Following a heart attack on the tour for Reality, David Bowie took what proved to be an extended hiatus from recording and the public eye, leading some to wonder if he’d ever return to it. Then out of nowhere in early 2013 he announced The Next Day, scrambling many narratives. Musically it’s a continuation of the solid, experimental-at-the-edges studio rock of Reality, but thanks to a striking number of core songs, including the title track, “The Stars Are Out Tonight,” “Valentine’s Day” and the moody album closer “Heat,” it showed that his charisma was still fully intact.

– Ned Raggett