Audio candy

Cool cover, even cooler tunes...

Maybe it's because today was a sunny day. Maybe it's because I had the iPod on random. Maybe it's because it's a staggering 13 years since this album was released, but today felt as good a time as any to talk about one of the sweetest electronic albums I own, Lemon Jelly's debut: KY.

A collection of EPs made into one incredibly lovely LP, it's the audio equivalent of confectionery; a bag of sonic sweeties that surprises with every bite. The whole album feels sugar-coated in loveliness, with samples that make you grin and warm beats that wrap you in a sunshine of sound. This is undoubtedly a summer kind of album, but with enough magic to make you feel a little christmassy at the same time.

As I've already mentioned, this album is a decade and three old now and despite its brilliance, every time I mention it to people I'm faced with blank looks. This just isn't on. I mean just listen to it...


Opening track 'In the Bath' sets the tone nicely. Downbeat, chilled but with a warm sense of humour throughout it blew me away from the first time I heard it. Things get even better with 'His Majesty King Raam' a sparkling children's lullaby that makes beautiful use of strings and glockenspiel before a gentle drop beat and laid back scratching takes it down to the beach. This masterpiece is then followed by my favourite track on the album, 'The Staunton Lick'. The tune bizarrely starts like an audio instructional piece for playing a guitar chord (the Staunton Lick itself) before being joined by other summery guitars and beats. You can feel the temperature go up by several degrees as soon as it starts, clouds part, rays shine down. Bliss.
Quirky samples play a huge part in making KY special. Lemon Jelly have a knack for finding shiny pieces of audio goodness, odd pieces of dialogue taken from everything from children's TV to self help CDs to-where-on-earth-did-they-find-that? nuggets - not to mention beats that get the head nodding and the feet tapping. At the time the music from KY appeared in adverts, TV promos, TV programmes (pretty sure Spaced included practically the whole album), films (Swordfish, for one) and shops and bars across the land. But now? Barely anyone remembers KY, which is a shame because the music of Lemon Jelly has aged well for such a fun and lighthearted piece.
We all need a little sweetness in our lives, so make sure you grab yourself a dollop of Lemon Jelly. You won't regret it...