At TMT, we pride ourselves on our make-'em-or-break-'em powers. On a daily (hell, hourly) basis, the fate of so many artists rests in the clammy palms of our taste-making hands that sometimes we're overwhelmed. We've all learned that $500-million lesson about the relationship between power, responsibility and all that dribble, but the bottom line is that it's difficult. Sometimes we're forced to just roll the dice on an artist, and it ends up paying off for us both. I mean, come on, do you really think we've ever heard a whole Björk record? But we gave her the go ahead and sister just caught on. We come out looking like we've got the foresight, and now she's got the big video budgets. Like I said, it's win-win. But sometimes, you hear something and you just know.

David Bowie is that kind of performer. This guy is a phenomenon waiting to happen. Just look at the guy! That hair, those suits... those nostrils. The look screams success. Plus, I hear he rolls with TV On The Radio and The Arcade Fire. Anyway, so homeboy's putting out two (2!) albums June 5 and had the balls to call one of them The Best of David Bowie 1980-1987. Irony's one thing and retro's another, but I smell Best New Music. The second CD is called Young Americans, and this guy must've enlisted Girl Talk to work some mash-up magic because he's rolling with John Lennon AND Luther Vandross. But don't think this man can't rep the 21st century, as both CDs come with DVDs. Throwback style with a fresh twist; the kids'll eat this up.

Here at Tiny Mix Tapes, you hear it first:

Young Americans: Special Edition (CD/DVD):