Morrissey’s back, and he’s going big. He will be releasing what a press release describes as a “landmark record” titled Low in High School on Nov. 17. It will be the former Smiths frontman’s 11th studio album but his first through BMG and Morrissey’s own newly launched label Etienne Records.
Morrissey signed this new record deal with BMG after parting ways with his former label Harvest. To engineer the album, Morrissey re-enlisted Grammy-winning producer Joe Chiccarelli, who is revered for his work with the likes of Frank Zappa, The Strokes, The White Stripes and The Raconteurs.
Chiccarelli previously worked with Morrissey on his album World Peace Is None of Your Business, which reached number two on the U.K. Albums Chart when it came out in 2014. So far, Morrissey and Chicarelli have proven to be a good duo.
Low in High School was recorded at La Frabrique Studios in France and Ennio Morricone’s Forum Studios in Rome. Not much else has been shared about the record, but Morrissey did announce an album release show at the Hollywood Bowl on Nov. 10. Stay tuned for more tour dates.
Before signing with BMG, Morrissey expressed grievances about navigating his way through the music industry in an interview with Israel’s Walla: “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.” He further described the business as one that is “severely controlled and monitored to make sure that any singer with a political message cannot get through.”
Judging from everything Morrissey has publicly said in the past, the music industry will have a hard time censoring the singer. Luckily, BMG encourages his fearlessness.
In a statement, Executive Korda Marshall said this about the signing: “There are not many artists around today that can compare to Morrissey. He is an extraordinary talent. 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 we are delighted to welcome him to BMG.”