Morrissey claims the war on “free speech” is preventing him from releasing music

Morrissey has argued that his lack of recorded output in recent years is not due to a lack of inspiration or ideas, but rather a war on “freedom of speech”.

The comments were made by the former Smiths frontman at a concert in Newark, New Jersey last Wednesday (November 13), with Asbury Park Press reporting that the musician vented his frustrations midway through his 20-song set.

“As you know, nobody's going to release my music anymore,” Morrissey told the crowd. “As you know, because I am the chief exponent of free speech. In England at least, it has now been criminalised.

“You cannot speak freely in England. If you don't believe me, go there. Speak up, they'll send you to jail. It's very, very difficult.”

Morrissey's comments likely refer to both the backlash he faced after his apparent support for the far-right political party For Britain and the fact that he hasn't released a new album since 2020 I'm not a dog on a chain.

In February 2023, however, the singer was scheduled to release his 14th album, Bonfire of Teenagerss, which was reportedly completed in mid-2021. Along with appearances by Miley Cyrus and Iggy Pop, the album reportedly featured production from Andrew Watt and musical assistance from Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, bassist Flea and former RHCP guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

Three months before its scheduled release, Morrissey issued a statement noting that the record was “no longer scheduled for a February release,” claiming that “its fate rests solely in the hands of Capitol Records (Los Angeles).” These claims were soon followed by the news that Cyrus had requested that her vocals be removed from the record.

He later issued another statement claiming he was “very different” to Universal Music Group, noting that “although he doesn't think Capitol Records in Los Angeles signed Teenage Fire to sabotage it, he quickly comes to that belief.”

While Bonfire of Teenagerssmall remains unreleased, Morrissey has since reportedly completed an additional self-titled album Without music the world dies. Despite offering the album to “any record label or private investor [that] interested in releasing this project' due to his split with Capitol, and this album remains unreleased.