Mainstream but perfectly composed and polished pop and soul with a 70s retro style by the London singer-songwriter, this new LP is an unquestionably classy affair with her smooth, golden voice, gliding effortlessly through a series of songs about love, friendship, change and heartbreak. With a strong progression her 2023 debut album Messy, Dean is very much on the up, making appearances on the big stadium tours of Sam Fender and Sabrina Carpenter, and alongside Joy Crookes, whose second album dropped last week, is part of a group of mid-20something, hugely mature and talented British singers. She is even the first female artist to achieve three simultaneous Top 10 hits since Adele in 2021. Dean’s voice has an understated strength, a warmth and subtle warble on those “hmms” without the over stylisation some pop and soul or R&B stars fall into stretching out a syllable into multiple notes. Highlights here include the breezy, Fleetwood Mac Rumours-era feel of Nice To Each Other, the soulful, sensual, intimate Lady Lady, the melancholy classic soul of Close Up, the sweet, sunny trumpet sound, bossa nova and shuffly syncopations of So Easy (To Fall In Love), the sprightly Man I Need, Loud’s Spanish guitar vib, or the smooth, soulful Marvin Gaye feel of Baby Steps. Timeless, hugely appealing and classy work. Out on Capitol/Polydor/Universal.
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