British rock icon David Bowie has broken a decade-long musical silence by unveiling new music and announcing a new album on its way in March.

The singer marked his 66th birthday on Tuesday by releasing the song Where Are We Now? as a music video on his website and via online retailer iTunes in more than 100 countries around the globe.

A reflective, slow-grooving ballad, the song was recorded in New York and produced by Bowie's longtime collaborator Tony Visconti.

It harkens back to the singer's time spent recording in Berlin in the 1970s. The accompanying music video, directed by Tony Oursler, features black-and-white footage of the German city when it was still divided.

Where Are We Now? is a "treasure" that appeared "as if out of nowhere," Columbia Records, Bowie's label, said in a statement.

"Throwing shadows and avoiding the industry treadmill is very David Bowie... [he's] the kind of artist who writes and performs what he wants when he wants."

A new album entitled The Next Day is slated for release in March.

Bowie has not performed live for years. His last musical release was his 2003 album Reality and many fans worried that he had retired from music.

During a career that has spanned nearly a half-century, the glam-rock legend has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide and influenced the worlds of music, fashion, art and pop culture with his rock 'n roll, androgynous style and memorable alter egos.

Tuesday's release sparked a flurry of online comment from friends and fans, including Bowie's son, filmmaker Duncan Jones.

"Would be lovely if all of you could spread the word about Da's new album," Jones posted on his Twitter account early Tuesday. "First in 10 years and it's a good 'un!"