Mixtape Review: Dylan – ‘The Greatest Thing I’ll Never Learn’
Rising star Dylan reflects on overcoming hardship and finding self-acceptance in the movie soundtrack to her life: debut mixtape ‘The Greatest Thing I’ll Never Learn’.
Dylan’s highly anticipated mixtape follows a busy year for the self-proclaimed ‘rockstar stuck in a pop star’s body’. From supporting Ed Sheeran on his recent stadium tour, to playing Reading and Leeds in the early summer, and announcing an EU headline tour for 2023, Dylan is undoubtedly one of the biggest upcoming names within the alt-pop scene. The Suffolk-born singer-songwriter has already amassed an impressive following, with over 1.5 million monthly Spotify listeners, and support from the likes of BBC News, MTV, Vogue Italia, and more. Dylan is currently preparing for her sold out UK headline tour beginning October 30th, where she will be performing tracks from her new mixtape to audiences across the UK.
The mixtape is Dylan’s debut release at Island Records. Titled ‘The Greatest Thing I’ll Never Learn’, the record centres around the 23-year-old’s experiences “learning to love and be loved”. Describing the 8-track-collection, Dylan states “It’s cringy, but the songs are so un-cringy that it’s very easy to take in without icking myself out. But I feel like I’m writing a soundtrack to my life. This is my movie soundtrack.”
The record opens with ‘Girl Of Your Dreams’, an unapologetic pop-rock anthem where Dylan pitches herself as the perfect girlfriend. Inspired by someone not wanting to date her, the track emits infectious energy, while cleverly challenging expectations that society has placed on female artists. Dylan’s unique approach to songwriting continues as she provides her love interest with a dose of realism in the record’s second track, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’. Premiered on Future Sounds as Clara Amfo’s first play, the track combines brutally honest lyrics with feel-good hooks to create the undeniable sense of irony that characterises much of Dylan’s work.
‘Blue’ signals the beginning of a more vulnerable side of the mixtape. Described as one of the most difficult songs that Dylan has ever written, the record details the rising artist’s inner turmoil, as she tries to move on from a former partner but finds herself questioning whether her feelings are still reciprocated. Dylan continues battling with conflicting emotions in electric guitar-laden track ‘Lovestruck’, where the multi-instrumentalist combines catchy guitar riffs and strong beats with candid lyricism expressing the all-consuming effect of young love.
Heartbreaking masterpiece ‘Blisters’ epitomises Dylan’s self-growth as both an artist and a person, as she recounts the experience of losing herself in an unhealthy relationship, and not realising the extent of her pain until she left the former partner. The London-based artist’s brutal honesty also characterises regret-filled anthem ‘Treat You Bad’, where Dylan self-critically reflects on how she acted towards a former partner and introspects on her own thought processes.
Almost ironically titled ‘The Greatest Thing’ centres around how Dylan’s affliction from past relationships has left her with an inescapable fear of vulnerability. Despite its sombre lyricism, the track emits an undeniable sense of self-awareness and personal acceptance, as the record nears its end.
The mixtape reaches its heartfelt conclusion with stripped back acoustic ballad ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’. Showcasing Dylan’s ethereal vocals, the song captivatingly describes how the polymath’s relationship struggles have left her with a desperate longing to find somewhere that she can feel loved and accepted.
The perfectly titled mixtape captures Dylan’s personal progression as she navigates challenging relationships and grows into the artist she is today. From the uncompromising confidence emitted by attention-grabbing opener ‘Girl Of Your Dreams’ to the raw honesty of final track ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’, Dylan’s dynamic artistry offers a fresh new take on pop music, and reminds us why she is one of the most exciting rising artists at the moment.
Words by Emily Savage
