The Smiths Morrissey has confirmed the release of his first studio album in more than five years

Morrissey has confirmed the release of his first studio album in more than five years, marking a new chapter in the long and often controversial career of the former Smiths frontman. The 66-year-old singer-songwriter will release his upcoming record, Make-Up Is A Lie, on March 6 via Sire Records. It will be his 14th solo studio album.

The album’s title track was unveiled as the lead single on Friday. On the song, Morrissey delivers one of his typically reflective and melancholic performances, singing about travel, memory and disillusionment. The lyrics reference a journey to Paris and include the repeated refrain: “Make-up is a lie,” a line that underscores the song’s themes of artifice and truth.

Make-Up Is A Lie was produced by Joe Chiccarelli and recorded in France. The album will include a cover of Roxy Music’s 1973 track Amazona, originally featured on their album Stranded. Other song titles on the record include Notre-Dame, You’re Right, It’s Time, and Lester Bangs, a tribute to the influential late music journalist who wrote for Creem and Rolling Stone.

Here's a look at the tracklist:

The announcement comes after years of uncertainty surrounding Bonfire Of Teenagers, an album that was previously expected to be Morrissey’s 14th solo release but has yet to see the light of day. That unreleased project reportedly includes a title track inspired by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, as well as guest appearances from artists such as Iggy Pop, Miley Cyrus, and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Morrissey is currently undertaking a world tour, with dates across the United States, Germany, and the UK. He is set to play a major headline show at London’s O2 Arena on February 28. However, his touring schedule has not been without disruption. In September last year, he cancelled two shows in Connecticut and Boston, citing what was described as a “credible threat” to his safety.

In recent years, Morrissey has also remained a polarising public figure. He has faced widespread criticism for political statements and affiliations, including comments made in a 2019 interview about race and his past support for the now-defunct far-right party For Britain.

Morrissey first rose to prominence in the early 1980s as the frontman of The Smiths, one of the most influential indie bands of their era. The group achieved multiple UK top 10 singles and two number one albums before splitting in 1987 amid tensions between Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Morrissey then embarked on a successful solo career, beginning with 1988’s Viva Hate, and went on to score numerous chart successes with songs such as Suedehead, Everyday Is Like Sunday, and We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful.