While there have been rumors that rock icon David Bowie, had retired from music, he is now back on the music scene. The living legend has produced a beautiful single 'Where Are We Now?,' which will be on his new record 'The Next Day.'
I first discovered Bowie's pre-released single cruising on autopilot on Vimeo. Although, 'Where Are We Now?' is very low key, it caught my attention and made me wonder how the rest of the songs on'The Next Day' will compare to the first single? So, let's take an in-depth preview of the upcoming album; what we already know about 'The Next Day' album, and some of the rumors surrounding it.
One rumor that has surrounded 'The Next Day,' is that the album is going to be contemplative like the single, while the rest of the songs on the album are faster. In an interview on the Guardian, the producer of the new album, Tony Visconti says, that this is true. Tony, who has worked on 12 of Bowie's previous albums, tells that the new record has 5 fast songs and some mid-tempo tracks that have a mysterious and evocative sound.
Listening to the single 'Where Are We Now?,' you might think that Bowie's music has evolved into a more mellow tune, and that his voice is going to sound old on the new album. Following Tony, that's not the case. However, Bowie wanted to show a more vulnerable side with the first song. So, while 'Where Are We Now?' sounds very low-key, elsewhere on the album Bowie is going to sing in full voice like on the epic 'Heroes' album. According to Tony, Bowie sang so loud on the new album that he sometimes literally had to step away from Bowie in the studio.
The recordings of 'The Next Day' took two years, and was done in NYC's Magic Shop Studios. Following Tony, the people Bowie worked with were all old friends from previous studio recordings and tours. The closed circle made it possible to keep the project secret, quite an achievement in a modern society that gets information through the internet and smartphones.
While, Bowie previous had told Tony that he didn't want to sing anymore, Tony wasn't surprised when Bowie called and said that he wanted to record a new album. Tony thinks, that Bowie's creative mind made it necessary to express himself again as a musician - after 10 years of silence. 29 stunning songs were recorded in the studio, but not all of them fitted the album, which ended up having 14 track, with 17 on the deluxe edition. This means, that Bowie most likely will record a second album later this year. However, the producer doesn't know exactly when. Considering the great reviews 'Where Are We Now?' already has received, this looks good.
Music critic at The Telegraph Neil McCormick, thinks that the new single might just be the most surprising and perfect comeback in the history of rock. He describes 'Where Are We Now?' as a perfect structured song with a poetic mysterious sound, which makes you want to hear more of the songs from the album.
NME Track Reviews, calls the song addictive and a perfectly structured ear worm, which is probably going to feature on greatest hits records some years to come. Listening to 'Where Are We Now?,' you immediately press 'repeat.'
The website Ultimate Classic Rock thinks that Bowie's voice on 'Where Are We Now?' sounds heartening, and also describes the track as an ear worm.
Having heard the song - again and again, I have to agree, and I've been guilty at pressing repeat numerous times. What strikes me, is how the song grows on you. Slowly, it creeps under your skin and becomes very addictive.
'The Next Day' will be on the streets the 8th 2013 in Australia, the 11th in the rest of the world, except USA, where the album is available the 12th.
I first discovered Bowie's pre-released single cruising on autopilot on Vimeo. Although, 'Where Are We Now?' is very low key, it caught my attention and made me wonder how the rest of the songs on'The Next Day' will compare to the first single? So, let's take an in-depth preview of the upcoming album; what we already know about 'The Next Day' album, and some of the rumors surrounding it.
One rumor that has surrounded 'The Next Day,' is that the album is going to be contemplative like the single, while the rest of the songs on the album are faster. In an interview on the Guardian, the producer of the new album, Tony Visconti says, that this is true. Tony, who has worked on 12 of Bowie's previous albums, tells that the new record has 5 fast songs and some mid-tempo tracks that have a mysterious and evocative sound.
Listening to the single 'Where Are We Now?,' you might think that Bowie's music has evolved into a more mellow tune, and that his voice is going to sound old on the new album. Following Tony, that's not the case. However, Bowie wanted to show a more vulnerable side with the first song. So, while 'Where Are We Now?' sounds very low-key, elsewhere on the album Bowie is going to sing in full voice like on the epic 'Heroes' album. According to Tony, Bowie sang so loud on the new album that he sometimes literally had to step away from Bowie in the studio.
The recordings of 'The Next Day' took two years, and was done in NYC's Magic Shop Studios. Following Tony, the people Bowie worked with were all old friends from previous studio recordings and tours. The closed circle made it possible to keep the project secret, quite an achievement in a modern society that gets information through the internet and smartphones.
While, Bowie previous had told Tony that he didn't want to sing anymore, Tony wasn't surprised when Bowie called and said that he wanted to record a new album. Tony thinks, that Bowie's creative mind made it necessary to express himself again as a musician - after 10 years of silence. 29 stunning songs were recorded in the studio, but not all of them fitted the album, which ended up having 14 track, with 17 on the deluxe edition. This means, that Bowie most likely will record a second album later this year. However, the producer doesn't know exactly when. Considering the great reviews 'Where Are We Now?' already has received, this looks good.
Music critic at The Telegraph Neil McCormick, thinks that the new single might just be the most surprising and perfect comeback in the history of rock. He describes 'Where Are We Now?' as a perfect structured song with a poetic mysterious sound, which makes you want to hear more of the songs from the album.
NME Track Reviews, calls the song addictive and a perfectly structured ear worm, which is probably going to feature on greatest hits records some years to come. Listening to 'Where Are We Now?,' you immediately press 'repeat.'
The website Ultimate Classic Rock thinks that Bowie's voice on 'Where Are We Now?' sounds heartening, and also describes the track as an ear worm.
Having heard the song - again and again, I have to agree, and I've been guilty at pressing repeat numerous times. What strikes me, is how the song grows on you. Slowly, it creeps under your skin and becomes very addictive.
'The Next Day' will be on the streets the 8th 2013 in Australia, the 11th in the rest of the world, except USA, where the album is available the 12th.
About the Author:
The author is a philosopher and artist. Read the full preview of the new Bowie album + bonus info and a review of the single where are we now.
