IT SEEMS that years in the musical wilderness benefit Morrissey. The first album from the former Smiths frontman in five years, is his best album since 2004’s You Are The Quarry, which also came after a lengthy absence.

Anyone expecting the Mancunian master of melancholy to come out with material as good as his days with the Smiths is going to be let down. The first half of his tenth record in particular boasts great lyrics and is unusually adventurous for his solo work, with highlights including the title track, Staircase At The University and Smiler With Knife.

Rob Barker