The Associated Press

Elliott Smith's final album, from a basement on the hill, will be released Oct. 19, a year after his death, his estate has announced.

Smith, an Oscar nominee, died in his Los Angeles apartment on Oct. 21, 2003, at age 34 of knife wounds. Tests were inconclusive in determining whether it was suicide or murder.

Smith's death only added to the dark, confessional nature of his songs. His "Miss Misery," from 1997's Good Will Hunting, was nominated for an Academy Award.

The new album is pulled together from three years of studio work. It was assembled by friends Rob Schnapf and Joanna Bolme. Schnapf produced Smith's last three albums, the most recent of which was 2000's Figure 8.