David Bowie's second single, "Lazarus," premiered on Steve Lamacq's BBC Radio 6 Music show last month. Today, the singer shared the official music video for the track, which you can watch above. The song is from his upcoming album, Blackstar (aka ★).
The music video was directed by Johan Renck, who also directed the singer's video for "Blackstar." The odd clip shows Bowie in an institution of some kind (likely a mental ward), singing the song. He's wearing the same head bandage as in "Blackstar," and it appears that the same skull makes a cameo appearance in this video as well.
In a press release on David Bowie's official website, the director shared a comment about working with Bowie on the video:
One could only dream about collaborating with a mind like that; let alone twice. Intuitive, playful, mysterious and profound... I have no desire to do any more videos knowing the process never ever gets as formidable and fulfilling as this was. I’ve basically touched the sun.
Musically, "Lazarus" is a relaxed, mid-tempo number with warm organ and sweeping saxophone parts that are peppered with jazz flavorings. Background sound effects add depth, and a firm bassline sprawls across the fretboard. It's not as bizarre as the 10-minute first single from the album, "Blackstar," but it's still pretty eclectic and very Bowie-esque. This music video version of "Lazarus" clocks in at 4:08, which is significantly shorter than the audio single version that stretches to 6:25.
Bowie has also co-written a new musical with Tony-winner Enda Walsh called Lazarus, which opened Off-Broadway in New York City last month and is set to run until January 20. For more information, and to buy tickets, head to NewYorkCityTheatre.com. A press release describes the production:
Lazarus is based on the classic sci-fi novel The Man Who Fell to Earth by Walter Tevis. Bowie himself played the lead role in Nicolas Roeg's 1976 movie adaptation, starring as a hollow-eyed humanoid alien (this was during Bowie's Thin White Duke phase) who comes to the earth in search of water for his draught-ridden home planet.
Blackstar is scheduled for a January 8, 2016 release via Columbia Records. Pick it up on Amazon (Vinyl, CD, MP3).
For the latest music, news, and tour dates from David Bowie, check out his Zumic artist page.
Source: David Bowie VEVO YouTube