Morrissey performing upside down on a monitor duing his Kill Unce Tour at the Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, New York in July 1991. © Kevin Cummins
A new Morrissey album is coming. The Manchester musician will release new LP Low in High School. It will be the singer’s 11th solo album and will be out on 17th November on BMG after the singer signed a new record deal with the company. Along with the album he’ll also launch his own label in partnership with BMG, called Etienne Records.
The former The Smiths frontman hasn’t released an album since 2014’s World Peace Is None Of Your Business. The new record was recorded both at La Fabrique Studios in France and at Ennio Morricone’s Forum Studios in Rome.
It was produced by Joe Chiccarelli, who has worked with Frank Zappa, The Strokes, Beck and The Raconteurs, and The White Stripes. His work with the latter two bands won him Grammys.
Morrissey performing at the GLC's (Greater London Council) 'Jobs For a Change' festival on the South Bank, London in 1984. © Richard Matthews
The album will launch the same day as a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and a wider tour which will include the UK, will follow next year where he will be playing songs from the new album along with classics.
The new label deal comes after Morrissey parted ways with Harvest, which is where he released World Peace Is None Of Your Business, saying to News.au last year, “I couldn’t go through a Harvest Records situation again — they almost killed me, and probably regret that they didn’t.”
Morrissey is not shy about courting controversy either, speaking out against politicians after the Manchester bombing, he’s also famously ferocious about defending animals rights—refusing to play venues that serve meat—and a critic of the monarchy.
Morrissey wields a protestor’s placard bearing the title of The Smiths anarchic ‘Queen is Dead’ tour and album. © Gary Lornie
The musician has always had an uneven relationship with the music industry too, saying in an interview last year. “There was a time when the music industry served the artist, but now the artist must serve the music industry, which is why everything is now so tasteless.” continuing, “There is extremely heavy censorship now. It is severely controlled and monitored to make sure that any singer with a political message cannot get through. The result is obvious. We are left with music charts that do not reflect the feelings and needs of devout music lovers.”
Luckily though it’s this outspokenness that encouraged his new label to take him on.
“There are not many artists around today that can compare to Morrissey. He is an extraordinary talent.”said Korda Marshall, EVP of BMG. “He is prodigious, literate, witty, elegant and above all, courageous. His lyrics, humour and melodies have influenced many generations. The music on this new landmark record will speak for itself and he is a dream signing for BMG.”
Speaking about the new album in a statement BMG said, “Morrissey’s talent for combining political statements and melodies is more prevalent than ever on Low in High-School, capturing the zeitgeist of an ever-changing world.”
Morrissey and Johnny Marr photographed just after signing their legendary first record deal with Rough Trade Records in 1983. © Clare Muller
Rockarchive is delighted to be able to offer these iconic Morrissey images as limited edition photographic prints which you can buy here.
