New Music Monday: Bowie, Clapton, Bon Jovi, and More

From gutsy, iconoclastic solo artists to fiercely independent veteran acts, this week looks like a great week for new music. The big news, of course, is that David Bowie has finally come out of hiding, emerging from a cloud of rumored bad health that surrounded him, not to receive a knighthood, but to unleash The Next Day, his first record since 2003's Reality. Critics have been going ga-ga about this record since word of it broke a few months ago, and it's easy to understand why. Not only did it seem very possible that we'd never hear from the Thin White Duke again, but both of the singles released so far, "Where Are We Now" and "The Stars Are Out Tonight", are vintage Bowie: cool, calm, collected, and about 100 years ahead of their time.

Another Englishman, Eric Clapton, resurfaces this week with Old Sock, an album dominated by cover versions of classic blues and jazz standards like "Goodnight Irene" and as well as a two original Clapton compositions: "Gotta Get Over" and "Every Little Thing". In true dad rock style, the record sports several crusty guest musicians that are sure to make Rolling Stone readers salivate: legends like Paul McCartney, JJ Cale, Taj Mahal, Steve Winwood, and Chaka Khan all lend their talents.

Other notable releases this week include Bon Jovi's latest excuse to sell out arenas around the world to nostaligc children of the 1980s. What About Now, is the band's twelfth release, which I think, ties the number of plastic surgeries Job Bon has had on his nose.

Music festival darling and serial naval starer Devandra Banhart Omm's out his latest effort, Mala, his first since 2009, this week as well.

Lastly, I'm really excited to hear the new release from Minneapolis punks Off With Their Head's Home, their third full length. If the debut single "Nightlife" is any indication, it's a fucking scorcher.