Morrissey - 'Years Of Refusal' The World's First Listen!

'That's How People Grow Up'

Another one fans will have heard plenty of already. The song is textured with power chords that will resonate right into the listeners heart. Although great as a single, the song's role on the album is much more subliminal. One feels it exists simply to maintain momentum.

'One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell'

'One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell' continues the pace thanks to a drum beat of urgent snare rolls. Lyrically, Morrissey provides a warning to the listener. “Always be careful when you abuse the one you love,” he sings. “...One day goodbye will be farewell.” This sounds like a man who has learned his lessons in love the hard way. Again the guitars are reminiscent of much of Morrissey's more recent releases.

'It's Not Your Birthday Anymore'

A power ballad – and one that serves an important reminder to just how much Morrissey has personalised his lyrics in his ageing years. Here, like throughout much of the album, Morrissey appears to be divulging the feelings and emotions he once repressed. “Did you really think we meant all of those syrupy, sentimental things we said?” he ask, before adding: “All of the gifts that they gave can't compare to the love I am now giving you right here right now on the floor.” It's a deeply passionate, melodic and ambitious sounding track that's delivered by a fraught sounding Morrissey. Watch out for the huge guitar part.

'You Were Good In Your Time'

Another slow number but far more sparse than its predecessor. Simple jazz club-esque brush strokes combine with a soft, reverberating bassline. The song only takes on more depth as  Morrssiey's sings sombrely – but with all his usual ambiguity – about a person on their death bed. As a soft string section flowers in the background, he sings: “Then you grip your hand now so small in mine, are you aware wherever you are that you have just died?” As the song ends, an inaudible voice wails in the background.

'Sorry Doesn't Help'

Normal service resumes as grandiose guitar riffs return to once again power the three and a half minute song to its conclusion. Only the occasional breakdown help gives the song any sense of depth and change in direction. But it's the lyrics (and just who they're about) that Morrissey sings so raucously that will get people talking. “But sorry doesn't help us, but sorry will not save us / And sorry will not bring my teen years back to me (any time soon).”

'I'm OK By Myself'

After spending much of the record searching for love and sounding more at ease with himself than ever, Morrissey brings the record to an end on a deeply paranoid note with 'I'm OK By Myself'. “Could this be an arm around my waist?” he asks himself. “Well, surely the hand contains a knife?” Stubbornly he adds: “I find I'm OK by myself”. The song's relentless BPM complements the sense of hedonistic independence and finality in Morrissey's voice. The guitars are again powerful - and on occasion quite experimental. This is an angry ending; an ending where Morrissey tries to grab back any details he may have carelessly, and uncharacteristically, unveiled to the listener.

So how will ‘Years of Refusal’ come to be remembered? Is it, as many hoped, Morrissey’s musical autobiography? Well, not quite. While there’s no doubt that he tackles certain issues - most notably humanity’s two biggest emotions, love and death - Morrissey's explanations are still shrouded in ambiguity. Where ‘Years of Refusal’ really does shine, however, is musically. It’s here that, on the verge of turning 50, Morrissey has just shifted into Top Gear.