Singer-songwriter, poet, and pianist Matt Maltese makes melodic alternative pop that mixes personal heartbreak with wry reflections on the state of the world. ∙ Born in England to Canadian parents, he began writing songs as a teen, inspired by American jazz and classic singer-songwriters, including Leonard Cohen, one of his dad’s favorites. ∙ Maltese released his debut track, “Even If It’s a Lie (Demo),” in 2015, and his first EP, In a New Bed, in 2016. ∙ Hugo White of The Maccabees fame produced 2017’s Blood, Sweat & Beers, a combination live vinyl EP and zine of poems Maltese wrote while on tour. ∙ In 2017, he earned press attention for “As the World Caves In,” which imagined an apocalyptic romance between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May. ∙ Bad Contestant, his 2018 major label debut, was produced by Jonathan Rado of Foxygen. ∙ He wrote and produced the breakup-themed Krystal, his 2019 sophomore LP, in his home studio in London. ∙ Brian D’Addario of The Lemon Twigs added guitar and Asha Lorenz of Sorry provided backing vocals on “queen bee,” from Maltese’s 2020 EP, madhouse.