Legendary guitarist Johnny Marr has released “Easy Money” – the first single from his upcoming album Playland due out October 7 via Warner Music Group. Following a first listen on BBC 6 Music, Marr premiered the track’s video globally.

Johnny describes the video as, “A ‘high times in low rent England’ kind of thing whereas the song ‘Easy Money’ is more of a ‘low times in high rent England’ kind of thing.”

 “I like the idea of sneaking a serious concern into the mainstream, disguised as a big pop tune. The riff was so catchy and infectious that I wanted it to be about something that appeared to be trite but was actually quite universal. Money is a preoccupation of everybody, and it took me quite a long time to write something that appeared to be simple. If you were to ask anybody in the City what they’re after, essentially the root of it is money. It’s the age-old thing of people thinking that it will make us happy.”

‘Playland’ is Marr’s second solo effort and the follow up to last year’s critically acclaimed (included the honor of being named as NME’s Godlike Genius) Top 10 debut album ‘The Messenger.’ 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.

Johnny Marr’s current UK tour schedule runs as below:

AUGUST

29 – Birmingham, Moseley Folk Festival

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

http://www.johnny-marr.com/