That novel Morrissey is working on will have to wait, as the singer has signed with the Capitol Music Group's Harvest Records -- a subsidiary of Universal Music -- and announced plans to begin work on his first new album since 2009's 'Years of Refusal.'

As per a post on his True-to-You.net fan site, Moz heads to France on Feb. 1 to record his 10th solo LP with producer Joe Chiccarelli (Counting Crows, the Shins, My Morning Jacket) and a band staffed by guitarist and longtime collaborator Boz Boorer, second guitarist Jesse Tobias, keyboard player Gustavo Manzur, bassist and guitarist Solomon Walker and drummer Matt Walker (drums).

Morrissey has yet to announce additional details, but the record is due out in the second half of 2014, according to FACT Magazine. Prior to linking with Capitol Music, the imminently quotable former Smiths frontman had complained about being unable to find a label willing to sign him. While that's led to a long lag in new music, it may have given Moz a chance to finish his acclaimed memoir, 'Autobiography,' which landed last year via Penguin Classics.

"Morrissey is clearly one of music's most important and influential artists," Capitol Music Group chairman and CEO Steve Barnett said in a press release. "He is the rare soul who has stayed consistently true to his artistic vision and ethical principles since he first exploded onto the scene in the 1980s.  We are so happy that he has chosen Capitol Music Group as his home and that his forthcoming album on Harvest will bring new Morrissey music to the world."

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