to navigate their twenties.
