Lucas Nathan’s songwriting ventures as Jerry Paper have never not been playful, but their new album Free Time specifically hones in on playfulness as a life philosophy rather than mere aesthetic. The latest sample of the album, “Just Say Play,” serves as the record’s focal point and mission statement, with Nathan singing of certain freedoms we tend to overlook (“It’s your life, baby, so choose whatever you want”) as BADBADNOTGOOD’s Leland Whitty riffs wildly on the flute.
“‘Just Say Play’ is about embracing playfulness and freedom in one’s life,” Nathan explains. “For me, to play is to freely make choices based not on concepts of right or wrong, but based on what you feel is right for you in yourself. I find it in myself when I make music, when I cook, when I get dressed... It is something I try to imbue into everything in my life! It hews close to D.W. Winnicott’s dichotomy of play and compliance: to comply is to make decisions based on external approval, and to play is to make decisions in a more sensual and personal way. I’ll take the latter!”
The breezy single arrives with news of upcoming tours in both North America and Europe/the UK—find those dates here. Hear the track below, or stream it on Bandcamp here.
