Shops reportedly refusing to stock Morrissey's new album Low In High School

Update: HMV have denied reports that they refused to stock Low In High School.

Contrary to reports, hmv have not refused to stock the new Morrissey album. Full comment below @NME @SPIN pic.twitter.com/ih2DE2ZP2s

— hmv (@hmvtweets) September 11, 2017

Morrissey's longtime associate and friend James Maker, an artist, posted on Facebok that "trade and retail" (he specifies HMV) have told the Morrissey's label BMG that "they will refuse to handle [his] new album... on the grounds that the sleeve art is 'offensive'" and that "the entire campaign is in jeopardy unless Morrissey and his record company rethink the album cover."

The artwork, seen below in Maker's original post, shows a boy holding an axe and a sign that reads "axe the monarchy". The artwork is by Linder Sterling, a close friend of the former Smiths frontman. Morrissey's relationship with the monarchy is well documented, and this whole thing is pretty On Brand for the singer/songwriter.