David Bowie's new album is streaming for free

If you're a David Bowie fan, listen up: His first album in just over a decade is now streaming, for free, on iTunes. I've spent the past hour or so listening to the 14 tracks on The Next Day, and I have to say I'm pretty impressed. Trust me, you don't want to miss this opportunity.

Bowie's new album officially drops on March 12, 2013, but amazingly, it's streaming right now. Hit the iTunes store's home page and you'll see it, or you can just click here to begin the wild ride. I've been glamming out for the past 60 minutes, and will likely be listening as long as the stream stays up. Oh, and yes, The Next Day is available for preorder. I suspect if you're a fellow fan, you'll be jumping on this opportunity too.

Several tracks on The Next Day stood out immediately as highlights for me, including "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)," the trippy, eerie, second single from the new album. I actually like this song much more than the first single, "Where Are We Now?" in part because it feels more familiar. It's classic Bowie, in my opinion, and that's a beautiful thing. There is absolutely no mistaking the layered, distinct David Bowie rock sound.

And if you haven't seen the video for "The Stars (Are Out Tonight) ," you should. Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton is in it, along with a host of other stunningly creepy, stalkerish, androgynous models (and Bowie, of course).

You're either going to love this video, or really, really hate it. Personally I love it. Bowie's looking back at his own incredibly successful life with some trepidation, and Tilda Swinton is a scary woman with an electric carving knife.

Welcome back, Starman. I think this might be one of the best comeback rock albums I've ever heard. Have you listened to Bowie's new album, The Next Day? If so, what did you think?

Photo courtesy of Pitchfork.com