At midnight on David Bowie’s 66th birthday, musicians, artists, fans and cult followers of “Labyrinth” rejoiced as Bowie released news of his 24th studio album “The Next Day.” The album art recycles the eclectic picture of Bowie off of 1977’s “Heroes” with a white box over his face and the album title inside it. “The Next Day,” which started production two years ago, was recorded in complete privacy.

Bowie went so far as to swear all of those involved to secrecy, including longtime producer Tony Visconti who worked on 12 of Bowie’s 24 albums. The anticipated album is thought to be a sort of reminiscence on Bowie’s so-called “Berlin Trilogy,” the period in Bowie’s life where he began sobriety living in West Berlin.

The trilogy includes “Low,” “Heroes” and Lodger. The first single “Where Are We Now?” was released along with the announcement of the album and makes constant references to traveling in areas of Berlin, allowing the listener a somber, neutral feel into what life in the divided city was like.

Bowie always has incredibly diverse forms of inspiration for his music, including the generic formula of rock n’ roll and 1980’s Japanese fashion. The inspirations for the songs on this album are no less sporadic, as Bowie takes influence from such subjects as medieval English history, which Visconti says, “Believe it or not makes great material for a rock song.”

Most of the information released about the inspiration, process and production of the album was done so by an interview with Visconti, as Bowie has given no official word himself yet. Many truly believed that due to Bowie’s heart condition he would be in a more reclusive life, but Visconti said that Bowie told him, “I feel like writing again.”

While Bowie surely won’t be breaking out the singlet and face-paint anytime soon, fans are hopeful for a possible tour of the new album. However, Bowie has told his label that he has no intention of having a long album production, which would include not having a major tour to showcase the album.

Visconti says that Bowie may do a show here and there “if he feels like it,” though. It is very obvious that age and health has taken its toll on the timeless glam-rock star. After all, not everyone can be a McCartney or a Richards.

Regardless of Bowie touring, the highly anticipated album, weighing in at a total of seventeen tracks, is slated to release March 13 of this year under Columbia Records. It will no doubt contain the unique and diverse watermarks that make Bowie’s sound the rich and vibrant music that it is.