JP Cooper

Blending soulful pop with gospel and R&B influences, British artist JP Cooper followed the classic singer/songwriter route through independent releases before securing a contract with Island that led to his first full-length project in 2017, Raised Under Grey Skies.

John Paul Cooper entered the world and grew up in Manchester in northern England. A committed athlete at first, he turned toward music during adolescence after embracing grunge, learning guitar on his own and starting a rock group while still attending school. He later encountered soul through figures such as Donny Hathaway and Ben Harper, then pursued that direction by becoming part of a gospel choir. Employed at a bar, he began crafting original material that carried a romantic outlook alongside lyrics marked by strong emotional and social themes. His recording journey opened in 2012 via a sequence of three numbered, independently issued EPs. Cut live with supporting musicians, those recordings highlighted his smooth, soulful, and adaptable voice along with fingerpicked guitar technique, frequently enriched by elegant string and piano textures. Strong sales followed, and consistent live performances helped him cultivate a growing audience. Recognition arrived when the U.K.’s influential MOBO organization named him an emerging talent, opening doors to shared bills with Angie Stone, Mica Paris, and Omar.

Midway through 2014, Cooper joined Island Records. His first release for the label, the EP Keep the Quiet Out, arrived that July and reflected a shift toward electronic textures. The EP When the Darkness Comes appeared the next year. His debut album, Raised Under Grey Skies, came out in 2017 and included the tracks “September Song,” “She’s on My Mind,” and “Passport Home.” Additional singles from the project surfaced throughout the following year, among them “All This Love” featuring Mali-Koa. In spring 2019 he collaborated with Norwegian pop star Astrid S on the single “Sing It with Me.” Over the subsequent period he concentrated on songwriting and studio work, issuing several new tracks in 2020 before turning to his second album. Teaming with Matthew Koma, Starsmith, and Kingdoms, he chose to honor the women who had shaped his life. The resulting record, She, arrived in late 2021 after the release of the soulful lead singles “Call My Name” and “We Cry.”