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Nov 30, 2017 Morrissey By Christopher Roberts

Morrissey released a new album, Low in High School, a few weeks back via BMG and his own new label, Etienne. Of course, most of the talk since then has been about Morrissey defending alleged sexual assaulters Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein in a pair of interviews (including one with the British newspaper The Sunday Times). But now he has shared a new video for “Jacky’s Only Happy When She’s Up on the Stage” to put the focus back on his album. Robert Hales directed the clip, which features Morrissey performing the song in a TV studio as if on an old 1960s music show (such as Ready Steady Go!), complete with backing dancers and some dancing from Morrissey. Watch it below.

Also read our recent review of Low in High School.

Previously Morrissey shared the album’s first single, “Spent the Day in Bed,” and announced some American tour dates for this fall. He also stopped by the BBC music show Later… with Jools Holland to perform “Spent the Day in Bed” and shared a video for “Spent the Day in Bed” in which he rode in a wheelchair, among other things. Then he shared lyric videos for two other songs from the album, “I Wish You Lonely” and “Jacky’s Only Happy When She’s Up on the Stage.”

Morrissey recorded the album with producer Joe Chiccarelli (who also produced his last album, 2014’s World Peace is None of Your Business). Low in High School was recorded at La Fabrique Studios in France and at Ennio Morricone’s Forum Studios in Rome.

In the topical chorus to “Spent the Day in Bed” Morrissey sings: “And I recommend that you/Stop watching the news!/Because the news contrives to frighten you/To make you feel small and alone/To make you feel that your mind isn’t your own.” The album’s cover art features a boy with a protest sign and a hatchet standing in front of Buckingham Palace.

A previous press release said: “On his 11th studio album, Morrissey’s talent for combining political statements and beautiful melodies is more prevalent than ever as he captures the zeitgeist of an ever-changing world.”

England is Mine, a new unauthorized biopic about Morrissey, came out this summer. Watch the trailer here.

On October 20 a deluxe five-LP reissue of The Smiths’ The Queen is Dead was released.

Morrissey Tour Dates:

Thu, Nov 30 - Washington, DC - The Anthem
Sat, Dec 2 - New York, NY - Theatre at Madison Square Garden
Mon, Dec 4 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
Thu, Dec 7 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre

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