"Viva Hate" is the debut solo studio album by English singer Morrissey, released on 14 March 1988 by HMV. The album's release came less than a year after The Smiths disbanded, whom Morrissey was previously a member of. The title "Viva Hate" was intended to reflect Morrissey's feelings on the end of The Smiths.
The album was produced by Stephen Street, who had previously worked with Morrissey as a part of The Smiths. The majority of the album's songs were co-written by Street and Morrissey. Street composed and arranged the music, while Morrissey wrote the lyrics and provided vocals.
"Viva Hate" was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart upon release. It spawned two hit singles: "Suedehead" reached number five on the UK Singles Chart, and "Everyday Is Like Sunday", peaked at number nine. Despite its success, the album received a mixed critical reception with some praising Morrissey's wit and the music of the album, while others criticized it as being melodramatic and nostalgic.
The album is noted for its different musical direction compared to The Smiths' sound, featuring a more prominent use of synthesizers. The themes explored in the album continue Morrissey's trademark of dissecting the dysfunctions of life with a sharp wit. Lyrically, topics include heartbreak, loneliness, and social commentary.
Therefore, "Viva Hate" marked the beginning of Morrissey's solo career following The Smiths' split and set the tone for his future work.
