"Strangeways, Here We Come" is the fourth and final studio album by English rock band The Smiths, released on September 28, 1987. Composed by guitarist Johnny Marr and frontman Morrissey, the title of the album was inspired by Strangeways prison in Manchester.
Considered by fans and critics alike as one of the band's best works, the album features a more sophisticated and mature sound compared to their previous records. While The Smiths retained their unique blend of British indie rock and post-punk, the musical arrangement of "Strangeways, Here We Come" incorporates diverse styles such as rockabilly, funk, and chamber music, showcasing the band's continual evolution.
Though it received a warm response from critics and peaked at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart, its release was overshadowed by the band's much-publicized break-up. Despite this, the album spawned several successful singles such as "Girlfriend in a Coma" and "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me".
Among the key themes explored in the album are death, romance, and despair, demonstrating Morrissey's skill for weaving vivid narratives and thought-provoking lyrics. Despite disbanding shortly after the album's release, The Smiths' final record has had a significant impact on alternative rock, with its influence still evident in music today.
