Max Pope

British singer/songwriter Max Pope crafts a smooth, summery, laid-back strain of indie pop marked by soul-jazz influences and intimate lyrics drawn from everyday life experiences. Born in Crystal Palace, South London, he experienced an unsettled childhood as his family relocated repeatedly across the country; for a period he resided in Brighton, the alternative hub on England’s south coast, and later returned to the city as an adult. His father played guitar, prompting Pope to pick up the instrument himself at age ten and begin writing songs as an outlet for his frustrations with school. He later attended the BRIT School of performing arts, where he refined his songwriting and shaped a distinct musical identity. In 2016 he issued the EP Less Than Nothing, whose soul-jazz sound featured retro production, muffled drums, clean tremoloed electric guitar, and Pope’s expressive, high-pitched vocals.

A subsequent label bidding war left him dissatisfied with the creative directions being urged upon him, so he stepped away from music and enrolled in horticultural college. The meditative and therapeutic character of those studies eventually drew him back to music, prompting a fresh start. After devoting a year to practice and writing, he relaunched in 2019 with the EP Up, which incorporated light Tropicalia and calypso influences. Remaining firmly self-released to safeguard his artistic vision, he followed that release with 2020’s In Limbo.