Morrissey has asserted that his lack of recorded output in recent years isn’t due to a lack of inspiration or ideas, but rather due to a war on “free speech”.

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

“As you know, nobody will release my music anymore,” Morrissey told the crowd. “As you know because I’m a chief exponent of free speech. In England at least, it’s now criminalized.

“You cannot speak freely in England. If you don’t believe me, go there. Express an opinion, you’ll be sent to prison. It’s very, very difficult.”

Morrissey’s comments are likely in reference to both the backlash he faced following his apparent support of far-right political party For Britain, and the fact he has not issued a new album since 2020’s I Am Not a Dog on a Chain.

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

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

He later issued another statement claiming he was “too diverse” for for Universal Music Group, noting that “although he does not believe that Capitol Records in Los Angeles signed Bonfire of Teenagers in order to sabotage it, he is quickly coming around to that belief”.

While Bonfire of Teenagers remains unreleased, Morrissey has since reportedly completed an additional album titled Without Music the World Dies. Despite offering the album to “any record label or private investor [that] has interest in releasing this project” due to his split with Capitol, that album too remains unreleased.