"Reality" is the 24th studio album by English musician David Bowie, released in Europe on September 15, 2003, and in the United States the following day. This was Bowie’s second release on his own ISO label, with the album produced by Bowie and his longtime collaborator Tony Visconti. It was recorded between January and May 2003 at Looking Glass Studios in New York City, featuring many members of his then-touring band.
The album marks a return to a more straightforward rock sound compared to its predecessor, Heathen (2002). Reality includes covers of the Modern Lovers' "Pablo Picasso" and George Harrison's "Try Some, Buy Some," along with the track "Bring Me the Disco King," which had been written as early as 1992. The thematic focus of the album revolves around reflections on aging and the portrayal of despaired characters, while the cover artwork depicts Bowie as an anime-style figure, suggesting that reality had become an abstract concept.
Reality was released in various CD formats and achieved commercial success, reaching number three on the UK Albums Chart. However, it did not perform as well in the US, peaking at number 29. The album was supported by the A Reality Tour, Bowie’s largest and final concert tour, which was cut short due to his hospitalization for a blocked artery. This tour marked Bowie’s final major public engagement before he retreated from the limelight. Reality was Bowie’s last album of original material for ten years until the release of The Next Day in 2013.
