David Bowie's The Next Day was recorded in secret in New York with producer Tony Visconti and unveiled unexpectedly on Bowie's 66th birthday, ending a decade-long absence from the studio. The surprise release quickly became a worldwide event, reaching number one in the UK and topping charts in 15 other countries. Combining sharp songwriting with a renewed sense of purpose, the album marked one of Bowie's most celebrated late-career achievements and earned him the Brit Award for Best British Male Solo Artist.