Blackstar

Whatever this style is, I didn’t like it. The sound, the instrumentation, the rhythm, it did not fit my taste However, I respect the fact that this was David Bowie's last album and it faces a lot of deep topics like death. So I will bump it up to 2 stars because of this. I think the whole thing just went over my head a bit, not really sure.

excellent. wow!

Abstract, dark, compelling. Not every song hits equally but they all contribute to a rich, unsettling atmosphere. The jazzy instrumentation fits very well. A swan song for an artistic giant. Best song: Lazarus

Dette albumet er så meta

This is such a great album. It's got such a good blend of sounds on it that it doesn't fit neatly into any genre, or really match anything that he's done in the past.

I haven't listened to this in a few years. It is still fucking great. It's not quite perfect, but it's really fucking good and I should put it on more often. 4.5/5

Heartbreaking yet invigorating, this is as perfect of a way for Bowie to say goodbye as possible. B+

9/10, love Bowie

Had this album down as a 5-star album. Listening to it again after six years or so, I still believe the album is better than its predecessor (4 stars) with more 5-star songs, but no match to DB's best work. The Next Day: 4 stars (7/10) Blackstar: 4 stars (8/10).

Bowie's farewell album. I hope he's had a safe journey back to the far away galaxy he came from.

Admirable record from Bowie in his last days. Great supporting band too with some intense saxophone playing.

Enjoyed most of this one. Lazarus and I can't give everything away were highlights for me.

This was the first Bowie album I've listened start to finish and must say this is a masterpiece he left us with

I was skeptical when it came to a new David Bowie album. It was actually pretty good!

This is an interesting one. Bowie was pretty hip for putting this out right before his passing. I liked the inclusion of the sax in some of the songs. The drums were kinda neat and I liked the synth in Blackstar. I wasn’t expecting Bowie to be singing about his cock in that one song and some of the other swearing he did. It was no Ziggy Stardust but also I respect that this was at the end of his career and he should get to work on what he wants!! During this era of Bowie, Arcade Fire also had him sing in Reflektor, and I was reminded of that track while I listened to some of this.

Pretty weird but I enjoyed it.

There's stuff to be enjoyed here but for the most part I'm unenthused.

This is one of my favourite Bowie albums. Probably 3rd behind Low and Aladdin Sane. One of them records that got a tonne of hype and managed to live up to it for me. I’m a sucker for anything experimental though, so perhaps I’m biased. And James Murphy was involved so I’m definitely biased. It’s certainly not like his more glam records, but highlights how ridiculously versatile/ talented he was.

Like Leonard Cohen's last album, very heavy to listen to someone who knows they are about to die. Musically I thought it was pretty strong, Bowie treads the line between wanky and interesting pretty well. Would preferred it a bit more rocky and a bit less jazzy but would listen again.

I found this difficult to pin down - I'm not a Bowie fan, so I didn't know what to expect. I've definitely heard the album before, but in the background so I gave this a proper listen. One one hand, indulgent, but on the other, lyrically startling. Not maudlin, which was nice. Title track is cracking.

I think I'm learning I don't really like Bowie's albums. I'll happily listen to the odd single but his music/style is not for me. At only 41mins I really had to fight through each song. It all sounded so random and incoherent to me.

This was obviously a pretty momentous way to go out, and I think that makes this album greater than it actually is. Very abstract. I don't think this is anywhere near as good as his other albums we've had on this list, but I dont dislike it. He's certainly been through a lot of styles in his career I think Lazarus and I can't give everything away are the highlights

This was an interesting album. Dark atmospheres and I found myself enjoying most parts of the album, but occassionally the vocals would be too much. Glad I listened to it.

One of the best albums on the entire site. I'm a Bowie noob but this album is just incredible. Sometimes it takes me awhile to really know if I love an album but I instantly loved this one. I even listened to it twice before I reviewed it. I'm really glad he could end his legacy this well. People giving this album a 1 as if it's honestly the worst music they've ever heard is so fucking funny to me. Score: 100 Art: 70

The Death Grips inspired swan song - this is my first listen, and wow, it was amazing. The sound is incredibly unique and fresh, l loved all the saxophone. What a great finale to your life. Favorite tracks were Blackstar and Girl Loves Me.

A decent Bowie album. Modern. I enjoyed the song Lazarus a lot.

The composition of the songs is very cool. I liked the Saxophone parts a lot. But I do not like Bowie's voice much.

Having the hindsight that Bowie released this album knowing it would likely be his last does tend to skew one's appreciation of it. Overall it is a good album with many outstanding tracks, but listening with the knowledge of his illness does pull on the heartstrings a bit more than if it wasn't his parting musical work.

LP

pretty good

Pretty big bowie fan but first time I am listening to this. Definitely solid but wont be what I reach for if I want to listen to bowie.

As I read more and listened more to this album, I appreciated it more. It’s still a little eerie to me that this was released two days before his death. I do think this is a really good album, but it’s still not an album I really enjoyed.

transcendent. a perfect capstone to david bowie’s life. it is at once experimental and grounded, perfectly and nothing like anything before it

5.0

While I consider myself a big fan of Bowie, I didn't connect with most of the work he put out during the last 30 years of his career. Some of his later albums were downright bad, some were quite good but inconsistent. Which is why I was so enthralled by how much I loved the entirety of this album, and how bittersweet I felt when he passed two days later. What a gorgeous, passionate, fitting send-off for one of music's most incredible personalities. The titular "Blackstar", his second-longest track after "Station to Station", deserves that honor. I truly believe it to hold up among his best, most interesting works. Tracks like "Sue" and "'Tis a Pity..." have Bowie sounding as badass as ever. And songs like "Lazarus", "Dollar Days" and "I Can't Give Everything Away" break my heart on every listen. Tony Visconti really outdoes himself with the production here, ending his nearly 50 year partnership with Bowie with style. The horns sound incredible. All the instrumentation does, to be honest. The effects interspersed throughout the tracks give it such a cool feeling, a vibe I can't pin down but that hasn't been present on Bowie's albums since the dawn of the corny 80's. I don't know if anything I said here makes sense. I'm just ranting. I adore this album. I can't believe how perfect of a goodbye this album is. This really cemented Bowie's legacy as one of the coolest to ever do it.

A spectacular, infectiously groovy, melancholic, yet beautiful, swan song.

Un 4 porque es Bowie, pero me ha aburrido un poco.

not for me but it was ok

I've been very lukewarm on a lot of the previous Bowie albums on the list. However something about this one appeals to me, I don't find it as pretentious as some of his earlier stuff, and the songwriting seems a lot more interesting to me. The title track is great

Highkey gave me the heebie jeebies. I couldn't get all the way through any of the songs cuz to me they just sounded so creepy... also kinda freaked me out since he died days after releasing it. But he was a legend, and I appreciate this album as his final word of sorts.

Favorite Song: Probably ⭐️ (Blackstar???). I liked it better than Young Americans. It’s neat that he wrote as almost a thank you letter to fans while dying of cancer. Musically though, it doesn’t stand out to me.

love him

His last and one of his best albums. An absolute masterpiece of an album. Something missing in modern music of the experimental never overshadowing the tunes and the songs. A heartbreaking album but an amazing parting gift from one of the greats.

Bowie was writing from the heart with the intent of giving his last farewell. Quite an emotional album no one was prepared for but we all appreciated.

Seems like there's some poignancy here but there's really nothing on here that I would want to listen to again.

Bowie + experiments = stunning! I loved this.

I like that they printed the rating of the album in the cover.

Makes me sad because I listened to it when it came out and then he died. Great album.

Crazy to listen to this album looking back. It was released two days before his death. The album has a dark and at times desperate feel. It's very much my kind of music, but has a seriously elevated impact given how close this music was to him passing away. What an icon David Bowie was and is.

Blackstar was one of the first albums I ever listened to all the way through instead of just hearing highlights or whatever was played to me. I saw the music video for the titular track at school and was fascinated by the imagery and lyrics of the song. Bowie’s death and the idea of recording an album knowing he was dying also struck me as such an interesting choice, especially when the public didn’t know about his condition. I’ve listened to a lot of Bowie since then, but nothing compares to Blackstar for me. The combination of jazz and rock really captured my interests at the time, and much like Johnny Cash’s late work there is a wavering vocal quality age provides that is hard to mimic but adds such weight.

23.04.23. Альбом величайшего музыканта всех времён, написанный, когда тот находился на волоске от смерти. Я не заслушивал Blackstar до потери сознания, но смог проникнуться им и сделать некоторые выводы. Это прекрасная работа, которую должен заценить каждый меломан. Музыка на альбоме невероятно честная и искренняя. Она открыто делится со слушателем своими чувствами и эмоциями. Однако, помимо грамотно переданного настроения, данная пластинка также может похвастаться очень красивыми аранжировками и эклектичностью.

Я АЖ ЖОПУ ПОРВАЛ ПОКА СЛУШАЛ КАК КЛАССНО ААААААААА

An absolutely shattering conclusion to a remarkable career.

Pity She Was a Whore: Pity this song sucks more balls than she did, just 5 minutes of noise Maybe his other works are good, but this album does not show me why David Bowie is worshipped like some sort of musical god. This is some degenerate with an above average voice making weird nonsense.

I didn't listen to this when it came out but it truly is a one of a kind album. On top of that I don't think it had a single song I didn't at least like and 3 or 4 very good songs. The eerie nature of the album and the melancholy feeling you get from the lyrics really does make it completely unique.

The writing is good, the percussion is good, but the reality is Bowie just cannot perform vocally on this album, which means too much is just using instruments to fill time. I understand that theres reasons for why he cant perform. But it just makes the album unlistenable for me, also Blackstar the song is just terrible.

Not what you come to expect of Bowie but Blackstar is a pretty impassioned and pained listen, in a compelling way. Not excellent, has some moments of meh, but warrants a high 3/5 for being interesting and authentic.

With the other Bowie albums we've had, they've had some brilliant individual songs but not really come together as albums for me. This is different - the individual songs don't stand out as much (understandably given the subject matter), but the overall effect is much much more cohesive and better as an album. The real emotional punch for me came right towards the end - Dollar Days and I Can't Give Everything Away really hit hard. The range of genres it hits without sounding incoherent is also really impressive, there's classic Bowie sound, there's jazz/swing, there's some beats behind Sue that almost verge on Prodigy-style rave music, it's mad. I don't think it quite gets a 5 - the beginning of the album is a bit incoherent - but it's easily a 4.

Rock. Jazz. Bastante aburrido.

Maybe not Bowie at my favorite point in his career, but not terrible either.

Definitely a classic.

Ah yes. Crippling depression.

3/5 At the beginning of this project, I was sure I was a Bowie fan. So far, I'm not that convinced. This album was just sad. I know he was grappling with death and good on him for using his art/medium to process it and cope, but I think it was so personal I/we didn't get it. If he wasn't close to death, I would say it was end of career, navel gazing that so many artists seem to go through. They get bored and experimental, and the listenablity of the music suffers. I listened to this when it came out and I didn't get it then either. I feel like I might revisit this in a dark mood and see if my attitude changes.

I came into this identifying as not being a Bowie fan but knew this was his final contribution. Sadly I do not give extra points for those who die right after releasing music and so this is a 3 for multiple reasons. The first track went on forever and another had nonsensical lyrics. It doesn't help I don't enjoy his voice. RIP Bowie, from still not a fan.

Iconic final album from legend David Bowie

Fascinating, but too dark!! End of life feeling. Great artist

Absolute masterpiece. What a way to say goodbye.

A gorgeous album - as sad as it is, it is also a joyful celebration of the life of one global hero. This record helped mourn Bowie - is riddled with his own meditation and struggle with his approaching death and serves to ultimately show his victory of it by crowing his artistic life with an epitaph like no other. Only David Bowie could have birthed such a regal masterpiece with his death and still be thoughtful, kind and transcendent.

Far from my favorite Bowie album but it has a special place as his final gift to the world. It has its weird, fun, intriguing moments. 👩🏻‍🎤

I gotta be honest I really didn’t like it 1/5

Love Bowie but this is not my favorite. 2.5/5

3.5

So this may be the toughest review I have given to date for a number of reasons. As a very casual fan, If I hadn't been told the story of this album and really listened to what he was saying, I wouldn't have scored this album very high. I think non-Bowie fans are probably thinking, WTF, while Bowie fans are thinking, what a final album. Walking you through the steps of realization you are dying to actually moving on. I know I got goosebumps with the line, "look at me, I'm in heaven." But I'm not going to sit here and tell you I thought this was a great album. I probably won't download anything off this album. Well, maybe Girl Loves Me, "where the fuck did Monday go". We've all been there. So, I will say, even if just a casual fan, this was probably the best way to end. Perfect album name for the situation, beautiful album cover, many wonderful lyrics that to touch your soul. I was depressed after listening a couple times, so when all was done and I jotted down my thoughts. I went back and decided to have a little fun.... I played my favorite Bowie song, played in 2 of my favorite movies of all time, Heroes. Followed that up with my favorite rock duet, Under Pressure. Jump into 5 days, then his best country song, It Ain't easy and smiled. Remembering all his help and work with Iggy Pop, cranked out some Iggy and The Stooges the rest of the day and had a great afternoon. RIP Bowie. Your influence on the rock world is undeniable and appreciated by this guy. Enjoy Heaven or are you rocking out with the Spiders from Mars?? ;) For shits and giggles, check out the duet of Bowie and Mick Jagger, Dancing in the Streets video. May be the most painfully awkward hilarious video of the MTV era. And this is where my review gets tough. More of lifetime achievement score. 5

It’s said he didn’t know he was dying when he wrote this. Pressing X currently. (For Mr. Sienko - Press ‘x’ to doubt is a gaming meme) 4.5

4 At the risk of coming off as melodramatic, I feel like I have to start this review off by saying David Bowie’s death is still the one that has upset me more than any other famous person to date. I can remember exactly when and where I was when I heard the news - on my way to my morning class at the Psychology building at Michigan State University… and I cried. I previously talked about what the man means to me in my Hunky Dory review, so I won’t get too into that here, but January 11, 2016 was a sad day in history for me (he passed the day before, but the news didn’t break until the next day… no pun intended) Anyway, sorry for the schmaltzy anecdote, but I do believe his terminal diagnosis and eventual death is important context for the listening of this album. These songs were knowingly his final creative offerings, his final testimony, and a final thank you to the world and those who loved him. Musically, it sounds unlike anything of his released prior - I think the closest comparison would be the soundscape of the Berlin Trilogy, but even then this feels distinct in that it relies more on a jazz backdrop than an electronic one. Supposedly Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly was a huge influence, which I’ve always found fascinating. I think it speaks a lot to Bowie’s musical passion that a modern icon of a completely different genre could influence and inspire him this late into his career (reminds me a bit of Johnny Cash and Hurt). Lyrically, the album is filled with introspection and reflection upon a career and life that was unapologetically brazen. However, it definitely adds a certain haunting element to the music - I mean, look at the first verse of Lazarus: “Look up here, I'm in heaven I've got scars that can't be seen I've got drama, can't be stolen Everybody knows me now” Chills. So, that all being said, this isn’t my favorite Bowie album, nor do I find myself picking out individual songs to listen to on it often. I would even say there are some minor misses for me here in ‘Tis a Pity She Was a Whore and Sue (Or in a Season of Crime), which I don’t feel like quite fit the rest of the album tonally. Yet, as a whole, the complete package is a unique piece of art that feels cathartic whenever I decide to listen, like another chance to say goodbye to an old friend. It may not be perfect, but it’s an excellent bookend to the career of an artist who only falls to this Earth once in a lifetime.

My favourite Bowie album, which is not saying much.

If I had known that I would die within a day, then this album definitely became the final sketch of my life path. Everything is perfect in it: from the musical part and vocals, to the images that Bowie builds for us. This is a requiem, an epitaph that Bowie left in this world and this is what deserves every minute spent listening to the album.

Love it

1. Blackstar - song too long. Got borderline adhd so my attention span is low but the singing is quirky and the tone changes so I can still stay present. 2. Pity She was a Whore - song was alright. Woo! Was funny. Didnt really understand the lyrics tho 3. Lazurus - really loved this song. 4. Sue - groovy, dark lyrics are cool, very cool song 5. Girl loves me - where the fuck monday at 6. Dollar Days - ok i guess 7. I cant give everything away - repetitive but it didnt feel like it? Good song

This is definitely an album meant to be consumed as a whole. It’s sad, moody and introspective and really does transport you into the head of a terminally ill person. The repetition can get a little tiring at some points but there is no bad song on this album and when it soars it SOARS. Not something I would play often due to the subject matter but it is really worth a listen if you can sit down and take it in.

Heartbroken to report that I just don’t like listening to Bowie’s music. I almost didn’t finish this album at several points. Just not my cup of tea, RIP though dude. You seemed cool.

First listen and I’m better for it. I had to struggle through track 1, but right after it the album sucked me in. Loved the horns!

Sounds like Bowie-Patton-radiohead to me. Five stars.

Two Bowie albums in one week…I know I have to listen but I feel like that should just be the review. That was my review last night when the new album dropped. This morning as I attempted to listen to it, I realized I was right. This is by far the worst Bowie album I've heard which is an accurate, non-hyperbolic statement. I skipped every single song due to length, repetiveness and boredom. Just because it is David Bowie does not mean it needs to be on this list.

It was only a few days ago that we got a Bowie album and I said I was about done with his catalog. Well here's another. I know this one's special and acclaimed because it's his last, but still there's not much for me. The opening track, particularly the instrumental before Bowie comes in, is great. Once he starts singing (moaning?), the rest of the album slips away from me without issue. I can't say that it's bad but it's certainly not for me. Favorite tracks: Blackstar. Album cover: Black star. 2.5/5

Incredible album, and not just because he died! Although it is impossible to separate the release if this album from Bowie's death. It's like he turned his death into an art piece, or like the album was a funeral that the whole world could attend. I'll never forget listening to this album in work that Monday morning completely oblivious, thinking "wow this is really dark", but loving it. Then going out to the canteen and a co-worker broke the news to me that he had died. I think it's the only time I've really been truly saddened by a aging celebrity's death.

kinda shit, some half decent parts parts but thats all

1. Didn't realize bowie was inspired by Death Grips and didn't know he was chill like that 2. I love the jazz influence of this album, definiently a thinker as opposed to a on repeat type album but deep dark moody a wonderful swan song 4.5/5

I think I'll need to listen to it a few more times. It could grow on me.

already heard 7.5/10

Cool kind of weird. I disliked a couple of songs, but the good ones make up for them

so avant-garde i thought it was schizo at first you can tell he was old as balls when this was recorded not too bad tbh

Brilliant album by a brilliant man. A truly superb swan song.

Pure unadulterated genius. Quietly and secretly taking the time to construct a final masterpiece before an unexpected and unannounced departure is something only Bowie could pull off. And it is a masterpiece, no doubt about that. What a badass baller move, man. Fucking Bowie. Even in death he's an innovator far ahead of our time, the likes of which we'll never see again. A rare, perfect gem, that blazes (that's right, BLAZES, not shines) brighter than any other. Thank you.

A difficult but artful album.

Dull and seemed to go on forever.

Dont get me wrong, I love Bowie. He was an amazing artist and brought new ideas and life to music in a way that rivals Mozart. However, this album is not his best. Its self indulgent and not up to his self set standard. I know, I KNOW, its his last work and should be celebrated, but not in a way where we tell everyone that they HAVE to hear this album. Thats not fair to Bowie, either. 2/5

Here’s an album that’s been on my to listen list for a while. They said Bowie made a masterpiece before he passed away. The album manages to capture a classic Bowie sound while being forward looking at the same time. Highlight song for me is Lazarus.

Definitely not my first time hearing this album, but it’s been a few years so I relistened. Extremely impressive, but made even more poignant by the time of its release. Lazarus is one of my favorite songs of all time. 4.5/5

Absolutely fantastic album from front to back. I will never have listened to this enough times. I will never listen to this whole album without getting choked up.

ok… bit boring… cool sax stuff

2.5/5 A good album for sure. However, not my taste or something I would come back to.

I have listened to this before. I have never been a Bowie fan. This is not a great start for my album a day.

Bowie is always good

I recall listening to Blackstar maybe once or twice when it first came out. I had a hard time with David Bowie's death and was listening to his music a lot, but didn't feel up to engaging with this album at the time. As others has said, it was just too much an emotional lift to try to unpack it at the time. But I'm so glad to come back to it today because, wow. Just wow. The sophistication and depth of these songs would be a career defining high point for any other artist. For Bowie it's a beautiful swan song and a gift to us as listeners, standing among his best work. The fact that he created something this vital and creative at the end of his life is amazing. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): I Can't Give Everything Away, Lazarus, Blackstar, Tis a Pity She Was a Whore, Sue (Or in a Season of Crime), Dollar Days, Girl Loves Me

Sorrowful and beautiful. Bowie till the end. Fav track: I can't give everything.

Dato tutto il carico emotivo che si porta dietro lo valuterei più di quanto si merita.

I feel like I need to really give this a deeper listen based on the context in which this album was made. Still enjoyed it for the most part. Hard not to think that most people give this one some extra points for being his last. 7/10

It wasn't bad, wasn't great, but I did really like Girls Love Me

Spacy rock, some sections had a freestyle-jazz-frenetic feeling

Best: Lazarus Worst: I Can't Give Everything Away Interesting, but at times a bit too much dissonance

This is an excellent album by David Bowie and the connection to his illness is obvious especially with the song Lazarus. It's a powerful and emotional album that leaves you drained. For being the last Bowie album after a long career it's impressive how he's still creative and delivers an outstanding performance.

This gets that Bowie 4. Lazarus was really cool and I dug the kind of chilling quality of the whole thing.

Unmistakably Bowie. Always innovative and on the edge without leaving people behind.

So I know why this is included on the list. But I was thinking; say I had to come up with a list of the 100 greatest Canadian albums, I likely would not put the last Tragically Hip album in there. Made under similar circumstances where they have a person involved who knows their time is up. Anyways I really didn’t connect with any of these songs.

Skipped

At times not an easy listen, but worthwhile. Not quite up to classic early Bowie standards, but a really good album nonetheless

There are better albums by Bowie, IMO. That said, "Lazarus" is great.

Bowie died of cancer just two days after the release of this album. I had not gotten around to listening it to it yet and since his death was shocking and upsetting, I put it off. As the years passed, I just couldn't bring myself to listen to this knowing he wrote this with death looming. It's been seven years and I still haven't listened to it, so it's fitting that my dedication to this project is forcing me to now. My first thought is I'm an idiot for not listening to it sooner. Yes it is a heart-breaking, emotional listen, but it is also beautiful. It will punch you in the gut over and over again and you will ask for more.

master class. what a goat, may he RIP

Lazarus

Bowie's death album, making the list likely just due to the story of its production and release alone. Some slow dirge-like songs with Bowie's flair added in. Enjoyed it and it wasn't overly long. Girl likes me was a standout.

On his deathbed, Dave fulfills his bucket list of all the things he wanted to do musically, including dropping a few bars apparently. Some of it is interesting, most of it is for the hardcore fans. 2 black stars out of 5 ★★

есть норм треки, есть Такое

hard to digest, not really my thing. not a huge bowie guy i guess

nista spec

To the very end of his life (which came just two days after Blackstar’s release), David Bowie was unafraid to dip his toe into new musical waters; long past the point of having to prove anything to anyone, he still drew inspiration from hip hop and electronic music, art rock and jazz, blending it all into a dazzling, deeply emotional sonic symphony that stands with the very best of his work. A beautiful end to a singular life.

Weird but great

Sadly, the last great Bowie album :(

very good. Bowie is always interesting to me.

I don't know, it was kinda boring. But I guess it's just not my cup of tea. Not saying it's bad, but it just didn't catch my interest.

Absolutely beautiful from beginning to end. You can really tell Bowie was giving it his all for his album. Unique instrumentals as well. Every song has this ethereal power to it. Really amazing album. Fave track(s): 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore, Girl Loves me, I Can't Give Everything

Som encorpado, clima de tensão e tals, muito bem feito

I like Bowie. This one is different and will take some time to get used to. A couple of tracks stand out to me when listening. I really should have looked at the titles while they were playing..... good, but nothing like Ziggy Stardust Bowie... 3/5

Great album

PREFS : Blackstar, 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore, Lazarus, Sue (or in a Season of Crime), Dollar Days, I Can't Give Everything Away MOINS PREF : Girl Loves Me

The album is well written with great production. The wind instrument was a highlight. Nonetheless, I'm still hung up on previous album vocal style that i found Bowie voice just standard. I think the entire uk is coming for me

OK but feels like it's here because it was his last rather than his greatest

I've had Lazarus in my Spotify since 2016 but none of the other songs really grabbed me on Blackstar. Significant in the fact it's his last album I believe but not one I want to listen to over and over again

Depressing album, great end to Bowie's legendary career. This album blends so many genres and sounds very industrial. Definitely need to relisten to this album. With a few relistens it could easily be a 9/10 but for now 8/10

His last, and least album - if it had not been for his death this would have sunk without a trace, as it should have. It is a shame that someone capable of producing work such as Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust (to avoid its full title), Aladdin Sane, and Low should have been reduced to producing this. It has absolutely no redeeming features whatsoever.

Haunting final album by Bowie

Great album, only enhanced by the circumstances of its creation.

Wow, what a fun first Bowie album for this generator to assign me. Hey, I'm just glad it finally gave me one. I really like the jazzy influences happening in this album. It sure is depressing though. Still, a lot of the music was pretty good. This is a fitting final album. My favourite songs were Blackstar, I Can't Give Everything Away, and Dollar Days.

Lempimuusikkoni (kaikkien lempimuusikon) tylsin levy. Ei se mitään, Bowien tylsin levy on silti parempi kuin suurin osa maailman levyistä.

Onhan tämä aika vaikuttava testamentti aika käsittämättömän merkitykselliselle taiteilijauralle. Tekijänsä kuuloinen. Rikas ja kaunis. 4/5

Tunteelliseksihan tämä aina vetää. Harvalla artistilla on kunnianhimo riittänyt näin eeppisen jäähyväislevyn kasaamiseen. Bowie uudistuu tässäkin. Joissain biiseissä tapahtuu ehkä vähän liikaakin ja kokonaisuus on aavistuksen raskas. Siitä Bowie tuntuu lopussa laulavankin, kun on liikaa ideoita, mutta liian vähän aikaa.

Hienot jäähyväiset yhdelle angloamerikkalaisen maailman suurimmista muusikoista. 4/5

Not a fan at all. Kinda of somber, which I guess makes sense since I believe he had passed before this album was released. At least it was a shorter album. 6/10.

Очень трудно описать свои чувства от этого альбома. Я послушал его три раза и каждый раз мне было трудно уловить главную тему, поэтому я насладился им не так сильно, как мог бы. С другой стороны, если рассматривать альбом чисто инструментально, то это невероятная вещь. Здесь смешались как будто бы все основные жанры мира музыки и получилось на удивление органично, то есть общий звук не является кашей из инструментов на всём альбоме, а на каждый трек приходится своя уникальная оранжировка. Из-за этого, последнее творение Дэвида Боуи пролетает незаметно и не успевает надоесть, поэтому его хочется переслушивать ещё и ещё, пока ненароком не выучишь все тексты наизусть. (8.5)

My 4th Bowie album now and this one I knew the most about since I remember it coming out and Bowie dying immediately after. Due to this I listened to a few songs at the time but didn't keep with it and this is my first full listen. Since I'm still not the biggest Bowie fan, this album didn't speak as much to me as others. It's great music by someone on their death bed, but still didn't capture me as much as Aladdin Sane.

This album is fantastic, that is all

rip the king

It's hard to separate this album from his death, one of the very few celebrity deaths that really hit me. But then again, do we/I really need to? An album doesn't exist in a void. Anyways, it's a great album but I don’t listen to it that often, as it’s kinda depressing, and because of that I can’t call it a personal favourite.

A fitting farewell from one of the all time greats.

A lot of levels to this album. Quite personal. I like it alot. Very Bowie

4.5

A darker, more thoughtful Bowie. A majority of the album, Lazarus specifically, comes off as a Swan Song as many other reviews have contextualized the album. There are lots of layers to this album. Most notably the feedback loop of art. When an artist has lived and created much, they have the option to evolve or stay constant. Hearing tinges of modern artists and their styles blended with an evolution of Bowie's music provides a new experience

So hard to separate the music from the fact that he died within days of its release. Add in that he knew he was dying, and this was likely his last album. While the album does look back a bit on Bowie's past, it is a forward-looking work that doesn't cater to any current trends. It is sonically stunning. The introduction of jazz elements seems natural. Lyrically contemplative, it is especially moving in light of the circumstances. One of the best albums of the decade.

I'll preface this by saying that I'm not a big David Bowie fan. This is fine but I'm not interested in hearing it again. A lot of it feels reminiscent of Peter Gabriel to me.

Wow, this was a cool album. I'm not sure how often I'd listen to this again but it was extremely well executed. It's always satisfying when someone can still make great art later in their career and Bowie certainly deserves a place on the list of those who can do that. The fact that he made this knowing he was dying gives the whole thing an eerie feeling. My favorite track was Lazurus, but I loved the ambition on display throughout the album.

fajne

so so soo good like usually

Great album, so haunting.

what’s left to say about this album. I think it’s easy to think that Lazarus and black star are the only parts of this album that matter but every track is absolutely fantastic and heartbreaking in its own right. bed tracks: blackstar, Lazarus, Tis a pity she was a whore

Interessante Drums uns ein faszinierender Weg um mit dem eigenen ableben umzugehen

Ah, a 5. Delicious. Blackstar is such hot fucking fire. Listening to next day than this is quite interesting. It almost makes next day seem not as good. He definitely got a creative explosion during his sickness, but its crazy because its accurate as well. Like I feel like david was creative for almost his whole career bar the mid to late 80s, but somehow death returned him to 70s form. Blackstar-Tis a pity she was a whore-Lazarus is an aggressively good start. Maybe bowies best open of any album (shit he actually has a lot of good starts. Just when I thought it was slowing down "I can't give everything"

When someone does something really outstanding, I like to say “Gold Star for you!” This album has an appropriate title.

Better than expected and shows a clear growth from some of his early stuff and actually interesting for a late-in-life release. I still think Bowie has WAY too many albums on this list, but I see potential value in keeping this one, if we could agree to remove some others. 3.5+

Ik zou Bowie graag heel goed vinden want dat hoort een beetje, maar ook dit album lukt het me niet. Voor mij klinkt hij vaak als een soort vervelende, jammerende klaaggeest. "Sue (Or In a Season of Crime)" wordt hierdoor volledig verpest bijvoorbeeld, terwijl die drum 'n bass/breakbeat achtige beat helemaal in mijn straatje ligt. Dat dit album net voor z'n dood werd gereleaset maakt het wel een legendarisch afscheid, maar ik kan niet daarvoor alleen een heel hoog cijfer geven als ik het eigenlijk niet kan aanhoren. Een ruime 2 sterren, voor 3 is het me net iets te vervelend allemaal.

It was in late 2015 when I heard that David Bowie was premiering a video for his newest song in various cinemas. I took my Mom to what had become rare trips to Brooklyn where we saw a ten minute video for Blackstar. We thought of it as an intriguing experience, yet another artistic achievement from someone whose not known for resting on his laurels; a further confirmation of his ongoing brilliance and ability to keep us wanting more and giving more. Only we didn't know that this was to be the last album he'd release in his lifetime.... Of course we'd all know about the fallout of his unexpected death and the outpouring of grief that came with it and is still coming and I find it utterly fascinating that he'd leave us with something that encapsulates where he was willing to go in spite of impending death; an uncompromising stance of forward-thinking forays into avant-jazz and ruminations of his life with knowing nods to his sterling legacy. The last works of artists being the thing that would define them as much as any other in their repertoire is nothing new, it's been here forever, but Blackstar gave new credence to such statements; that of the established artist who is still looking for newer terrain and, in the process, furnishes a different land than what was before. It probably set off the motions of not only what would the year the album came out would entail but the unprecedented kind of love, adoration and admiration that Bowie would receive after death in the way that he would have had in life, but on a vastly different scale. It would probably be no surprise to see this album as one of those good starting points for David in the way that Hunky Dory or Ziggy Stardust or Let's Dance is and perhaps rightly so, for it remains a spellbinding listening experience, knowing what is known now. He really made the grade.

Fín plata

Very sad album. But it’s powerful.

Bowie's final studio album muses over life and legacy, all in a neatly produced record with computer beats and synths. While this may not be his most lasting album, it is hard to not acknowledge its artistic merits. The decidedly darker tone begs repeat listens to fully appreciate and digest.

What a strange but awesome album. I had only really heard a couple of songs before. Need to give it another proper listen. The fact that he died right after it’s release is heartbreaking. RIP legend.

Struggled with this. Some good passages but a few that were hard to get into on a first listen.

Way too much dissonance for my taste. It too often sounds like the type of jazz where each instrument seems to be playing a different song. I'm starting to wonder if I respect Bowie as an artist more than I actually like a lot of his work. Guess I'll find out as more of his album's crop up (as I can only assume they will).

It took several months after his death to be able to listen to this album. Once I did, I wept. Bowie is one of my all-time favorite artists & it still saddens me that he's gone. The song Blackstar is a masterpiece telling the story of transformation with layers of sounds & styles. I honestly reminds me of a mini opera. The rest of the album sounds like bits & pieces of his work from over the years. This will always be an emotionally beautiful album for me.

Honestly, I probably need to give this another, more focused listen. However, as much as I love Bowie, this one just didn't capture my interest. It's a shame because it was his last gift to the world.

Really enjoyed that!

It’s a tough listen to hear your hero knowing he’s going to die

Notes - Spoiler alert: this album is a 5/5 - My favourite bowie album - The blend of jazz, some punk elements, some classic bowie - I wish we could’ve had more of this before he died - You can hear his age and weakness at points but it seems like he uses it to his advantage - Only 7 songs but each of them knows what its doing start to finish - Some unconventional choices that work super well in context Fav - Tis a pity - Love the groove, sax solo, lyrics, vocals - Everything Least fav - Dollar days - Maybe the most “Bowie” song on here, but the acoustic guitar is weirdly mixed and kinda out of tune to my ears 5/5 incredible

I love Bowie, but this album is not one of his most accessible. It does remind me of his Berlin period, yet it lacks the strengths of those albums. It’s relevance is mostly due to it being the swan song of one of the most important musicians of the last century.

Its dark, its painful. Even withount context id rate ir high

пока ничего не поняла

I’ve never been one to feel particularly attached to celebrity, but that day in 2016, waking to the news that David Bowie had died, I was deeply saddened. During my stop for coffee that morning, the look on my face must’ve said it all…the cashier handed me my coffee and said “Today’s kind of a bummer, isn’t it?” “Yeah…I loved Bowie. It sucks,” was about all I could muster and the clerk nodded in agreement. In retrospect, it was a nice moment: Being brought together with someone I only had a casual acquaintance with over David Bowie, even if only briefly, was a testament to Bowie’s unique greatness. I did all the things that day that you were supposed to do: I listened to Bowie on the way to and from work, talked with coworkers about our favorite songs, watched the videos of people gathering all over the world to celebrate his life and posted photos and video of my Bowie vinyl collection to instagram. The one thing I didn’t do, was listen to Blackstar. It had come out only a day or two earlier and was cast in an entirely new light after the news broke. I just couldn’t do it, I wasn’t ready. I needed to spend more time with my favorites before I could say goodbye. I must have listened to Station to Station, Low, Scary Monsters a dozen times each that week. Well, weeks turned to months, months to years and here I am, more than 6 years later…really, truly digesting Blackstar for the first time. That’s not to say I haven’t heard it before. I’ve listened a handful of times in the last few years, but it’s been difficult to want to come back to it, to confront it for what it is: David Bowie saying farewell. It’s a difficult record: musically, lyrically and, for me, emotionally. Blackstar is a record that you need to come to terms with. I’m not sure it’s a record I’ll revisit frequently, even after spending the day today replaying it. Ultimately, it is a rewarding listen, ranking among his best, and I suspect that as sad as I was to say goodbye, the same went for David Bowie.

Not my favorite Bowie album

I expect a lot from David Bowie. I know that this was his last album and he was dying while making this record, but I am just not a fan of this one. This doesnt even come close to Ziggy Stardust or some of his other albums. Girl loves me was a solid song. I liked the ending of the last track too. A lot of different noises and sounds on this record. He was a special artist. 3/10 he has much better albums.

Ah yes, the classic "artist has recently died so let's pretend that their weird-ass, self-indulgent final album is actually a genius masterpiece".

There’s parts of things on here that I like, but it’s still middling.

Great stuff, but a some is a little too out there for me.

Jazzy, discordant and moody I can understand why some can't stomach it but it's right down my street. Reminds me in places of Aladdin Sane. A fitting finale I think.

A very consistent and coherent album, which I personally don’t often feel was the case with other Bowie albums. Feels of its time and timeless somehow. Love the songs, the voice, the arrangements and the sparse nature of it all. Everything is where it should be and nothing is here that shouldn’t be. Bowie’s work needs years to grow on you and I haven’t played this as much as I probably should have, but I would say this may turn out to be one of his best, and a fitting and moving last work.

What a bloody glorious racket. Bowie gives it some really UMPH for his final hour. There's the danger of eulogising this as one of his finest works, given that it was released two days before his death. A six year retrospective period seems about right for a reappraisal. It still stacks up fine and is worthy of the tag of one of his career highlights. Working with young musicians leads to an energy and urgency throughout. Plus Bowie's voice sounds magnificent, despite all the health shit going off at the time. I Can't Give Everything Away is a strong message in which to say farewell upon, bowing out in style.

it was a good bowie album. Had some of his 80s, Labyrinth vibe in it. It's only on here cause he died right after it released though.

“Something happened on the day he died, spirit rose a metre then stepped aside…” Because I have such vivid memories of “Blackstar”’s release, it’s hard to rate objectively. So I’ll settle for personal preference once again: it sits comfortably in my top five Bowie albums, and its creator sits comfortably in my top five artists of all time. Blackstar was released on 8th January 2016. I was just in the middle of a Bowie binge, treading into deeper waters than the shallow rockpools of Ziggy or Hunky Dory: Scary Monsters, Station to Station, The Next Day. I welcomed a new album and wondered if a tour might be on the horizon: what a time to be getting back into the man! Two days later, I woke up to the news he was dead. I immediately went to the video for Lazarus and watched it with my mind spiralling. All the “clues” had been there: “look up here, I’m in heaven”, the hospital bed, the elegiac feel, the retreat into the cupboard after frantically trying to write everything down. It’s a stunningly poignant piece of work. Putting the inescapable ties to circumstance aside, what we are left with is a dazzling work of originality. There was a tendency among Bowie fans to link “Blackstar” to his previous work: “Dollar Days” sounds like a Hunky Dory track because there’s acoustic guitar in it! “Blackstar” sounds like Station to Station because it’s ten minutes long! “Sue (In a Season of Crime)” sounds like Earthling because it has a drum and bass rhythm! In reality, the most striking thing about “Blackstar” is how DIFFERENT it is from anything Bowie had done before. It’s just as ambitious, just as sprawling and just as dramatic, but it reaches for new territory altogether, tentatively integrating avant-jazz into space-rock and a little bit of dark theatre. I have so much respect for Bowie for every creative decision here: listening to Kendrick Lamar and Death Grips for inspiration, ditching his long-time backing band and recruiting a New York jazz ensemble, even crafting an addictive hook out of the line “where the fuck did Monday go?” It’s bold and brilliant on every level, making for a challenging listen but a rewarding one. On each round, subsequent delights are unveiled. The transition in the title track (and the baritone sax that comes in when the beat drops) will never not make me smile. “‘This a Pity She was a Whore” is an exhilarating ride and, together with “Sue…”, is far more hard-rocking than any 69 year old has any right to be. Lazarus is a haunting, theatrical last gasp. “Dollar Days” and “I Can’t Give Everything Away” seem to cycle from desperation to acceptance, with an ambiguous sentiment in the final track. Is he lamenting that there’s more he wants to share with us, or slinking behind the curtain with a knowing wink? We’ll never know, but it’s beautiful. Thanks for this last ride, Mr. Jones.

I really enjoyed this!. "Where the fuck did Monday Go-oh" :)

Bowie just isn’t my cup of tea

It was interesting to get this and the next day so close to each other since I could more easily compare them. This felt much more experimental and dark whereas the next day was more traditional David Bowie music. I usually appreciate experimental stuff but I was not a fan of this really at all. It definitely sounds like an album made by someone who knew they were going to die soon though.

Lo escuché en su momento, lo procesé, lo volví a escuchar, lo adopté, lo volví a escuchar ahora... es un disco complejo, no para todos; lleno de conceptos interesantes y momentos musicales esxcelentes... pero se puede volver pesado. Como canciones particulares pocas destacan, como álbum es lo que es: La última rebeldía de Bowie

Very unexpected. Some great material on this.

Pretty solid though somewhat too experimental for me.

This is one of my favorite albums since it was one of my first real contact with Bowie's work. I already know him by name and some MTV singles, but this was one of my first listening sessions, some years before started this 1001 list challenge. Since then, I've already listened to other albums from him (because of the list and also by myself) and I'm becoming more and more of a fan.

Not my favourite Bowie album but good enough

Hmmmm, Bowie... I just don't really get the hype, which I'm aware is a borderline sacrilegious thing to say in some circles. This album obviously has a great significance beyond the music, given the timing of its release days before Bowie's passing. On the music's merit, there is a modern sound to it, most of the songs feel quite dark (as would befit an album titled Blackstar). I like the cover art, the text styling is very clever.

Interesting album. Sounded like Radiohead at various points. I don't really know enough about Bowie to understand his eras, but I remember when this album came out how coincidental it was with his death, and how that kind of hung over it. I liked it and will go back for sure. Standouts: Blackstar, Lazarus, Sue (Or In a Season of Crime)

I remember the double whammy of having this drop and then Bowie passing shortly after. With that retrospect, it’s clear this LP is both a reflection on and confrontation of mortality. Not all the new instrumental ideas work, but there is an overall feeling of completeness and tempered celebration that makes the album flow despite its rougher sections. Few of us will have the chance to eulogize our own death beforehand, but then again no one was quite like Bowie.

An amazing final statement that is both reflective and hopeful. It is possibly slightly overrated because of the fact that it came out two days before he died, but still an incredibly strong last record. "Lazarus" is a top 10, maybe top 5 Bowie song.

Tis a pity Jim was a whore eh Nolan? Nolan: Yuh

It’s good man. First song is 🔥

I don't know why I didn't listen to this when it came out but I'm glad I did now. What a record.

Pretty good but average for the whole Bowie portfolio

i would love to give this 4 but i just can’t give it more than 3 because i don’t like it that much

I had listened to this before. It's not bad but doesn't really grab me. Very cool he created this so near the end of his life though.

I don't get it, at all. Boring and depressing

I can't deny that this is a very good album but it's hard to divorce it from when it came out. I'd give a 3 or 4 based of the music and the content. The fact that Bowie created an epitaph in vinyl is so apt to him that it should be a 5. But I've not been taking that into account with others so I can't here.

5/5 Hat zwar bessere Alben aber trotzdem banger

Flawless album. I know this a priori. Honestly, this album has no weak spots or songs that I would ever think about skipping. And I just remember everything surrounding it, the anticipation leading up to it, the heartbreak of David Bowie's death, the music videos, the deeper meanings, it's such a great album.

Perhaps not the most eccentric Bowie, but maybe this is the most coherent. Title track was a long, but enjoyable tone-setting track that honestly could have held its own. This was indeed Bowie's final album and the last track "I Can't Give Everything Away" puts a cap on what has been a storied and well-told career, always looking for a bit more. While the rating is a 4/5, heart says four but meaning five.

David bowie is good???? Literally amazing album

not to be that guy but i do enjoy his earlier stuff a lot more. this just didn’t do it for me

Did not like. Just because it was his last album doesnt make it his best.

Not a fan of Bowie although I assume its a good album

Interesting final effort from Sir David. Mysterious, captivating and very poignant given his terminal illnes at the time. A very fitting and beautiful farewell. 4 stars

Oh how I want to like this album. I understand it is more artsy than some other Bowie stuff. I just don't find it pleasant to listen to.

much different from his more known music;

the first thought with this album is that it's definitely different from david bowie's typical music that made him famous in the seventies. bowie's last album being full of dark, experimental music across multiple genres seems rather fitting. to open the album with a nearly ten minute track is more of bowie's daring. the distortion of "blackstar" stuck out to me, and it must've been such a purposeful choice. the album's final two songs, "dollar days" and "i can't give everything away," contain some poignant lyrics and remind the listener that this was bowie's last album.

This album immediately reminded me of another on this project: "You Want It Darker" by Leonard Cohen. Like Cohen, David Bowie seems to have a level of premonition about his own lingering death. The music, lyrics, and tone are all a bit eerie, even for Bowie, and possess a certain level of gloom throughout the album. Hearing a heavier than usual jazz flair from Bowie was also quite interesting. I tend to prefer Bowie more in the glam sphere, but the decision to go more jazzy was certainly intriguing, and what I believe to be an intentional decision to create some artistic contrast and dissonance. Bowie was no stranger to experimenting, and I feel like this album is no exception. This album defies falling into any one sound or genre. This album is also busy, and not necessarily in a bad way; there are many things going on in the tracks that paint a bizarrely beautiful picture. This is not my favorite iteration of Bowie, but it's certainly a captivating iteration nonetheless. Bowie went out on a high note with this album, reminding us why he was and continues to be a king of the weird.

This album has a level of creativity that is completely detached from his passing and is ridiculously high. This album has acid, jazz, and so many other genres of music embedded in it. I love how experimental this is, and I think that this album has much more value than just "the album bowie made as he was dying." I love this album. 5 stars. (heh)

It's taken me six years to get back round to listening to this album again. That's how devoed I was when he died. Black Star (the song) remains an incredible achievement. I don't think he got the memo that he could churn out any old shit and Mojo readers would try to claim it was still worthwhile, like McCartney or the Stones or Paul Weller do. Even at the end he was still ridiculously ambitious with what he wished to achieve, and made a 10 minute prog/jazz/skitterbeat/ballad the lead off the album. Respect. The rest of the album is still brilliant. His thinking around the beats and the different textures in each song make it a joy (and a tragedy that there's no more coming) to listen to. And yet, because of relativity with other parts of his back catalogue, I can only give it four stars - because I know Low and Diamond Dogs and Alladin Sane exist. Sorry Zavid. Morning rethink - nah, I'm giving it five. Think of the extra star as a lifetime achievement star.

Beautiful last ride

It's a great album. The contrast key between instruments is sublime: you can hear modern aggressive patterns mixed with refined moods. The whole album develops a lot of ideas. That variety gives excellent value to the project, making it something remarkable and outstanding.

Malinconico, psichedelico. Non il mio genere ma alcuni brani mi piacciono.

Ostico capolavoro, di una bellezza mostruosa. La summa di una vita e di una carriera. È 5 solo perché non posso mettere di più.

È impossibile valutare quest’album senza considerare il contesto in cui è stato prodotto. Blackstar è il testamento di David Bowie, è un disco molto diverso dagli altri, introspettivo e struggente.

A delirious review of a life and a moving meditation on death. Bowie's passing just two days after its release turns this jazzy and atmospheric album into a haunting masterpiece. Endlessly creative and an artist until the end. Rating: 5/5 Playlist track: Blackstar Date listened: 27/09/22

Visceral because he wrote the lyrics knowing he was dying

For a guy this late in his career(posthumous lol) I mean it’s honestly a marvel he kept up. The sound is behind the times a bit, but still well made, and its good to hear his voice.

Not to my taste, Bowie is a legend none the less

Avant garde I think it's the word. Not my thing

Not a feel good album, but very raw and emotional for his last one ever

Really weird, creative, dark, and creepy. This was a great final effort for a legend. RIP David Bowie.

It wasn't all that great. If it wasn't David Bowie, and it wasn't put out under the circumstances it was, would it be on this list?

A Bowie album from 2016. alright... I feel bad not liking this, because one of my best mates absolutely loved Bowie and as of writing this, they're both dead. I want to give it a 5/5 out of respect, but truth is I don't really like it. Sorry man, it's a 2/5.

Amazing album

Good

Beautiful, interesting and more complex pop than what I am used to.

I just don't get why people love Bowie. This was just noise at one point.

In other albums I can see why bowie is influential and important however in this one I didn’t really get it because his voice was just reallyyyyy annoying. Not a fan of this one.

Almost immediately - and I hate having a knee-jerk reaction - I come back to my usual Bowie thoughts: I really don't like him as a singer at all. It's not just his voice, it's the affectations and the style. Obviously a personal taste but it has always been nearly-impossible to get around. His album "Low" was a rare project where his voice didn't seem to be the main instrument and was more a part of the environment, which resulted in a different sort of album I enjoyed. This one had hype upon its release (because of Bowie's concurrent death) but I'd never listened before. And yeah - his vocals are often horrible. Apologies if you loved the dude. Music is wild but too often in a bad way. e.g. "Sue" is difficult to get through. Also stop already with the yodeling on "Girl Loves Me" Positive: I actually like "I Can't Give Everything Away" - would have loved more of this. I just have to settle on the fact that I don't really like Bowie's music overall and I look forward to the next 74 albums I'll have to listen to of his on this list... 4/10 2 stars.

Pretty good but isn't as good as a lot of his other albums.

Very bowie

This album is totally overshadowed by Bowie's death. Impossible to listen to in a vacuum without noticing every lyric about posterity. I like the idea of a jazz band playing rock, but I think I'd rather listen to The Bad Plus or Happy Apple. Nowhere near as innovative as the critics seem to think. It's not terrible though. 3.5 rounded up for Bowie nostalgia.

To my shame I only listened to this once after DBs death. Its a DB album like no other and is a mighty intoxicating thing. The rhythm of jazz guys, the invention of the songs.I will play more. Where the fuck did Monday go? RIP David. A strong 4.

C-Tier Bowie. Has a couple good tracks, but most of them just outstay their welcome, drag on and prefer to be Avant Garde over being enjoyable.

One week ago I was rolled Next Day and today it's Blackstar. You really want me to see the Moonage Daydream film later this month, don't you? Well it worked, damn it, cause once again Bowie hits us with another masterpiece before his timely death. Unlike Next Day, this is not a return to roots. This is something entirely new and unique. Something creepy, eery, and most of all ghastly, the remnants of a man on the verge of death. 7 pieces in 41 minutes, each multi-layered, featuring elements of horror and beauty. These arrangements are incredible, with attention paid to each minute, incorporating experimental elements of electronic and jazz like he has never done before, and yet it sounds like he's perfected these tools for decades. It never feels rushed. Whether 10 minutes or 5, each song sounds complete and incredibly modern, accessible to both new and old audiences. What else can I say? I've had goosebumps several times. No weak tracks. Production is mind-blowing, mixed very well and clear. Good choice in track order, with a perfect opener to entice the audience and a satisfying and beautiful closer to end Bowie's career. Bowie is stealing all my 5 stars. I guess he really is one of the greatest musicians of all time.

I've never been a huge Bowie fan but I like this. Jazzy with traces of Hip hop and poignant given he died shortly after its release. Liked it more than I thought I would.

Favourite song: Lazarus One for the karaoke: Lazarus One for the car: Girl Loves Me Death dream of album.

top 10

Couldn't get into it

Love Bowie but... Too avant garde for me.

Bowie's final work, a literal farewell-gift with so much to discover on it in only 6 tracks. Apart from the point that he managed to reinvent his music on his 26th(!!!) album and still stays true to the "Bowie"-feel, the backing musicians which are all jazz virtuosos in their own right really pull this one together. Especially Donny McCaslin and Mark Guiliana are always worth a listen and I only came across them when hearing Blackstar for the first time. It is a complicated and deep record and I wouldn't call it easy listening, but it flows together really well, which is quite the feat considering the complexity of the individual tracks. The overall message is simple "I'll be dead soon, it is how it is, let me get to grasps with it and also put it into words that will help you all understand even if you miss me." And DAMN was he right. It's a masterpiece, especially considering the catalogue of Bowie.

I wanted to like this album but when it opened with the ten minute funeral processional title track, I did not have high hopes. A lot of the lyrics just seemed like the nonsensical things clickbait bots write, especially in Tis A Pity and Sue. Dollar days wasn’t that bad.

This was a very interesting album. With every track I found myself very close to clicking thumbs up, but then something would stop me. Definitely felt experimental but certainly wasn't an unpleasant listen. Of all the tracks, the title track "Blackstar" was probably my favorite.

Not one of Bowie's best.

Great record

It pains me to say it, but this may be one of my least favorite Bowie albums. 'Lazarus' is a fantastic song and gives me everything I want out of an album that was recorded when Bowie knew he was on his way out. Nothing else steps up to that song though. Interesting digressions to be had here and there, but it's more of a jazz album than a Bowie album, at least to me. Maybe it needs a closer listen, but none of these songs really seem to take off. Background, though, for sure.

My initial impression when listening to the opening track is that Blackstar sounds a bit like Marc and the Mambas. That notion doesn't really hold. What it does sound like is the effort of an elder statesman keeping tabs on the times whilst trying to retain a sense of individuality - but you could very well imagine, say, someone like Bryan Ferry putting out almost the exact same album. None of which is to say it's bad, although personally I think the electronic percussion (where used) sounds tinny. Blackstar is fine, bold in places and occasionally you get a glimpse of Bowie's facility to do something interesting with a melody. However, I think the circumstances under which Blackstar was recorded and released have perhaps led to a slightly over-generous assessment of the album's merits.

I’ve listened to this a few times now and… still not sure if I like it or not. I will say that this time I was closer to smashing that like button than in the past. Seems like a grower, not a shower. Maybe in another two years I’ll dig it.

wanted to hear this one for a while

J'ai pas tellement apprécié

Least favorite of the Bowie albums. Still a reasonably good one.

Good Bowie. Dark Bowie. Spooky Bowie

David Bowie puts our perhaps his greatest ever album, a sort of concept album, about how the cancer is eating him alive, while the cancer is eating him alive. It comes out two days before his death. It’s like Freddie Mercury doing The Show Must Go On for a whole album. If I found out I was dying I would just cry a lot and lay in bed. Bowie recorded a magnum opus. Don’t like it? Fuck off.

Never listened to the album before , but so many iconic tracks brilliant

Listened Before? N This was a good album. Pretty experimental, but that's probably to be expected from what I know of Bowie. I really enjoyed it and it had an extra sting of melancholy because he knew his time was short when he recorded it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Lazarus

I loved the atmosphere of the album although not a specific track that stood out to me. Maybe the second one? More of a concept album. Definitely something I can listen to and find new things over several listens.

Favourite track(s): Blackstar The arrangements are special and Bowie's expression is definitely intense. But his music is just too weird for me. I mean, who sits down and casually listens to Sue? That song is exhausting.

Powerful and gorgeous

Amazingly good. and the only Bowie album to not have him on the cover.

I am glad that this album showed up. I’m a Bowie fan, but less familiar with his output after the 70s/80s. This album was beautiful and haunting and a fitting final work.

Хороший альбом, от Боуи было услышать такой свежий материал было неожиданно. Ушел на высокой ноте.

10 minute long songs my beloved

Enjoyable, albeit sad due to Bowie's calculated and poignant release date. Good mix of modern rock, dance and Bowie sax.

unique, eclectic, partially grimly, excellent

The title track sums up David Bowie immensely. A chameleon. It’s a slow lanscapey synth number - with drum and bass backing. And saxophone. And it’s 9 minutes long. And totally changes half way through. I’m not a massive fan of Bowies voice - but even so - I LOVE the music . It’s so wonderfully brilliantly bizarre. What did I just listen to?! Lazarus is a BEAUTIFUL song. On another note, a lot of people say that Trent Reznor must have been inspired by Black Star when writing EP Bad Witch - now I’ve listened to it - too right!!!

Last Bowie's musical legacy composed during his last days before passing away. Full of sadness, and melancholy. A beautiful final gift from David to his followers.

This has been a good week so far on the album generator August 4, 2022

Listened to this one on my album,book,movie a week thing, it has something to it, but nothing has spoken to me yet

Love this!

Very interesting music. Would like to spend more time listening to the lyrics since Scott told me it was made when he knew he was dying.

I’m not a fan of Bowie’s electronic experimental music which is present throughout this album.

First Bowie album. Gonna go listen to more Bowie.

Waaaaay better than what I anticipated. Will be listening again soon.

Iconic tunes. Like a summary of it all. Beautiful and totally Bowie.

Glam rock, pop, 2016. In this "Blackstar" there is a great Bowie but not as perfect as the David Bowie of the 70s, who was a pure musical genius with at least 5 masterpieces in his catalogue. This record maybe isn't a masterpiece, especially for his impressive standards, but it's definitely a fantastic album, and "Lazarus" is one of his 30 best songs ever.

I feel like I need to read some production history to get the hang of this one

Surprised to find this on here. Does this indicate that every Bowie album will feature here. Don’t get the rapturous reviews posted here. I’m as big a Bowie fan as anyone one. But this is not his finest moment. Cover art 4/5

Like bowie but wasnt feeling it

Not really my type of music. Kinda disappointed cause I thought I liked David Bowie but this is the second album I’ve listened to and I didn’t like either I’m sorry but the drum groove on the first song is absolute trash. Dollar Days is the best on the album imo