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Oct 17, 2017 By Christopher Roberts Morrissey

Morrissey is releasing a new album, Low in High School, on November 17 via BMG and his own new label, Etienne. Previously he 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.” Now the song has a video.

Sophie Muller directed the clip, which starts with Morrissey in a wheelchair being wheeled in by well-known British footballer Joey Barton (a long term Morrissey fan who used to play for Manchester City). Morrissey and his band then perform the song, with Morrissey in a wooden chair the whole time, until his band then takes turns pushing Morrissey around in his wheelchair. Performance artist David Hoyle also appears. The video was shot at the 142 year-old Peckham Liberal Club. Watch it below, followed by his upcoming tour dates.

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.”

Korda Marshall (EVP of BMG) had this to say in the previous press release: “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, humor 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.”

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 is being released.

The release of World Peace is None of Your Business led to a dispute between Morrissey and that album’s label, Harvest, when he claimed the label mishandled its release and the label responded by pulling the album from digital retailers and streaming services, apparently at Morrissey’s request. Hopefully the release of Low in High School will go better.

Morrissey Tour Dates:

Tue Oct 31 - Portland, OR - Schnitzer Concert Hall
Thu, Nov 2 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
Sat, Nov 4 - San Francisco, CA - Masonic Auditorium
Sun, Nov 5 - Paso Robles, CA - Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Fri, Nov 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl w/ Billy Idol (SOLD OUT)
Sat, Nov 11 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl w/ Billy Idol
Thu, Nov 16 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee
Sat, Nov 18 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kingsbury Hall
Mon, Nov 20 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
Wed, Nov 22 - St. Louis, MO - Peabody Opera House
Sat, Nov 25 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theater
Tue, Nov 28 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore Detroit
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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