Album: Lodger

Introduction
"Lodger" is the 13th studio album taped by iconic British singer-songwriter David Bowie, released on May 18, 1979. The album marked the last collaboration between Bowie and distinguished manufacturer Tony Visconti in the Berlin Trilogy, a series of albums that started with "Low" (1977) and continued with "Heroes" (1977). Unlike its predecessor albums, which were mainly tape-recorded in Berlin, "Lodger" was mainly recorded in Switzerland at Mountain Studios and in New York City at the Record Plant. The album was a departure from the experimental and ambient noise of the earlier setup in the trilogy; it included a more standard tune structure and a new wave/post-punk visual.

Background and Production
Following the success of "Low" and "Heroes", Bowie and Visconti chose to even more press the limits of their musical experimentation and explore the emerging new age music genre. The album's development was affected by the duo's affection for German electronic band Kraftwerk and the growing hard rock motion in the UK. Motivated by the experiences of touring with his support band, the recording procedure was marked by spontaneous sessions and improvised jams, resulting in the structure and recording of a number of tunes within one session.

For "Lodger", Bowie got several partners from his previous albums to contribute to its sound, consisting of guitarists Carlos Alomar, Adrian Belew, and George Murray, along with drummer Dennis Davis. The album's noise was further improved by the usage of ingenious recording techniques and sonic adjustment by Brian Eno, who co-wrote the majority of the material, and Tony Visconti, who used his knowledge in the mixing procedure.

Music and Lyrics
Among the specifying characteristics of "Lodger" is its eclectic mix of musical categories. The album features a special fusion of new age, post-punk, world music, reggae, and art rock, showcasing Bowie's adaptability as an artist and desire to experiment with different styles. The album's 10 tracks are defined by their appealing tunes, engaging rhythm areas, and innovative use of guitar and synthesizer noises.

Lyrically, "Lodger" touches on a large range of themes, including cultural and geographical displacement, romantic vulnerability, and social worries. One of the most interesting aspects of "Lodger" is Bowie's experimentation with non-linear and non-traditional songwriting. Bowie used a method called "cut-up" to develop lyrics, where he would cut out words or phrases from existing texts, rearranging and juxtaposing them to form brand-new lyrics. This method lends a sense of unpredictability and poetic abstraction to Bowie's songwriting.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "Lodger" received blended reviews from critics, who valued the album's range and experimentation however were somewhat dissatisfied by its lack of cohesion and departure from the ambient soundscapes of its predecessors in the trilogy. The album did achieve industrial success, reaching # 4 on the UK Albums Chart and # 20 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

"Lodger" has actually considering that been reappraised by critics and fans alike, with lots of considering it an underrated gem in Bowie's extensive discography. Its influence can be heard in the works of bands like Radiohead, Arcade Fire, and LCD Soundsystem, along with in the continued popularity of the new wave genre. The album produced two struck singles, "Boys Keep Swinging" and "D.J.", and was reissued in 2017 as part of the "A New Career in a New Town (1977-- 1982)" box set, including a brand-new remix by Tony Visconti.

In conclusion, "Lodger" stands as a remarkable example of David Bowie's continuous reinvention and boundless creativity. While not as critically acclaimed as its predecessors in the Berlin Trilogy, the album's special mix of musical designs and ingenious songwriting techniques remain a testament to the artist's long-lasting influence and his capability to push the boundaries of music.