For a band who were together for only five years, The Smiths left quite the cultural footprint. It seems as if Johnny Marr has spent the nearly 40 years since the band’s split throwing himself into everything – whether it be joining Modest Mouse or The Cribs, recording with fellow Mancunian legend Bernard Sumner in Electronic and even appearing on the panel show Would I Lie To You.

When it comes to Marr’s solo material though, there always seems something slightly missing. The Age Of Everything is his fifth solo album, and one that the man himself has called the first record that he feels completely comfortable with. It definitely contains some of his best solo material to date, and while there may be no surprises contained within, it’s a very solid record all in all.

Unsurprisingly, given this is one of the best guitarists of his generation, it’s an album filled with impressive guitar work. Opening track Spin is a gloriously shimmering number with some riffs that seem to lift the track up to another level. Inevitably, there are some comparisons to be had to The Smiths – the opening chord sounds like it’s about to launch into Panic, and later in the album In And Out Of Love bears a distant resemblance to Never Had No One Ever.

What’s most impressive about The Age Of Everything though is that Marr has really refined his songwriting chops. Beyond The Rain is a big, catchy anthem with a huge chorus, and Ophelia has a swagger to it that’s been missing from too much of Marr’s solo work. Marr’s voice may not be the most distinctive of vocals, but it’s strong and clear, and suits these songs perfectly.

That Feeling also impresses, full of atmospheric reverb guitar that pretty much struts along, while Fire With Fire barely pauses for breath – although Marr’s voice on this track does tend to sound like he’s doing a Morrissey impression, musically it’s one of the best things on the album.

The only quibble is that sometimes the album feels all a bit one-paced. There are no bells and whistles – and arguably, there’s no need for them, with Marr on sparkling form, and the rhythm section of Iwan Gronow and Jack Mitchell anchoring things perfectly. However, after a while, it can become a touch predictable during the second half on tracks like Just Once More, while a track like How Come is a bit anonymous.

Ending with All In A Life (apparently written while Marr sat on the Bakerloo Line for hours, witnessing the rat race up close), an epic closer at over five minutes long and soaked with echoey guitar effects, The Age Of Everything is an album that shows that Johnny Marr doesn’t need to live up to his past. While this isn’t an album that’s going to change anyone’s life, it’s probably Marr’s best solo effort to date and for long-term fans, that will more than satisfy them.