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
