There’s no magic in getting by. You get up, put on the slippers, scramble the eggs, wash the body, call the parents, kiss the cat. You take one step, and then the next. Then Abracadabra—another sunrise. Jerry Paper’s latest album is first an achievement of sound. What an absolutely gorgeous set of recordings. For those fleeting minutes when the record was on, there was magic, and you got by. Now take your pants off in the bubble bath. Abracadabra is out now on Stones Throw. This interview by Tolliver. ►

As Lionmilk, Moki Kawaguchi creates lush and flowing jazz compositions juxtaposed against gritty textures and raw rap beats. He’s inverting the hip-hop tradition of sampling jazz by playing licks and beats by hand and spinning them into collages of his own creation. Kawaguchi sat down with L.A. RECORD to discuss his journey through music from student to teacher, and his recent release Visions in Paraíso for Leaving Records. His This Too Shall Pass album is available now. This interview by Joe Rihn. ►

Sleep really is the cousin of death, turns out. Jeshua is the auntie, watching them bicker and trying to reign them both in before they ruin the function for everyone.  Contrary to the moribund titles of these singles, the versatile, luxuriant-haired L.A. born-and-bred vocalist and songwriter is thriving, blessed and booked during these trying times. These songs, however, highlight a malaise simmering beneath the surface threatening to swallow them whole. ►

When 2016 happened, the innocence of skimming Jezebel turned into the self-flagellation of reading Reductress, and the non-stop queer boogaloo was interrupted by the draconian plans of a sentient sunburn. As other bands wrote protest songs, Dream Machines just got super slutty, celebrating the bacchanal joy of fucking right in Mitch McConnell's wilting face. Their new EP Trust / Desire drops today, and it's a juicy lucy. We talked about being 18 again, why their live show is better than yours and LaCroix. That bit is right at the top. This interview by Tolliver. ►

Beloved L.A. singer and multi-instrumentalist Biianco had a bad 2017. Brutalized by her own thoughts—and the discouraging words of piss ant jerks—she lost herself, her voice, her VOICE, and probably part of her mind. But lights this bright don’t stay obscured for long. We talked about art—duh. But we also talked about fear and the future and the fucked up past. Biianco is a friend and collaborator—you should be so lucky. This interview by Tolliver. ►