New Smiths Single to Feature Previously Unreleased Recordings

Warner Music has pulled a pair of previously unreleased Smiths songs out of the vault for an upcoming 7" single.

The new release brings together a demo mix of "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" with an alternate take on "Rubber Ring" — uniting unheard versions of songs originally released together more than 30 years ago, when the official "Boy with the Thorn in His Side" mix served as a single from 1985's The Queen Is Dead, backed with a different recording of "Rubber Ring."

The artwork, which you can check out above, reportedly comes courtesy of former Smiths frontman Morrissey, and features an archival shot of actor Albert Finney — a man who, like members of the band, has ties to the British city of Salford.

As Billboard notes, it's presently unclear whether the new single is meant to be part of a broader release campaign — or even when it's set to arrive in stores. News of the 7" came courtesy of the Morrissey fansite True to You, where further reports can presumably be expected in the days and weeks to come.

"The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" returns to stores after something of a flurry of Smiths-related news. Guitarist Johnny Marr made headlines in recent weeks when he revealed that he and Morrissey met in 2008 and ended up casually discussing a reunion — talks that ultimately went nowhere, but sparked long-dormant hopes that the group might end decades of inactivity.

Unfortunately for fans, it looks like personal and ideological differences could keep the band forever split, but in the meantime, the ex-bandmates maintain active solo careers; Morrissey's currently in the midst of a U.S. tour that was recently beset by cancellations after keyboardist Gustavo Manzur fell ill.

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