Johnny Marr Champions Idealism Over Cynicism on New Single ‘It’s Time’

Johnny Marr, the celebrated guitarist of The Smiths, is set to release his fifth solo studio album, The Age of Everything, this October.

The newly unveiled track, “It’s Time,” is an uplifting rock anthem and the third preview from the upcoming record, slated for release on Oct. 2 via BMG.

“‘It’s Time’ is my way of singing about some worldly issues but finding defiance in idealism,” Marr said in a statement. “I wanted a lyric that matched the exuberance of the music but is actually about resisting cynicism and corruption: ‘Everybody ain’t making it, change the weather and breaking it. Mobilize to know the truth. Open eyes to know the truth.’ I guess it’s about the assholes with dodgy views.”

The accompanying music video was captured earlier this year during Marr’s largest solo headlining concert to date, held at Manchester’s historic Castlefield Bowl.

The Age of Everything comprises ten tracks. It was written in London, refined through live performances on the U.S. East Coast, and recorded in Manchester. Prior to this release, Marr offered fans glimpses of the album with the singles “Spin” and “Ophelia.”

“This is the record that’s been the most cathartic,” Marr reflected when the album was announced. “The title came to me early in the process and became an inescapable idea. It seemed to sum up the way I think a lot of people are feeling. It’s all encompassing, but it’s not necessarily a negative statement. There’s a sense of overwhelm in the culture brought about by technology, but looking at it with a different light, there could also be a sense of possibility.”

Alongside the album, an illustrated, enhanced, and reformatted anniversary edition of Marr’s autobiography, Set the Boy Free, will be released on Oct. 22 via Thames & Hudson. The book includes previously unseen archival photography, a new introduction, a personal eulogy for his friend and Smiths bassist Andy Rourke, and a foreword by Noel Gallagher.

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