Happy Mondays: Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches (2026 repress) [LONDON]

Why you'll love it

This 2026 repress puts Happy Mondays' biggest album back in the racks. It reached No. 4 in the UK, went platinum there, and gave the band two top five singles in "Step On" and "Kinky Afro."

This edition

• Remastered
• Poster included
• 5LP set

About the album

It started as a favour for an American label. Elektra asked Happy Mondays for a cover song for its 40th anniversary compilation, the band picked John Kongos, and DJ Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne (producing for the first time) turned "He's Gonna Step on You Again" into "Step On," complete with a guest vocal from Rowetta that the band didn't know about until they heard it. The single was such a hit that the pair got the whole next album.

Recording began at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles at the end of a US tour, with the Salford six enjoying a break from being recognised everywhere at home, and wrapped up at Eden Studios in London in September 1990. Oakenfold built the loops and Osborne shaped the arrangements, so Shaun Ryder's sideways storytelling rides on baggy grooves, wah-wah guitar and acid house sparkle. "Kinky Afro" struts, "Loose Fit" sways, "God's Cop" bounces and "Bob's Yer Uncle" slinks along at its own pace.

Factory issued it in November 1990 through a new deal with London Recordings, and critics called it the band's creative peak. Several end-of-decade lists agreed. It remains the sound of a very particular Manchester weekend, with none of the Monday morning consequences.

Also at Kops: more Happy Mondays on vinyl · browse Alternative

Listen

On Factory / London (cat# LMS1725735), a reissue of the 1990 album.