Olivia Dean Unleashes “Man I Need” — A Funky, Fearless Ode to Self-Worth

The BRIT and Mercury Prize nominee channels disco, soul, and self-respect on her latest single ahead of The Art of Loving

Olivia Dean is in no mood to compromise. On her brand-new track “Man I Need” — out today via Capitol Records — the BRIT Award and Mercury Prize-nominated singer-songwriter delivers a fearless love song with a bassline that struts and a vocal that slides effortless like silk. Due September 26, her second album The Art of Loving promises a richer, more expansive dive into connection in all its forms: romantic, platonic, self-love, and everything in between.

“It’s forward, sexy, fun! It’s made for dancing!” Dean says, and she’s not wrong. The track pulses with easy swagger, the kind of rhythm that makes movement feel inevitable. In the Jake Erland–directed video, Dean leans into a 1950s musical aesthetic — bold colors, choreographed charm, and an unshakable sense of joy. It plays like a companion piece to her earlier clips for “Lady Lady” and “Nice To Each Other,” but this time, she’s firmly in the driver’s seat of her own love story.

“Man I Need” follows recent singles “Lady Lady” and “Nice To Each Other”, rounding out the first glimpse of the world Dean is building on The Art of Loving. The album is positioned as a tender yet intentional exploration of how we give and receive affection — and, judging by the singles so far, it leans as much on groove and joy as it does on lyrical honesty.

Dean has spent much of the past year proving her place among the UK’s most captivating modern soul-pop voices. Her North American tour wrapped with two sold-out nights at Los Angeles’ Fonda Theatre, where she mixed fan favorites from her acclaimed debut Messy with unreleased tracks from her upcoming second album The Art of Loving. She’s also been making the festival and stadium rounds — supporting Sam Fender on his UK headline shows (including a packed London Stadium where they debuted their duet “Rein Me In”) and joining Sabrina Carpenter onstage during her BST Hyde Park set in July. This autumn, she’ll share stages with both artists again, including five nights at Madison Square Garden with Carpenter.

Upcoming live dates:

Aug 16 – Wythenshawe Park, Manchester, UK (w/ Sam Fender)
Aug 22 – Royal Highland Showgrounds, Edinburgh, UK (w/ Sam Fender)
Aug 24 – FORWARDS Festival, Bristol, UK
Oct 4 & 11 – Austin City Limits, TX, USA
Oct 23–Nov 5 – Multiple US arenas (w/ Sabrina Carpenter), including five nights at Madison Square Garden

With The Art of Loving, Dean seems ready to widen her scope without losing the intimacy that’s made her stand out. If “Man I Need” is the measure, she’s entering this next chapter with confidence, clarity, and just the right amount of fire.

Watch the official music video for Man I Need here.