Johnny Marr to release new solo album ‘Playland’ in October, tour U.K.

Legendary Smiths guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr returns this October with what’s being billed as his sophomore solo album, the 11-song Playland, a collection of new music built “around a common theme of ‘songs that move at the speed of life’” that arrives just 18 months after the release of his first official solo record, The Messenger.

The title of the new album — due out Oct. 6/7 via Warner Music — is in inspired by Dutch cultural theorist Johan Huizinga’s 1938 book “Homo Ludens,” which, according to Marr’s website, “explores the concept of play as a precursor and principal element of cultural development.”

On his website, Marr says of the new album: “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.”

After the album’s release, Marr embarks on a 13-date U.K. tour.

See full dates and the album’s tracklist below.

Tracklist: Johnny Marr, Playland

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:

Oct. 13: The Engine Shed, Lincoln, UK
Oct. 14: Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, UK
Oct. 15: De La Warr, Bexhill, UK
Oct. 17: Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK
Oct. 18: Great Hall, Cardiff, UK
Oct. 20: O2 Academy, Bournemouth, UK
Oct. 21: Corn Exchange, Cambridge, UK
Oct. 23: O2 Academy Brixton, London, UK
Oct. 24: Pavilion, Bath, UK
Oct. 25: O2 Apollo, Manchester, UK
Oct. 27: O2 Academy, Glasgow. UK
Oct. 28: O2 Academy, Newcastle, UK
Oct. 29: O2 Academy, Leeds, UK

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