David Bowie 'The Next Day' Album Review

David Bowie is an indubitable music icon, one that has graced millions of record collections throughout his career. When new song Where Are We Now? was released (on his 66th Birthday) the news also broke that an album was to follow. Reverting back to classic Bowie mode (at it's core) the album does not disappoint.
 
Opening track The Next Day, has an air of anaphoric repetition similar to it's counterpart of 1977's Heroes, Beauty And The Beast. Both, containing a prominent rhythm and gleeful guitar licks that have you hooked from the onset. Bowie sets the record straight with lyric "Here I am, not quite dying" in an attempt to address those rumours of poor health, that have been circulating the scene for years. (He's fine guys, listen to the man!) In addition, this track is almost saying "Daddy's home." Dirty Boys continues the retrospective tone, a sultry number with Bowie's crooning vocals to be heard in the chorus. The standout lyric "You've got to learn to hold your tongue" is significant for the reason that it advises youthful musicians, and suggests a lesson the artist has learnt in the past.
 
Resorting back to an old favourite topic, The Stars (Are Out Tonight) is a vacuum of triumph and delights which you will unquestionably be sucked into to. This is definitely one of the stronger tracks from the record, and one that all fans (old and/or new) will treasure.  Love Is Lost, a 70s inflicted funk number borrows aspects from the past whilst reinventing a perspective of the artist, who cannot take a step in public without his every move being scrutinised. This track implies an internal battle within the star. Breaking the upbeat formality, Bowie gives a reflective insight into that infamous Berlin era; nostalgia is not far off. If you're a fan of 70s track Heroes (but c'mon, who isn't?) then you will adore Valentine's Day, the ultimate anthem to accompany any memory.
 
As the album progresses, we glide through If You Can See Me, a faster, dizzier song which would work well sound tracking a psychedelic montage of Bowie's career so far. I'd Rather Be High has a Britpop feel and yet, manages to continue psych-pop elements which dazzle when paired with Bowie's unforgettable vocals. Boss Of Me, is more of a subtle track with an edge that fizzles over into a chiseled sax line and stories Bowie is unwilling to tell directly. Dancing Out In Space, is a finger clicking twanger filling you with positive vibes that will get just about anyone dancing. Jazzed up number (full of sass) How Does The Grass Grow? feels as if it would be more at home in the electronic 80s, yet there is an underlying element which leaves us unable to question it's place in 2013.
 
Definitely a highlight, (You Will) Set The World On Fire opens in a similar manner to tracks from Jack White's Blunderbuss. This is one of the more rockier numbers - everything about it screams excellence. The guitar licks and solos are the definitive aspect that leads it to perhaps being the best track altogether, on The Next Day. It's catchy and will latch onto your life after seconds of listening. You Feel So Lonely You Could Die, is a charming song of honesty that will tug at your heart strings.
 
As the album departs into the unknown future, an air of eeriness controls all with Heat. Bowie's future is clearly unspecified to fans and lyric "I don't know who I am" portrays him as being more down to earth and human, in comparison to the closely guarded mystery we have come to recognise. During the final seconds, the album flat lines and all we are left with is a haunting guitar strum that hints there could be more. Maybe this album was titled The Next Day for an implicit purpose; Bowie wants us to take it one day at a time and cease analysing his path before it has been paved.
 
 
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