The Crate
Olivia Dean
Messy
Messy is the debut studio album by British singer Olivia Dean, released June 30, 2023 on EMI/Capitol. It blends pop-soul with neo-soul influences and earned a top-five UK placement, plus Mercury Prize visibility in 2023. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messy_%28album%29))
Recording History
The project was assembled with a diverse team: producers DetoNate, Matt Hales (Aqualung), Tre Jean‑Marie, Felix Joseph, Bastian Langebæk, Aston Rudi, and Max Wolfgang, among others. Liner notes credit a wide slate of engineers (Daniel Moyler, Matt Hales, Langebæk, Tre Jean‑Marie, Felix Joseph, Max Wolfgang) and mixing by Nathan Boddy and Manon Grandjean, with Davide Rossi handling string arrangements on track 4. The credits indicate recording across multiple sessions and studios, though exact facility names are not publicly listed in standard press materials. The album features piano, Rhodes, synths, brass and strings, including Rossi’s strings, underscoring its richly layered, live‑band feel. Singles from the project rolled out from late 2022 into 2023, including “Danger” (Oct 18, 2022), “UFO” (Jan 31, 2023), and “Dive” (Mar 28, 2023). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messy_%28album%29))
Chart Performance & Recognition
Messy peaked at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold by the BPI. It also charted internationally, with the US Billboard 200 reaching No. 137 and, in New Zealand, achieving Platinum status (15,000 units). In 2023 it was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messy_%28album%29))
Cultural Impact & Legacy
Critically the album was well received, landing a Metacritic score around 77/100. It attracted favorable reviews from outlets like The Guardian and Forbes highlighted Messy among the year’s notable releases. The record helped establish Dean as a distinctive voice in British soul-pop, cited for its genre-hopping approach and emotional breadth. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messy_%28album%29))