Is It Any Wonder?
David Bowie · 2020
28 min · 6 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant blend of alternative rock and experimental soundscapes, infused with Bowie's signature theatricality.
Top tracks — play these first
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Baby Universal ’97 Start here — This track revitalizes an earlier Bowie composition with fresh production elements and showcases his ability to adapt his sound across decades.
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The Man Who Sold the World (Eno ‘live’ mix) — This reinterpretation blends live energy with ambient textures, illustrating Bowie's versatility and the enduring power of this classic song.
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Stay ’97 — Reimagined for a new generation, this version captures the essence of the original while introducing modern sonic layers that enhance its emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This EP revisits classic Bowie tracks with fresh mixes, balancing nostalgia and innovation.
What we noticed
- The EP features six tracks, all of which are reimagined versions of Bowie's earlier works, creating a sense of nostalgia.
- Each track employs updated mixes that maintain the original melodies while introducing new production elements.
- The sequencing begins with more upbeat tracks and gradually transitions to slower, more reflective pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective moments for introspection
- short bursts of engaging content
- haunting melodies for quiet nights
- sharp insights during focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking lengthy immersive experiences
- wanting upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Bowie's innovative sound posthumously, reflecting his lasting influence.
- Themes
- posthumous reflection· reimagined nostalgia
- Career context
- Released on Valentine's Day 2020, 'Is It Any Wonder?' marked a notable point in David Bowie's posthumous discography, showcasing previously unreleased tracks and remixes. This EP arrived nearly four years after his final studio album, 'Blackstar', further solidifying his legacy within the music industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brian Eno· Roxy Music· Talking Heads
Tracklist
- 1 Baby Universal ’97 Start here 3:13
- 2 Fun (Clownboy mix) 3:11
- 3 Stay ’97 7:31
- 4 I Can’t Read ’97 5:29
- 5 Nuts 5:22
- 6 The Man Who Sold the World (Eno ‘live’ mix) 3:35
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Ghosteen
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Both share a haunting introspection and reimagined themes of loss and memory.
A Moon Shaped Pool
Radiohead
Explores reflective atmospheres with layered production and emotional depth similar to Bowie's later works.
I Am Easy to Find
The National
Features a blend of nostalgia and haunting melodies, echoing Bowie's reflective lyrical style.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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