Morrissey Signs with Sire Records, Ending Years of Label Uncertainty
British musician Morrissey, former frontman of the iconic band The Smiths and one of the most influential figures in alternative music, has officially signed a contract with Sire Records. The move marks a major turning point in his career and effectively brings to an end a prolonged period during which the artist was without a permanent record label.
The past few years have been professionally challenging for Morrissey. In 2022, he parted ways with Capitol Records, where the release of one of his new albums had been planned but ultimately never materialised. Earlier, in 2020, he also ended his collaboration with BMG, after which he spent several years unable to secure a label willing to officially release his new material. Throughout this period, the artist repeatedly stated that he continued to work actively in the studio and had completed full-length albums.
The agreement with Sire Records is particularly symbolic given the label’s history. Sire has played a key role in the development of alternative and indie music and has released records by artists such as Talking Heads, Ramones, The Cure and Madonna. For Morrissey, whose work helped shape the musical landscape of the late twentieth century, the partnership represents a logical return to a label with a strong cultural identity.
At the time of signing, the musician had at least two fully recorded but officially unreleased albums. One of them, Bonfire of Teenagers, was completed several years ago and was originally scheduled for release through Capitol Records. The album features contributions from Chad Smith and Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as Iggy Pop, making it one of the most talked-about projects in Morrissey’s later discography even before its release.
Another album, You’re Right, It’s Time, was recorded in 2023 at La Fabrique studio in France with producer Joe Chiccarelli, a long-time collaborator of the artist. Despite being fully completed, the album has been delayed several times and has yet to receive an official release date.
Representatives of Sire Records have not yet disclosed details regarding upcoming release plans or clarified which albums will be prioritised. However, the signing itself confirms that Morrissey now has a stable partner capable of bringing his long-awaited work to listeners and restoring him to an active release cycle.
The news of the deal with Sire Records comes amid a difficult period in the artist’s life. In 2025, Morrissey was forced to cancel part of his North American tour due to security concerns, temporarily limiting his live activity. Against this backdrop, his return to the spotlight through creative news appears especially significant.
The contract with Sire Records may signal the beginning of a new chapter for Morrissey, potentially leading to the release of long-completed albums, the resumption of touring, and a return to regular musical output. For fans and the wider alternative music community, the announcement already stands out as one of the year’s most notable music stories.
