Huge New David Bowie Box Set Contains His Final Years

David Bowie’s legacy and his final years in music are being lavishly celebrated in the form of a comprehensive box set titled I Can’t Give Everything Away (2002-2016). This set serves as the sixth installment in a series of posthumous releases that commemorate various phases of Bowie’s career, with this edition focusing on his work from 2002 until his passing in 2016. It is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025, and is already available for pre-order. The collection is available in multiple formats including an 18-LP vinyl box, a 13-CD box, and digital download/streaming options. The physical editions are bundled with a hardback book filled with previously unseen notes, drawings, and handwritten lyrics from the legendary artist.

Included within this monumental release are remastered versions of Bowie’s final studio albums, like Heathen (2002), Reality (2003), The Next Day (2013), and the Grammy-winning ★ (Blackstar) (2016), a record released just days before his death and often interpreted as Bowie bidding farewell. The box set also incorporates the No Plan EP, posthumously released in 2017, which compiles songs from Bowie’s theatrical project Lazarus. Notably, the set also features exclusive recordings from the Montreux Jazz Festival, a concert experience long anticipated by fans of Bowie’s exhaustive live performances. This aspect of the box set adds another layer of depth, capturing Bowie’s on-stage prowess and interaction with audiences during these final years.

Tony Visconti, Bowie’s long-time collaborator and co-producer, has played a significant role in the project, providing input on remasters and contributing to the book included with the set. Visconti’s history with Bowie stretches back decades, and his insights into these final years help provide context to the music. Discussing the acoustic challenges and his approach to studio recording which echoed their earlier work in Berlin, Visconti noted the influence of their past collaborations, which continued to inform their later projects until Bowie’s final days.

The accompanying book offers fans a treasure of visual and written material, including photos by renowned photographers like Masayoshi Sukita and Jimmy King, enhancing the reflective experience of listening to Bowie’s closing years of innovation. Pieces of memorabilia, design notes, and technical insights enrich the understanding of Bowie’s last projects and keep his vibrant personality alive for new generations of listeners.

Each edition in the box set is meticulously designed, with the vinyl edition pressed on 180g audiophile-grade disks, reflecting a commitment to quality that mirrors Bowie’s own standards. Despite the album’s weighty scope, with only four studio albums amidst a broader array of live recordings and rarities, it offers a profound dive into a crucial, transformative phase of Bowie’s career.

I Can’t Give Everything Away (2002-2016) provides a robust opportunity for Bowie enthusiasts to own a curated collection of his latest works, fully appreciated for their historical, cultural, and personal significance. It is both a celebration of the artist and a chance to explore his late-stage creativity in a comprehensive, thoughtfully assembled package. As this is the last box set in the era series, it stands as a testament to David Bowie’s unparalleled artistry and influence, ensuring that his innovative spirit will continue to inspire across generations.