David Bowie unveils music video for first single from new album Blackstar... and 'reintroduces Major Tom'
David Bowie has unveiled the music video for his new single Blackstar, taken from the album of the same name.
A 9:59 minute music video for the song was released on Friday, and has racked up nearly half a million views.
The video begins on a distant planet, where a decomposed astronaut can be seen lying on a rock, where a young woman discovers him - before Bowie appears on screen.
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Musical return: David Bowie has unveiled the music video for his new single Blackstar, taken from the album of the same name
Fans could hardly contain their excitement about the new video, with one commenter writing: 'This is the most exciting 10 mins of musical promo I've possibly ever watched - or heard ! Pure Art' [sic].
Another added: 'Its confirmed now: Bowie is a f**king genius.'
One enlightened others as to the plot of the film, writing: 'This completes the trilogy: Space Oddity (introduction of Major Tom), Ashes to Ashes (the resurrection of Major Tom), BLACKSTAR (the god status of Major Tom). Well done Dave!'
Starting off: The video begins on a distant planet, where a decomposed astronaut can be seen lying on a rock, where a young woman discovers him - before Bowie appears on screen
Excitable: Fans could hardly contain their excitement about the new video, with one commenter writing: 'This is the most exciting 10 mins of musical promo I've possibly ever watched - or heard ! Pure Art' [sic]
While another speculated: 'Major Tom died and fell into that planet,the local people began to believe he was a god and Bowie character is the "prophet" of the religion.' [sic]
The music video's release comes after the British performer, 68, unveiled the album's artwork as well as a teaser trailer for its lead single, while also making the album available for pre-order.
Blackstar - the first single - was seen for the first time on Thursday evening on Sky Atlantic, but was released globally on Friday.
Popular music video: A 9:59 minute music video for the song was released on Friday, and has racked up nearly half a million views
Possible plot? One wrote: 'This completes the trilogy: Space Oddity (introduction of Major Tom), Ashes to Ashes (the resurrection of Major Tom), BLACKSTAR (the god status of Major Tom). Well done Dave!'
New artwork: David Bowie unveiled exciting details about his upcoming 2016 album, Blackstar, on Thursday
Directed by Johan Renck, the short film aired before episode 2 of crime show The Last Panthers at 8.45pm.
The jazz-inspired album of the same name will be released on his 69th birthday - 8 January 2016.
Blackstar - his 26th studio album - was recorded with local jazz musicians at the Magic Shop studio in New York, and according to The Times the album is Bowie's 'oddest work yet'.
Upcoming release: The British performer, 68, unveiled the disc's artwork as well as a teaser trailer for its lead single, while also making the album available for pre-order
Musical comeback: The single - called Blackstar - was seen for the first time on 19 November on Sky Atlantic, before its global release tomorrow
'He's made an album of long, jazzy jams mixed with the kind of driving beat pioneered by Seventies German bands Can and Kraftwerk,' wrote Will Hodgkinson.
A source added that the album will contain 'Gregorian chants, a soul section, various electronic beats and bleeps and Bowie's distinctive vocals.'
There are seven songs on the 45-minute album - the title track on its own being 10 minutes long.
TV slot: Directed by Johan Renck, the short film aired before episode 2 of crime show The Last Panthers at 8.45pm
Special day: The jazz-inspired album will be released on his 69th birthday - 8 January 2016. It's his 26th studio album
Jazz influence: Blackstar was recorded with local jazz musicians at the Magic Shop studio in New York, and according to The Times the album is Bowie's 'oddest work yet'
German-inspired: 'He's made an album of long, jazzy jams mixed with the kind of driving beat pioneered by Seventies German bands Can and Kraftwerk,' wrote Will Hodgkinson
Exciting: A source added that the album will contain 'Gregorian chants, a soul section, various electronic beats and bleeps and Bowie's distinctive vocals'
Long album: There are seven songs on the 45-minute album - the title track on its own being 10 minutes long
He's back: It's his first new material since the 2013 release of The Next Day, which topped the UK album chart following its 8 March launch
It's also the theme tune for Sky Atlantic show The Last Panthers.
Blackstar is Bowie's first new material since the 2013 release of The Next Day, which topped the UK album chart following its 8 March launch.
The album artwork for the CD version is a black star on a white background, with a dismantled black star beneath, while the vinyl version features a slate-grey star on a black background.
One for the collection: The album artwork for the CD version is a black star on a white background, with a dismantled black star beneath
Quirky: The vinyl version of Blackstar features a slate-grey star on a black background
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