Cover From intimate vocals to thoughtful lyrics, these artists explore the same soulful, understated sound that defines Olivia Dean (Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
From intimate vocals to thoughtful lyrics, these artists explore the same soulful, understated sound that defines Olivia Dean (Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
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From soul to R&B, these music acts capture the subtle elegance that defines Olivia Dean’s music
Olivia Dean, winner of Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys, has built a reputation for music that balances soul, pop and jazz influences with precise vocal delivery and a quiet emotional intensity. Fans of her work often gravitate toward tracks that feel intimate yet polished, with lyrics that convey everyday emotional truths without overstatement. If you appreciate Olivia Dean’s approach to melody, phrasing and understated production, there is a wealth of artists exploring similar ground. From contemporary soul to alternative R&B, the following acts share her attention to lyrical nuance, vocal agility and the kind of warm, nuanced soundscapes that invite close listening. These artists complement Olivia Dean’s style while offering fresh perspectives.
Absolutely – ‘I Just Don’t Know You Yet‘
Above Absolutely delivers delicate vocals and introspective lyrics, making them a must-listen for modern soul fans
Absolutely, the stage name of British singer-songwriter Abby‑Lynn Keen who also happens to be Raye’s sister, blends soul, pop and electronic elements with a relaxed, melodic approach reminiscent of Olivia Dean. Her 2025 single “I Just Don’t Know You Yet” showcases careful vocal layering and understated arrangements that emphasise emotional storytelling over spectacle. Abby‑Lynn has songwriting credits for artists including Jesy Nelson, Normani, Anitta and Giveon, highlighting her versatility across pop and R&B. Her debut album Cerebrum combines introspective lyrics with subtle production textures, making her music ideal for listeners drawn to nuanced, well-crafted tracks that balance intimacy and contemporary sound.
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Griff – ‘Vertigo‘
Above Griff blends contemporary pop with reflective lyricism and uncluttered production for a nuanced listening experience
Griff, born Sarah Faith Griffiths in Kings Langley, England, brings a contemporary pop sensibility grounded in thoughtful lyricism, soft vocal delivery and self‑produced touches that align with Olivia Dean’s reflective qualities. She first broke through in 2019 with her debut single “Mirror Talk”, quickly earning a Brit Award for Rising Star in 2021 and setting the tone for music that blends pop, R&B and electronic influences with emotional clarity. Her mixtape One Foot in Front of the Other and debut album Vertigo peaked high on the UK charts, with tracks like “Vertigo” exploring admiration and vulnerability through uncluttered production and clear vocals. Raised with diverse musical influences and known for writing and producing much of her work, Griff’s songs engage themes of growth and introspection, leaving space for nuanced expression and melodic subtlety.
Remi Wolf – ‘Prescription'
Above Remi Wolf combines playful pop, funk and sharp vocal control with rhythmic sophistication
Remi Wolf is an American singer, songwriter and producer from Palo Alto, California, who leans into eclectic pop, blending funk, soul and experimental sounds. She emerged with the EP You’re a Dog! and later released her debut album Juno and the 2024 follow‑up Big Ideas. Wolf’s music blends soul, funk and pop with playful, hyper‑coloured production and candid lyrics. She cites influences from Still Woozy, SZA and John Mayer, and her ear for hooks and rhythmic interplay has led to diverse collaborations and placements in advertising campaigns. While more playful than Olivia Dean, her vocal control and rhythmic precision offer a similar attention to detail, making tracks like “Prescription” a nuanced listening experience for fans of careful melodic construction.
Debbii Dawson – ‘Chemical Reaction’
Above Debbii Dawson pairs soft, emotive vocals with smooth R&B and pop arrangements, emphasising intimacy
Debbii Dawson’s music merges jazz-inflected soul with contemporary R&B textures. Her soft, emotive vocals and smooth production highlight lyrical intimacy and musical subtlety, qualities that mirror the understated elegance Olivia Dean brings to her recordings. She signed with RCA Records in 2024 and has co‑publishing deals with Warner Chappell and Unsub Publishing. Dawson’s music incorporates pop, folk and country elements, often drawing on her Indian heritage and classic influences like Stevie Nicks and ABBA. Her early releases, including Even If It Kills Me, appeared on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlists, and she has performed at festivals and on tour with acts such as Orville Peck.
Lauryn Hill – ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’
Above Lauryn Hill’s classic fusion of soul and hip-hop shaped the subtle, expressive style that inspires Olivia Dean
Five-time Grammy award-winning artist Lauryn Hill has a classic approach to blending soul, hip-hop and R&B that sets a benchmark for vocal and lyrical authenticity. Her 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was a critical and commercial success, propelled by singles such as “Doo Wop (That Thing)”, which blended doo‑wop, hip-hop and soul and debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. For listeners curious about Olivia Dean’s early influences—whose full name is Olivia Lauryn Dean, a not-so-subtle nod to Hill—adding Lauryn Hill to your playlist provides context for the soulful, introspective style that resonates in Dean’s music.
Rachel Chinouriri – ‘All I Ever Asked’
Above Rachel Chinouriri delivers delicate vocals and intimate arrangements that create reflective, melodic storytelling
Rachel Chinouriri is an English singer‑songwriter from Kingston upon Thames, London. She began releasing music on major streaming platforms in 2018 after building an audience on SoundCloud. Chinouriri’s work spans indie pop, alternative pop and Britpop revival, with her debut EP Mama’s Boy garnering critical attention. Her subsequent mini‑album Four° in Winter earned an Ivor Novello Award nomination. She combines delicate vocals with intimate arrangements. Her songs often explore relational complexity with careful melodic phrasing, aligning with the same understated storytelling and smooth, emotionally resonant instrumentation that characterise Olivia Dean’s tracks.
Des’ree – ‘You Gotta Be’
Above Des’ree brings warm, clear vocals and soulful pop melodies that prioritise emotion over spectacle
Des’ree’s voice conveys clarity and warmth across pop and soul textures. She rose to international prominence in the early‑to‑mid 1990s with hits such as “You Gotta Be”, which emphasises clarity and emotional resonance in its vocal performance. Much like Olivia Dean’s, Des’ree’s music prioritises expressive vocals and melodic storytelling through an underlying and undeniable positivity that is rare in any generation.
Emily King – ‘Remind Me’
Above Emily King bridges soul, pop and R&B with warm tones, precise melodies and introspective songwriting
Emily King’s music bridges soul, pop and R&B with an emphasis on vocal clarity and rhythmic sophistication. Her debut East Side Story earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and she has since released a string of well‑regarded albums blending neo‑soul, dream pop and R&B, including Scenery (2019) and Special Occasion (2023), both noted for nuanced arrangements and emotional lyricism. “Remind Me”, a highlight from Scenery, showcases her warm tonal palette and thoughtful production with vintage synths and rhythmic precision, creating space for her voice and introspective songwriting. King’s Grammy nominations and collaborations with producer Jeremy Most highlight her subtle, layered style, offering the reflective, emotionally resonant sound that Olivia Dean fans would appreciate.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
