Blondie Shares Johnny Marr-Written “Spectral Eyes,” Sets High Noon Release

Blondie has released “Spectral Eyes,” a Johnny Marr-written single that previews High Noon, their 12th studio album. The track arrived October 15, with the 13-song album due February 26, 2027, through BMG. It will be the band’s first studio album since 2017’s Pollinator. Blondie has confirmed the release date and full tracklist.

Johnny Marr’s role in “Spectral Eyes”

For guitar players, the single’s credits offer a more detailed picture than the guest announcement alone. BMG’s official audio credits list Marr on guitar and background vocals, with sole composer and author credit. Chris Stein and Tommy Kessler are also credited on guitars, alongside Glen Matlock on bass and Clem Burke on drums. The credits do not assign individual guitar parts to specific players.

Marr’s connection to the song predates this release. “Spectral Eyes” appears alongside the title track on his Spiral Cities single, which was released on November 9, 2018. That gives listeners an earlier Marr recording to revisit alongside Blondie’s new version.

High Noon release details

High Noon extends the collaboration beyond its lead single. The announced contributors also include Beirut’s Zach Condon and Lucius singers Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig. Debbie Harry describes the album as “an amalgamation of all our different influences and eras into something new.”

John Congleton is credited as producer of “Spectral Eyes.” The single’s Apple Music credits additionally name David Wrench as mixing engineer and additional producer, and Matt Colton as mastering engineer.

“Spectral Eyes” opens High Noon. The remaining titles include “Heartbreak Kid,” “Tambo Tambo,” “Little Metal Drummer,” “Sleepwalking” and “Antifreeze,” with “Ah, Sunflower, Weary of Time” closing the record. Blondie’s official store is taking preorders, including a limited red-vinyl edition and cassette.

Watch the official “Spectral Eyes” visualizer and explore our Johnny Marr guide for more on his guitar playing. Then tell us: which Blondie guitar track would you put next to it in a playlist?

Image: Johnny Marr with his Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar in Reverse Comet Sparkle. Editorial illustration adapted from Raph_PH’s Audley End photograph 40 and photograph 35, August 1, 2024, under CC BY 2.0. Changes: AI-assisted illustration, composition, typography and resizing. Historical performance reference; not a photograph of the recording session. No endorsement implied.