Her tunes are rousing; her voice, irresistible. Olivia Dean is her name, and blending genres is a magic she possesses. Traversing the soundscapes of neo-soul, acoustic pop, jazz, blues and R&B, the 25-year-old British artist has carved out a name for herself in the past year. One she can credit to the fame of her Messy album and the way she’s been leaving crowds windswept in the sheer wake of her stage presence at noteworthy festivals such as Coachella 2024.
For Vogue Singapore’s July/August ‘Cravings’ cover star, it seems her creative genius will not stop for anyone. In the last week alone, she’s crooned her tunes at Glastonbury, headlined the Love Supreme Jazz Festival stage and dropped a new single ‘Time’. To bolster her saccharine-sweet voice, the new record is mired by a orchestrated wash of cymbals that ascends into a rock anthem at its chorus—one that significantly departs from the lilting romance of her more popular tracks like ‘Dive’ and ‘The Hardest Part’. In and of itself, the single presents itself as utter proof of her ever-evolving approach to song making and writing.
Yet it also stands as testament to her effortless manner of eluding any one genre. With that heavily soul-inflected sound, a keen dash of pop and her wholly encompassing jazz-tinged voice, the artist is no doubt influenced by a multitude of genres and artists. Her own personal playlist—one she’s been putting on rotation herself— seems to flit between the effervescent style of Brazilian folk musician Zé Roberto, Clairo’s addictive, whispering melodies and the warm, rousing vocals of soul singer Yazmin Lacey.
As Dean continues to grow her discography and breathe life into the pauses between genres, there’s no doubt that an entirely new generation of multi-genre musicians are also being uplifted alongside her. Artists that skim the lines of funk, folk and blues, challenge the old school nuances of jazz and soul and redefine the modern fabric of pop. Below, just some of the most underrated artists that might feel familiar to Olivia Dean’s multi-genre soundscape; some understandably dear to Dean herself.
1 / 5
Remi Wolf
Perhaps better known for the viral TikTok success of ‘Photo ID’, Remi Wolf has always been playing with the rules of pop-soul, infusing it with her very own brand of psychedelic funk. Prepare to enter a soundscape of distorted guitar sounds, absurd harmonies and the occasional swerve that proves her to be an unexpectedly tender lyricist. For the the old souls, ease yourself in with ‘Motorcycle‘, which has also earned itself a spot on Dean’s currently rotating playlist.
2 / 5
Yazmin Lacey
Languish in the sultry, delicious ambience of a romantic candlelit dinner or that 2AM escapade to London’s most exclusive jazz bar. At least, that’s what it feels like when one listens to Yazmin Lacey. Masterfully blending an array of genres from jazz to electronica, the Nottingham-based singer has certainly got a finger on the pulse of her soul—enough to inspire musical narratives that teem with sensual ease. A current favourite of Dean’s might be Lacey’s funky collab with Ezra Collective, ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing‘.
3 / 5
Baby Rose
With tunes that ripple like soft waves, her deeply affecting voice carries emotion like no other. Persistently led by the vintage sentiment of the neo-soul genre and her R&B roots, Baby Rose—whose real moniker is Jasmine Rose Wilson—often combines her strong, arresting vocals with poignant, affecting lyrics to create an enveloping, warming sound you’ll want to keep close to your heart. If Dean herself had to pick a favourite track on repeat? It would be a track right out of Baby Rose’s latest album produced by BadBadNotGood: ‘One Last Dance’.
4 / 5
Pip Millett
Stunning, luscious vocals await in Pip Millett‘s magnetic discography. Quoting Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye as the music she grew up listening to, it’s no wonder her confessional sound is imbued with such timeless, feel-good spirit. In the mixed bag that is the Manchester-b0rn singer’s discography, you’ll chance upon relatable messages of longing packaged in contemplative lyrics, contrasted by soothing bass sounds and that deep R&B voice—all to croon songs carved out for the soul.
5 / 5
Jones
Vulnerability is a breeze where Jones is concerned. Born Cherie Jones-Mattis, the London-born singer’s honey-sweet voice is one that feels like it’s right out of a hazy dream. Melting melodious soul tunes together with the casual ease of contemporary pop, some of her most ebullient tracks include ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Hard To Be Happy’.
