Midway through a promotional conversation with Christian Lee Hutson, his dog kills a bird. In all the interviews on The International Pop Underground over the years, this is the first one to contain avian slaughter.

What does it mean? Is it a symbol? Is Hutson, with his murderous wit, the 15lb labradoodle of Phoebe Bridgers-affiliated, Elliott Smith-indebted songwriters? And how does it relate to his new album —either his third or his fifth, depending on who's counting— Paradise Pop. 10?

In conversation with Anthony Carew, Hutson talks about the themes of his new record; from longing, dashed hopes and failed ambition to moving, travelling and plane flights.

As is his songwriting way, Hutson uses fictional characters to explore these themes; get at personal ache and universal feelings. On the song Fan Fiction, he even sings 'I write fan fiction of life', wearing a critique he once received.

"That's based on something that somebody [I was dating] said to me," Hutson offers.

"That I have to come up with characters in order to feel my own feelings, that I couldn't feel them on my own. Writing that song was an exercise in figuring out if that was true. And I found out that it was somewhat true, yeah."

Feature image: Michael Delaney