Bowie's Music: A Prophecy of Chaos

David Bowie's later artistic output is increasingly understood not as a lament for a lost era, but as a prophecy of contemporary chaos and fragmentation. His music, from the early 'Space Oddity' to the final 'Blackstar,' consistently depicted worlds overcome by violence, incineration, and disaster. This vision extended to political commentary, prefiguring aspects of modern societal divides.

Ormerod's book, 'Rebel's Guide to David Bowie,' reframes Bowie's extensive career through the lens of spirituality and religion. It traces his engagement with Anglicanism, Tibetan Buddhism, and occultism, analyzing how these explorations infused his art. The book particularly shines in its detailed examination of later albums like 'Heathen,' 'The Next Day,' and 'Blackstar.'

The analysis highlights that Bowie's creative drive stemmed from profound sources: life and love. Despite periods of isolation and an "incapacity to love" expressed in his music, he ultimately found solace in family and the acceptance of mortality. This perspective, characterized by a tendency towards negation, aligns Bowie with medieval Christian mystics.

Bowie's archive at the V&A East is presented as a modern reliquary, drawing parallels with medieval pilgrimage. The book argues that listening to Bowie's music is akin to attending church, underscoring that religion is not merely an influence but the very essence of his groundbreaking work.