Album Review: David Bowie – The Next Day
The Next Day
Released 11th March 2013
So Bowie is back with his, count um and weep, 24th album. No I don’t own them all so I can’t write this review in a manner to which you may be accustomed but I am going to damn well write a review none the less. Earlier in the year Bowie announced this album and treated everyone to his first track and new video for Where Are We Now. A slow burner of a track that soon had its self stitched into my brain somewhere. Here on the album it sits as a calming element in what is actually a reasonably upbeat and quick paced collection of songs.
Despite the mostly up tempo art rock feel of the album, there is definitely some dark themes that play out throughout, and vocally you can really hear the passion pain because Bowie has a really emotive vocal. All very good but these themes of death, destruction and loneliness are all rather a little depressing. That having been said it doesn’t mean that the album shouldn’t be listened to, on the contrary, to dismiss because of a these brutally harsh themes would be absurd.
Second track, Dirty Boys, is wonderfully Blues Jazz Funk riddled, with real staccato feel that builds and builds toward the chorus where it all picks up before stuttering its way through to the verse again. It’s followed by the latest single The Stars (are out tonight), a cleverly pitched release to showcase the rockier sound of the album.
Valentines Day opens with a catchy riff and a first line that I can’t understand but that’s my hearing going probably (bit worrying). There’s a hint here at past, classic, Bowie; In the riffs, the melody, the naming of characters and also in the (very quiet) backing vocals. It’s a great track though perhaps not the strongest lyrically. Another track that also hints at the best of Bowie, for similar reasons, but also for the percussion and song structure is I’d Rather Be High. It might well be one of those tracks that has a little bit of a morbid theme (I’d rather be high, I’d rather be dead…”) but yet musically it’s just a great Rock N Roll track laced with integrity. If it’s Rock N Roll you want then you’re going to love the heavier sounds on (You Will) Set The World On Fire, which is toward the latter part of the album and jumps out instantly as being a fantastic track and the more I hear it the more I want to hear it. I think it has single written all over it.
Of course I would suspect that a lot of people, like me, want to have a bit of a dance when they listen to Bowie and he delivers on this level too. Dancing Out Of Space has that quintessential bounce that allows you to dance or if you’re a bit shy just shake your head and look the floor. It’s not a rave though guys, though what an interesting concept that could be! Don’t go and remix this though.
Bowie has managed to create an album that sits easily within current day popular music without sounding old fashioned or middle of the road (heaven forbid) and with with his ever sharp mind and commentary on current and past social issues it’s a real gem. I’m not sure that it’s a really truly accessible album for all but for those who like Bowie, like this sound in general and who want to listen to something that might challenge more than the average pop or rock album, those people will really appreciate how good this album is.
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