Best Albums of 2016: This Year's New Classics

By A.D. AMOROSI

It has been a hard year for music with so many beloved icons passing away: David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Alphonse Mouzon, Merle Haggard, Prince, Sharon Jones, Leon Russell and George Michael are among the greats we've lost. Despite such sadness, 2016 was a year of brilliant and inventive recordings, two of which came from Bowie and Cohen, who died after releasing wise, world-weary work as last wills and testaments to their genius. They top our list of 2016's best albums: read on for my baker's dozen of this year's new classics.

Goodnight, Starman: Remembering David Bowie

David Bowie

By A.D. AMOROSI

David Bowie didn't seem like a man who would ever die, but rather go on forever-and-ever until he popped like a bubble or flamed out like a comet. Bowie was to me – and others like me who held his work as Pop scripture – a beacon, a prism, an avant-garde seal of approval. This wasn't just passive listening or a set of albums and shows – Bowie birthed a new world that touched on Burroughs, Rechy, Kubrick, Dylan, Czukay, Mackie, Brecht and beyond, without aping their sound and vision.

David Bowie Drops 'Blackstar' Single and Video, Launches 'Lazarus' Musical

David Bowie

By A.D. AMOROSI

Starting with the preview of his art theater musical Lazarus at Off Broadway's New York Theater Workshop, David Bowie fans are having their best week ever. On November 19, Bowie will drop his new single, ★ (pronounced "Blackstar") and its accompanying video, both from the album of the same name that will be released on January 8 2016, his 69th birthday. November 19 is the same day that Blackstar is available for pre-order, something fans should jump on quickly as differing packages featuring clear vinyl, die-cut covers and lithographs all sold in limited editions will be available at davidbowie.com.

Link Roundup, Style Edition: David Bowie, Justin Bieber, Clooney and Keibler, Lisa Vanderpump, Brandi Glanville, Yolanda Foster, OCD Collection

By GLAMOROSI

For this week's news roundup we're focused on style: David Bowie is at the V&A; George Clooney and Stacey Keibler at The Oscars; Justin Bieber and Damon Lindelof; Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH) stars Brandi Glanville, Yolanda Foster and  Lisa Vanderpump (who is headed to Dancing with the Stars - DWTS); shoes by OCD Collection, and thrift store demons courtesy Pat Robertson.

David Bowie Releases New Single 'The Stars (Are Out Tonight)', Video Features Tilda Swinton

David Bowie in the studio

By A.D. AMOROSI

David Bowie’s first album in a decade, The Next Day, comes out on March 12. You knew that already because we’ve written about this release zealously. Today, Bowie not only drops his second single, “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” from that album, but its accompanying video featuring Tilda Swinton. It’s a doozy.

New Film 'Lust for Life' to Explore David Bowie's Berlin Period with Iggy Pop

New film Lust for Life will cover David Bowie's Berlin period with Iggy Pop

By A.D. AMOROSI

For the third time in as many weeks comes an announcement of a new David Bowie project – this time it’s the development of a dramatic narrative film based on Bowie’s Berlin period. The film, titled Lust for Life, will explore the span between 1976 and 1979 when he wrote and produced songs for Iggy Pop and created his own legendary electronic-based masterpieces, Low and Heroes.

Duncan Jones Named as Director of 'World of Warcraft' Film

Director Duncan Jones (left) and journalist A.D. Amorosi

By A.D. AMOROSI

Between David and his son Duncan (Jones), you can't keep the Bowie family out of the news. Just three weeks after David Bowie's surprise announcement of his first new album in a decade, The Next Day, came word that Duncan Jones – Zowie Bowie to longtime fans – would direct a live-action film based on the wildly popular video game, World of Warcraft.

David Bowie Announces First Album in a Decade, Drops New Single and Video

David Bowie

By A.D. AMOROSI

This week David Bowie celebrated his 66th birthday (January 8) with gifts for his fans: news of his first album in a decade, The Next Day, with images of its cover and a track listing, the iTunes release of the record’s melancholy initial single, “Where are We Now?”, and that single’s oddball video.