22

There’s a certain ease you feel when listening to Olivia Dean’s latest track So Easy (To Fall in Love), helped by her tone. If you ask me, jazz usually sounds flat. But Dean’s single within her new album The Art of Loving, although may sound cliché at first glance, really is about re-framing relationships. Her warm, buttery, sultry vocals make this song outstanding  - and even an earworm.

The horn section in the introduction of the song has a way of attracting you to listen to it – as you see Dean typing something related to her new album in the music video itself.

There are elements in the music video that show a lot going on. The transitions from one scene to another feel both well-thought out and impromptu at other times. Even then, despite the contrast, it works effectively for this song, both playful and joyful.

This is one of Dean’s songs that should be on your playlist, if you haven’t already listened to any of her other work. There’s nothing quite catchy like this song – since perhaps, the late Amy Winehouse. Then again, if you’ve listened to it more than once, I don’t see why not. Her voice and the music video bring back the ‘70s against fixtures like the iconic black cab/taxi.  

The lyrics, beyond clever wordplay, transforms dating dynamics to abundance from depletion, from seeking for validation and outside approval to recognising one’s self-worth and the importance of self-love, even as you relate to others. Though comical, So Easy (To Fall in Love) serves as a reminder that how you relate to others ultimately tells about how you relate to yourself. The best part is Dean does this with a sense of self-awareness rather than entitlement and being big-headed or conceited.

Yet another highlight is the use of colours in the music video – from black and white in the early parts of the music video, to grey, blue, pink and apple green – all which pulls you in as a viewer – with the intention of making the video appealing and meaningful. The creators carefully combine those that would represent the 70s’ as well as those that would excellently represent the modern-day, to make sure they go hand in hand with Dean’s age range and voice.

Dean is of mixed Guyanese-Jamaican heritage on her mother’s side and English on her father’s side. Dean is 26, to date. Her background is the catalyst for her varieties in music and musical choices, bringing together her own distinctive style, cultures, worlds – while also being influenced by veteran voices like Carole King, the American musician and singer-songwriter and Lauryn Hill, the American rapper and record producer.

The music video for So Easy (To Fall in Love) has been out on YouTube since 26 September 2025, and has 9.4million views, so far.