Low in High School
On his eleventh studio album, Steven Morrissey beholds the choppy water of a polarised age and effectively grabs a surfboard. Bracing, black-skied, and wrapped in lyrical barb-wire, *Low in High School* finds the former Smiths frontman taking on modern propagandists (“My Love, I’d Do Anything For You”), abusive authority figures (“Who Will Protect Us from the Police?”), and lust amid political revolution (“In Your Lap”). There’s melodic light to balance the dark imagery, though. “Spent the Day in Bed”—a stately, piano-sprinkled riposte to the horror of 24-hour news—may be one of the most deftly effective songs he’s produced in a decade.
Though the music is often engaging and exciting, Low in High School is Morrissey’s second consecutive release that feels regrettably tethered to his increasingly alienating public persona.
Morrissey says we need him like he needs us. One would hesitate to agree without some very strong reservations.
Moz’s strange 11th solo album starts off well enough, but soon goes seriously wrong. Read NME's verdict on 'Low In Hight School'
Rolling Stone reviews veteran songwriter Morrissey's 11th album 'Low in High School'.
Mavis Staples – If All I Was Was Black, Sly5thAve – The Invisible Man, Karine Polwart with Pippa Murphy – A Pocket Of Wind Resistance, Whitney Houston – I Wish You Love: More From The Bodyguard, and Yello – Live In Berlin
The Smiths' frontman returns with an 11th solo album that's by turns overwrought and underdeveloped.
In a way, Morrissey was built for the social media era. Few performers can match his ability for a pitchy quote, somehow managing to amuse and infuriate
It’s when Morrissey leaves the snipping polemic behind that his eleventh studio album ‘Low In High School’ feels most vibrant.
In typical Morrissey fashion, he apologizes for nothing here, and if anything he doubles down on his stodginess.
Morrissey 'Low In High School': Our review of 'Low In High School' finds Morrissey is strong as ever but just missing that extra something.
Some brilliant lines gleam through the noise on Morrissey’s 11th album, but others – about war and Israel – are sneering and reactionary<br>
“Society’s hell/ you need me, just like I need you,” sings Morrissey on My Love, I’d Do Anything for You.