Pope Returns With Two Sides of a Softer Touch

Pope’s new singles move at a different pace. Where earlier work could lean into scrappy, guitar-driven urgency, “John Thomas” and “Sick Minute” are studies in restraint. They feel like a conscious step into a more reflective space, a choice to let melodies breathe rather than race.

“John Thomas” opens the pair. It’s a slow, warm drift of a song, built on a simple, repeating guitar figure and Seferian’s conversational vocal. The inspiration from the Glands’ “Possibilities” is clear in its lo-fi tenderness and unforced charm. It doesn’t build to a grand climax. Instead, it settles into a mood, a brief and perfectly contained moment of quiet on what will be the band’s upcoming album BFM.

“Sick Minute” carries a bit more structure, a gentle forward motion in its drum pattern. The addition of Ratboys’ Julia Steiner on vocals is a natural fit. Her voice intertwines with Seferian’s, softening the edges and amplifying the song’s central theme of persistent effort. The lyric leans toward affirmation, a note to self about giving your best shot, but the music keeps it from feeling trite. The delivery is weary but committed, a feeling underscored by the steady, unhurried instrumentation.

Together, these tracks signal a band comfortable with dialing back the volume. The songwriting focus shifts to texture and tone, to the space between notes. It’s a less immediate approach than some of their past work, but it rewards closer listening. Pope isn’t shouting here. They’re leaning in, and the intimacy suits them.