David Bowie's David Bowie has released a new song, I repeat, David Bowie has released a new song! Fans have been waiting with bated breath for new music from the rock icon since 2003’s Reality, after which Bowie went on an extended hiatus from recording and performing. Bowie has hardly made appearances in recent years besides the occasional charity event, appearing to be content with the simple life of husband and father. But to celebrate his 66th birthday this Tuesday, David Bowie broke his radio silence with the release of his new single and video, “Where Are We Now” along with a new album entitled The Next Day to drop this March!
The “Where Are We Now” video projects a bleak, yet nostalgic tour of Bowie’s Berlin neighborhood where he lived and worked in the late 70s. The first time you see Bowie, his face is projected upon a two-headed figure as he mouths the words alongside a silent, unnamed woman’s face as his head-fellow. Bowie himself is later shown looking longingly in on footage "of the auto repair shop beneath the apartment he lived in along with stark images of the city at the time." Slow, simple and stunning as only Bowie can do, “Where Are We Now” conveys a man reflecting upon the years passed and a longing for a better days. The song and video seem to explain Bowie’s return to music, the chorus going, “Where are we now? / The moment you know / You know, you know”. Perhaps Bowie just knew that now was the time to make his heavily-awaited comeback.
It was in Berlin where Bowie completed what became known as his “Berlin Trilogy”—albums Low, Heroes and Lodger—so his new video could be a very clear hint of what sounds from the vast Bowie archive his 30th album will pick up from. Bowie's longtime producer Tony Visconti was recruited for The Next Day, so it will be interesting to see how the legend bridges the 10-year gap.
What could be more exciting than a new album is the notion of Bowie's return to the stage. His last attempt at a full tour was suddenly cut short after the musician suffered a heart attack in 2004, after which he had only made guest appearances. Bowie teased a full concert in 2006, but backed out citing a new project that never came to fruition. After years of fake Coachella lineups that seem to always include the elusive Bowie, and seeing a litany of reunion tours from The Beach Boys to TLC, no doubt David Bowie (as the only man who can rival Mick Jagger) will be one of the most celebrated rock returns.
“Where Are We Now” is available exclusively through iTunes, and you can pre-order The Next Day through David Bowie’s official website.