Track: "Where Are We Now?"

David Bowie has spent the last 10 years since his latest album largely in the shadows. The once flashy and dazzling glam rock superstar took some time to himself, moving away from music and dropping from the public view. There were rumors that he was having health problems and was on his way out.

But when he released “Where Are We Now?” and announced a new album out of nowhere on his 66th birthday, the music world knew he was back.

This slow, wavy ballad has an updated sound with influences from dream pop bands like Beach House. But the echoing guitars and lazy drums contrast Bowie’s unmistakable vocal style. “Where Are We Now?” starts slowly, but it builds to its triumphant end. And as Bowie sings “as long as there’s you” following a jumble of nonsense, it’s strangely reassuring. Bowie is back, and he’s speaking directly to whomever is listening.