I learnt today that David Bowie did the backing vocals on this.

So I thought to myself - to the blog!

Arcade Fire by Reflektor

Arcade Fire are not a favourite band of mine, but I used to like them whenever I saw them crop up on live sets and festival lineups. They always had an incredible stage presence, and I really like the different instruments they used as well. It wasn't just standard guitars and drums — they’d be swapping between accordions, violins, glockenspiels, synthesizers, and French horns right in the middle of a gig.

So they get instrument points.

Formed in Montreal in the early 2000s by husband-and-wife duo Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, the Canadian ensemble exploded into international prominence with their critically acclaimed 2004 debut album, Funeral. Operating almost as a large musical collective—featuring core multi-instrumentalists like Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury, Jeremy Gara, Sarah Neufeld, and Win’s brother Will Butler—that line-up-shifting, all-hands-on-deck spirit has always been central to their identity.

"Reflektor", the title track from their 2013 album, is a sprawling seven-minute dance-rock track co-produced alongside James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.

David Bowie had been an admirer of the band since their early days (he even joined them on stage back in 2005). When Arcade Fire were mixing "Reflektor" at Electric Lady Studios in New York, Bowie dropped by to listen. He loved the track so much that he jokingly threatened to steal the song for himself if they didn't hurry up and finish it. The band immediately took advantage of the moment and asked if he'd sing on it instead.

His guest backing vocals kick in during the second half of the song. It's subtle, but once you know it's him, that distinctive Bowie tone is unmistakable.

They might not be a band I listen to every single day, but this track is disco.

As discussed it therefore earns dark disco points too.

With seal of approval from David Bowie, is a brilliant piece of music.