David Bowie has released a new single ahead of his first new album in a decade.

The legendary singer released the song "Where Are We Now?'" on iTunes to coincide with his 66th birthday today, while the album The Next Day, will be available from March.

His son, film director Duncan Jones, announced the news on Twitter this morning. In a series of tweets, he said, "So... First off, its midnight in NY. That means, a HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY is in order to my very lovely, very talented dad! Been ten years since his last album.... Would be lovely if all of you could spread the word about da's new album. First in ten years, and its a good 'un! (sic)"

The single - produced by long-term collaborator Tony Visconti and written by Bowie and was recorded in New York - is accompanied by a video directed by Tony Oursler that pays homage to Bowie's time in Berlin, with his face projected onto the body of a puppet.

Bowie - who first shot to fame in the late 60s - has not performed live since 2006 and has rarely been seen in public since then. He turned down the opportunity to appear at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony in London despite a personal plea by director Danny Boyle.

"Throwing shadows and avoiding the industry treadmill is very David Bowie despite his extraordinary track record that includes album sales in excess of 130m not to mention his massive contributions in the area of art, fashion, style, sexual exploration and social commentary. It goes without saying that he has sold out stadiums and broken ticket records throughout the world during this most influential of careers," a spokesman said of Bowie's return. He added that Bowie was the sort of artist who "writes and performs what he wants when he wants."