Shock, horror! I will review Morrissey's music in a piece about his latest album. This seems to be beyond the abilities of those few music critics who bother to cover his output. For them, it's an excuse to line up and take pot shots at the songwriter for something they read that he said, all the while ignoring his music. And all for social media likes and pats on the back from the dinner party clique.
Morrissey's previous few albums, 2020's ‘I Am Not a Dog on a Chain', 2019's covers selection ‘California Sun' and 2018's ‘Low in High School' are all superb, and I have returned to them ad infinitum in the intervening years. You wouldn't know that from the intellectual cowardice on display when trawling through the reviews. One thing is for sure about Morrissey: he is never cowardly and he is unafraid to speak his mind, never seeking anyone's approval. That is rare these days and the hallmark of a true artist.
After only a few listens, I'm already captivated by much of the poetry and lyricism that lights up ‘Make-up is a Lie'. The opening lines, “I want to move away, from those who stare at screens all day, I want to speak up and not be trapped by censorship” immediately sets the tone. If your response to those sentiments is “YES!” then this album is going to grab your head, heart and soul. There's an enjoyable thread of Socratic humility that runs throughout this song, and others on the album. Hitting the high notes on the choral refrain of “You're right it's time” will send shivers down the spine of any admirer of Morrissey who is addicted to his vocals.
‘Make-up is a Lie' is the first single release. Stylistically, it's redolent of ‘The Girl from Tel-Aviv Who Wouldn't Kneel'. I expect its origins is in a passing comment overheard in the French capital that has provided a Bohemian paradise for many great artists (James Baldwin, notably – see Morrissey's autobiography). The constant title refrain, as with the previous song, sets up the Morrissey trademark repeated phrase that can become a little too insistent, which is my biggest criticism of the album as a whole. Repetition to reinforce a point is more powerful with greater selectivity. The next song, ‘Notre-Dame', is also inspired by his time in the French capital. It has an electro-pop vibe similar to a favourite recent Morrissey song ‘Once I Saw the River Clean'. If controversy is found with this album, it will likely be from this song for speculating that the devastating cathedral fire of 2019 was no accident.
The album takes a change of direction with ‘Amazona', a version of a 1973 ‘Roxy Music' song, and it gives co-writing credits to Philip Manzanera and Bryan Ferry. A rocky instrumental giving way to a more acoustic verse is a high point.
Normal service resumes with ‘Headache', which is pure Morrissey. With his customary witty cynicism, he switches matrimonial words for ‘headache'. “With this headache I thee wed, And thus, pronounce you dead.” Morrissey probably isn't a go-to for many first wedding dances, and this song won't feature highly, with its refrain of “I don't like you”. But it will delight Morrissey fans who relish the dark humour. This is Morrissey at his spiky, discordant best. Another highlight of the album is ‘Boulevard', which effectively brings in a piano backing. It recounts a self-destructive love affair with the high life on a Boulevard. It combines powerful lyrics with haunting music, and is co-written with long-term collaborator Alain Whyte.
For feel good Morrissey, look no further than ‘Zoom Zoom the Little Boy', which is a call for looking after wildlife, a common sentiment throughout Morrissey's career. Continuing the up-beat vibe, ‘The Night Pop Dropped' will get your toes tapping. Both are co-written with Jesse Tobias and Mike Daly.
‘Kerching Kerching' returns to the sentiment of ‘Headache', detailing a toxic relationship. It's co-written with keyboardist Camila Grey Gutierrez. ‘Lester Bangs' recalls the short and tragic life of a music journalist and critic, and is a banger of unexpected euphoric splendour. It is full of familiar Morrissey references (Allen Ginsberg and the Dolls, notably).
I like the slow, Pink Floyd-esque build of ‘Many Icebergs Ago' that has a distinctively Celtic flavour. Written with band member Gustavo Manzur, it makes for a haunting penultimate song. ‘Make-up is a Lie' plays out with ‘The Monsters of Pig Alley', which is Morrissey's unique take on the trappings of fame.
Overall, ‘Make-up is a Lie' is an enjoyable and thought-provoking album that continues the great run of artistic form that Morrissey has been on throughout this decade. After a few listens, I'm not convinced that the songs cohere in quite the same way as ‘I Am Not a Dog on a Chain', but with more familiarity with the flow, perhaps it will. Those who already love Morrissey will find so much to enjoy in this collection of new songs. With a great band behind him, the musicianship is impressive from start to finish. It's true that there are a few riffs that recall previous works, but there's much originality too. I can already tell that ‘Make-up is a Lie' will soundtrack the next month or so.
To round out with full disclosure, I've loved Morrissey for all of my adult life, and his music has soundtracked many milestones on my own journey. I've always found the output of his solo career compulsive listening. The humour and lyricism come through stronger than any traces of self-pity that were louder during his early days with The Smiths. But once your reputation is set and repeated by others, it can be hard to shift. Morrissey, of all artists, knows that only too well. As ‘Make-up is a Lie' ably demonstrates, he'll just carry on doing his own thing regardless. Thank goodness for that and long may Morrissey continue.
Track list: 1. You're Right, It's Time 2. Make-up is a Lie 3. Notre-Dame 4. Amazona 5. Headache 6. Boulevard 7. Zoom Zoom the Little Boy 8. The Night Pop Dropped 9. Kerching Kerching 10. Lester Bangs 11. Many Icebergs Ago 12. The Monsters of Pig Alley Record label: Sire Records Release date: 6th March 2026 Buy ‘Make-up is a Lie' now
This article contains an affiliate link. Purchases through this link may result in us earning a commission.
