Morrissey, recently the subject of false suicide...

Morrissey, recently the subject of false suicide rumors, will release a new EP in January that is said to feature the singer in an atypically cheerful mood. The EP was produced by Steve Lillywhite, who did Morrissey’s last album, “Vauxhall and I.” A video for the EP’s title song was recently filmed in an East London gymnasium. . . .

A limited-edition “secret” single by Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan has been released by TVT Records. The song, “Disillusion of Candour,” with Corgan taking the alias of the Starchildren, is backed on a vinyl single by “Songs About Girls” by the group Catherine, which is produced by Corgan and includes the husband of Pumpkins bassist D’Arcy. Only 1,000 were printed--with 700 shipped to England.

Chicago’s Urge Overkill, riding a hit with its “Pulp Fiction” version of Neil Diamond’s “Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” will head to Philadelphia next month to record a new album with the Butcher Brothers, who also worked on last year’s “Saturation.” . . .

Canadian dancehall reggae star Snow is almost done with his second album, due in February, but he is still facing visa problems from felony convictions that could prevent him from promoting it in the U.S. The single “Si Me Them No No Me” has been released to dance clubs and college radio stations to stir up some advance interest. . . .

The merger of EastWest Records with Elektra has put an even bigger spotlight on En Vogue, arguably the biggest EastWest act. But it will probably be late next year before the company gets a new album from the R&B; divas, still on hiatus following the birth of Cindy Herron’s baby. . . . Maternity hasn’t stopped rapper Yo-Yo from getting back to work. Though she had a baby in August, she’s already finished five songs for her next album, due next year. . . .

Carlos Santana and Van Morrison guest on John Lee Hooker’s “Chill Out” album, due in February. Morrison sings on a medley of “Serves Me Right to Suffer” and “Syndicator,” while Santana lends his guitar playing on the title track. . . .

The 15-year-old rapper known as the Grip, who was featured on Ice-T’s “Home Invasion” album last year, is working on her own debut album, due next year. A single, “Pop Goz the 9,” is due in January, with a video directed by Ice-T. The Grip (real name: Brandi Younger) also has a small part in the upcoming Disney movie “My Posse Don’t Do Homework,” which stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Andy Garcia. . . .

Belgian dance-pop group Technotronic, featuring rapper Ya Kid K, has a new album due in January.