New Bowie LP, single

MODERN LOVE: David Bowie has been out of the public eye for so long that many assumed he’d quietly retired. Well, they've got another think coming. The artist once variously known as Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane and the Thin White Duke has written and recorded his first album in 10 years. It’s a 17-track affair he’s titled The Next Day, hitting March 12 on Columbia. Can’t wait to hear what he sounds like these days? You don’t have to—lead single “Where Are We Now?” a low-keyed but emotionally intense ballad is streaming as a music video on his website and is available on iTunes. Here’s the tracklist:

01. The Next Day
02. Dirty Boys
03. The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
04. Love Is Lost
05. Where Are We Now?
06. Valentine’s Day
07. If You Can See Me
08. I’d Rather Be High
09. Boss Of Me
10. Dancing Out In Space
11. How Does The Grass Grow
12. (You Will) Set The World On Fire
13. You Feel So Lonely You Could Die
14. Heat
15. So She*
16. I’ll Take You There*
17. Plan*
* bonus tracks

The announcement comes today, on his 66th birthday. Gotta hand it to the label and the Bowie camp for keeping things so hush-hush in this age of no secrets. (1/8a)