Morrissey’s anti-monarchy album cover allegedly banned from stores

HMV have denied the rumours

Earlier this year, Morrissey announced that his new album Low In High School will be released on 17 November via BMG and Etienne Records. The cover art, designed by Tony Molina, has since surfaced on Instagram depicting Max Lopez, son of Morrissey’s bassist Mando Lopez, holding an axe and a sign saying: ‘Axe The Monarchy’.

In a Facebook post published by Morrissey’s friend James Maker, he accused HMV of refusing to stock the album. The post reads: “Trade and Retail have informed BMG that they will refuse to handle Morrissey’s new album, Low in High School on the grounds that the sleeve art is ‘offensive’. Thus, the entire campaign is in jeopardy unless Morrissey and his record company rethink the album cover”.

Guitarist Jesse Tobias said, “Apparently HMV and some of the merchants in the UK has said they will not carry the album in stores with this cover this is apparently that UK only censorship at its finest”.

However, HMV have denied the accusations in an online statement: “Contrary to reports, HMV have no refused to stock to stock the new Morrissey album. BMG shared the artwork with us last week and we are looking forward to continuing to work with BMG on the forthcoming release.”

“For the second time this year it appears Morrissey’s camp have made a statement about HMV without being fully aware of the facts.”

Low In High School will be the follow-up to 2014’s World Peace Is None Of Your Business. In June, Morrissey claimed that the retail chain were trying to “freeze sales” of The Smiths’ single The Queen Is Dead. 

See the artwork and online statements below.

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