This week I’ve been listening to The Beloved’s feel-good, uplifting blend of chill-out and acid house Ibiza-pop.

These songs are the perfect remedy to reduce anxiety and stress during (hopefully) the last few weeks of lockdown.

The Beloved’s 1990 album Happiness is one of my all-time favourites.

I pretty much bought this album based upon the Smash Hits review, and a vague awareness of the song Hello.

This album is divine, and way back when I was fifteen and sixteen, it sounded like something I wasn’t quite old enough to be listening to; I imagined twentysomethings listening to this while they did grown up things, you know like doing drugs in Ibiza while watching the sunset.

In short, it felt like I had found this secret album that I strongly suspected none of my peers knew about.

The Beloved became much more well-known, and more commercially successful, with their follow up hit Sweet Harmony (released in 1993) but for me, this album will always be their best work.

I find comfort in it, probably something to do with Jon’s mellow voice, and the joyous, pure optimism of the songs. Equally good is their follow-up, Blissed Out, a companion remix album.

My Beloved playlist is available to stream below…