British singer/songwriter Max Pope makes a smooth, summery, laid-back style of indie pop with soul-jazz influences and intimate lyrics focusing on everyday life experiences. Born in Crystal Palace, South London, Pope had an unsettled childhood, with his family moving often around the country; he lived for a time in the alternative hub of Brighton, on England's south coast, later returning there as an adult. His father played the guitar, and Pope took up the instrument himself at the age of ten, writing songs to channel his frustrations with school. He attended the famous BRIT School of performing arts, honing his songwriting and developing a musical identity. In 2016, he released the EP Less Than Nothing, which had a soul-jazz sound with retro production, muffled drums, clean, tremoloed electric guitar, and Pope's expressive, high-pitched vocals. He soon found himself in the midst of a label bidding war, but, unhappy with the directions he was being pushed in, dropped out of music and enrolled in a horticultural college. The meditative and therapeutic nature of his studies eventually led Pope back to music, and he started again. Taking a year to practice and write, he relaunched himself in 2019 with the EP Up, which saw him introduce light Tropicalia and calypso influences. Remaining staunchly self-released to prevent any further compromise of his artistic vision, he followed up with 2020's In Limbo. ~ John D. Buchanan