JP Cooper is in no way a newcomer in the music industry. Since his recording debut in 2017, he’s become known for a signature blend of folk, pop, soul and more, with two critically acclaimed LP’s Raised Under Grey Skies and She under his belt. But in creating The Greatest Story Never Told, it’s maybe the first time he’s learning to trust himself as an artist, wholly and fully. “I feel like I finally got to the point where I know how to make a record now,” he says. “I was sitting down with someone and they said to me, ‘I don’t want to put out songs unless I would have them played at my funeral.’ I don’t think you often think about that; what would be the message that I left? This is one that speaks to that.”
The project speaks to the everyday stories and experiences —family bonds, personal relationships, intimate moments —that seldom make it to the spotlight. It’s reflected in the album artwork, depicting printer letter trays filled with trinkets; a musician with an admitted fascination with objects rich in history, The Greatest Story Never Told looks to shine light on the parts of life that many consider mundane; those simple, yet most profound moments that one can find intrigue in every day. The artist started album development in 2020. Monumental life experiences shaped his songwriting, approach to musicianship, even his overall personhood; getting married and having a child, having the space to pause and reflect during the shift of the pandemic, learning to prioritise his creative direction over external pressures.
The heights he has now reached could only be expected with his “relentless pursuit of a vision.” The artist’s debut Raised Under Grey Skies has sold over 1 million copies thanks to releases like “September Song,” now with 600 million global streams and fans as far as South Africa, Tokyo and more regions. His debut album is 3x Platinum in the UK, Gold or Platinum certified in 11 other regions, and he boasts an incredible 6 billion streams worldwide and counting.
As well as hit collaboration “Perfect Strangers” with Jonas Blue, the artist has worked with the likes of Sigala, Kojey Radical, SG Lewis, Gabrielle Aplin, Stefflon Don, Petty Biscuit, as well as Stormzy on “Momma’s Prayers. ”And with the release of this incredible third project is the culmination of those years of finding his feet as an artist, and sharing those passions with those ready to listen. “There’s a push for me to chase my excitement and hope other people are on that same wavelength. Everybody has their own little moments of greatness within them – all we’re doing is trying to capture them in a butterfly net, and put them in a record. Hopefully you resonate with them.”