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Feb 22, 2019 By Christopher Roberts Johnny Marr

Johnny Marr released a new album, Call the Comet, in June 2018 via New Voodoo and earlier this week he announced some spring American tour dates. Now the former guitarist for The Smiths has shared a brand new song, “Armatopia,” via a video for the track. Kris Rimmer directed the clip, which follows various people as they get ready for a local club night, which is where we find Marr singing the song. Watch it below, followed by the tour dates.

Marr had this to say about the song in a press release: “‘Armatopia’ is the odd state we find the ecology and ourselves in today. Have those in control made people feel like there’s only one thing left they can do? We’re smoking till we burn out, so we dance and party. It’s Eco-Disco for 2019.”

Previously Marr shared Call the Comet‘s first single, “The Tracers,” as well as a video for another song from the album, “Hi Hello.” Then he shared a video for a third song from the album, “Walk Into the Sea” (which was one of our Songs of the Week).

Marr had this to say about the album in a previous press release: “Call the Comet is my own magic realism. It’s set in the not-too-distant future and is mostly concerned with the idea of an alternative society. The characters in the songs are searching for a new idealism, although there are some personal songs in there too. It’s something that people like me can relate to.”

Before Call the Comet, Marr last released a solo album in 2014, with Playland. In December 2017 he shared a new song not featured on the new album, “The Priest,” via a video for the song. It was a spoken word track featuring British actress Maxine Peake that tackled homelessness.

Read our review of Call the Comet.

Read our 2014 interview with Marr on Playland.

Johnny Marr Tour Dates:

04/27 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
04/28 - Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
04/29 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
05/01 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater
05/03 - Providence, RI @ Fete Music Hall
05/04 - New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall
05/06 - Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
05/07 - South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom
05/08 - Portland, ME @ Aura
05/10 - London, ON @ London Music Hall
05/11 - Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrews Hall
05/13 - Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre
05/14 - Milwaukee, WI @ The . Pabst Theater
05/15 - Kansas City, MO @ Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s
05/16 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
05/18 - Las Vegas @ Brooklyn Bowl
05/19 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
05/20 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
05/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ John Anson Ford Ampitheatre

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