Reviews (page 3 of 11)
It’s not everyday you get to listen to a David Bowie album for the first time. Not to mention one produced by Tony Visconti. When this album was first released, I honestly thought it was some deluxe edition of Heroes and unfortunately neglected it until now. The opening track got me thinking that Bowie was slowly turning into Johnny Rotten, but then he quickly settled into those familiar dulcet tones. I enjoyed the swampy funk of “Dirty Boys,” the tender “Where Are We Now?,” and the adolescent bop of “Valentine’s Day.” Nice little allusion to the “Five Years” beat at the end of “You Feel So Lonely.” There were a few tracks which kept me from giving a 5-star rating, but I’ll definitely be returning to this one.
Another slow burner....gets better as I go along.... The meditative feel of “Where Are We Now?” brings light to an older, more somber 66 year old Bowie. The repetitive guitar riff on "I'd Rather Be High" starts the overdriven vibe that I really enjoy. "Dancing Out In Space" and "How Does The Grass Grow?" are two stand outs from this listen. It's an impressive release, as artists tend to get more predicable as they age. While this album is certainly a "Bowie album", it's not "just another Bowie album" know what I mean? 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Never gone deeper than the hits with Bowie, so this was my first listen to one of his albums from start to finish. It was really good! Didn’t know what to expect with a modern Bowie album, but there were really good songs on this, especially the title track, ‘Valentine’s Day’, and ‘Dancing Out In Space’. It’s a very approachable album for an artist like Bowie, but he still managed to keep it distinctly Bowie, if that makes sense. A fun listen, a solid 4/5
Enjoyed more than expected - not delved into much of Bowie’s later work but think it definitely has its place.
Great album, very actual still.
I think that Outside and this one are the only truly convincing Bowie's albums after Let's Dance. For sure it's not particularly original but at least very energetic. My favourite pieces are Valentine's day and You will set the world on fire, which are the most powerful and, not by coincidence, two of the few where Earl Slick plays.
hadn't thought about this album in a while!
I love David Bowie and the is album was funky and weird and I liked it
Bowie coming back sounding energised. My favourite of the final two albums, this one has a real bounce to it, and a boozy sax running through the album.
Repeat
Instrumentally still genius, voice maybe not so strong as in the 70's, but it's still Bowie with 70's in the heart.
Great album. Good playing seems like he was inspired and not chasing any trends on this album Nods to his past while also looking forward. The music on The Stars are out tonight looks back to Moonage Daydream and China Girl while still being modern. There is a vulnerability in his writing that maybe he was hinting at his end. It’s easy to read into the lyrics now after his passing.
Last.fm says I've listened to this album at least 18 times, so I'm pretty confident in my score here Eclectic group of songs, mysterious and literary lyrics, maybe a little too long for its own good.
Still Bowie
Some bangers here. Strong entry in the final phase of his output.
I'm a little biased for Bowie. Love the theatrical way he sings. The album as a whole is a very easy listen with some highlights like The Stars (are out tonight)
He's really just hooting and hollering huh. I feel like he's just having fun with his later albums. Some of these songs feel like Bowie's taking me on a journey and some of them feel like he's soundtracking a Scooby Doo villain in a low budget movie I love it. I'm confused and intrigued. He has a song genuinely called I'd Rather Be High. I don't even think it's about weed but rather the industrial military complex. I'm actually starting to think this entire album might be about the war in the Middle East. This is about something for real I just have no idea what I'm into it. I love Bowie but I'm kinda a fake fan I just listen to his older more popular stuff but I'm into this. Favourite: The Stars (Are Out Tonight)/Boss of Me Least favourite: If You Can See Me
Yeah I really liked this. Just has such an atmosphere to it that I can’t explain. It almost is eerie but there’s glimmers of hope in it. Definitely feels like hes trying to convey that he’s leaving the pop star David Bowie behind. I loved most if not all of the tracks, standouts being The Next Day, The Stars, Valentine’s Day, Dancing in Space and Set the World on Fire.
Bowie reaching the late stages of his career which is where I think his entire art form and ingenuity really started becoming really impressive, and becoming something bigger than himself. This isn’t my favourite Bowie album but it’s moving, emotive and there’s something about his aging voice which really lays the words in. 4.5/5.0 Best Song: I’d Rather Be High
🔥
Han vet hur man gör musik och skivan är bra. Kanske får omdömet en liten extra puff av att det ändå är Bowie.
excellent album, with just a few weaker songs towards the end starting with "Boss Of Me" (but not including one of the very best "You Feel So Lonely You Could Die"). Absolute standout remains "Where Are We Now"
great rock record, reminds me of pink floyd a lot. i enjoyed pretty much every track.
Pretty solid late era Bowie. By tapping some of his most famed collaborators, Bowie crafts a record that both comments on and updates his past.
er, probably great
Not listened to this start to finish before. Understated and stripped back
I, uh, don't think I like this. Most of the album (through the first 5 or 6 songs) has mostly been a miss for me, but there's some good songs hidden in here (see the Favorite Song(s) below). But this album is so unpredictable. It alternates between bad, mediocre, and good without really much warning. Bowie's old man voice is maybe the worst thing on the album though, which I believe was also how I felt about Blackstar. The music actually generally slaps. Okay, actually, my opinion on this album turned around quite a bit. The start still isn't great, but it's littered with enough good songs to give hope for the back half of the album, which actually delivers. I don't think that is a great album. It does absolutely save itself from the mediocrity and song whiplash of the beginning, but I also think that the best songs were in the first half of the album. It's good, and maybe borderline great. Worth adding to this list due in part to Bowie's fame and longevity. Favorite Song(s): Love is Lost, Valentine's Day
"We set out to change the world ended up just changing ourselves." "what's wrong with that?" "Nothing, if you don't look at the world" This album is the 2010's for me. Simultaneously hopeful and disillusioned with the state of the world. This feels like Bowie grappling with his own legacy.
The world was robbed of Bowie’s final act. That work started here with the fantastic Next Day. Even in his later years, Bowie continued to push his sound to new and strange places. The album is a bit top heavy, and definitely overstays its welcome towards the end. But it’s a thoroughly memorable listen for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hell yeah! Ziggy!
Great album. Feels like older Bowie but is newer Bowie. Faves: Dirty Boys, The Stars (Are Out Tonight), Valentine's Day, I'd Rather Be High
Well this is great. Only in the past few years have I dived into Bowie's discography, but I hadn't reached The Next Day yet. I don't remember anything about its release, but we gave it a glowing review at the AVC, and it landed on our year-end best-of list. With good reason. Wikipedia says some critics complained that it's overlong, but this is the rare hourlong album that could've kept going for me. I'll definitely come back to it.
No hits, but a solid album
Überraschend gut!
Poppy bowie! Very chill and kinda under the radar for me!
Pretty damn approachable Bowie album. 4.5 stars because it seems to drag at a few points.
Easy one for me! Loved this album right from the first listen and still remember “Where Are We Now?” being débuted on very early morning radio in 2013. What a great surprise to wake up to! 4.5 stars.
Despite the rating, I am unconvinced that this belongs on this list. Bowie is the most represented artist in the list and, honestly nobody deserves 9 albums. I could see giving Bowie 3 or 4 or even 5 albums. This album doesn’t make that cut. It’s great, but doesn’t live up to his all timers.
He still got it (had it)
My second Bowie album. I’m not a fan of him and his voice. Can’t really put into words why. But something about this record struck a chord. It’s a dark, fatalistic album. I appreciate the richness and depth found in songs like Heat to name just one track. I actually liked quite a lot of the songs.
7/10
Unexpected but satisfying!
This is actually a good listen which went under my radar at the time. Probably because it was after 2004 and I had bagged a wife by then.
OK, good, but tends to be boring ...
One of many peaks in Bowie's career - calling back to the tension of his Berlin trilogy, and it also has some glorious melancholy
Fine album
It's a classic
I get why this was included on this list - it looked for a moment like this was going to be Bowie's swansong, and it's important to remember that this came from out of nowhere after a decade-long disappearance, and it was a definite improvement over his torpid albums of the early 2000s. I also get the resentment of its inclusion. It is the least significant of Bowie's NINE albums on this list. Even in his own catalog, Scary Monsters and Super Creeps and Let's Dance have a better claim. The former was a stellar album, the latter was one of the best pop albums of the 80s. The lead single, Where Are We Now, is sluggish and reminiscent of his least interesting early 2000s work. And Blackstar is so much better at being an act of closure on an amazing career. But upon listening to it again here, so many of the songs are just really good. A few are excellent. Pretty incredible that we debate whether or not Bowie's eleventh-best (maybe twelfth-best?) album should be on the list.
Me perturba un poco empezar a escucharme albumes de Bowie que no sean los mas viejos o los de su prime, pero igual me gusta que salgan y curtirme. Me cuesta un poco adentrarme en las vibes tan particulares que tiene pero de a poco me va enganchando Favs: The Next Day, The Stars (Are Out Tonight), Valentine's Day, I'd Rather Be High
Otro de GODwie porque todo lo que ha hecho es imprescindible para la historia de la música. Me asustaron las primeras canciones porque pensé que iba a ser un disco a más puro estilo rockero, pero luego se le empieza a ir la pinza y a hacer canciones corny, gracias David. Muy buena mezcla de instrumentales de la época con su inconfundible voz, hay canciones que realmente se han quedado conmigo después de la escucha (The Stars y Valentine´s Day). Además, hay algo de la música de este señor que cuando la escucho me emociona profundamente, sean canciones emotivas (You Feel So Lonely) o no (How Does The Grass Grow) Además de esas, me gustaron mucho: Love Is Lost, Where Are We Now, Set The World On Fire, Heat
Bowie is Bowie
Great late career album by DB
Très bon, malgré que, comme la plupart des albums de Bowie, je n’embarque pas totalement. Plusieurs très bonnes tounes lors de cette première écoute. Mérite d’être réécouté plusieurs fois.
Day 88 Definitely one of Bowies stronger albums imo, lots to enjoy on here 8/10 Highlights Where are we now? Valentines day
Very good.
David Bowie nin geç dönem işlerinden biri olmasına rağmen beğendim zaten ben kimim ki puanlayacağım o beni puanlasın.
David Bowie in the 2010s is somehow much more David Bowie than David Bowie was throughout most of the 80s and all of the 90s
Very solid Bowie album, hear some early musical experimentation that sounds like his final album, Blackstar. Like all Bowie albums, I don’t think the first listen through will give me the greatest appreciation, so forgive my possibly low rating
Stars Are Never Sleeping 1001 Albums Generator 156 (11/06/2025) I was surprised to see this album on the list. My understanding of David Bowie's career was that sometime in the 80's, his quality dipped hard until his final great artistic statement, Blackstar, which came out in 2016, right before he died. So color me shocked when an album from 2013 comes up. I really don't like this album cover, which is just a white square on top of the wonderful Heroes, but the music inside is actually pretty good. Some of these songs, such as The Next Day and Valentine's Day lean into almost a punky side of Bowie that I have never heard. If You Can See Me is a chaotic, experimental piece of art that hints at some of the genius that would be seen on Bowie's following album. The second half of The Next Day is a little bit weaker, but it's honestly surprisingly good overall and I came away feeling that this album is very underrated in Bowie's catalogue. It features some sounds and styles that are really unlike anything else that he did and it's one of the most energetic albums I've heard from him. I really just wish that some of the glammier cuts, like Boss Of Me and You Feel So Lonely You Could Die, were left off, and I really don't enjoy I'd Rather Be High. However, The Next Day is a worthwhile listen that I could see myself coming back to. 3.5/5, rounded up to a 4. Favs: The Next Day The Stars (Are Out Tonight) If You Can See Me Least Fav: I'd Rather Be High
I've always viewed The Next Day as the one before Blackstar more than his grand comeback into the 2010s. While I don't find this as grandiose and emotionally melting as from what I've heard from the later release, The Next Day proves that Bowie still had it at this point In his career. I was greatly impressed by how atmospheric this record sounds. I think Bowie (and Tony Visconti) just have that power to make it sound like we're floating in space. But I think Bowie's entire career was based on being high within some force or some substance. Space Oddity (high with the stars), Ziggy Stardust (high with the aliens), The Thin White Duke (high on cocaine), Let's Dance (high on euphoria), etc. Fitting enough there's a song on here called I'd Rather Be High. The main statement is that even if it gets overshadowed by Bowie's farewell, this record still served as a well-managed check-in from an old friend before he faded out (8/10, 4/5 on this scale)
It's a good album (I mean it's Bowie so it's got a very good chance of being good to great) but do we need another Bowie on this list? I get the feeling that this is only on here as it was his "comeback album" and it was good rather than... well, shit, but was this one really needed to be heard before you die? Nope. Best Tracks: The Stars (Are Out Tonight); Where Are We Now?; Dancing Out In Space
This was a nice surprise when it was released because we all thought he was retired. I remember even talking to my wife about a possible tour. Sadly, that's not how things played out, but I'm glad he was a creative force up until the end.
3.5/5
A pretty good example of Bowie's brilliance as a musician and his ability to adapt and change his approach to music. I thought this was a little more mainstream sounding than some of his earlier albums. The production was super well done. I do think polishing his sound somewhat takes away from the Bowie charm and sporadic chaos the he was somewhat known for.
The Next Day feels like one of the more accessible Bowie albums. On most of his albums he's trying to explore new territory: krautrock on Low and Heros, soul on Young Americans, industrial on Earthling, pop on Let's Dance, etc. The Next Day doesn't really feel like it has the same direction; it's not Bowie trying to shapeshift into something else. It just feels like Bowie wanted to make an album for fun after his time away from music and I can't fault him for that. Knowing Bowie, he probably had a ton of material collected and written from his time out of the spotlight. All that said, there are some hints at what's to come on tracks like If You Can See Me, which honestly wouldn't feel too out of place on Blackstar. The Next Day isn't my favourite Bowie album, but overall I do enjoy it and it's impressive how he was still firing on all cylinders so late into his career.
When this is at its unhinged best, or at its most tender, it really is great and worthy of its place in Bowie's catalogue. This felt like something of a "full circle" album calling back to Bowie's 1970s stylings, whilst sounding contemporary and fresh. Most impressive is how he was able to capture the sprawling, expansive feel of an album such as Station to Station within much more condensed track lengths, knitting them together into a collective piece that truly takes you on a journey. There were a couple of lesser events across its running time which didn't leave as significant of an impression, but they formed the minority of what is broadly a strong album.
Not Bowie's best album, but it's still far better than most albums. It's also very easy to listen to.
I really like the overall vibe of this album, even when the songs don't hit for me. If You Can See Me sounds like Rush. It may lack the strangeness of Bowie's peak, as lots of these artists once they are older tend to aim for an inoffensive middle ground, but the lyrics are really cool. Panicked, grieving, wistful. It keeps things interesting. Highlights: The Next Day, Valentine's Day
Great stuff. Probably underappreciated Blackstar's shadow is so large, which is a shame.
Mid 4 Great sound and exciting tracks
A solid surprise comeback album from Bowie. And yet little did we know that what he really needed to do was get weirder, go deeper, and get darker (much like Blackstar would). You can hear pieces of that future already falling into place musically on The Next Day. But it's not sharp and sure enough of itself as a whole. Bowie needed one more ruthless pruning to shape the album into a bolder artistic statement. It's hard to listen to this record with the 26th studio album not too far off and knowing that one will be his last. But if I push all of that out of my mind and let these ears hear #25 in as much isolation as possible, there's much to recommend here — even if it's too sedate in places or goes light when it should go dark like a black star.
Not my go-to Bowie album, but everything he did reflects a time and a place and is interesting through that lens.
favorite song from the album: Where Are We Now?
Bowie is so consistently ahead of his time that I got into the habit to listening to his new work, then coming back to it 5 or 10 years later. I invariably find that while I had issues with his current works, when listening later I appreciated them much more. However this one is a little easier as it appears to be referential to his past catalog in many ways, like a tour of earlier works including Tin Machine, which is surprising. Such a good album. The stars in the firmament dimmed when he passed from our world.
I like this album, better than Blackstar, to be honest, and it feels like that actual final statement of the David Bowie I loved over the years, though of all his catalog, its not one I'd put on this list.
A little torn here. While I am firmly in favor of having multiple Bowie albums on this list, and I very much like this album, I’m skeptical that both of his final two studio albums merit inclusion (we’ve already reviewed Blackstar and Low, and I’m hopeful that Ziggy Stardust, Heroes and maybe Station to Station and even Aladdin Sane are coming up). You can praise it as a brilliant comeback after a decade out of the spotlight, but then you discount the more sonically adventurous and conceptually cohesive Blackstar. So I’ll give the album itself 4 stars — it sounds dark and urgent, like the dam broke on a lot of material and things he’d been wanting to say — but 3 stars to the decision to put this on the list. So it’s 3.5 stars, but hell, I’ll round up.
Great album
Good old David…
Lovely production. Never heard it in full before - it's rockier than I'd imagined and Where Are We Now is definitely an outlier. That opening track is great.
Definitely my favorite I've heard from him so far, it was a shockingly strong late career album from him. I think it does a lot of what Blackstar did too, but just a little better. Favorites: Dirty Boys, I'd Rather Be High, Heat
A high 3.5/5 I enjoyed it a lot, I also thought David Bowie died in the 90s Song of the album: (you will) set the world on fire
A proper album with great production well played instruments and a set of excellent David Bowie songs. Definitely better that a lot of other stuff on this list. Not quite his best so just 4 stars.
Solid rock album, but not my favorite. Great music and great voice. For m,e it's an 8.5 out of 10
An good album with an amazing voice. Nothing else to add Fav song - (You Will) Set The World On Fire 4/5
This was good - I feel like sometimes older artists continuing to make music into their later years can sometimes yield diminishing returns, but this was still very enjoyable. Interesting songs, still very Bowie through and through.
Хорошо
tbh nothing special. but good
I enjoyed this a lot! This was admittedly not what I expected out of Bowie from my limited knowledge of his work; I was expecting more groovy, funky guitars and beats, and I would instead put this more adjacent to U2 and some of the indie rock of the mid-2000s. Doesn't mean I didn't like it though, but I can tell this was later in his career based on a more modern sound and older voice and mood. My favorites were: "Love is Lost," "Valentine's Day," "I'd Rather Be High," and "Boss of Me." I definitely admire how succinct this album is, too - I don't think there was a lot of fluff and not a lot I'd cut. Maybe, if I had to, I'd cut "Heat" and let the final note this album leaves off on be "You Feel So Lonely You Could Die." Either way, I enjoyed this project, and I'm looking forward to more Bowie in this 1001 adventure.
Rock n roll, Bowie, that's good in my book.
My sweet, old Davy. Das Album isch mer bis jetzt gänzlich undergange, umso happier also das eus das so uf em Silbertablett serviert worde isch. Old Bowie chan sich scho ghöre lah. Chli weniger experimentell, defür chli klassisch rockiger. Me gusto mucho! Vier Vater unser und Rest in Piece
Bit of an unnecessary addition to the list but it’s still solid. 8th best Bowie. Valentine’s Day is prob the best song on it
Solid record from beginning to end, Bowie never misses.
It's a good late era Bowie album. Would I consider it essential listening when he has 15 other albums here, including the much superior late era album Blackstar? Not really, but I'm glad I heard it. 3.5/5
Så fint album på många sätt, nära att ge en 5/5 tbh. Jag verkligen vibeade med det på många sätt
Æ tror æ hadde en tidligere Bowie på lista før, og den synes æ å huske at æ likte godt. Det her va ikke like interessant.
A strong comeback. Feels like it is influenced by a lot of what he influenced.
Mais Bowie! Uma ótima surpresa, depois de ter gerado seu disco “Young Americans” 3 dias atrás, na sexta-feira. Nunca reclamaria de um presente tão incrível, mas estou ansioso pro dia que irei gerar meu disco favorito dele, que é na verdade um dos meus discos favoritos de toda música. The Next Day é um disco que eu demorei bastante tempo pra conhecer profundamente. O motivo é meio banal… Mas é porque eu sempre achei que este disco fosse na verdade alguma espécie de coletânea, devido a sua capa. Bowie teve um verdadeiro retorno de forma neste álbum, quando comparado com seus lançamentos anteriores recentes. Aqui ele introduz muitos elementos que, em minha opinião, foram vastamente aprimorados e maturados em seu próximo (e último) álbum, ★. E por isso, eu acabo achando este disco um tanto quanto inferior àquele, mas não por uma margem tão enorme. De qualquer forma, é incrível de se ouvir os elementos mais escuros que o artista introduz ao seu som com esse lançamento, mas ainda mantendo seu icônico gosto e estilo inigualável. A sonoridade espaçada, e o rosnar de seu canto, elementos fantásticos e que só se encontra aqui na discografia do Bowie, em plena contemporaneidade. Mas infelizmente, não consigo considerar este disco totalmente perfeito, como outras de suas obras. Ele possui alguns momentos chatos, e acredito que sua duração poderia ter sido levemente encurtada, uma faixa ou outra poderia ter sido cortada ou ao menos reduzida. E esse tipo de reclamação é algo bem incomum na discografia de Bowie, seus discos costumam ser embalados justamente. Mas mesmo com isso dito, ainda acho este um excelente disco, e uma adição ótima pra lista dos 1001, mesmo que Bowie tenha tantas outras aparições no livro. Quanto mais David Bowie melhor, aos meus olhos. 4.5/5
Amazed that it's his 25TH album and he still hasn't ran out of creative juices! I feel like he has better albums than this though (which are hopefully also included in this list) Tracks to Track: Where are We Now?
Still at his groundbreaking ways
7.5/10 Bowie is quite talented isnt he? This isnt his best album or his most innovative or his most popular. My initial reaction was 'why is this on the list??', but somehow he almost effortlessly pulls out yet another strong collection of songs. Highlights: Love Is Lost The Next Day Hoe Does the Grass Grow The Stars Dirty Boys You Feel so Lonely You Could Die
Bowie is great. ★★★★
I initially blew this off as forgettable background music, but I kept getting drawn in by the lyrics. So I relistened properly and quite enjoyed it. A strong 3.9. stars.
Never a big Bowie guy but this was a pleasure. The Stars (Are Out Tonight) and I'd Rather Be High are highlights.
So this was written under an NDA as it was Bowie's return to music after taking several years off from heart surgery. Bowie is simply timeless, and it's a good album - it feels like it touches on a lot of history, and his different personas (in the sound, too, which makes sense, since he hired a lot of people he'd worked with prior).
4.5 Man Bowie was really just the best. Just popping out two of his best albums right before passing is so GOATED. This album is so good and so fun and so accessible!!! A pleasure to listen to it.
Good album. Not a Bowie I would have listened to otherwise. It would be interesting to know how he felt about some of the issues he points out on this record after another 14 years. It is much worse now.
This was a slow burn album for me .The early tracks didn’t do much but it seemed to get better and the second half has some favorite songs for me now in his discography.
from like heathens until this i feel like i'm wandering in the desert with bowie. but this is such an interesting sound that puts together a lot of what i like from early bowie and a lot of what i don't like in middle bowie and creates something i enjoy quite a lot.
You Will Set the World on Fire is one of my all time favorite Bowie tracks so this one gets to be rounded up. I think overall it's a little dragging in parts but it's also quite dreamy and I really enjoy the jangly guitar.
Genuinely surprised this was as good as it was given it was the first album in a while from an older Bowie, but tracks like Heat bored me to tears which stopped it being a 5.
Great but not amazing.
Bowie's first studio release in ten years. He had retreated from the public spotlight, and stopped touring. For a lot of it, it really sounds like he doesn't give a f**k. He's really exploring some interesting ideas, some which make me scratch my head. But it's never boring, I will say that. I don't think I fully appreciated or even GOT the album the first time I heard it, so I put it on the shelf and didn't think about it. I thought the cover was stupid (still do). I think it was the lead single "Where Are We Now," the video gave me the creeps, and probably put me off the whole album. But there is a whole lot more than just this song. For me, this and "How Does The Grass Grow?" are probably the weakest songs on the album. "Heat" just seems like an epilogue. It's a bleak album, and one that makes you think about where he was. He didn't get the cancer diagnosis until way after the album was released. But you still have to wonder if he knew. Just deep inside, that it was going to be over soon. It's definitely an album I will come back to, which is pretty important in my ratings. I feel like there's more here, or maybe I am just overthinking it. Top tracks: "Love Is Lost," "The Next Day," "I'd Rather Be High", "(You Will) Set the World On Fire"
Not up there with my newfound favorite Bowie albums, but it's solid, especially for a guy everyone thought was washed or retired. It's very much retro Bowie, with a new millennium twist. Not quite glam, but close? The title track (vintage), Love is Lost (biting), Where are We Now (bleak), Valentine's Day (slick), How Does the Grass Grow? (buzzy), and Heat (haunting) are particularly strong. And then there's (You Will) Set the World on Fire - Bowie always has a wicked rocker doesn't he? What a banger. The guitar chords sound a bit Jack White-esque. Great lyrics throughout and some cool compositions. Again, not a masterpiece but with this album so late in his career, Bowie shows why he's one of the greats.
I think this was included in an earlier edition of the 1001 because they were excited that Bowie finally had a new album after almost 10 years, but it was wisely replaced by his swan song, Blackstar (which I view as an absolute masterpiece and is a very unique entry in Bowie's extensive catalog). This is a good album, but even though I'm a Bowie fan I can acknowledge it didn't need to be in the 1001. That said, it's a really good album. I admit I never gave it a big chance since it came out, but on repeated listens it's growing on me. I'll call it a 4 - not a masterpiece, but definitely worth revisiting. Favorite tracks: The Next Day, Love is Lost, If You Can See Me (crazy track - sounds like it would fit on Blackstar, or even Outside (another favorite Bowie album)), Boss of Me (great bass line from Tony Levin - it's not credited, but it sure sounds like his "funk fingers"!).
3.6 - Ohne ein paar komische Experimente wäre das ein Spitzenalbum geworden. So aber immer noch super unterhaltsam und genau das, wofür ich Bowie mag. Highlights: The Next Day, Boss of Me
Enjoyed it.
Really solid late era Bowie!
Bowie once again proves that he's an artist supreme. Another set of bangers here.
There is some very interesting stuff in here, and I continue to enjoy Bowie's work each time it comes up. It might not be on the A list of his albums, but some very interesting rhythms and great instrumentation.
This was pretty good. I ended up liking the non-single tracks better, which meant I enjoyed the second half a lot more (especially the last two tracks)
I might have done David Bowie dirty with my rating of Aladdin Sane. It is amazing how 40 years elapsed between these two albums and he still makes interesting albums that are so distinctively his. I apologize David.
Honenstly incredible, and I'm stoked I finally listened to this album. Must needs to have it one day.
Fantastic album. A return from David Bowie after almost a decade, with the classic David Bowie rock sound and songwriting without sounding overdone, or played out. Sounds phenomenal, too.
I’m not a Bowie fan so I have nothing to compare it to but the average rock album and for being a rock album this fucks. Genuinely some really great stuff, nothing too impactful but just as music to listen to? Awesome.
Nice late Bowie album!
Дэвид Боуи. Ну харизма тут канеш ничего и не попишешь. Пришлось слушать часовую версию альбома, делюкс. на удивление он пролетел быстрее чем я мог себе представить, круто. 7/10. Highlights: Dirty Boys; The Stars (Are Out Tonight); Where Are We Now? и многие другие
I wrote a review but It deleted itself lol. 86/100
**** 1/2 It‘s Bowie, It’s Great. Wasn‘t aware of this album, like it
Älskar Bowie så det var lättlyssnat och ganska bra med tanke på hans ålder. Inte superspännande men ett viktigt album ändå
Day 3, bowie! Oh wow, I'm excited to listen to this :) what an icon First couple songs felt like Bowie filler, I'm sure they will grow on me if I read into the meaning of the lyrics more. First song that captured me were Stars are out tonight and Love is Lost. At the start of Whee are we now? I thought "wow this is a good album" - such an early mood change to create a shape / journey. Great album, lots of imagery of sadness, war, death, eastern Europe, god/devil. It's engaging the whole way from when it gets off the blocks after the first couple bowie-standard songs. The final song, Heat, was quite a snoozefest so it's a shame for that to be the closer. I'd have to relisten to decide between 3 or 4, but very very accomplished and creative mix of songs.
Not peak Bowie, of course, but still really good. Should this be on the list after its covered actual peak Bowie so much? Probably not. Is it still better than half the stuff on here? Very likely.
It's Bowie, it rarely misses.
one of the best album idc
It's Bowie, it's excellent, a really good listen
Listened Before? N Another good one from Bowie. I'm going to pretend like this isn't the 6th album of his on this list because it's getting a little silly. I get that the author is a huge fan, and so am I... but I don't think we needed this many of his albums on the list. Independent of that - this is a great album that's only a "good" album by Bowie standards. If it were anyone else it would likely be their masterpiece - but for him - it falls somewhere in the lower end. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: The Stars
I dig it.
i feel in the later years of bowie’s music career he went into more experimental styles of rock and i really like it, this demonstrates that very well, this album is great and this and blackstar are a great way to end a half century career, quite random to have this recent record on this list but i’m glad i listened to it
Didn't stick with me but he's always strong. Long live!
Good Bowie not best Where are we now If you can see me You feel so lonely
Me gustó el disco, la ultima canción me encantó. Heat!!
A very lush, beautiful album, with poetic and meaningful lyrics. It manages to sound very epic, while still having great details and a unique sound. It's not my usually vibe, so I don't know how often I will go back to it, but it's definitely one I enjoyed while listening to it. 4/5
Quality
Somehow this feels like he knew that his death was coming and this was him making preparations, it felt like he had given. The music itself was very groovy and very jammy and almost rocky vubes, he truly never missed.
My hot take is that I like this one better than Black Star. Both are amazing albums, this one is just a little bit better. The album cover is the worst ever, though.
O retorno de David Bowie foi tão poderoso que pareceu que ele nunca tinha dado uma pausa. Eu achei o álbum bastante acelerado(em um bom sentido) dosando rock, progressivo, sintetizadores e uma pitada de punk em letras bastante espertas. Bowie sabe como causar. Esse álbum representa toda sua potência artística.
I LOVE DAVID BOWIE a lot of this album is like if David Bowie was doing his Talking Heads impression. and since I love both David Bowie and the Talking Heads, it really works for me.
3.5
## The Next Day: David Bowie's Unseen Resurrection - An In-Depth Review David Bowie's **first studio album in a decade**, *The Next Day* (2013), defied expectations of retirement after his 2004 heart attack. Recorded in secrecy with longtime collaborator Tony Visconti, the album merges historical allegory with raw introspection, cementing Bowie's legacy while confronting mortality. This review dissects its lyrical depth, musical innovation, production mastery, thematic richness, and enduring influence. ### 1. **Lyrics: Medieval Brutality Meets Modern Dread** Bowie’s lyrics weave **dark historical narratives** with personal existentialism: - **Title Track "The Next Day"**: A scathing critique of religious hypocrisy ("*They work with Satan while they dress like the saints*") inspired by medieval tyrants . The condemned protagonist mirrors Bowie’s own brush with death ("*Here I am, not quite dying*") . - **"Where Are We Now?"**: A vulnerable reflection on his Berlin era, namechecking landmarks like *Potsdamer Platz* and *KaDeWe* . - **War & Violence**: "I’d Rather Be High" juxtaposes adolescent dreams with wartime horror ("*Training these guns on those men in the sand*") . - **Ambiguity**: "Heat" closes with Nietzschean unease ("*My father ran the prison... I tell myself I don’t know who I am*") . ### 2. **Music & Production: Art-Rock Alchemy** **Sound**: A **kaleidoscope of Bowie’s past**—glam rock ("The Stars"), plastic soul ("Valentine’s Day"), and *Scary Monsters*-esque art-rock—without retro mimicry . - **Standouts**: "Valentine’s Day" merges anthemic guitars with chilling lyrics about a school shooter . "If You Can See Me" revives *Earthling*’s drum-and-bass frenzy . - **Vocal Performance**: Aged but potent; a weathered croon in ballads, frenetic snarl in rockers . *Table: Musical Styles Across Key Tracks* | **Track** | **Style** | **Bowie Era Echoed** | |-------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------| | "The Next Day" | Aggressive art-rock | *Scary Monsters* | | "Dirty Boys" | Sleazy sax-driven blues | *Lust For Life* (Iggy) | | "Valentine’s Day" | Power-pop with dark lyrics | *Hunky Dory* | | "Heat" | Ambient, dissonant ballad | *Heroes* | **Production**: Visconti’s **clean, dynamic mix** highlights instrumental textures: Gail Ann Dorsey’s basslines, Gerry Leonard’s guitars, and dissonant strings on "Heat" . The secrecy of sessions (with NDAs) ensured artistic freedom . ### 3. **Themes: Time, Tyranny, and Transcendence** - **Mortality**: "Not quite dying" becomes a leitmotif, reflecting Bowie’s health struggles . - **Religious Critique**: "The Next Day" video (featuring Gary Oldman as a corrupt priest) sparked Catholic League outrage for its stigmata imagery and "whorehouse at the Vatican" subtext . - **Nostalgia vs. Now**: Berlin memories ("Where Are We Now?") contrast with contemporary disillusionment . ### 4. **Influence & Cultural Impact** - **Industry Blueprint**: Pioneered the **"surprise album"** strategy later adopted by Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar . - **Legacy Reinforcement**: Proved aging icons could innovate without nostalgia, influencing later works like *Blackstar* . - **Cover Art**: Jonathan Barnbrook’s defaced *"Heroes"* sleeve symbolized erasing past myths to create anew . ### 5. **Pros vs. Cons** | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Lyrical depth blending history/personal | Uneven 2nd half ("Dancing Out in Space" feels lightweight) | | Cohesive yet diverse musical palette | "If You Can See Me"’s vocals clash with instrumentation | | Visconti’s pristine, impactful production | "Heat"’s unresolved tension polarizes | | Vocal performance rich with weathered gravitas | Limited mainstream singles beyond "Stars" | ### Conclusion: A Defiant Coda to Immortality *The Next Day* is Bowie’s **late-career masterpiece**—a work of brutal honesty and artistic audacity. It confronts decay ("*body left to rot*") yet transcends it through musical ingenuity. While minor pacing issues and experimental risks linger, the album’s fearless synthesis of medieval allegory, rock vigor, and autobiographical haunting reaffirms Bowie as an eternal shapeshifter. Its surprise release redefined industry norms, but more crucially, it gifted fans a raw, unresolved meditation on time that made his final act, *Blackstar*, all the more devastating. > **Bowie’s own summation**: "I’m not a prophet or a stone aged man—just a mortal with potential of a superman." *The Next Day* embodies this duality: human frailty welded to immortal art.
I had never listened to this album before but what a great one! And of course bowie! Was nice to hear a newer album that didn't suffer from the artist just doing their thing this was a really good bowie album!
I don't think I've even seen this album cover before, let alone know its name and well.... this was a huge surprise, and a great one at that! I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't an album as good as this! It's very evocative of his earlier work, especially his early to mid 70s period but with a more modern production. Unlike many very late stage albums, that might have a couple of half decent tracks (if you're lucky) and a load of filler, this keeps its quality pretty much all of the way through with almost every song offering something engaging. It's near hour flies past and I'll 100% be returning to it later.
What a strong album so late in his career!
4.5
I'd never listened to this all the way through. Surprisingly good.
I listened to 90% of this and pretty impressed with it as it's a solid 4 star album for me. Some really great musicians in this album, though Bowie's voice seemed to have more limited range but that's understandable since he was in his 60s. Overall really pretty good.
This is a pretty wild ride of an album. Despite all the guest musicians and collaborators, it does feel like a cohesive whole. For me, the best tracks are the ones with Tony Levin, David Torn, or both. 4 stars.
Very nice discovery! I never heard this album before, so it's nice to see I missed some Bowie songs that are actually decent.
I never really explored Bowie until the end. After Blackstar came out and Bowie died, that album was in full rotation for me, and then I decided it was time to go back and celebrate his career, by listening to the full discography. Bowie was an artist of the times, with a career spanning five decades, his music was always relevant. After listening to all of his albums, I found I really enjoyed the later stuff where he began to really experiment, he was Bowie, he could pretty much do whatever he wanted in the latter years. I also had watched a great documentary called 'The Last 5 Years' which covers the making of The Next Day and Blackstar. I feel like this album he knew the end was coming, so it plays out as an homage to his career, kind of a greatest hits, but all new music celebrating his own music. You can hear everything from his previous 24 albums in this one album, as well as the darkness one must feel when the end is near. It's not as bleak and wonderful as Blackstar, but we'll save those thoughts for when we get to that album.
Intriguing
I like this a lot.
This is a fantastic album, full of beauty, considerations of mortality.
Honestly I wanted more out of this simply bc it’s David Bowie. Not bad but maybe there’s a reason I don’t already know any of these songs. Maybe I would’ve rated higher if I did have as high of expectations.
Lyrics were really silly but it definitely had mostly bangers. Big fan of Valentine’s Day
Some catchy tunes, not super memorable
Genuinely one of Bowie's most moving albums. Extraordinary.
4 1/2
I was in the second year of sixth form back in 2013, and was already a huge Bowie fan. I distinctly remember waking up one morning to 6 Music playing 'Where Are We Now' on the morning it was released, and hearing Lauren Laverne announcing that Bowie was back after the song ended. What a way to wake up! While this isn't Bowie's best, this is still a brilliant album. It is darker and a touch sadder than most of his work. The singles - 'Where Are We Now', 'The Next Day', 'Valentine's Day' and 'The Stars Are Out Tonight' are some of the standouts, along with 'Love is Lost'. I absolutely love the commentary in the video for 'The Stars'. The album does arguably go on a little bit too long, and feels like it loses momentum a tad over the last handful of songs (although they are still good listens when taken on their own merit). Almost worth a 5* in my head because of my nostalgia and excitement at his return, but overall think this is a strong 8/10
cool album reminded me how good Bowie was
Thoroughly enjoyed, lots of great songs with barely any misses
good！
I was surprised at this album. I was impressed that Bowie was able to make and produce quality music for decades. The sounds morphed a bit, but the writing and quality is there, and somehow while very distinct the music here is timeless. This is one that I really enjoyed first listen, but I am sure that I will need revisit a few times to really grasp the genius.
I like this album, but it's just not as good as Blackstar. 8/10
It’s not my *favorite* Bowie album, but that being said it’s still really good. No complaints and an enjoyable listen, even if it’s trumped by The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust
MARAVILLOSO
muito muito bom
Needed an edit to make it really hit for me, but still a solid Bowie album.
Not an essential Bowie album but still pretty great. Arty, edgy songs like "The Stars Are Out Tonight" make for a satisfying late career album for him.
I was happy to receive this selection and expected to enjoy but not as much as I did. Highlights: Love is Lost, Where Are We Now and You Feel So Lonely You Could Die. Lowlights: Dancing In Space. Portions of this album will find their way into rotation, particularly for road trips. 4/5
I enjoyed this album. At times a little broody, but more fun than Joy Division.
Some of these tracks are haunting and powerful, can't believe I've never heard this album before.
The first half hits hard but it has a second half slump
Ouais c'est bon mais on dirait j'ai pas plus accroché que ça en travaillant
Not as adventurous as some of his earlier work, but still a very good album from a rock legend late in his career. Band seems really solid and the songs are strong.
I really liked almost every song on this album. It has Bowie’s usual flair and sound but it’s better than his music had been for decades by that point. His voice also aged incredibly well and he sounds fantastic on this record. It does make me sad that “Dancing Out In Space” isn’t a better song because that name is wonderful but, overall I’d say this was a good album. Though, I’d say it is the least essential of Bowie’s 9 albums on this list and I’d argue not essential to hear before you die. But, this was still a good time.
I realize that Bowie almost certainly has better things, but still he just has an immediately great sound. This may be first album bias, but hey. It's pretty good
Love the hallmarks of Bowie on this. The theatrical vocals, the weird chords, the discordant sounds, and the energy. It's a shame to hear how his voice started to degrade, but I don't think it takes anything away from the album. A great ride back to front.
Wowww one of the few times music made ne feel something almost shed tear. Bowie’s use if the background instruments and his heartfelt lyrics is breathtaking. What threw me off is the fact this album is so good and its towards the end of his career wtf. This the second project of his that i listened to cant wait to here more from him. I listened to ziggy stardust but i think for a first album listening experience this one had a way bigger effect. Some songs catch you by suprise The Stars are out at night is one of the best songs i ever heard 💜
I had never heard of this record, know no single song. I like it though! Great vocals, good songs, excellent production. This is a really good pop album. Haunting ending too. Strong start to finish.
Lovely stuff!
Very pleasant surprise
This album is amazing. I wasn’t expecting it to be nearly this good, but I loved it.
A really good Album.
Not his best but still great
Considering the 10 year absence between this album and the previous release - the swagger of these tracks is surprisingly unbound. Valentines Day is a favourite. Hearing this album again, it is better than I remember. Is it as good as Black Star? Or indeed his best efforts from his heyday? Not quite, but it is still a strong return to form
I rather liked this as I enjoy Bowie, but is 2013 Bowie really deserved? There’s a lot of classic Bowie which all belongs, but what was left off to make room for this? Blackstar can stay as it’s his swan song.
Very interesting. I liked the instrumentals and most of the music that was played, it had good depth to it. The lyrics were above average, I don't know that Bowie's voice at this point is as good as it used to be, but there is clearly vision.
Great
Don't know how I feel about later Bowie stuff. This one has some good jams, but you can feel a different kind of energy from Bowie. This was his penultimate album, the album Bowie recorded in secret and was critically acclaimed on release. It's pretty good and at first i thought it wouldn't hold up against his older work, but it kinda does. Bowie is older and has been through the fire. Its different. This is also fine; different era, different Bowie. The lyrics are grimmer and more introspective. You have to really focus on this one. But it's still classic Bowie storytelling. Standouts for me were "Valentines Day," "If You Can See Me," "I'd Rather Be High", "(You Will) Set The World On Fire," and "Heat." All in all, I really liked a lot of the guitar parts and interesting lyrics. At first I wasnt quite sure how this would go, and I danced between 3 and 4 stars for most of my listen. Some of the album is quite catchy, and the good songs are really good. As I went I liked it more and more. I think we're lucky to have gotten more music from Bowie before his death, and while this isn't my favorite Bowie or even the best Bowie, the compositions are so tight that I'd give it 4 stars. Really neat album.
Incredible come back after a 10 year hiatus and incredibly 30 years after Let's Dance
Bowie começa a dar a dica do que viria a ser Blackstar nesse ensaio de retorno. Aliando momento palatáveis com outros ligeiramente mais experimentais, The Next Day é um belo disco de Art Rock, com arranjos muito bem pensados, ótimas melodias e grandes interpretações de Bowie.
Chegar nesse estágio da carreira, que começou nos anos 60, fazendo um disco desse nível, é para poucos. David Bowie tem uma discografia bastante regular, considerando o tanto de coisas diferentes que eles fez ao longo das décadas. The Next Day é um álbum bem coeso, com ótimas canções.
I find it crazy that David Bowie’s long awaited triumphant return was met with a relatively muted reaction. This is a brilliant set of tracks stands toe to toe with albums from more celebrated eras, bringing proper pop hits to the table in spades, including Valentines Day, which stands as one of my favourite Bowie tracks. He has so much passion and the energy on this LP. I love the idea that he spent years writing, saving up these tracks, ready to reemerge.
lisää bowiesta slissää bowieta ei kiinnosta pätkääkään! pos costello.. poistakaa costelloja liika balmujeja.. olen nyt paras ystäväni on nyt david bowie (kuollut). loppua kohden tämä vähän jäähtyy.. jäähdytetään pikkaisen tulikuumaa polttaavaa auts .. shh atus auts sähisee vaan menemään.. sähisemään.. kolmetoista tuntia kaupassa, aatami sanoi sen rauhassa. helppoa nelosta selkään, yy kaa koo ja nee ja yykaakoo ja yykaaakooo neeeh ja yksiiii kaksiiii kolomeee neelljäää... a one . a two. a three. a four. a oneetwoo theree fouuur lets go. kolmetoista tuntia kaupassa, aatami sanoi sen rauhassa. kolmetoista tuntia kaupassa, aatami sanoi sen rauhassa. kolmetoista tuntia kaupassa, aatami sanoi sen rauhassa. kolmetoista tuntia kaupassa, aatami sanoi sen rauhassa. love is lost
As an artist you can't escape the context of your body of work and timeline. Bowie's narrative is that he is a visionary and innovative. Listening to this and a few tracks in, I was like thank you Blackstar. A lot of this does not sound innovative for 2013 for me. In the context of the things, this makes sense I did really like the last 2 tracks. There are moments where his voice is not what it once was, but Bowie has earned it, it's part of the story. Bowie definitely elevates some mediocre songs on here, but for me I expected more. Blackstar comes along and corrects course. Not every artist gets to have a good punctuation on their story, like Blackstar gave Bowie.
Was not expecting to enjoy this album as much as I did. Getting a gothic/post-rock influence mixed with Bowie’s signature flare and swagger. Loved it.
The Spiders have all flown back to Mars and Ziggy is dead. This album is just Bowie and his mortality. I hate it for making me feel old, but I can't deny the timeless charm of the man.
I was never a fanboi but I have always appreciated and enjoyed Bowie. I don't recall ever hearing this album front to back but I am glad I finally did.
Don't call it a comeback Bowies.
Solid latter day Bowie album. Love is Lost is a total banger. Heat is a moody but very effective closer. Not his absolute best but this is a quality addition to the Bowie catalogue.
It sounds like Bowie and thats not a bad thing. A lot of fun songs on this one. Easily some of his most fun work. A lot of good songs on this one but my favorite might be How Does The Grass Grow.
Pretty Enjoyable
Pretty cool stuff
Entretenido, me re gustó. Grande Arquito
Best Bowie album so far
I so want it to be better than it is.
we could have been heroes
7/10.
Late period Bowie albums are interesting because he still has so many great ideas and he pulls them off really well most of the time. The Next Day, Dancing Out In Space, (You Will) Set the World on Fire and Boss of Me are great jams. When he doesn’t, the songs just kind of hang in the air going nowhere and sounding like a hazy dream (Where Are We Now?, You Feel So Lonely You Could Die, Valentine’s Day). I’d Rather Be High is a cool song to discover on 4/20. All in all this is very good. It doesn’t reach the experimental greatness found on Heathen (2002) or his farewell art piece Blackstar (2016), but that is not worth losing any sleep over since Bowie’s body of work is so vast, interesting and full of successful searching.
I didn't like it as much as Blackstar, but it had some pretty good tracks. The Next Day, The Stars (Are Out Tonight), and (You Will) Set The World On Fire are all solid.
It's inconsistent, and it's not quite Blackstar, but damn if it doesn't come close. This is probably a 4.5, but let's see which way I round tomorrow.
Was skeptical when I got this album despite loving what I've heard of Bowie just because as rockstars get older sometimes they lose that creative spark. This isn't the case with Bowie. Album was filled with fun and experimental sounds. Enjoyed it a great deal with the exception of a few songs.
Who the fuck designed this cover
no complaints here. not as good as some of blackstar or some of his earlier stuff but not bad
not his best (/my favorite), but still, what a voice, what a soul!
- apr15/25
When David Bowie had a minor heart attack towards the end of the Reality tour in 2004 and more or less disappeared from public view, we all assumed that he’d retired. What we didn’t know was that he’d re-united with long time producer Tony Visconti, patching up their differences and working on this album in secret almost ten years later, releasing the first track as a total surprise. The title track (and the cheeky cover) made it seem like he’d never been away, riffing on his classic Berlin era sound whilst bringing it up to date and throwing in some experimental flourishes. It certainly doesn’t sound like someone who is ready to throw the towel in or be content with playing a greatest hits tour for the money. I’m not sure I’d pick this over Blackstar, but it’s certainly one of the better modern era Bowie albums.
Eccentric
Super!
This one had me listening to it a second time, because on the first listen it didn't totally click with me. I wasn't sure what it was, because the songs are well produced and written, but it didn't feel totally right at first. A second listen turned my opinion of it to be much more favorable. This album is David looking back through his life and career, but before he knew he was dying. It's dark and a bit haunting at times, nostalgic and upbeat at others. Not every song is top notch, but the ones that hit (which are in the majority) really hit.
Another decent Bowie album, I won't be back though sorry dave. Low 4.
Even before getting to the music I accumulated a lot of thoughts on just the album cover alone. Believe me, I could probably write a 1,000 word essay about it all by itself. To keep things on track, though, and not dedicate half a review to prose again (no regrets, but still), I'll make one observation. If there's anything this cover says to me, it's both an acknowledgement and a rejection of the past. An acknowledgement in that, "Yes, this is where I've been." At the time, it might've even been making the point that David Bowie would only be defined by his past; that anything he released now (that being 2013) would have to stand against these titans. And in that, we find the rejection: by defacing the cover of "HEROES", it's definitively declaring, "But I've moved on from that — it's the next day now." To me, that's how this album sounds. All over, Bowie's jumping from old style to old style, never settling into one too long before switching over and back again. None of it sounds like he's revisiting these styles just for the sake of them, though. For one, while sonically they're familiar, tonally they wind up being largely darker than I recall most Bowie material being. The title track is about a condemned man considering the hypocrisies of Christianity. "I'd Rather Be High" is about a soldier who would, well, rather be high than face up to his emotions. Hell, "Valentine's Day" is straight-up about a school shooter. But lyrics have never been at the forefront of my mind. I try to keep in mind what these songs are about, though as always I'm more concerned about the sonic and melodic side of things. On that front, if you had no idea what these songs were about, I don't think you'd ever guess how dark a lot of them were. This isn't like ★, where from what little I've heard the music directly reflects how dark the subject matter is. On this album — well, allow me to bring up "Valentine's Day" again. Despite its subject matter, it sounds like a big ol' glam rock pop song. Bowie's biographer himself called it the catchiest song on the album, and he's not exactly wrong. It's like, goodness, if it weren't for Bowie's clearly aged voice... And I want to speak on Bowie's voice for a second here. See, as I may have expressed before, the first time I ever heard David Bowie was on Butterfly Boucher's cover of "Changes" for the SHREK 2 soundtrack. To be frank, I much prefer that cover to the original, specifically because of Bowie's voice. The age in his voice makes the whole thing feel much more poignant than it did with his younger voice from, like, 30 years prior. As a result, and because of how much I heard this cover as a kid, this is just how I've come to expect him to sound. I do truly love HUNKY DORY and ZIGGY STARDUST, both way more so than this album, but this one strikes me as possibly the perfect crossover between what I want and expect out of Bowie. You've got the glam and such of his older work, the voice of his later one... I figure I can't lose. All the same, however, there was a moment on this album where I wondered to myself, "Why exactly am I listening to this?" Because for as much as I enjoy these songs, I can't exactly say there's much, like... New going on here? And I get it, that's the point: it's an acknowledgement of the past as well as a rejection. I'm 100% in favor of that. I suppose I'm just wondering how much of it truly is a rejection or not. On that note as well, I hafta question if there was any recency bias in putting this album on this list. Consider: this album came out in 2013, and it was later added in in the 2014 revision. This is the kind of thing I gave Lana Del Ray's CHEMTRAILS OVER THE COUNTRY CLUB shit for, and just for consistency's sake, I don't wanna give Bowie any quarter just for being Bowie. After hearing the album in full... Well, one thing to remember is that I generally don't like the kind of music Lana Del Ray makes, so that might be one reason why I went in so hard on its recency. Meanwhile, I did genuinely enjoy Bowie's album way more, even if I might not feel the urge to come back to it as much as, say, HUNKY DORY. It doesn't make me want to listen to his older material, but besides the sound of his voice here, I'm not sure if I wasn't given the best reasons in the world to generally pick this over any of that other stuff. How are you really gonna top stuff like "Life On Mars?" and "Moonage Daydream". And thus, I have proven the cover's point correct: his newer stuff will always be held up against his older stuff. It's like it can't win against any of it; the acclaim for ★ is proof enough of that, but... I guess that's the problem with call-backs and continuity like this. That's something else about the album's cover that I love; it makes a body of work feel more complete if it weaves throughout itself like that. The pitfall of that, though, is that you directly invite comparison to the past... Unless you're doing something truly spectacular, it won't be the best look. And I like this album enough that the comparison doesn't reflect too harshly on my opinion, but... Yeah. It's not **not** a thing. In the end, as a comeback for Bowie that proved that, well, he had nothing to prove, it more than did its job. And I wanna stress again: this **is** a good album, certainly worth your time if you like Bowie's early stuff. Hell, I'll probably revisit this album sooner than later. I just personally wouldn't put it too high in Bowie's echelon. And whenever I **do** come and revisit this album... It won't be the very next day, that's for sure.
I'm not a huge Bowie fan, but I really enjoyed this album. I love these modern twists on classical sounds. I don't think I'll ever enjoy a song about getting high to get through life, but this is the best one I've heard. A solid 4/5
Always 50/50 with Bowie. The good tracks are amazing, the bad tracks are awful.
Didn't listen to as much as I wanted to, but the songs I heard I liked, plus I love bowie anyway.
Feel ashamed I've never heard this beyond the single. Decent songs and his voice is great. A tad overlong. Strong late career stuff.
How in the world is this so good???? Stars Are Out Tonight, Love is Lost, Where are We Now literally one of the craziest runs ever. So much energy feels so alive. Sort of career spanning without being a nostalgia tour. (Shout out to the Earthling drums on "If You Can See Me"). Jesus Christ what a legend.
Fabulous!
This is what everyone's first David Bowie album is.
pretty good!
I actually really liked The Next Day. It is always interesting whenever this project has an album that was released several years after it's artist's prime and this one is certainly no exception. It still has a lot of David Bowie's trademark traditions including always having a special kind of energy to his songs and also having many art rock elements. I guess if i did have one issue with the album, then it would be the fact that the album is a bit sloppy in places where the compositions don't feel perfectly put together and the instrumentation doesn't help those moments. Other than that though, the songs are great and i still had a good time with this album. Best Song: Love Is Lost Worst Song: The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
This is a good album, but I don't think it should be on this list. It's not quite as good as he was at his height, but also feels a little weaker to me than "Blackstar." There are some interesting innovations on his sound, especially towards the latter half of the album, but most of this is pretty standard Bowie fare. It's still great music; I found "How Does the Grass Grow" to be my favorite piece. But essential? Probably not.
Just another prove of how David bowie is the greatest musician ever
David Bowie genial como siempre. No es de sus mejores discos para hay 3 canciones maravillosas.
pretty good. 3 or 4? its pretty energetic.RIP bowie.
I’d never listened to this, as my Bowie fandom was always early to mid-80s. This is very Bowie and I have s hunch it will grow on me with repeated listening.
Man, Bowie really could do anything couldn’t he? Far from his best album, but to be able to take in decades of experience & come out after a 10 year break & surprise release a new album with a new sound that still manages to reference those previous 24 albums? That’s an artist right there.
Strong finish to the album. Absolutely some solid songs. Really liked How Does the Grass Grow? and (You Will) Set the World on the Fire. 3.5 rounding up.
David Bowie - The Next Day Nice album coming from Bowie from what he would end up releasing years later with Blackstar. Really consistent all throughout, however it's highs are not as promineny as his all time classics. Overall though, this is pretty good! 1.- The Next Day = 8/10 2.- Dirty Boys = 7/10 3.- The Stars (Are Out Tonight) = 10/10 4.- Love Is Lost = 8/10 5.- Where Are We Now? = 9/10 6.- Valentine's Day = 9/10 7.- If You Can See Me = 8/10 8.- I'd Rather Be High = 7/10 9.- Boss Of Me = 8/10 10.- Dancing Out In Space = 7/10 11.- How Does The Grass Grow? = 9/10 12.- (You Will) Set The World On Fire = 9/10 13.- You Feel So Lonely You Could Die = 8/10 14.- Heat = 10/10 FINAL SCORE : 8.4/10
an aged bowie strains vocally to deliver some gems. still has that charisma. unfortunately, the production for the most part is stiffly pedestrian. the songwriting is still bowie though. striking imagery, confronts mortality, decay, identity crisis.
Nice
David Bowie's 12th best album is still pretty great 💫
sounds like a lot of old bowie albums merged together
Un Bowie que para sus últimos años todavía tenía una fuerza descomunal. No puedo juzgar el disco sin una segunda escucha. The next day y Stars mis favoritas. Revistas por favor. Nota: 3.9
David Bowie - The Next Day Album Review When David Bowie came back after a decade of silence with The Next Day, it felt like a magic trick—one moment, he was just a whisper of a rumor, the next, he was standing there, fully formed, holding an album that nobody saw coming. And, of course, it was good. Because Bowie doesn’t do bad. He could record himself reading a takeaway menu over a drum machine, and it would still be worth dissecting. But here’s the thing—The Next Day is good in a way that’s almost frustrating. It’s sharp, full of energy, and packed with moments of brilliance, but it never quite reaches the oh my god this is a masterpiece level that Bowie has conditioned us to expect. It’s the curse of being a genius—when you’ve made Ziggy Stardust, Low, and Scary Monsters, a merely very good album feels like an underachievement. That being said, there’s a lot to love here. The title track kicks down the door with the kind of force that says, Yeah, I’m back, deal with it, while The Stars (Are Out Tonight) is pure Bowie—eerie, catchy, and slightly unhinged. Where Are We Now? is the closest thing to a gut-punch, a reflective, weary ballad that feels like a man looking back on his own myth. Meanwhile, Valentine’s Day and Love Is Lost are proof that Bowie could still craft a tune that hooks into your brain and refuses to let go. The whole album has this weird, jittery, almost punkish energy, like he’s intentionally avoiding slipping into nostalgia, pushing forward instead of looking back. But as good as it is, The Next Day never quite reaches that untouchable Bowie level. It’s like watching a legend remind you why they’re a legend without necessarily giving you something that rewrites the rulebook. A 4/5 album from Bowie is still better than most artists' entire careers, but let’s be honest—he’s competing with himself, and when you’ve spent your life setting the bar in outer space, even a great album can feel like it’s just this close to something greater. Still, if this was Bowie proving he could still surprise us, mission accomplished.
after a good period of hearing stuff that bowie put out throughout the 70s, it's a nice change of pace listening to something he made from the 21st century. even with a much more modern production, he has the same sound even after all this time, rock music with a very otherworldly energy to it all. i just don't know why i can't fully get into a lot of his tracks. maybe i just haven't sat down and really immersed myself in what he writes, or maybe it's just a matter of taste. probably has one of the best instrumental sets of all the ones i've listened to. it's a real underdog in bowie's discography.
This is a good album. I listened to it twice but mostly in the background while I was doing other things. I give this a 3.5 but am going for a 4 because I know I want to listen to it again. Great Bowie sound and tracks that try to tell a different story throughout
Bowie at his lowest is still fucking great
Considering I didn’t know Bowie made this album, it was great
Decent
Good but quite mixed - the good songs were great, but a few misses in my opinion. Standout Tracks: - How Does The Grass Grow? - (You Will) Set The World On Fire - You Feel So Lonely You Could Die
Although not exactly “prime Bowie“ this still stacks up pretty well compared to other music of this era.
I mean it's David Bowie...hasn't disappointed me so far. I'm a new fan for sure
Not among Bowie's top works, but he certainly showed he could still make interesting music well into his 60s. He was definitely taken from the world too soon!
Never really sat through this one in full before. I think I'd need more listens to get right under the skin of it. On this evidence that's something I probably should try to do.
Love the sax on Dirty Boys. Overall very interesting piece from the tail end of Bowie’s life.
This list made me a huge David Bowie fan, but if I got this one earlier I probably would've rated it much lower.
As someone who isn't very familiar with David Bowie's work (yet) this album was the perfect introduction. Very solid.
This is the album that feels David Bowie just felt like creating a new album again, without feeling the pressure to create masterpieces or revolutionise a sounds. Just good rock music. And I appreciate it for that.
This was almost David Bowie last album and if it was this would be the wish of a circle. GreAt album.
Impressive. I like the previous few albums, but this was a big step up. It's probably 2 or 3 songs too long for me to consider it a masterpiece, but nevertheless it rules.
Everything this guy touched was amazing. I feel like Bowie has to be graded differently because everything would just be a 5 compared to most other bands.
solid album, but not his best. loveee him tho
Bowie is always awesome all of the albums are awesome
Makes me Sad when I listen to it, a musical genius and visionary even in the milk and cocaine period - timeless
Tend to only ever listen to 70's Bowie, but really enjoyed this one
For an artist that had such a long career this is a return to form.
This album/Bowie period always low key fascinates me as it’s effectively been written out of history. Despite how big and acclaimed this was on release, the subsequent all powerful combo of ‘Blackstar’ and his own death has seemingly made this album completely redundant. As such, this album has seemingly had no lasting cultural legacy, with all the songs largely forgotten. As I suspected, the album is only even in this generator on a technicality (it was included in the 2014 edition of the book and then removed from all subsequent editions once being made obsolete,) and as such it appearing to us is like a ghostly relic from a bygone age. Anyways, has this album always been this good? I’d liked it well enough beforehand, but something really clicked with me yesterday. There’s problems with it: It’s obviously too long, it probably could have done without ‘Boss of Me’ and ‘Dancing Out in Space’, it’s not even in touching distance of ‘Blackstar’ etc etc. My god though, the majority of the songs here are fantastic! Particular highlights for me are the raging and surprisingly virile title track, the menacing and all encompassing ‘Love is Lost’, the incredibly addictive ‘Valentine’s Day’ and the absolute insanity of ‘How Does the Grass Grow?’ I do also the like the way it has the vibe of Bowie taking a victory lap as he audibly has an absolute ball. Maybe my favourite thing about the album, is that it may surprisingly be the most 2013 sounding album ever? It’s deleted from memory standing may go someway in giving me a sort of hauntological pang when listening, but this has ‘2013’ burnt into the absolute core of its being. The reason behind this is probably due to the fact that despite James Murphy not having anything to do with this, the influence of ‘This is Happening’ era LCD Soundsystem hangs large over this album in the same way so many else from that period did. You can safely file this away with other long since forgotten 2013 albums that could only have been released in that specific year, like ‘Comedown Machine’ by The Strokes and ‘Reflecter’ by Arcade Fire (an album that is actually produced by Murphy and even features a cameo from Bowie on it’s one good track.) Good, underrated album though. Thoroughly enjoyed being given a reason to come back to it.
Classic, amazing bowie.
I enjoyed this - not peak Bowie but the frenetic energy at the beginning in particular is great.
Bowie is solid as always. I always like the popular stuff but began to really respect the man later in life. I am totally on a Bowie kick for a while. Great album.
4 because its bowie but more of a 3
The Next Day is a special album by a special rock/pop talent. Copy/paste to read more: https://tinyurl.com/aur2usy6
Very interesting as a late entry in Bowie's catalogue. I anticipate this one growing on me a lot.
Trochę Bowie stracił zęby na starość ł, przynajmniej w tej płycie. Wcześniejsze były mocniejsze, rewolucyjne momentami. Ta jest nieco wtórna i przyblakła. Ale z Bowiem jest jak z pizzą, nawet średnia jest dobra. 6.5/10 równane w górę.
I remember being disappointed by this back in the day. I mean, how can you even get invested in an album with such a lazy and uninspired album cover? Revisiting it over a decade later was a bit of a revelation. It fucking slaps.
Somehow I like this more than Heroes. I honestly love all 3 of Bowie’s last albums and consider his last surge extremely impressive.
I'm a huge David Bowie fan and I like this album enough to give it 4 stars but it's not one I can play randomly for enjoyment. It is one of his better later albums. If I'm not mistaken his 2nd to last. Between Let's Dance his career was certainly one of peaks and valleys and sometimes nothingness. This is truly an album everyone should listen to once but it's not doe everyone and any fan short of gate keeping would not recommend this to a newbie. That all I have to say so that's that.
12/23/24. Always thought this album sounded terrific. Bowie barely lost a step this late into his career!
Enjoyed this much more that expected... and I was expecting it to be a tedious endeavor. And as much as I like Bowie, I wanted to spite the curator of this list for their incessant Bowie fawning. That said, strong enjoy!
A good David Bowie album
For an artist that has a history of reinvention, there is nothing too radical about The Next Day: it's a Bowie album, it's bloody good. You can look too far and deep into meaning and symbolism over this final comeback. When it comes down to it, The Next Day is an a very decent album by an artist that knows what he is doing, and is happy to off glimpse of stardom, but then still tease with some of the guarded and coded lyrics. It's a little too long to be considered a genuine five star classic.
Another artist and I'd probably give it a 5 - but as its Bowie and he's at another level its probably a 4 as whist its very good it fall short of some of his other albums.
AND THE NEXT ALBUM AND THE NEXT AND ANOTHER ALBUM 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔥 Really enjoyed this album, I only half-listened to "Heroes" (album not song) while in call and gave it a 3, assuming that that rating is accurate, this one was much better. Bowie has a great voice, and the music lets him shine while also going hard. Great sound. Notable tracks: The Next Day - best track, banger, lyrics probably have some deep meaning Dirty Boys - cool riff Boss Of Me - the saxophone in this song could beat could beat up Stan Getz in a fight Dancing out in Space - groovy How Does The Grass Grow? - did he take inspiration from My Singing Monsters with this one? (yes it came out before the album)
I appreciate it, but The Next Day is far from my favorite Bowie. And, to be honest, when flipping through covers my brain forgot it was a separate record rather than a remix of Heroes.
I enjoyed it more then I expected to given that I'm not generally a fan of Bowie's later work. But does it really need to be on this list when peak Bowie was so much better?
Oh come on now, we all David Bowie is not really dead, and he's off in some underground city with the real Paul McCartney... In all seriousness, I thought it was pretty good.
going into this always having experienced a particular dislike for every single bowie song i've ever heard i was rly surprised to enjoy the first track on this record. i have been pulled in. i am a sucker for deliberate attempts at pushing songwriting somewhere it hasn't been before & a handful of tracks here are very obviously exactly that. that's commendable. i might just have to change my mind on this dead dude.
As I mentioned with the Blackstar review, I like this album better as a whole. Upon re-listen, it's still not a 5 but it's damn good. A couple of obvious tunes (Set the World On Fire? Yawn) cut it a bit, but that turn at If You Can See Me into Rather Be High is so good.
Really good album, but not up there with his classics, so not really one for this list.
I’d Rather Be High - than listen to this whole album again It takes until Where Are We Now to really get going in a way that I like and that feels like Bowie. Those first few songs feel too generically classic rock. But from then on, it is an enjoyable album. And it may not be doing anything new, but I think that’s okay, and part of the beauty of it. I don’t need Bowie to do anything other than make Bowie music. And I think given this came out after a long hiatus, that that was important for his fans. He even sort of addresses this in the first song, saying he’s not dead. Not only is he actually not dead, the idea of him and his style are not dead either. Best - How Does The Grass Grow? Worst - Dirty Boys
La carrera de Bowie deberia considerqarse como un solo album, donde este seria el momento de dejar atrás el pasado antes del final