David Bowie's "Where Are We Now?" & 'The Next Day': The Return Of The Thin White Duke

Changesonebowie was an instrumental album in my upbringing, thanks to my dearly departed dad, and I was thrilled/shocked to learn that David Bowie is back with a new single and video, the wistful "Where Are We Now?" (a nostalgic look back at his time in the latter part of the '70s recording his Berlin Trilogy in Germany's capital city).



The song is up for grabs on iTunes as part of a pre-order for Bowie's upcoming 24th studio album The Next Day (out March 12). The cover of the LP is basically the cover of his 1977 album "Heroes" with a white block over Bowie's face brandishing the title.

Longtime Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti produced The Next Day, which has 14 tracks on the regular version and 17 on the deluxe:

1. “The Next Day”
2. “Dirty Boys”
3. “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)”
4. “Love Is Lost”
5. “Where Are We Now?”
6. “Valentine’s Day”
7. “If You Can See Me”
8. “I’d Rather Be High”
9. “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” (bonus)
16. “I’ll Take You There” (bonus)
17. “Plan” (bonus)

By the way, three David Bowie albums that will save your life at some point, if you choose to let them: Young Americans, Station To Station and "Heroes". No lie.

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My Conor Maynard & JoJo Interviews

Conor Maynard's debut album Contrast was released in the US today, while JoJo's second mixtape Agápē was made available for free download last month. I recently interviewed both for Idolator, and you can catch the write-ups below:

Conor Maynard
JoJo on Agápē
JoJo on her favorite albums of 2012 

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One Direction's "Kiss You" Video: The 10 Most Fucking Annoying Screen Grabs

There go my ovaries!

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Hurts: Here's A New Picture Of The Duo

I like this photo of Hurts. I just wish their lead Exile single "Miracle" didn't sound like such a Coldplay leftover.

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UK Chart Roundup: James Arthur Is Still Popular For Some Reason

Yep, this garbage is still #1. And according to the Official Charts Company, X Factor winner James Arthur's cover of Shontelle's "Impossible" has sold nearly 1 million copies in four weeks. Gold stars all around, UK!

The UK Top 10:

1. "Impossible" - James Arthur *3 weeks*
2. "Scream And Shout" - will.i.am feat. Britney Spears
3. "Gangnam Style" - PSY
4. "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Bruno Mars
5. "I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift
6. "Troublemaker" - Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida
7. "Stay" - Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko
8. "Diamonds" - Rihanna
9. "Don't You Worry Child" - Swedish House Mafia
10. "Beneath Your Beautiful" - Labrinth feat. Emeli Sande

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Hurts' New Single "Miracle" Sounds Like Coldplay

Sometimes you sit and listen to a new song, and you're all, wait, this sounds like an old song. This is one of those times. Para-para-paradise. Cause's I'm looking for a miracle. Cause I'm looking for a miracle. (Throw in a dash of "Princess Of China" while you're at it.)



Can we go back to the "All I Want For Christmas Is New Year's Day" sound, Hurts?

New album Exile out March 11.

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US Chart Roundup: Ke$ha's Career Is Dying Young

In the week following Christmas, when iTunes gift cards were used at full force — thus propelling older singles like PSY's "Gangnam Style" back into the Top 10 and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" back into the Top 40 (up to #27 from #43)  — several songs take a plunge.

First up is Swedish House Mafia's "Don't You Worry Child," which drops from its peak of #11 to #15. Pink's "Try" also dips from #13 to #18, while Kelly Clarkson's "Catch My Breath" falls six positions to #36 and Calvin Harris and Florence Welch's "Sweet Nothing" drops 14 spots to #40.

Meanwhile, One Direction's dull as shit "Little Things" is up to #33, making the dirge their fourth Top 40 hit in the States, following "What Makes You Beautiful" (#4), "One Thing" (#39) and "Live While We're Young" (#3).

On a final note, waaaaaay down the chart, Ke$ha's second Warrior single "C'mon" squeaks up to #97. Unfortunately, the album itself is languishing at #46 in its fourth week on the Top 200.

The U.S. Top 10:

1. "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Bruno Mars *4 weeks*
2. "I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift
3. "Diamonds" - Rihanna 
4. "Ho Hey" - The Lumineers
5. "Beauty And A Beat" -Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj
6. "Gangnam Style" - PSY
7. "Die Young" - Ke$ha
8. "One More Night" - Maroon 5
9. "Home" - Phillip Phillips
10. "Thrift Shop" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz

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