Album of the Moment

Music is my first love; from the Motown medleys of my childhood to my pop-punk emo days, it's always played a key role in my everyday life. Being the girl who always has her earphones in, I thought it was high time I dedicated a blog series to my choice of Album of the Moment. I've wanted to share my thoughts and opinions on this for a long time, so here is the first of many nominations for my choice of Album of the Moment!

Messy - Olivia Dean

I discovered Olivia Dean by chance when I shuffled my "Discover" playlist on Spotify, and her song "The Hardest Part" started playing. Dean's smooth and soulful vocals sang into my ears, her words perfectly depicting what I was experiencing at the time - closure after a breakup, but your ex-partner still longs for you- and the song stuck with me. I loved her modern interpretation of Soul and Motown music on this track as she elevated the vintage style with relatable lyrics. This song helped me realise I wasn't selfish for moving on, and when I heard she was releasing her debut album, I was excited to discover what else she had to say.

Messy is an album that intertwines the themes of self-discovery, relationships, and empowerment while also showcasing a range of complicated emotions from heartbreak to anxiety and insecurity. Dean's lyrics hit home in more ways than one, making this album one to remember.

Here, I share my thoughts on 5 of the singles that stood out for me:

1. Dive begins with a dramatic piano sound that is bold and memorable and matches the intention behind Dean's lyrics that boldly admit she is ready to dive into love. Its R&B-style melody lays over matching drums and piano, leading to the chorus that has added layers of gospel-sounding strings and choir. With the combination of Dean's relatable descriptive lyrics, her soulful voice, and her distinctive instrumental, you can see why it's one of her more popular singles. For me, the bridge is the stand-out feature of this track; it strips everything back only to build it back up again into an explosion of sound that feels euphoric and captures the sentiment of the song. It creates a welcome to the album that feels personal and intimate, that forms an emotional connection between the listener and what they're listening to. 

2. Ladies Room opens with two voices arguing in the background, it creates this picture of two people arguing after a night out that adds to the overall feel of the song. It's a song that portrays Dean's confidence in her independence in a relationship, lyrics such as "Even if you left, I'm not going home yet" encapsulate this feeling that she won't be changing who she is or what she's doing to be with someone. The ticking, glockenspiel sound adds a staccato sound to the song, creating this certain and firm tone that reiterates Dean is not one to be messed with. The pre-chorus is beautiful in this song with the ethereal voices in the background which adds to the song's overall lovely sound, proving that even the sweetest of songs can have a strong message. 

3. The dark horse on this album is Dean's short but sweet song I Could Be A Florist. I adore this song, from the outside it has a simple concept of imagining being a florist but its lyrics paint a beautiful picture of how that entails more than meets the eye. Its lyrics detail how as a Florist Dean can be relied on for any occasion, she has the kindness to "give daisies to crazies", and is selfless in her thoughts of creating a rainbow at "the center of your table … In case you have people 'round to stay". Her selfless and kind nature is captured in the final couplet as she admits "That little somethin' missin', I'll fix it, can't miss it, I'm open every day". Her words carry a quiet strength, a promise to be a beacon of support and understanding and highlight her views on kindness and generosity as a way of life, not just occasional gestures. 

4. One of the most beautiful songs on the album is Everybody's Crazy where Dean's isolated vocals help disclose the difficult truth that she is "way more anxious than I seem". It is such a vulnerable piece lyrically as Dean pleads for understanding and empathy from her partner asking them to "squeeze my hand, I need to know you understand". She perfectly describes the overwhelming feelings associated with anxiety such as the fear of being viewed as a different person from before, being viewed as weak, or even being viewed as crazy. The stunning lyrics accompanied by the piano and delicate vocals make this an emotive and moving piece that perfectly encapsulates the delicacy of telling the truth.

5. The final song closes the album with an emotional and fitting tribute to her grandmother Carmen. The song serves as an homage to Carmen's bravery in making a "home in someone else's motherland" and her sacrifice to allow the rest of her family to live a better life. Dean's poignant line "The only place I wanna stand, holding on to grandma's hands" encapsulates her admiration and love for her grandmother along with the strength she draws from familial connections. Musically it is anthemic and bold, amplifying Dean's message of resilience, gratitude, and the enduring power of familial bonds. The album finishes as it begins; with the music elevating the lyrics and their meaning, leaving a memorable mark on the listener.

At the end of the album, you feel as if you have experienced Dean's troubles and worries and can relate to her passions and dreams. This album is a reflection of who she is and what she has experienced and that is what makes the album undeniably hers. For a feel-good and beautiful album, you are certainly left with a deeper understanding of her, her resilience, and what she cares for.