HAPPY MONDAYS — Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches LP

Happy Mondays – Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches LP arrives on London Recordings as catalogue LMS1725739, a 12-inch red vinyl edition that revisits the seminal 1990 record. The original album captured the Madchester surge, melding rock-pop hooks with the rhythmic urgency of alternative and indie dance. This reissue presents the full album remastered from the Factory Records master tapes, accompanied by fresh liner notes from James Brown, offering both nostalgic depth and a clean sonic canvas for contemporary ears. Within London Recordings’ current output, the release sits alongside the same-day 5×12-inch boxset of the same album (catalogue LMS1725740) and follows earlier issues such as The Durutti Column’s Renascent LP (LMS1725759/60) and Bronski Beat’s Truthdare Doubledare LP (LMS1725750). The label’s recent focus on re-examining pivotal British post-punk and dance-floor crossovers frames this Happy Mondays entry as a continuation of that curatorial thread. Side A opens with “Kinky Afro”, a track whose title suggests the playful, groove-laden energy that defined the original era. “God’s Cop” follows, sustaining the rhythmic drive while shifting the mood toward a tighter, punchier feel. “Donovan” introduces a slightly more melodic turn, bridging the kinetic opening with a smoother contour. “Grandbag’s Funeral” deepens the atmosphere, offering a darker, more introspective moment before the side closes with “Loose Fit”, a concise burst that re-asserts the record’s dance-floor focus. Side B begins with “Dennis And Lois”, a song that balances lyrical narrative with a steady pulse, setting up a seamless flow into “Bob’s Yer Uncle”, which adds a buoyant lift. The centerpiece, “Step On”, arrives as a familiar anthem, its iconic rhythm still resonant for club contexts. “Holiday” provides a breezier interlude, easing the momentum before the final track “Harmony” resolves the set with a unifying, melodic closure that echoes the album’s original sense of collective euphoria. For Happy Mondays, this reissue sits after a series of recent archival projects on London Recordings, including the Uncle Dysfunktional (2020 Mix) (LMS5521624) and the ...Yes Please! LP (LMS5521290). Those releases have highlighted the band’s enduring relevance, and the current LP reinforces the group’s role in shaping the hybrid of indie rock and dance-floor sensibility that continues to inform modern producers. From a DJ’s perspective, the record offers a full spectrum of set-building material: the opening “Kinky Afro” and “Step On” work as high-energy peaks, while tracks like “Donovan” and “Holiday” serve as transitional bridges. Collectors will appreciate the red-vinyl aesthetic and the remastered fidelity, which preserves the original’s raw edge while delivering clearer low-end and definition suitable for both crate-digging and contemporary playback. The 12-inch red vinyl format presents the album in a visually striking package, with the original tracklist intact across both sides. The pressing retains the full LP length, ensuring the album’s narrative flow remains uninterrupted for vinyl enthusiasts. Happy Mondays – Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches LP, London Recordings, catalogue LMS1725739, 12-inch red vinyl, 10 tracks, released 21 August 2026. Tracklist: A1. Happy Mondays – Kinky Afro A2. Happy Mondays – God's Cop A3. Happy Mondays – Donovan A4. Happy Mondays – Grandbag's Funeral A5. Happy Mondays – Loose Fit B1. Happy Mondays – Dennis And Lois B2. Happy Mondays – Bob's Yer Uncle B3. Happy Mondays – Step On B4. Happy Mondays – Holiday B5. Happy Mondays – Harmony