Morrissey has finally confirmed a release date for his long-discussed fourteenth solo album, Make-up is a Lie.
The 12-track record reunites Morrissey with producer Joe Chiccarelli, whose past work includes projects with The Strokes, The White Stripes, Weezer, and My Morning Jacket. The album was recorded at Studio La Fabrique in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in the south of France. The title track has also been released today and is co-written with keyboardist Camila Grey.
The tracklist includes several song titles previously referenced by Morrissey over the years, alongside new material and a cover of Roxy Music’s 1973 deep cut ‘Amazona’. Notably absent are any songs from Bonfire of Teenagers, the Andrew Watt-produced album that was originally intended to be his fourteenth release. That project featured collaborations with Iggy Pop and members of Red Hot Chili Peppers, but appears to have been abandoned entirely.
Morrissey has returned to his former label home of Sire under Warner Records after several years without a release deal. During that period, he repeatedly claimed that labels were unwilling to work with him, citing what he described as restrictions on free speech. Speaking on stage in New Jersey in November 2024, he told the audience that he believed expressing controversial opinions had become punishable in England.
The fallout surrounding Bonfire of Teenagers was widely documented. Morrissey accused Capitol Records of refusing to release the album and later claimed he had bought back the rights, only for major UK labels to decline involvement. He also alleged that Miley Cyrus requested the removal of her backing vocals from the track ‘I Am Veronica’ following his departure from Capitol.
Morrissey is due to play a UK show at London’s O2 Arena on 28 February. Make-up is a Lie will be released on multiple vinyl formats, including blue vinyl, a zoetrope picture disc, and a red vinyl pressing exclusive to independent record stores.
Make-up is a Lie tracklist
- ‘You’re Right, It’s Time’
- ‘Make-up is a Lie’
- ‘Notre-Dame’
- ‘Amazona’
- ‘Headache’
- ‘Boulevard’
- ‘Zoom Zoom the Little Boy’
- ‘The Night Pop Dropped’
- ‘Kerching Kerching’
- ‘Lester Bangs’
- ‘Many Icebergs Ago’
- ‘The Monsters of Pig Alley’
