At least one record label is happy to release new Morrissey music. The Smiths’ founder has signed a new contract with Sire Records, reports Rolling Stone, three years after the singer’s previous home, Capitol, shelved a finished album, and five years after BMG officially dropped him—a development Moz blamed on new management and, uh, “diversity.”
“BMG have appointed a new Executive who does not want another Morrissey album,” he wrote in a statement at the time. “The new BMG Executive has announced new plans for ‘diversity’ within BMG’s artist roster, and all projected BMG Morrissey releases/reissues have been scrapped. This news is perfectly in keeping with the relentless galvanic horror of 2020.”
Morrissey has spent the ensuing years teasing two already-recorded, full-length followups to 2020’s I am Not a Dog on a Chain. The first, Bonfire of Teenagers, features Chad Smith, Flea, and Iggy Pop. Initially, Capitol was set to release the album before it reportedly shelved it. “Every major label in London has refused Bonfire of Teenagers whilst also admitting that it is a masterpiece,” Morrissey told The Telegraph in 2024. “And although there is nothing insulting or antagonistic in the title track, label bosses say they are worried that The Guardian would make their lives hell if they supported any such social awareness.” Less is known about the second finished Moz album, You’re Right, It’s Time.
The Sire news comes after Morrissey was forced to cancel two shows on his 2025 North American tour following an online death threat. That same month, the singer claimed he was selling his rights to the Smiths’ catalog.
We’ve reached out to Sire Records for comment on when fans can expect new Morrissey music.
Read more about Morrissey on our 50 Best Britpop Albums ranking.
