Morrissey has signed a worldwide recording agreement with Universal Music‘s Harvest label – part of the Capitol Music Group,
The Smiths and solo star’s first album under the deal will be released in the second half of this year.
According to a Universal release, Morrissey stated that he is “thrilled” with the agreement, and will commence recording of his new album – the artist’s first since 2009’s Years Of Refusal – later this month in France with producer Joe Chiccarelli.
He will be accompanied by his longtime recording and touring band, including Boz Boorer (guitar), Jesse Tobias (guitar), Solomon Walker (bass), Matthew Walker (drums) and Gustavo Manzur (keyboards). Tour dates for 2014 will be announced soon.
According to Capitol Music Group Chairman and CEO Steve Barnett, “Morrissey is clearly one of music’s most important and influential artists. He is the rare soul who has stayed consistently true to his artistic vision and ethical principles since he first exploded onto the scene in the 1980s. We are so happy that he has chosen Capitol Music Group as his home and that his forthcoming album on Harvest will bring new Morrissey music to the world.”
CMG Executive Vice President Michelle Jubelirer added, “Morrissey is a truly singular artist whose music and live performances first captured a worldwide audience thirty years ago and never let go. He is uncompromising in his integrity, extremely devoted to his fans and an artist with a unique and needed voice in our culture. It’s so great that Morrissey is with CMG, and, more important, that he is about to record his first new album in five years.”
Morrissey’s post-Smiths solo career began in 1988 with the release of Viva Hate. He has now released nine studio albums and an array of singles, rarities collections and live recordings.
Morrissey’s recently-released Autobiography set first-week sales records when it entered the UK charts at #1 (a slot it held for five weeks).Music Business Worldwide
