When you think of Happy Mondays, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Shaun Ryder’s Outrages swagger? Bez throwing shapes? Lots and lots of ecstasy? All of the above are appropriate responses to hearing the name of one of the funkiest, bounciest and hippest bands in late 80s Manchester. And the man who found them in the first place, legendary founder of Factory Records, Tony Wilson is to thank for their emergence from the rough and ready streets of Salford to stardom all over Britain. And now a gift has been given to the fans of the band, The Factory Singles compilation so that we can all take a trip through time and go from where it all started for the Mondays to the various remixes by expert producer Paul Oakenfold. So, prepare to have your melons twisted and your spirits lifted by the sound of Happy Mondays, cause they are here to step on you again.
‘Delightful’ starts with such a thumping drumbeat laid down by Gaz Whelan, and Mark Day’s rapid guitar riff cutting right through the middle. Shaun Ryder’s vocal on this track sounds almost dreampopy, very much in the background of the track, but that’s no criticism. The beat of the track keeps you hooked in, the guitar sound is so, well, delightful. A great track to start the compilation. ‘Freaky Dancin’” is next, and it really incorporates that chilled out, almost stoner vibe of the early Mondays. Whelan lays us down a chunky beat, Day’s guitar once again strikes as dreamy, even Ryder sings like he’s on some uptown stroll in the happy part of a rom com. Another great sounding track, Paul Oakenfold really didn’t hold back on the production. ‘Tart Tart’ is groovy from the get-go, Paul Ryder’s bass standing out. Shaun’s vocal really finds itself here too, belting out the lyrics, which he would be famous for at the peak of the band’s success. It’s filled with so much swagger and attitude that it can’t be ignored, this track is certainly a head turner. The next track is where it all started to get big for the Mondays, the title becoming the name for the book and documentary about Factory Records, ’24 Hour Party People’ is nothing less than a classic. The beat is tremendous, the guitar is dazzling, and Shaun’s vocal is giving it large. An anthem for the soon to be raver generation if there ever was one.
‘Wrote For Luck’ is another head thumping banger. The line “I sent for juice/you give me poison” always screams swagger from Shaun. The sound on the track is just heavy, before trance and techno there was this, loud with a side of attitude. ‘Lazyitus – One Armed Boxer’ brings the band back down to earth. It’s a relaxing track, and it even has a section that echoes The Beatles’ ‘Ticket To Ride’. No one expected that. Just a lovely, laid-back dance tune. Can’t go wrong. ‘Hallelujah’ is a great track. Day’s guitar and Paul’s bass carry this one, groovy as you like. The rising vocal harmonies on the way out are a nice touch too. Next up, probably the most definitive tune of their entire catalogue, ‘Step On’ is a certified classic. That keyboard intro from Paul Davis, the “Twistin’ my melon man” line from Shaun. An iconic intro. The beat never fails to make you move, the introduction of Rowetta as a backing vocalist adds some soul to the track as well. And I am aware it is a cover of an old John Kongos song, but you could tell someone this and the original are two completely different songs, and they would believe you. An instant classic. ‘Kinky Afro’ is another track from Thrills, Pills and Bellyaches that catches your ear immediately. Pure groove. The riff will go round and round in your head for days. Great tune. ‘Loose Fit’ is beyond chill. The smoothness of the heavy bass, the beat guiding you on a late-night walk (and possibly a smoke, but nothing illegal, that would be preposterous!) to really set the mood. And that chorus is catchy as hell. Love it. ‘Judge Fudge’ starts with a riff that almost attacks you. Happy Mondays really knew how to master the groove, without fail every track on this compilation so far has managed to get my head moving, this one being no exception. ‘Stinkin’ Thinkin’’ is almost dream-like. Shaun’s vocal takes a relaxed approach, Rowetta adds a lovely backing vocal too. All this while still managing to maintain that funky sound, brilliant. ‘Sunshine & Love’ really plays on the acid house sound. And it’s class. The keyboard throughout the track is soul lifting, Rowetta’s backing vocals are just pristine. Another A grade effort from the Mondays. ‘Angel’ starts with that quick bass riff, paired with some afro beat sound and it’s not bad. But it is probably the weakest track so far, it gets quite repetitive and slugs along too much. Not the best track to end off the first CD.
Now we’re on to the remixes. Kicking off with ‘Tart Tart (The Reflex Revision)’, from the get-go it’s a lot more Techno sounding. Chunky bass and flashy keyboards and synths, sounds like a crossover with Depeche Mode. And it sounds good. Discotheque funk if you will. ’24 Hour Party People (Jon Carter’s Main Vocal)’ is the version used in the film of the same name with Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge to anyone in Norwich). The bass is a lot heavier on this version, sounds more like a club deck than recorded in the studio. It works really well in the film but as a stand alone track it just doesn’t hold up as good as the original mix. ‘W.F.L (Think About The Future Mix)’ adds a reverberating keyboard sound throughout the track and a symphonic backing. Makes the track sound more atmospheric, very Sci-Fi. Could certainly be floor filler. ‘Hallelujah (Club Mix)’ just shows the work Paul Oakenfold is capable of. The piano intro and the bass just screams house music. And then that descending bass kicks in, it sound great. It is a lot less cluttered than the original mix; the isolation of the instruments allows you to hear what’s going on in more detail. But more importantly, the track works much better as a dance track here, it would’ve certainly gone down like a house on fire in most clubs way back when. ‘Rave On (Club Mix)’ would have had the same effect. Just by making the drum and bass tracks heavier and more surround sounding, it gives you a sound to move your head to, and the rest of your body if you’re in the right mood. Both of those tracks are stand out remixes, some of Oakenfold’s best work.
‘Step On (Twistin’ My Melon Mix)’ is an interesting version of the classic track. The piano doesn’t come in till later on the track, so hearing just the drum and bass tracks isolated with Shaun’s vocal over the top, it’s quite refreshing. it’s nice to hear the separate components of the song shaping the piece together. And this version samples the John Kongos original briefly, a nice shoutout. ‘Kinky Afro (Euromix)’ is almost like a trance version of the original. High energy with keyboards and heavy beats throughout. A nice spin on the original, although it can get a bit repetitive after 7 and a half minutes. ‘Loose Fit (Greg & Che Wilson Remix)’ is designed for club dancefloors. The bass turned up to the max, the vocal reduced to an entrancing sound, and keyboards firing away throughout. Sounds good to me. ‘Bob’s Yer Uncle (Perfecto Remix)’ is bouncy remix of the original. The acoustic guitar being complemented by the bass through most of the track, before it turns into a completely bass heavy track. Another one for the club. ‘Stinkin’ Thinkin’ (Junior Style)’ employs that classic trance sound. Heavy drum and bass tracks throughout, it sounds like a completely different song. The energy is much higher here, and I’m sure this being belted out the club speakers to a bunch of people that are under the influence (of what, nobody knows) would go down all too well. The same has to be said for ‘Sunshine & Love (Far Island Mix)’, it turns the original from house music to pure trance. It’s heavy. It’s upbeat. It’s loud. it goes away from the Mondays sound completely; it sounds like a different artist did the song all together. Definitely a happy way to end the party, and the compilation while we’re at it.
The Factory Singles is a great compilation for older fans of Happy Mondays that just want to relive the good times or the younger fans that want a good way to hear the band’s early tunes that still have a charm to them before getting to big hitters like ‘Step On’ and ‘Kinky Afro’. The mixing on the tracks is incredible; you probably won’t hear better sounding versions of the songs anywhere else. Overall, an enjoyable album and certainly worth getting your hands on, especially for any Happy Mondays diehards (Madchester’s finest).
Happy Mondays: The Factory Singles – Out 5 December 2025 (London Records)
