Lemon Jelly
Dear Reader,
I’m conducting an experiment. I’m starting a series called “Substack Writer Appreciation” where I share with you my favorite writers across Substack.
But just to share them plainly would be too boring. Instead, I am going to try and replicate the writing style of my favorite writers on Substack, and come up with an edition that would look at home on their Substacks. Through this, I not only want to expand my writing horizons, but also your reading horizons, because hey, if you like me writing in their style, you’ll surely like them writing in their own style!
Today’s edition is inspired by and dedicated to
who writes , a place that Kevin defines as follows:“I couldn’t find a place to share music I love so I built it.
How do I do that? Music straight to your inbox 3 times a week.”
I’m excited to give this a shot, and I hope you’ll like it too. The post is also followed by three poems that I once wrote about music. So keep scrolling to check them out. Alright, here goes! Wish me luck 😀
I’m curious to know - what does music make you feel like? Before you read today’s edition, drop me a short, one line answer. You can also consider sharing your thoughts as a comment. I reply to all comments with a mini poem, so today might be your turn! 😀
Alright, On Repeat by Punit Thakkar starts in 3… 2… 1!
Good Morning!
Today we’re listening to “Lost Horizons” by Lemon Jelly.
The enchanting world of Lemon Jelly beckons those who like navigating through the vast landscape of electronic music. Fred Deakin and Nick Franglen, are the duo behind this music, blending the familiar with the fantastic, and giving us a unique listening experience that is both comforting and surreal.
Their 2002 album "Lost Horizons" is a testament to their artistic prowess. My friends Angshuman and Saurav, two connoisseurs of fine tunes, introduced me to this gem. I was instantly struck by the album's ability to seamlessly flow from one track to the next. It's a 59-minute, 58-second odyssey that transcends space and time, perfect for grounding oneself amidst life's transitions. In fact, this album was the soundtrack to my life as I navigated my recent life change.
What sets "Lost Horizons" apart is its unpretentious approach to psychedelic music. This isn't a frenzy of beats and modulated sounds, but rather a heartfelt exploration of simplicity and harmony. The duo masterfully incorporate samples throughout the album, enhancing its ethereal nature and drawing listeners into a realm where magic is not only possible but palpable. This album is as much at home in an acid trip as it is on a road trip.
I peak when in “Ramblin’ Man” the sample voice starts listing random places in the world. It is pure joy.
More:
Usually when I hear a great album, I can’t wait to sit down and write about it. When you write music reviews, it’s such a luxury to put aside the list of negatives and pick up the list of superlatives that you generally grab the opportunity with both hands.
But with Lemon Jelly’s Lost Horizons, I’ve been having trouble forcing myself to sit down at the keyboard and start typing. I’m afraid my words won’t do it justice. It’s that good.
Click here to read the rest of the review by Andy Hermann on Popmatters.
Listen: "Lost Horizons" by Lemon Jelly | Lost Horizons, 2002
Click the record to listen on the platform of your choice.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this album!
Thanks for being here,
Punit.
That’s basically what
reads like every week. I hope I was able to do justice to it, . Please don’t sue me 🙃To continue this celebration of music on Hello Universe, I wanted to share with you some of the poems I have written about music on Hello Universe so far. Hope you like them!
Music Takes Me Up!
31st January, 2023
The One Where I Went To A Concert
Music that feels like a happy treat, We celebrate and tap our feet. 🕺🕺 Friends all around, with smiles so sweet. We laugh, we dance, and then we repeat! 😃😃 The rhythm is lively, with a thumping beat, Worries disappear and life is neat. 🎈🎈 We party in the house, on the grounds and the street Good friends and good music, let's turn up the heat! ✨✨ So let's lift a glass, to this joy we've found, A time to cherish, together we're bound. 🍾🍾
Forgotten Tune
3rd May 2022
The One Where I Collaborated With
For The First TimeWhat is it? A memory? Sudden but temporary! 🤔 Slow and faint it captures me. It makes me think. Enraptures me. 🎈 Soft and slow, it plays away and comes to my mind, every day! 🧠 I try to hum it. Sing it. Strum it. On some wood I try to drum it. 🎼 People tell me, "Just research!" But I don't know what should I search? 🔍 And then one day I strangely stumble into it, and my heart rumbles! 💗 Joy engulfs me. Twists me. Turns me. Passionately soothes me. Burns me. 🔥 This journey of a thousand miles. Has ended with a toothy smile. 😁 And on this lovely afternoon. I've found back my forgotten tune. 🕺
World of Sound
17 November 2021
The One Where I Got COVID For The First Time
A catchy tune,
a fancy beat.
That makes you swing
and tap your feet.
A voice that
sings into the mic.
An instrument
whose sounds you like.
Close your eyes
and lose yourself
into the world of sound,
It's just one of
the nicest feelings
that I've ever found.
A song with tunes
from distant worlds.
A lyric with your
favorite words.
Some music that's
from long ago.
Or modern beats
so smooth and slow.
Close your eyes
and lose yourself
into the world of sound,
It's just one of
the nicest feelings
that I've ever found.
That’s it! Thanks for coming along on this musical journey. And I hope you’ll be here next week as I come back to you in my own voice.
I’ll keep writing these “Substack Writer Appreciation” posts often. Stay tuned for more!
Thanks for reading edition no. 107 of Hello Universe. That’s it for this week, see you next Tuesday!
Lemon Jelly
Music is everything that has ever been and everything that can ever exist in every shame and sound imaginable
Music gives me a space to feel my emotions completely. It mostly amplifies what I’m already feeling to the maximum, and it helps me clear things up, but also to just get lost in my emotions. I’ve often come up with stories while in this music-induced state.