Morrissey is set to return with a new album entitled Low in High School on November 17. The album, the former Smiths frontman's first since 2014's World Peace Is None of Your Business', will be available in download form and four physical forms: CD, coloured vinyl and limited edition cassette. It will be Morrissey's first album release for BMG Records, who have partnered with the singer to launch his own record label, Etienne Records.
Speaking to the NME, BMG Records' executive vice president Korda Marshall said of signing 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."
Strong praise indeed, but well deserved for an artist with such an illustrious career as Morrissey's. Morrissey formed The Smiths with Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce in 1982. The band went on to release four studio albums and 18 singles before splitting in 1987. Morrissey began his solo career in 1988 with the UK number one album Viva Hate, which contained two of his signature singles, Suedehead and Everyday is Like Sunday. He has gone on to release a further nine albums, two of which, 1994's Vauxhall and I and 2006's Ringleader of the Tormentors have also reached the UK top spot.
With his last album reaching number two on the UK album charts and the expectations for Low in High-School being so high, the new album could provide Morrissey with a fourth number one hit album.
What is known about 'Low in High-School'
Little is known about the songs that will appear on Low in High-School, although sources close to Morrissey have stated that the new album will be one of his most politically charged to date, reflecting the ever-changing world that we live in.
The album was recorded at La Fabrique Studios in France and at the studio of legendary composer Ennio Morricone, Forum Music City in Rome. Morrissey previously used La Fabrique Studios to record World Peace Is None of Your Business and Forum Music City to record Ringleader of the Tormentors.
Low in High-School was produced by Joe Chiccarelli, who first worked with Morrissey in 2009 when he engineered and mixed tracks on the B-sides compilation Swords and also produced World Peace Is None of Your Business.
Chiccarelli has won two Grammy Awards for his recording and engineering work on The White Stripes' 2007 album Icky Thump and The Raconteurs' 2008 album Consolers of the Lonely. He has also worked on albums by, among others, U2; Rufus Wainwright; Elton John; Frank Zappa; Tori Amos; Beck and The Strokes.
Morrissey to play The Hollywood Bowl and embark on a world tour to promote the album
Along with the announcement of the Low in High-School, it was revealed that Morrissey would play a concert at The Hollywood Bowl on November 10, a week before the release of the new album. Morrissey's first two concerts at The Hollywood Bowl, on two consecutive nights during the Your Arsenal tour in 1992, were notable for selling out and beating a record previously held by The Beatles since 1964.
Morrissey returned to The Hollywood Bowl in 2007 during the first leg of his 2007/2008 'Greatest Hits' tour. This concert was planned for a DVD release in 2008 but was cancelled due to Morrissey's dissatisfaction with Warner Music Entertainment, who Morrissey was never signed to, cashing in. Morrissey will embark on a world tour following this year's Hollywood Bowl concert, although no details have as yet been released.
