Stream: Jerry Paper, ‘Just Say Play’

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Jerry Paper (Photo by Andy Honig)

Lucas Nathan sounds like they’re having more fun than anybody has a right to — and it’s contagious — on their new single as Jerry Paper, “Just Say Play.” Or they sound like the headliner in the lounge of a spacecraft bound for who-knows-where. Or both.

The follow-up to “Kno Me,” released last month, it’s the second single from Jerry Paper’s new album, “Free Time,” out April 15 via Stones Throw Records. Here, Nathan beams onboard Leland Whitty of BADBADNOTGOOD to play flute and Jonny Kosmo to contribute backing vocals.

“While ‘Free Time’ is definitely not a concept album, I did spend the whole period while making the record thinking about playfulness, curiosity and their roles in the nature of creativity,” Nathan says. “‘Just Say Play’ is basically the mission statement of the record. Coming out as nonbinary was part of a process of dismantling the compartmentalization in myself, and allowing myself to play freely with my gender queerness is one of many ways free play has become a central part of my worldview. I’m just trying to imbue my life with playfulness and freedom.”

If you misplaced your groove during the pandemic, feel free to get Jerry Paper’s.

||| Stream: “Just Say Play”

||| Also: Watch the video for “Kno Me”

||| Live: Jerry Paper headlines the Roxy on June 10. Tickets. They also play the Alibi in Palm Springs on July 17 (tickets) and the Wayfarer in Costa Mesa on July 18 (tickets).

||| Previously: “Quicksand,” “Grey Area” / “Your Cocoon,” live at the Echo