David Bowie Will Release ‘Blackstar’ Album on His 69th Birthday

According to the article, the new LP “may well be the odd-est work yet” from The Thin White Duke, and in honor of these developments this week’s Spotify Playlist – Covering David Bowie – compiles 20 acts performing songs originally written by the influential artist.

Blackstar is not due out until January 8, Bowie’s birthday, but a few details have emerged. His last album, The Next Day, was released in 2013, and surprised everyone when it rose to No. 1 in the United Kingdom and No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the highest chart position ever for Bowie in the U.S.

The title track already has distinct differences from the new wave rocker’s last album, taking the form of an eerie/cryptic jazz-infused experimental ballad.

The single is a hefty 10 minutes long and includes Gregorian chants, a soul section, electronic beats and, of course, Bowie’s unique vocals.

The Times reports that the album was influenced by German bands Kraftwerk and Can.

For Bowie fans who are possibly hoping that the Young Americans singer will be going on tour to support Blackstar, that will likely not happen. Two weeks ago, United Kingdom concert promoter John Giddings revealed that Bowie had told him personally that he had retired from the road. Blackstar continues Bowie’s tradition of galaxy-inspired album titles, including Earthling, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Space Oddity.