Synopsis:

Released in March 2013, *The Next Day* is David Bowie's twenty-fifth studio album, marking his first studio release in a decade. His ten-year retreat from public life followed a 2004 procedure for a blocked  artery. The album, co-produced by Bowie and Tony Visconti, was recorded in New York City between May 2011 and October 2012. Musically, it echoes his 1970s glam sound. Its generally bleak lyrics explore themes of tyranny and violence, influenced by Bowie's reading of English and Russian history. For the cover art, designer Jonathan Barnbrook adapted Bowie's 1977 album *"Heroes"* by obscuring Bowie's face with a white square bearing the new album's title and crossing out the original *"Heroes"* title.  
The Review:  
The album opens with “The New Day” right away you get blasted with that classic 70’s bowie sound. He really sounds refreshed and rejuvenated. The hook really catches fire and feels so catchy. “Dirty Boys” has this big nasty bluesy groove. Bowie used session musicians while recording the album which gives the album raw sound. “The Stars are Out Tonight” feels like it belongs in Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy era. The song is about the trappings of fame. “Lost Is Love” has a brooding electronica mixed with organ infused  groove that feels very tense. I love Bowie’s vocal delivery on the track.This is one of my favorite late career Bowie tracks.  There is a great remix of this song from James Murphy that appears on The Next Day Extra EP released later in 2013 that is worth checking out. “Where Are We Now” feels like a man relieving his past and feeling regret. It is a solemn tour of his Berlin hangs. The song starts out as a simple piano ballad but soon expands into this grand finale. "Valentine's Day” has this slick anthemic groove that feels so infectious. “If You Can See Me” has this chaotic R&B infused groove. It feels like a call back to his late 70’s art rock sound from his thin white duke era. The song is about a predator and some say it is a sequel to “The Man Who Sold The World” “I’d Rather Be High”  is about a soldier’s PTSD over what he has seen in war and his desire to escape the death he has seen. . The song is a callback to British invasion psychedelic rock. “Boss Of Me” has this big dense whiteboy funk groove. I love the swaying horn section that just breezes along. “Dancing Out In Space” is a mix of dance/rock with some motown infusions mixed in. It just feels so fun and boppy. “How Does The Grass Grow?” has this driving groove that feels very anthematic and uplifting even though the lyrics are about the casualties of war and death that surrounds it.  “(You Will) Set The World Fire” begins with this arena rock guitar tone and it soon expands into this punky groove. “You Feel So Lonely You Could Die” feels like it could belong on Ziggy Stardust. It uses the drumbeat from “5 Years” There is some gospel mixed into the whimsical glam rock groove. The album closes with “Heat” ; it is heavily influenced by avant garde artist Scott Walker. It has this droned out icy sound. A surprising way to end the album but feels like the perfect conclusion to this journey.   
Why Is It Considered A Comeback?

Not only was it Bowie’s first album in ten years but it is his best album since 1980’s Scary Monsters. The album just feels more focused than anything Bowie has done in the 90’s. He had flashes of brilliance but never seemed to be able to spark the fire of his 70’s hey day. This album is just 14 bangers that touches on why David Bowie was one of the greatest musical artists ever. For me after this relisten I am going to have to evaluate by Bowie album rankings It just so fantastic. Put it on your bucket lists and  get blown away. 



Album Bucket List 50 Best Comeback Albums Of All Time: #45 David Bowie-The Next Day (3013)