A confessional streak runs through Alex Hope’s work as a songwriter, producer and performer. They first broke through after co-writing several songs on Troye Sivan’s 2015 debut Blue Neighbourhood, as well as joining Sivan on the duet “BLUE” for the album’s deluxe edition. From there, the Australian polymath landed prolific work with BROODS, Tove Lo, Alanis Morissette and Alec Benjamin, creating a recognisable sonic signature by pairing buoyant pop hooks with a disarming sense of honesty. Ben Platt’s 2021 single “I wanna love you but I don’t” is a striking power ballad about admitting when something that’s perfect on paper doesn’t work in reality, while Selena Gomez’s 2020 hit “People You Know” depicts the revolving door from inner circle to distant memory. Carly Rae Jepsen’s 2022 synth-pop reverie “Beach House” similarly sneaks romantic pessimism and wickedly dark humour into its disco-worthy snap, dropping some surprising lyrical poison into what starts as a glitzy bragging session.