David Bowie turned 69 on Friday and he made it a celebration for everyone by dropping a new album called Blackstar.
Blackstar only has seven songs but the critics are loving it. Bowie worked with his longtime collaborator Tony Visconti on this album, which follows The Next Day which was released in 2013. Before that there had been a ten year break since Bowie had released an album at all.
Rolling Stone magazine wrote that “arty, unsettling ‘Blackstar’ is Bowie’s best anti-pop masterpiece since the Seventies”. Quite a statement. People are saying that the album is still a rock album but with a lot of jazz influence and experimental sounds.
In addition to the album, Bowie also released the video for the single “Lazarus” this week, which was directed by music video and commercial director Johan Renck. It certainly sounds like Johan enjoyed the process, who also worked on the album art. Johan was quoted in an online statement saying:
“I have no desire to do any more videos knowing the process never ever gets as formidable and fulfilling as this was. I’ve basically touched the sun.”
Bowie has stayed relatively under-the-radar compared to his past after undergoing a heart surgery in 2004. His last live performance was in 2006 at a New York charity event.
It is unknown when or where Bowie might perform again, but his album collaborator Tony Visconti and ex drummer from the 1970’s Woody Woodmansey are still performing together regularly.
Hopefully Bowie is having a great birthday celebrating an impressive music career that has spanned over 50 years.
