British music icon Johnny Marr has released his highly anticipated fifth studio album, The Age Of Everything, via BMG.
The Age Of Everything features 10 new songs that Johnny describes as the most cathartic songwriting of his career. Written in London, developed live on the road across the East Coast of North America and recorded in Manchester, the album captures the energy and tensions of the city. Sharp, fast and dynamic, filled with ideas and possibilities.
Current single ‘It’s Time’ has seen Johnny’s biggest ever solo airplay hit with multiple records of the week, A Listed across BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 as well as major playlisting across Radio X, Virgin Radio, BBC Local, Absolute and more.
Listen to ‘It’s Time’ on the Premier League playlist.
Reflecting on the release of his fifth solo album, The Age of Everything, Johnny Marr said: “From the first solo album on, I had an idea of each record getting bigger and braver, from a sound and a songwriting point of view. That’s kind of the way I move through the world. I’m not talking about ambition, it’s to do with the concepts of the record giving me more to think about.
“I always saw records as almost a cross between a stained glass window or an abstract painting. Colourful, and lively. I like the idea of my records demanding your attention with guitars or vocals or a lyric. I’m not particularly one for making background music, and I think that’s why I’ve always been ok with pop so much. I’ve never been a passive consumer of music, or a passive maker of music. That’s what I mean by bigger, it’s like looking at a dazzling painting.”
The new music lands amongst a huge year for Johnny Marr. Last month, the Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection auction, presented by Christie’s, spotlighted the pioneering sound, songwriting and influence of Johnny Marr. An unprecedented opportunity for fans and collectors all over the world, the sale presented approximately 80 guitars, each integral to Marr’s extraordinarily wide-ranging music. The sum of 31 of the auction lots, spanning 10 guitars, 1980s concert posters and sales awards, was split equally between The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.
On October 22, Thames & Hudson will publish an illustrated, enhanced and reformatted anniversary edition of Johnny’s acclaimed autobiography, Set the Boy Free. Featuring previously unseen archival photography, a new introduction, a personal eulogy for Johnny’s friend and The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke, and a foreword by Noel Gallagher, the edition celebrates the Sunday Times Best selling book’s 10th anniversary.
