Starman - The Return Of David Bowie - 09.01.2013

Well, we didn't see that one coming. After the celebration of British music at last summer's Olympics featuring everyone from Macca to The Who, and all eyes on the new artists for 2013, David Bowie kicks off the new year in a way that only one of the last true rock-stars can. The great chameleon of pop returns - on the day of his 66th birthday and ten years since his last release - with new single 'Where Are We Now?' and the news that we can expect his 26th studio album 'The Next Day' in March. And what a brilliant and genuinely shocking surprise; in the age of Twitter it has become nigh on impossible to maintain secrecy, but this is the first time Bowie has broken his silence since his last album, 2003's 'Reality', while rumours of health problems and retirement were abounding. But in true Bowie fashion, he has trumped us all with this new single. So what's it like?

Well, Bowie fans think it is the best song since 'Sliced Bread', and Bowie haters think it is drivel. And thankfully, the truth lies somewhere towards the fans. 'Where Are We Now?' is a tender, reflecting and quite beautiful ballad, that on first listen seems to lack a bit of drive, but on repeated listening grows in meaning and becomes actually moving. Over a sombre beat, Bowie creates a suspended atmosphere that it brought back down to Earth by his delightfully disjointed piano and tired, aching vocal. Littered with references to Berlin (exciting all Bowie fans), the song gently evolves into a simply stunning poetic bridge of 'As long as there's sun/As long as there's rain/As long as there's me/As long as there's you'. It's extremely poignant, and another brilliantly emotional addition to one of the most fulfilling back catalogues in British music.

Bowie has reached the level of super-stardom and legendary interest now that his iconic status cannot be diminished, but 'Where Are We Now?' may in fact have the opposite effect. It shows an artist who can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, but to such a high level of quality. And the interest in him has not gone away, not by a long shot. 'Where Are We Now?' has shot directly to the top of the charts, while pre-orders of 'The Next Day' have gone through the roof, proving the still-potent allure of this supremely talented emblem of pop weirdness.

'Where Are We Now?' is a fantastic taster of what is to come. Moving, tender and beautiful, allowing a sense of reflection and age-weariness without becoming depressive or self-indulgent, coupled with a delightfully weird and artistic video, means Bowie has shown all of British music how it is done. 2013 is kicked off in fantastic style, and we might have our big story of the year just eight days in.

An enrapturing song, and for all those who haven't heard it or if you just want an excuse to listen to it again, here is 'Where Are We Now?'. Enjoy - welcome back David, and happy birthday.

NWR