The comments seemingly allude to 'Bonfire Of The Teenagers', which he recorded in 2021 and remains unreleased

The soloist and former Smiths frontman made the comments in New Jersey, as he took to the stage for a solo performance at the Performing Arts Center last Wednesday (November 13).

During the set, the artist reportedly began addressing the audience and opened up about his struggle to share new music.

"As you know, nobody will release my music anymore," he said, according to APP. "As you know because I'm a chief exponent of free speech. In England at least, it's now criminalised.

"You cannot speak freely in England. If you don't believe me, go there. Express an opinion, you'll be sent to prison. It's very, very difficult."

While he did not explicitly say what the comments were about, chances are that Morrissey was referring to the currently unreleased album 'Bonfire Of The Teenagers'. He recorded the album between 2020 and 2021, although it has remained shelved by Capitol Records.

The controversy around the album stems back to 2022, when the singer-songwriter and former Smiths frontman revealed that he had "voluntarily withdrawn from any association with Capitol Records" – despite announcing that he would be releasing the LP with them just two months earlier.

He also revealed that Miley Cyrus – who recorded backing vocals for 'Bonfire' track 'I Am Veronica' in 2020 – had asked to have her vocals removed from the song.

Both severed partnerships came in relation to the musician's political stance and his support for controversial far-right anti-Islam political party For Britain, which he previously wore a badge for during a 2019 television appearance.

Despite provoking controversy with his political views – something which former bandmate Johnny Marr said "cast a shadow over The Smiths" – the frontman has insisted that he is not far right.