<p>I first came across Max Cooper around the time of his last album,&nbsp;<a href="https://maxcooper.net/one-hundred-billion-sparks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">One Hundred Billion Sparks</a>. The lead single,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIvrEaI5xB8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hope</a>, defies simple categorisation, at once ethereal and ecclesiastical, and yet with the throbbing subs and high-end sizzle of a track designed for the dance-floor.&nbsp;The dance-floor never gets its drop, but instead ‘Hope’ unravels into a meditation on beauty, where minutes pass in a few quick breaths.</p><br><p>When experienced with its&nbsp;accompanying video, ‘Hope’ acts a useful introduction to Max as an artist. He’s curious, always incorporating new ideas and concepts, whether they come from science or&nbsp;personal experience. He’s a collaborator, working with visual artists, not as a PR afterthought, but as a central pillar from which his work extends. And he’s not afraid, remaining true to his own path, regardless of how lonely that journey might be.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><br><p>Even if his music were trash I’d respect the guy’s approach to creativity, but thankfully Max’s music flourishes in the fertile environment he’s cultivated.&nbsp;&nbsp;I headed to his studio in Honor Oak Park to hear more about his musical journey, from growing up in Northern Ireland, to Nottingham and on to London.&nbsp;From academic to music producer, the rigor and curiosity remains a constant.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><br><p>For track-list and Sound Sources head to the show page.</p><p><a href="http://www.soundmotives.net/project/episode-5-max-cooper/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.soundmotives.net/project/episode-5-max-cooper/</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>