David Bowie’s Unconventional First Interview On New Album ‘The Next Day’

David Bowie has given his first, and perhaps only, interview regarding his latest album The Next Day but, in true Bowie fashion, it’s not what you might expect. Rather than engaging in conversation, or even answering a question directly, Bowie has offered up a list of 42 words that apparently describe The Next Day.

The whole thing came about when American novelist Rick Moody wrote to Bowie asking for a “work flow diagram” on The Next Day. As Moody reveals on The Rumpus, Bowie replied with the following list, offering no further explanation behind his choices.

The Thin White Duke being as kooky as he is, he doesn’t just use adjectives to make his point – he employs NOUNS as describing words too! (*shakes head*) Crazy Bowie! Apparently the words ‘pressgang’ (“a group of men employed to forcibly enlist others into miltary service”) and ‘miasma’ (“an unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapour”) are meant to give us a sense of what went into making The Next Day.

Dave must be a real pain at productivity meetings. Read along, scratch your head and enjoy.

David Bowie’s “work flow diagram” for The Next Day:

Effigies

Indulgences

Anarchist

Violence

Chthonic

Intimidation

Vampyric

Pantheon

Succubus

Hostage

Transference

Identity

Mauer

Interface

Flitting

Isolation

Revenge

Osmosis

Crusade

Tyrant

Domination

Indifference

Miasma

Pressgang

Displaced

Flight

Resettlement

Funereal

Glide

Trace

Balkan

Burial

Reverse

Manipulate

Origin

Text

Traitor

Urban

Comeuppance

Tragic

Nerve

Mystification

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