The always innovative David Bowie, who most fans thought had permanently retired from the business, shocked the world when in January, on his 66th birthday, he announced he’d completed a brand new studio album. As a teaser, he premiered the plaintive single “Where Are We Now?” on the same day, and the first full-length of fresh Bowie material since 2003’s Reality arrived in March. The Next Day (Columbia Records) proved well worth the wait, a spectacular batch of new compositions that finds Bowie in fine form; his vocals are strong and expressive, and his lyrics are as elusive and cryptic as ever. The album opens with the title track and gets things off to a rousing start. Blistering guitars match Bowie’s forceful snarls and that’s just the beginning. The album continues its ascent, not only ranking as a sterling comeback but as one of Bowie’s strongest efforts of the last few decades. Short, streamlined songs benefit from the spectacular playing that longtime Bowie band members provide. Add in the wizard production of longtime collaborator Tony Visconti and The Next Day shapes up to be a memorable Bowie release, not to mention a welcome comeback. —Gabe Echazabal
This article appears in May 23-29, 2013.