Low- David Bowie
Released January 14, 1977
Low is an album that has flown under my radar until just this year…. And holy wow what an album! From the beginning “Speed of Life” is this intense instrumental that sets the mood of the whole album. Different and unique, nothing like David had ever made before with the assistance of Brian Eno and Tony Visconti producing.
“Breaking Glass” and “What in The World” are fantastic tracks. “Sound and Vision” and “Be My Wife” are some of my absolute favorites on the album. “Always Crashing in the Same Car” is always hard for me to listen to because of the context. Bowie struggled with a lot of depression at this time and apparently had an instant of driving around a parking garage like a maniac waiting for when he’d crash and well…. It’s heartbreaking and hard to listen to because I’ve been in that state of mind too many times to count.
The remaining tracks on the album are mostly instrumental but they are all phenomenal! Brian Eno had such a fascinating way of creating these little worlds contained in each song. “A New Career in a New Town” is such a fun piece I enjoy listening to whenever I’m excited about things in my life. “Art Decade”, “Warszawa”, and “Weeping Wall” are all fascinating little realms of emotions.
Then there is my beloved “Subterraneans”. I have a sneaking suspicion this will be my most played song of the year when I see my Spotify stats. I listen to it when I’m meditating, before I go to bed, when I get up, while I clean, while I work, etc. There’s something inherently relaxing about it and I consider it my comfort blanket song. David’s vocals on it are stunningly haunting, a nonsensical chant that doesn’t make sense logically but spiritually.
Lastly, regarding the creation of this, I know I didn’t place myself closer to the title but I had a laugh about it since I’m a mere 5’3” comparatively to David’s 5’10”. I kept it this way because of that. Short King things. ✌️