The Smiths to release first new music in decades

It would be their first new single since 'Sweet and Tender Hooligan' in 1995

(Rex Features)

The Smiths are set to release their first new single since 'Sweet and Tender Hooligan' in 1995, according to reports.

True to You, the reliable Morrissey website which often sources information from the man himself, reports that a vinyl single featuring a demo of 'The Boy With the Thorn in His Side' is set for release on Warner UK. The B-side would be a previously unissued version of 'Rubber Ring'.

The sleeve features a vintage shot of actor Albert Finney, and was designed by Morrissey. A release date is yet to be confirmed.

Johnny Marr revealed in October that The Smiths came very close to a reunion in 2008, despite the band having been apart for 29 years.

In an except taken from Marr's critically acclaimed memoir Set the Boy Free, published by The Guardian, Marr said that during a rare period of communication with Morrissey the pair had met in 2008 in a pub in south Manchester.

Reflecting on the band's history, the pair spoke about the "possibility of the band re-forming, and in that moment it seemed that with the right intention it could actually be done and might even be great," Marr said.

"For four days it was a very real prospect. We would have to get someone new on drums, but if the Smiths wanted to re-form it would make a hell of a lot of people very happy, and with all our experience we might even be better than before."

Since the band's split Marr has enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist, and has worked with other high profile artists including The Pretenders, The The, Paul McCartney and The Cribs.