novabrkr said:

MattyJam said:

Album cover:

[img:$uid]http://virusfonts.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bowie_next.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 1/8/13 9:32am]

Oh, man.

http://virusfonts.com/new...er-design/

There has been much discussion surrounding the cover of the new David Bowie album The Next Day so thought I would answer a few questions that people have asked about it.

– Why not a new image for the cover?
We wanted to do something different with it – very difficult in an area where everything has been done before – but we dare to think this is something new. Normally using an image from the past means, ‘recycle’ or ‘greatest hits’ but here we are referring to the title The Next Day. The “Heroes” cover obscured by the white square is about the spirit of great pop or rock music which is ‘of the moment’, forgetting or obliterating the past.

However, we all know that this is never quite the case, no matter how much we try, we cannot break free from the past. When you are creative, it manifests itself in every way – it seeps out in every new mark you make (particularly in the case of an artist like Bowie). It always looms large and people will judge you always in relation to your history, no matter how much you try to escape it. The obscuring of an image from the past is also about the wider human condition; we move on relentlessly in our lives to the next day, leaving the past because we have no choice but to.

– Why “Heroes”?
If you are going to subvert an album by David Bowie there are many to choose from but this is one of his most revered, it had to be an image that would really jar if it were subverted in some way and we thought “Heroes” worked best on all counts. Also the new album is very contemplative and the “Heroes” cover matched this mood. The song Where are we now? is a comparison between Berlin when the wall fell and Berlin today. Most people know of Bowie’s heritage in Berlin and we want people to think about the time when the original album was produced and now.

– Why the white square obscuring the image?
We worked on hundreds of designs using the concept of obscuring this cover but the strongest ones were the simplest – it had to be something that was in direct contrast to the image underneath but that wasn’t too contrived (we know all design is contrived, that is the essence of the word ‘design’). It would have been clearer to many people if we had scribbled all over the cover but that didn’t have the detachment of intent necessary to express the melancholy of the songs on the album. Obscuring Bowie’s image is also reference to his identity, not only in the past when he changed endlessly but that he has been absent from the music scene for the past ten years. Was this an act to hide his identity or that he has simply become more comfortable with it?

– Why is there no colour?
The title of the album The Next Day evokes numerous reference points, notably Macbeth’s speech ‘Tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow ’ which deals with the relentless onward push that any unnatural position of power requires. It also has the existential element of Waiting for Godot with waiting for The Next Day – these all seem to question the nature of existence so a monochrome palette seemed most appropriate to this feeling.

– Why didn’t you do a logo, or new design of his name on the cover?
We wanted the cover to be as minimal and undesigned as possible, we felt the most elegant solution was to use the original one from “Heroes” and simply cross out the title of the old album. It has the detachment appropriate for the atmosphere of the new album.

– What is the font you used for the main title?
It is a new font that we are working on called Doctrine – this is the first major use of it. Doctrine will be released in the coming weeks at VirusFonts.

– What is Bowie like to work with?
He is quite a private person, so no need to say too much about him other that he is a pleasure to work with. Very intelligent, funny, serious when he needs to be and generous in his thoughts and actions.

– Is there anything else you can add?
Yes, having said all this, we know it is only an album cover with a white square on it but often in design it can be a long journey to get at something quite simple which works and that simplicity can work on many levels – often the most simple ideas can be the most radical. We understand that many would have preferred a nice new picture of Bowie but we believed that would be far less interesting and not acknowledge many of the things we have tried to discuss by doing this design. Finally we would like to give David Bowie great credit, he simply did what he always does which is to go with a radical idea and that takes courage and intelligence. That is why we love his music and love working for him.

I dig the cover.

This is simply amazing. Not only that he is back, but also that nobody knew nothing until today, and that today we have a new single out. It seens that the internet hasn't killed all the magic or the mistery. And it seems only Bowie could do something like this.

Fantastic news!

New Bowie & Prince in 2013!!!

Javi said:

This is simply amazing. Not only that he is back, but also that nobody knew nothing until today, and that today we have a new single out. It seens that the internet hasn't killed all the magic or the mistery. And it seems only Bowie could do something like this.

Exactly right. Unbelievable that they were able to keep this a secret up until the actual launch of the single. Truly amazing in this day and age. So exciting!!!!!

Any new fart by Madonna instantly becomes a sticky, and today we get the news that David Bowie releases new material, and it's just a regular thread?

Anyway, what a week! I've listened to the new Prince stuff yesterday and to Bowie's new song today - what's next, are they going to unearth an unknown Mozart symphony tomorrow?

NoVideo said:

Apparently that is Bjork with him in the video???

http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2013/01/08/david-bowie-turns-66-releases-first-new-song-in-a-decade-album-to-follow-in-march/

It’s a sad song about defiantly facing death and memory made more poignant by the direction of installation artist Tony Oursler. Only at the end of the video do you realize that Bowie, and the silent Bjork, whose head he is sharing shoulders with, have had their faces smooshed by sheer stockings, the way bank robbers used to do. At one point Bjork licks her lips as if to begin singing with Bowie, but the song ends without her voice joining his. Their pinched and grimaced faces say a lot about age and regret.

That is hilarious. I thought that was her but wasn't sure.

I am also so very excited about all of this.

The osng is rocking love it!!!!!

I love when an artists suprises like this

novabrkr said:

I doubt that's Björk.

That woman has two rather big moles on her face and I don't think Björk has those.

Not sure about what that guy's writing about the stockings on their faces either. At the end of the video they walk away from the "cut out" and there's nothing covering their faces.

the stockings are on the "cut outs", you can see still see them when Bowie and the woman are gone.

I'm SO happy!! FINALLY!!!

Funny thing is, yesterday on tumblr i said ''bowie come back please'' and HE DID!!! UNBELIEVABLE! Almost like he listened to me!!!!

Loving the new single!

Beautiful song, sounds like classic Bowie.

When I woke up this AM this is the first thing I heard on the radio. Everyone is buzzing about this on twitter. From out of the blue, did anyone know he was in the studio??

This is best news all year and of course new Prince for dayyyze

the song is GOOD, at least for "99-03 Bowie" standards

if anything, it could have been included in either Hours, Heathen or Reality; it has this modern adult-contemporary sound with some The Edge-like guitar licks

I assume this is the gentle/slow/reflective number of the album

damn, I assume the whole album will be gentle/slow/reflective but that's ok, this is probably Bowie's last album, or at least the beginning of his "last era"...is anybody expecting, at this point, new songs like Changes, Hang On To Yourself, Let's Dance or even Sound and Vision? this is the 66 years old Bowie, and damn he still sounds good for his age

during all these years I thought Bring Me the Disco King would be the very last Bowie song, (I gave up in 2010) but NOW, OUT OF THE BLUE, here's the new album the level of secrecy has been astonishing... how did he get away with it? NOBODY knew??? not even the insiders????

I guess Bowie has done it again, I mean, just another maverick move: 10 years in the wilderness, just watching the world changing (for the worse) and waiting for the right time to release a new album (a 2006-2007-2008 Bowie album would have probably been underappreciated, in my opinion), but not now: both the hardcore fans and the casual followers of pop/rock music are ecstatic, people HAVE NOT forget him

so that's it folks: the Duke is BACK, and suddenly the 2010-2013 world is a bit less sinister-sterile-unremarkable

I don't really like most of his work past Let's Dance but this song reminds me so much of him in his prime!

A really really really good song. A good choice for a single at face value (of course will have to compare w/ rest of album when it drops.)

I sorta feel bad for Prince. He had this whole viral marketing campaign planned (whether a good one or not that's another debate for the Prince board), and then Bowie swoops in out of retirement and takes all the online buzz.

It's kinda hilarious.

JoeTyler said:

during all these years I thought Bring Me the Disco King would be the very last Bowie song, (I gave up in 2010) but NOW, OUT OF THE BLUE, here's the new album the level of secrecy has been astonishing... how did he get away with it? NOBODY knew??? not even the insiders????

Kaiser Chiefs did this to me. No mention of new music then presto one day two new albums! Damn he really punked the press as well.

re the album cover, i really like it.

sure it could have been something completley new, but in a way it is.

At the very least its a very Bowie thing to do...

Very excited. I like the new song. I've been listening to Bowie all day. Couldn't believe it at first when I saw the album cover.

DAVID BOWIE ON TRACK FOR ...SINCE 1983

David Bowie is set for a No.1 single after topping the iTunes chart with his first new release in ten years, with 'Where Are You Now?' set to give the legend his first No.1 single since 'Let's Dance' in 1983.

The pop icon made the single available this morning (January 8 2013) before announcing that he plans to release his first studio album since 2003, The Next Day in March.

The lead single was already at the pinnacle of the iTunes chart by 3pm, overtaking artists such as Rihanna and Taylor swift.

66 today, Bowie has been out of the limelight for years whilst concentrating on family life in New York, but the news has led to rumours galore about a world tour and even on stage appearances with Mick Jagger.

Bookmakers have already released a series of special Bowie bets and slashed odds on The Next Day making the UK's No.1 spot.

The bookies were quick to give punters the latest odds on Bowie storming back to the top of the charts. With Bowie's single receiving worldwide critical acclaim within hours of its release, you could be forgiven for thinking a bet on the singer's success would be easy money.

Paddy Power have a David Bowie world tour in 2013 priced at 2/1, the shortest odds included in their Bowie Album Specials, meaning they are confident it is likely to happen.

Full odds given are below - with it looking likely there will be a payout on the UK No.1 odds already.

6/1 The Next Day to debut at UK No 1
33/1 The Next Day to debut at US No 1
9/1 The Next Day to have any UK No 1 singles
40/1 The Next Day to have any US No 1 singles
2/1 David Bowie to commence a world tour in 2013
7/1 David Bowie to perform 'Dancing In The Street' on stage with Mick Jagger in 2013

Bowie producer Tony Visco... new album

Tony Visconti has said that the new David Bowie album is "a rock album", saying he was surprised to hear the reflective and melancholic track 'Where Are We Now' released first.

Following the surprise return of Bowie to the music scene with a brand new album announced for March release yesterday (Jan 8), producer Visconti spoke to BBC Newsabout the album he has worked on and revealed what fans can expect to hear from the release.

Speaking about new single 'Where Are We Now?', Visconti said: "I think it's a very reflective track for David. He certainly is looking back on his Berlin period and it evokes this feeling… it's very melancholy, I think. It's the only track on the album that goes this much inward for him. It's quite a rock album, the rest of the songs, so I thought to myself why is David coming out with this very slow, albeit beautiful, ballad why is he doing this? He should come out with a bang. But he is a master of his own life. I think this was a very smart move, linking the past with the future, and I think the next thing you hear from him is going to be quite different.

Adding: "I've been listening to this on headphones walking through the streets of New York for the past two years, and I have not tired of a single song. I think the material on this album is extremely strong and beautiful, and if people are looking for classic Bowie they'll find it on this album, if they're looking for innovative Bowie, new directions, they're going to find that on this album too."

Speaking to BBC via Skype in New York, Visconti also spoke about the rumours surrounding Bowie's health, assuring fans that he is fit and healthty. "David is extremely healthy, he's rosy-cheeked, he smiles a lot," Visconti said. "During the recording he was smiling, he was so happy to be back in the studio. From the old days I recall that he was the loudest singer I've ever worked with. When he starts singing I'd have to back off, and go into another room and just leave him in front of a microphone, he still has that power in that chest and in his voice. We all know he had a health scare in 2003, 2004, but he's a very healthy man I can assure you, I've been saying this for the past few years. I couldn't explain why I know that, but I worked with a very healthy and happy David Bowie in the studio."

'The Next Day' will be released in the UK and most countries worldwide on March 11. Australia will get the albums three days earlier on March 8, while American fans will have to wait until March 12.

The album's standard edition contains 14 tracks with the 'Deluxe Version' adding three more. Both are available to pre-order on iTunes now.

aardvark15 said:

I don't really like most of his work past Let's Dance but this song reminds me so much of him in his prime!

Okay, I'm going to say it like it is. This song is in similar style as the slower songs from the last 5-6 years before his break (what many thought would be his "retirement"). If this song reminds people of his material from the 1970s that's fine, but if the material on albums such as "Hours...", "Heathen" and "Reality" didn't do that then you simply weren't listening.

It was worth waiting

xperience319 said:

Bowie producer Tony Visco... new album

Tony Visconti has said that the new David Bowie album is "a rock album", saying he was surprised to hear the reflective and melancholic track 'Where Are We Now' released first.


Speaking about new single 'Where Are We Now?', Visconti said: "I think it's a very reflective track for David. He certainly is looking back on his Berlin period and it evokes this feeling… it's very melancholy, I think. It's the only track on the album that goes this much inward for him. It's quite a rock album, the rest of the songs, so I thought to myself why is David coming out with this very slow, albeit beautiful, ballad why is he doing this? He should come out with a bang.

hmmm, I don't know what to think about that, a new rock album sounds good on paper ("Reality" was an upbeat ROCK album overall, and a mighty fine one at that), but I would prefer a "Heathen 2.0"...in other words, I don't truly want to listen a bunch of upbeat/fast rock songs like New Killer Star or The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell, Bowie's attempts at straight-ahead ROCK after "Diamong Dogs" have often been turgid and forced ("Tin Machine", anyone?)

It's a brilliant song and I listened to it about a zillion times yesterday. Finally I had to force myself to turn it off.

First of all it's just an absolutely thrill to hear from the man again. And Tony Visconti's description of the album has gotten me even more stoked.

The single is melancholy, powerful, the perfect low-key return. I love how it builds intensity as it goes, until the "... as long as there's me... as long as there's you..." I love the message of the song, and it sounds like it comes from someone who is at the stage in his life where Bowie is. It's a perfect song for him to realease to lead the project.

And I'm also utterly astounded at the secrecy behind this. People have been clamoring for Bowie for years and suddenly - with no prior announcement, no warning, not even the hint of a rumour, a new single drops with an album 2 months away? It's simply stunning and was a brilliant move. Apparently this album has been in the works for 2 years? There are a lot of good people that Bowie trusts that are good at keeping secrets.

Stylistically, yes it would have fit nicely alongside anything on Heathen, Reality or Hours, which is fine by me as I think all 3 of those albums - "Heathen" in particular - are stellar. "Where Are We Now" struck me far more powerfully than the first singles from any of those record, however. Perhaps it's the long wait, or the surprise of it, but I don't really think so... It's just a remarkably powerful track.

Cool article about the album cover. The press is in full-out freakout/admiration mode over this new single and project thus far. As long as the album doesn't totally suck (doubtful), he should be looking at his most successful project in many years.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2013/jan/09/david-bowie-new-album-cover