The Top Albums of the Year series is back. After last year's run highlighted releases from Taylor Swift to Sabrina Carpenter to Charli xcx and beyond, I’m returning with a three-episode run to highlight the three albums that defined my 2025 listening experience. We’re starting with Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, a project that continues to build her momentum and shape conversations around Album of the Year considerations.
I’m joined by special guest HTHAZE, one of the most recognizable music reaction creators online and the number one music creator on Patreon, to get into why The Art of Loving stands out in this moment. We talk about how listeners first connected with Olivia, the impact of her live performances, how she has become part of the current UK-to-US artist wave, and what we hope to hear next as she heads into a new chapter.
In this episode, we cover:
Why The Art of Loving kicks off the Top Albums of 2025 series
How we each first discovered Olivia Dean
Why the live performances at Rough Trade, Brooklyn Paramount, and MSG matter
Best song, worst song, and personal faves
Pitchfork’s score and how we would rate the album
Adele comparisons and Olivia’s place in this era of music
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