Make-up is a Lie (Digital Deluxe Edition) Lyrics & Tracklist – Morrissey
Make-up is a Lie is the fourteenth solo studio album by English singer and songwriter Morrissey. Originally recorded under different titles and facing several years of label-related delays, the project marks a significant milestone in the artist’s career as it signals his return to Sire Records/Warner Records after more than three decades. Scheduled for a full release on March 6, 2026, the album represents a definitive statement of artistic independence and lyrical unvarnished truth.
Album Description
The journey of Make-up is a Lie began in late 2023 at La Fabrique Studios in Saint-Rémy, France. The record is a transformed version of a previous project titled Without Music The World Dies. Following a period of creative re-evaluation, Morrissey scrapped approximately half of the original tracks and recorded six new songs to complete the current tracklist. The album is described as a sonically dynamic collection that balances sweeping melodies with the singer’s signature biting wit and social commentary. The Digital Deluxe Edition expands on the standard release with additional content and high-fidelity production values.
Musical Style
Musically, the album adheres to the alternative rock and sophisticated pop aesthetics that have defined Morrissey’s solo output. The lead single and title track, “Make-up is a Lie,” features a hypnotic, slow-burning arrangement anchored by echoing drums and a steady bassline. The record incorporates a variety of textures, from string arrangements by Ambroise Sage to the guitar work of Jesse Tobias and Carmen Vandenberg. Critics have noted the album’s shifts between atmospheric ballads and more assertive, guitar-driven tracks, all centered around Morrissey’s baritone vocals and introspective lyrical themes.
Release Information
The album’s rollout was preceded by the release of the title track as a single on January 9, 2026. This was followed by the singles “Notre-Dame” and a cover of Roxy Music’s “Amazona.” The album is available in multiple formats, including standard CD, digital streaming, and various vinyl editions such as a blue vinyl variant and a unique Zoetrope picture disc. The release is supported by a 2026 world tour spanning North America and Europe.
Tracklist
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
Credits
Lead Vocals: Morrissey
Backing Vocals: Alain Whyte
Guitars: Jesse Tobias, Carmen Vandenberg
Bass & Synthesizers: Juan Galeano
Keyboards & Programming: Camila Grey, Juan Galeano
Drums: Brendan Buckley
String Arrangements: Ambroise Sage
Producer: Joe Chiccarelli
Engineering: Bill Mims
Photography: David Mushegain
Label: Sire / Warner Records










