This debut from East London’s Olivia Dean combines soulful vocals and vintage influences from Motown and the 60s with modern pop to create a culturally rich sound that remains consistent throughout the album. With creative lyrics that touch on intriguing subjects such as the Windrush Scandal and the decision whether to be intimate with a partner, Dean establishes herself as quite the songwriter in ‘Messy’. Is it something I have never heard before? Unfortunately not - the album’s weak point for me is its lack of originality. But I enjoyed listening to it nonetheless. LT

Out now on EMI