When I read on
David Bowie’s Facebook page that there was going to be a special announcement
coming I was immediately intrigued. When I saw that announcement took the form
of a new song accompanied by a video and the news that Bowie was releasing a
new album my excitement levels went through the roof, as this was a man who
many believed to be retired, possibly in ill-health, and who hadn’t released
anything in ten years. The announcement of this album “The Next Day” was very
clever PR by Bowie who sprang the surprise on everyone out of nowhere on
January the 8th which so happened was his 66th birthday.
In the days of social media and celebrity gossip it is quite extraordinary that
he managed to keep the recording of this album a secret, recording that took
place on and off over a two year period. Once I had listened to his new song “Where
Are We Now” and watched the video I was obviously pleased he was back making
new music and the video was interesting, but I was not entirely sure what to expect of
his new album based on the mellowness of the single. I needn’t have worried as “Where
Are We Now” is not the sound Bowie channels on his twenty-fourth studio release
which is a full on rock/pop album of high intensity and Bowieness (if there is
even such a word).
As someone who is
not familiar with his later work post-Lets Dance, I could only compare the
music on “The Next Day” to his classic material released between 1971 and 1982,
and after listening to the album it seems to hold up very well. Sound wise you
can even hear elements from many of his albums “Where Are We Now” and “Love Is
Lost” is very Berlin Bowie circa “Heroes”, with layers of “synths” and dark
lyrics. The pop of “Let’s Dance” can be heard on “Boss of Me” and “The Stars
are Out Tonight” complete with female backing vocalists and bulging sax licks. However
in my opinion the album “The Next Day” resembles the most is “Scary Monsters
and Super Creeps” in terms of the fast pace of the songs and the new
wave/pop-rock style on display, with guitars and “synths” galore. In fact this
albums sounds as if it could have fitted in perfectly between “Scary Monsters”
and “Let’s Dance” during the early 80s to the point that it’s as if “The Next
Day” is a lost album that has been re-discovered decades later. Despite the strong
eighties influence, the quality of the production on the album ensures that it
sounds contemporary and fit for a 21st century audience, and as an
album it certainly does not sound dated in any way. Bowie’s voice sounds surprisingly
good on this album considering his age and the time spent away, and is a
definite standout. In some places Bowie even sounds vintage-like in his delivery,
with his vocal projection crisp and clear. The quality of Bowie’s singing
ensures that some of the songs sound as if they could have been written and
performed when he was in his prime, something that says a lot about how unique
his voice is.
Reaction to Bowie’s
re-appearance and new album has been overwhelmingly positive, with music critics
on the whole raving about “The Next Day”. Bowie’s decision to release a new
album after such a long break would for most artists you could strongly argue be
fraught with risk commercially. But this is David Bowie we are talking about, not
just anybody, and the mystique and mystery around the album’s release and Bowie’s
re-appearance after a decade being largely out of the spotlight ensured that
the album went to number one in twenty countries, and number two in a further
eight. Whether a tour will come in support of the album however remains to be
seen, with Bowie being reluctant to perform live. Long-term Bowie producer and
producer of “The Next Day” Tony Visconti says Bowie has not ruled out the
possibility of performing live but also that he is more inclined to remain in
the studio. Despite the uncertainty over him performing live it sounds as if
Bowie has a lot more up his sleeve, and that he is definitely not finished yet
as a recording artist. It seems with the success of “The Next Day” and the latest
intrigue around Bowie we will definitely be hearing more music from him. Based
on his latest offering that in itself is a good thing, let’s just hope the wait
will not be as long.
A-
- Sam
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