Johnny Marr has announced the release date for his second solo album “Playland,”which is set for release on October 7.
Last year, the legendary guitarist for The Smiths enjoyed a monumental start to his solo career with an abundance of critical acclaim (including the honor of being named NME’s ‘Godlike Genius’) for his Top 10 debut solo album “The Messenger.” Meanwhile, his shows were celebrated for his ability to combine the best of his new material with select highlights from The Smiths, plus others from his extensive back catalog.
Johnny Marr’s upward trajectory continues unabated with the release of “Playland.” Work on the album commenced in London in spring 2014 as soon as the year of touring in support of ‘The Messenger’ came to a close. It finds Marr continuing the creative connection that was forged on ‘The Messenger’ with collaborator and co-producer Doviak, as well as the other musicians who performed on the album and accompanying tour.
As Johnny states,”When ‘The Messenger’ came out I kept on writing. I liked that the band had a momentum going on tour and a connection with the audience, and I thought that energy would be good to capture on the new record.”
Written around a common theme of “songs that move at the speed of life,” ‘Playland’ captures much of the spirit that made ‘The Messenger’ so memorable with energetic, post-punk songwriting complemented by Johnny Marr’s characteristic guitar style, thought-provoking lyrical ideas and poised vocal phrasing. “It’s important to sound like your environment and on this record that’s London and Manchester,” he adds. “The feeling of the cities and the people make it into the music.”
The title “Playland” is inspired by Homo Ludens, a 1938 book by the highly influential Dutch cultural theorist Johan Huizinga, which explores the concept of play as a precursor and principal element of cultural development.
“Playland” track listing
1.) Back In The Box
2.) Easy Money
3.) Dynamo
4.) Candidate
5.) 25 Hours
6.) The Trap
7.) Playland
8.) Speak Out Reach Out
9.) Boys Get Straight
10.) This Tension
11.) Little King
Johnny Marr tour dates
OCTOBER
13 – Lincoln, The Engine Shed
14 – Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
15 – Bexhill, De La Warr
17 – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
18 – Cardiff, Great Hall
20 – O2 Academy Bournemouth
21 – Cambridge, Corn Exchange
23 – O2 Academy Brixton London
24 – Bath, Pavilion
25 – O2 Apollo Manchester
27 – O2 Academy Glasgow
28 – O2 Academy Newcastle
29 – O2 Academy Leeds
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