Johnny Marr is back, with the guitarist announcing his 3^rd solo album Call the Comet, will be coming out this June. This will mark the first release from Marr since his excellent 2014 record Playland. Recorded in Manchester at Marr’s Crazy Face Studios, the album promises to be an eclectic blend of rock and electronic sounds, along with Marr’s trademark guitar playing. Marr has shared the first single in the form of “The Tracers” a danceable blend of pulsating rock and electronic overtones. The song sounds like a vintage new wave track but with plenty of modern flairs. What stands out the most here is Marr’s strong and expressive vocals, which perfectly blend in with the instrumentals. Marr has stated that the new material was greatly influenced by the political upheaval in the world in recent years, with Brexit and the election of Donald Trump as the US president being two main influences on the record.

Johnny Marr became one of the most iconic guitar players of the 80’s with his legendary work in The Smiths, developing a jangly guitar sound that was instantly recognizable. Eventually, he had a falling out with lead singer Morrissey which led to the band’s demise. Afterward, he became a prolific session musician and even joined Modest Mouse for a period, playing on the album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.

Call the Comet tracklist: