OLIVIA DEAN SHARES "THE HARDEST PART" WITH LEON BRIDGES
Olivia Dean today shares a brand-new version of her beloved single “The Hardest Part,” featuring vocals from singer-songwriter Leon Bridges. The original version has been streamed over 117 million times worldwide since its release and will also appear on Dean’s forthcoming debut album Messy, out June 30th via Island Records.
“The Hardest Part” has been a hugely important part of Dean’s musical journey over the past three years, so she reached out to one of her favorite artists, Leon Bridges, to collaborate with her on an updated version of the track. A true fan, Dean persevered through train strikes to see Bridges’ headline Hammersmith Apollo show last year, biking all the way from Deptford to Hammersmith to catch the show.
Olivia says, “I can’t believe the hardest part came out 3 years ago!! This song really changed my life and holds a special place in my heart. I put together a little EP to celebrate her, featuring a very special guest Mr Leon Bridges. I am such a big fan! I can’t believe we’re on a song together. Big life moment for me :)”
Of the collaboration Leon adds “The first time I heard ‘The Hardest Part,’ it hit me as a 'one-listen' record. Just has that instant classic feel. Olivia paints such a beautiful world with the song and I’m honoured she asked me to join it."
“The Hardest Part - Olivia Dean & Leon Bridges” comes today as a part of a special four track release. The Hardest Part EP, which includes new live and acoustic versions, plus the original version of the track.
Featuring the singles ‘Dive’, ‘Danger’, ‘UFO’ and ‘Carmen’, Olivia Dean’s debut album Messy, out June 30th via EMI, cements her as one of the most original and versatile voices in UK pop. Crafting classic yet conversational hooks with genre-fluid tinges, she’s honed a way of exploring universal themes of love, loss and everything in between with razor-sharp but open-hearted storytelling.
With Olivia Dean’s debut album Messy, we gain a refreshingly textured snapshot of a young woman embracing the beauty in freedom and acceptance: of life, of love, of mess. On it Olivia’s signature soul-bearing lyricism joins forces with some of her most expansive and varied production to date, all bolstered by a newfound determination to defy any categorisation except her own.
About Olivia Dean
Born and raised in Walthamstow, Olivia Dean is one the UK’s brightest rising stars, praised for her endearing, down-to-earth lyrics and magnetic, feel-good live performances. To date, Dean has released three acclaimed EPs Ok Love You Bye, What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays? and Growth and in 2021 achieved her first top 20 single with her cover of ‘The Christmas Song’, recorded for Amazon Originals.
Since 2019 Olivia has been gathering fans apace, now with over 5 million monthly listeners globally, and she was streamed over 150 million times in 2022 alone. She has supporters across BBC Radio 1, Beats 1, The Guardian, Sunday Times Style, Dazed, The FADER, NME, ELLE, gal-dem, Vanity Fair, Clash and more tipping her for greatness. She has become a regular feature at fashion week, is a Chanel ambassador and has starred on the cover of fashion titles from Wonderland to Puss Puss.
During the pandemic, Dean connected with fans by performing from the side of her bright yellow truck, which she toured in offering free shows to communities around the UK. Her first official gig back at the Camden Jazz Cafe sold out instantly and went on to be watched over 7 million times after it went viral on Tiktok. 2023 is set to be Olivia’s biggest year to date, with the expected release of her debut album and her biggest shows to date.
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