Coming out nearly a year after David Bowie’s death, “No Plan” posthumously marks what would be the legendary musician’s 70th birthday and acts as the final piece in his expansive discography. Featuring a very slow tempo throughout and a lot of brass parts, this EP seems to have a very heavy jazz influence. The first song on the EP, “Lazarus,” was easily my favorite of the four. In some ways, it was a throwback to some of Bowie’s earlier work, such as the “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust,” with his lofty vocals and detailed lyrics carrying the soul of the song. The title song of the EP, “No Plan,” is an almost exact continuation of the previous song, relying heavily on a calm and mellow sound provided by a smooth, simple guitar riff and a saxophone melody. “Killing a Little Time” is definitely the hardest song on the EP in terms of sound. With a heavily distorted guitar riff playing throughout and a strong, fast backbeat, “Killing a Little Time” brings a grungier sound than what is found in the rest of the album. “When I Met You” is a song that relies heavily on a simple yet catchy chord progression with a mixture of some electronic elements thrown in. I believe that Bowie never intended these songs to be published and reach the light of day, which is why it could be considered sub-par in some cases. Die hard Bowie fans likely will find nothing wrong with the EP because of its uniqueness and because it is the final chapter for a character in music who had an influence for so long.
