Blackstar

Really solid last album from Bowie. Probably needs a couple of listens. I remember hearing about this album when it was released and gave it a listen but didn’t really connect with it. Totally different impression second time around though.

Takie 4/5. Dobry.

amazing last album by bowie RIP

On his 26th album Bowie knew he was dying and still reinvented his sound and message. The artistry is on full display, although this was somewhat of a hard listen for me on a Monday going to work. Dark and moody, reflective, and at times sonically dissonant, but his genius still shines through. A struggle to start with Blackstar at ten minutes, but Dollar Days and I Can’t Give Everything Away are a strong close on the coda of an amazing lifetime of music.

So, this is it, Bowie's last album. The album that ended off his legendary career. I've heard some people claim that it's his best, which I find to be extremely far fetched, and feels like people find this release to be more tragic and impactful than it actually was because it came out only 2 days before his death. But with that being said, this is still a fantastic album. I'm not so familiar with his later works, so I can only really compare this to his 70s/80s material. And it sounds surprisingly good even compared to some of his absolute best. But this fusion of experimental art rock and jazz sounds about as good as it can, and this is a great way to end a discography as legendary as Bowie's.

May one of the best rock musicians of the 20th century rest in peace.

Pretty good, but not ground breaking.

Poeh bijzonde album, had deze ook nooit helemaal geluisterd

Heel goeie

Crazy album at lave lige inden sin død. Meget cool at være så grænsesøgende på trods af sin alder og sangene er både banging og meget rørende synes jeg :)

A varied medley of songs that all seem to work from one to the next. One of his most well executed albums I feel.

It's Bowie, of course it's good, but it's not my favorite. I know I listened to it before this, and I couldn't remember a single thing from it.

A lot of people have and will argue that "this album is considered to be a critical success only because Bowie died, without his death, no one would care!". Well, yeah, the entire point of the album is how Bowie accepts his inevitable demise and uses it to produce his final record. Its pretty decent, with Blackstar and Tis a Pitty She Was a Whore being the weakest tracks on the album, but it picks up and stays hard and solid until the end. Even if musically you may not like it, there is something haunting about anticipating death and creating something for the very last time, especially for an artistic person such as him. YYM

WOW! Very Poignant. I did not love the first track, but loved the rest of the album and therefore enjoyed it overall. Each time I listen to another Bowie album, I’m impressed with how much I enjoy his work. I have never listened to a full Bowie album before I started this journey. Now I regret that I haven’t done it before this. His catalogue of music is awesome and deserves numerous listens.

Very experimental, very David Bowie. All good things!

The poignancy of Bowie essentially writing his own requiem here will always be a huge part of this album's effectiveness. But it also seems like there's very little that's memorable enough here to to stand in the truly top tier of Bowie albums, especially to those who are not already huge fans. He was a genius, and this might very well be a work of genius. But it's also, sadly, largely forgettable when held up against the larger Bowie pantheon.

I am not a good enough writer or thinker to say anything cogent about this masterpiece immediately after hearing it for the first time. Notes: - Bowie is in a bad mood - Theorem: David Bowie can do no wrong (musically). - Dimery wrote a couple books about Bowie, IIRC? - Fan fiction/speculative: Bowie actually is an alien or possibly a returned jesus and we (earth-based humans/mortals) are tested with determining this to be true. We are given some clues, all of them in musical form. This album is the final one. Our literal last chance to save ourselves, but we must first decipher the music. A sad and brilliant album with amazing musicians. Heavy and very very dark in places. Throughout, I get the impression that Bowie just really likes to sing. There are some subtleties in his voice here that are really interesting, and absolutely on par with much of his earlier work. NOT THE SAME, different, but on par. Enjoyed this a lot, lives up to the accoades for sure. Bowie is still with us.

riese album glaub? mega big jazz people wo druf spieled. erste song bitz weird aber halt so nu jazz type drums und so. no cool aber nöd mis ding. zmitzt drin ischs plötzlich en song mit mega typische melancholische chords. aber de vocoder type stuff isch huere geil. de song au. er singt no recht guet findi. tis a pity und so foht reeecht geil ah d chords glnd dumm. de bassist (tim levebvre) hani mol als bassist vom chris potter gseh, siech isch guet. song isch schöön. jo finds geil. lazarus wieder bitz moody noisy und sehr viem höchi sache wo umetätsched. d blöser sind cool i guess aber finds etz nöd wooow. sue isch au wirder huuere dark. aber drums eaaasy geil. de djenty teil easy geil. girl loves me au uuuhuere harmonisch dicht und dark. de bass isch huere cool. s ganze isch mega unruhig. aber geil. dollar days sehr bowie irgendwie. doubletracked akustischi gitti am afang vorallem. gitti wiicht striicher und s wurd offner. hübsche song, meega sad.

SCHWARZERS STERN sehr geile ahfang, ich lieb d drums uhuere geile opener, alles flüsst innenand inne und da störts au nöd, dass es langs lied isch DRUMS ja s whore hetmi nöd umghaue lazarus het ultraaaschöni blöser omg lazarus isch super gsi allgemein werded d blöser sehr gezielt und mega würgigsvoll ihgsetzt girl loves me super wies immer ähnlich tönt aber d drums mached sache, geil dollar daysssss chli "normaler" falls das sinn macht uhuere schöns solo I can't give everything away wieder huere guete closener puuuh bin zwüscheme 4 und 5

Legend. Release music right up till the end.

Bowie is fantastic and the emotions in this album are really raw. 4.2 stars

Nice Bowie

It’s hard to separate this album from Bowie’s death 2 days after release - but I guess that was his intention. Musically, this album is a solid 3. But the emotional heft and the inescapable feeling of listening to art from beyond the grave elevate this to a 4.

Excellent final album from the superstar of music

Top album 🤟 rip music legend 😢

90/100 Fantastique. The Best Bowie album I've heard (so far).

Yeah this goes crazy

The drums on this album are absolutely incredible. Now take that jazzy sound that this album offers and mix it with the icon swagger of Bowie and you have a pretty solid goodbye project to the industry. Would absolutely listen again! 7.8/10

look up here, i'm in heaven 👨🏻‍🚀🎷🪦🏆🛸 highlights: blackstar; lazurus. see also: the rise and fall of ziggy stardust and the spiders from mars; part 8: gotta light? (david lynch, 2017); cancer; the idiot (iggy pop, 1977); john 11:1–44.

Bowie's ★ final album, is emotional. A stark contrast to his 70-80s glam rock. I prefer the glam, but in the right mood this would do nicely.

Will likely get better with every listen.

Notable tracks: Blackstar, I Can’t Give Everything Away

So good so far... where did the Monday go smh I cant give everything favorite

Love Bowie! This was his last album before he passed, and you can hear/feel his decline on this record. Made me sad, but also such a beautiful album.. definitely not my favorite album of Bowies, but still enjoyed listening. Bowie is surely missed.

Arty and Jazzy. Big beats.

It's so short. It's amazing.

26.(!) platan og hann var ennþá listamaður í þróun. Mér fannst hún þung og erfið þegar hún kom fyrst út. Kannski sérstaklega í skugga andláts Bowie. Með tímanum hef ég reglulega hent plötunni á og hún er frábær tónsmíði. Pólíseruð kveðja eins stærsta tónlistarmanns sögunnar.

Ótrúlega flott plata. Magnaður svanasöngur eins besta tónlistarmanns allra tíma.

Na de zwanenzang van Leonard nog een album dat dient als een laatste testament van een grootheid van de 20e eeuwse muziekwereld. De ingenieuze kameleon Bowie perst het restant aan creatieve energie uit zijn verkankerende lichaam, wat een plaat achterlaat die nog eenmaal de grenzen verlegd en genres verbuigd. Met een fusie van synthpop, post-punk en free jazz blikt David terug op het verleden, maar blijft hij ook vooral bij het heden, zijn mortaliteit in het gezicht starende. Soms op een nogal indiscrete wijze, met lyrics die er niet om heen draaien. Het had van mij wel wat subtieler mogen zijn, maarja, de beste man had nog maar één moment om zijn hart te luchten. Het zijn voor mij vooral de progressieve productie en de mixing van allerlei elementen uit zijn illustere carriere, van glam rock tot ambient, van new wave tot electronica, die van ''Blackstar'' een intrigerend project maken. Elk nummer heeft instrumenteel wel iets unieks en boeiends te bieden, wat een ontzettend consistent album tot gevolg heeft. De titelsong en 'Lazarus' zijn de obvious stand-outs, waar vooral de tweede een speciale plek in zijn discografie heeft weten te winnen. Als er één nummer aangewezen kan worden als slotsluk van zijn leven, dan is dit het. Een soortgelijk effect als 'Hurt' van Mr. Cash. Toch zijn het twee minder spraakmakende stukken die mijn aandacht vooral weten te pakken. 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore' is een ontzettende banger, met een drive waar je u tegen zegt. 'Dollar Days' is wat minder in your face, en zoekt de intieme kant op. Voelt als 70s Bowie, in een nieuw jasje. Het album bevat maar 7 songs, waarvan er geen een echt volledig in de schaduw van de singles staat. Ondanks de moeilijke segmenten, waar duizelingwekkende jazz-ritmes worden bijgestaan door buitenaardse geluiden, fiets je als luisteraar best makkelijk door dit album heen. Het doet me soms denken aan het latere werk van het fenomeen Scott Walker, al is dit popmuziek vergeleken met de avant garde sound die hij uiteindelijk produceert. De thematiek van het album is duidelijk, er is geen ontkomen aan. Het had van mij wel iets subtieler gebracht mogen worden, al is dat een onrealistische wens bij een album dat geldt als zwanenzang van een expressieve artiest als David Bowie. Één ding is zeker, dit is by far zijn beste werk sinds de jaren 80, al was dat ook niet zo moeilijk. Nogmaals, net als bij Cohen, een meer dan waardige laatste toegift. 8/10 Highlights: Lazarus Tis a Pity She Was a Whore Dollar Days

Prachtige zwanenzang en nog knap staaltje vernieuwing van een man die zich zijn hele leven wist te vernieuwen. Totdat het niet meer kon. RIP. 8/10 Highlights Black Star Lazarus

Don't usually like Bowie, but this was good.

weird and interesting. i like it

It is Bowie, it is always going to be good. But there wasn’t anything that really stood out to bring it all the way up to a five for me.

Iconic

85/100

Potentially the best swansong of the 21st Century so far. Bowie bowed out in magnificent fashion with a heart-wrenching, yet extremely well put-together and thoroughly entertaining jazz rock record.

A great album from a man staring into the eyes of death. Way better than anything he had done in a few decades, this took me by surprise when it came out and it still holds up

This album makes so much more sense when you know it was his last album. Though none of the catchy hooks or choruses, it still flows beautifully and for a final album ever is up there.

Where the fuck did Monday go? Four Black Stars.

Some good tunes

Pretty Good.

Bowles’s swan song. Literally.

Already loved the song Girl Loves Me from when it came out. Listening again, I can appreciate the length (pretty concise). It’s also just great!

There was so many Bowies: the Hippie; Ziggy; Aladdin Sane; The Duke; Garreth the Goblin King. This album was the diary of a man named David Jones dying of cancer. It’s a powerful view of his reality and fears. He yelps in “Tis a Pity…” in such a way that you can hear both the pain of his illness was and the pleasure of doing something he loves. Key track for me is Lazarus. I’m convinced that Bowie didn’t die. Instead the Starman just went home, leaving us this final opus of everything he loved from jazz to saxophone, to storytelling.

I had never listened the whole way through. The band was incredible on a few of these tracks and really made the difference. Bowie was a creative genius.

impresionante, jamas pensaria que bowie usaria estos tipos de recursos musicales, experimentacion total, excelente final. solido 4.5/5

Brilliant. Wonderful and morbid at the same time.

I heard this album quite a long time ago so I was very much excited to revisit the other songs from here that weren't 'Lazarus'. This album is famously legend David Bowie's final album before his unfortunate passing just a few days later, and its themes and atmosphere certainly reflect that. Despite its unfortunate context, listening to this album never really made me sad. I hope that doesn't come off the wrong way, but to me, it seemed like Bowie had this firm grasp on the idea of his life and death. It's certainly dark in many of its themes, but also enigmatic in what exactly Bowie was trying to say in a lot of these songs relating to himself, his relationships, and his legacy. I for one, always had trouble trying to decypher some of the lyrics on the title track. The imagery of something eternal, unknown, and looming is ever-present in the lyrics, but the idea of a "black star" I feel is overly ambigous and left up to the interpretation of the listener. This album's jazz fusions are its standout, mainly with the saxophone cropping up all over these tracks. There's a very unique sound being adapted here, one that's clean, calculated, and electronic, but also orchestral and larger than life in its presentation. The title track for instance feels like you're floating in an endless vacuum, especially with Bowie's echoey and distant howls and cries over these spacious synths fluttering the background. The following "Tis' Was a Pity She Was a Whore" is more direct in its potency and contains one of my favorite vocal performances by Bowie. "Lazarus" is my undeniable favorite track here. An existentially horrifying depiction of falling into an unknown plane, not knowing what you've left behind nor what's in store for you. His screams of "Look up here man, I'm in danger" under these crashing guitar hits always harrowed me. The saxophone sending off the song is great too. The first three tracks are utterly perfect and all the following ones are still pretty great. I especially love "Girl Loves Me", it's another more abstract track that's harder to understand but the refrain further reinforces some of this album's existentially harrowing themes. I love the airy synths on the closer "I Can't Give Everything Away", Bowie's Swan song, and one that never fails to make me misty-eyed. Its lyrics are partially regretful but also show Bowie accepting the inevitable. While not every song here lands for me, this album is *truly* one of a kind. It tells the story of a legend who kept giving to his last moments, through a medium that he's always been undoubtedly passionate about. David Bowie's legacy will continue to live on through his music, but this album in particular is an intricate snapshot of the star's final moments, wrapped in something truly other-worldly and beautiful.

Fuck cancer.

I am not a Bowie fan but… this is cool. Detailed, deep, interesting. I think people who really love him didn’t like this so much - makes sense I suppose. It’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed old DB. I didn’t enjoy every track but enough to listen again, I think.

Holds up incredibly well. Music video to title track is peak Nick Cave.

Weird Bowie is still good. Might be the Bowie-est Bowie album so far

7/10. Super interesting album. The first 3 songs imparticular. The first two I couldn’t decide if I loved them or if it was too much for me, which i think was good. Added Lazarus to my 5⭐️ song list. But after that it started to get less interesting for me.

I thought it was really good. Bowie with stage 4 liver cancer wondering where Monday went. He died on a Sunday too. Yeah idk super emotional and impactful

Bliver helt sikkert mere betydningsfuld når man ved, hvor kort tid han havde tilbage. Det er sjældent at man hører musikere lige til deres sidste på den måde, men jeg er endeløst fascineret af den kategori af albums (se: den Leonard Cohen vi havde for et par dage siden)

100% med på hvorfor den her er på listen, det var hans bedste album i enten 20 eller 35 år alt efter hvilket humør jeg er i, og der er noget ret magisk ved at pladen handler så meget om døden givet, you know. Godt companion album til You Want It Darker på den måde. Produktionen er så fed.

I remember when this came out and then Bowie died a few days later. Then and now I appreciate the album dealing with his death so close to the event. Listened to it twice this weekend, and on second listen decided to bump it from 3 to 4. Some catchy and nicely atmospheric tracks. The video for the title track is a trip #buttoneyes

A pretty great swan song from Mr Bowie

I remember when this got released, I was just diving into his discography, starting to really get into him years before. I thought this was a very interesting album at the time, especially coming out of what I knew of his earlier stuff. I really dug this album.

delightful last album by amazing iconic rock and roll star

Blackstar // Lazarus // Girl Loves Me

This is a legacy album. It isn't Bowie's best work, but I feel privileged that he could share one last album as a star in its final throws of life. I distinctly remember the weekend that I heard the title track on the radio. Bowie had just died and I was melancholy for two days. This music reflects that kinda vibe.

Creepy, cool, tragic, fun, all the best bits of the man who we knew and loved and lost just two days later.

Heard of the guy, and this album too, although never properly listened. Nice chilled album and kinda sad that it was probably produced when he knew he was dying. Low 4.

It's certainly a lot more experimental than I was expecting, in a great way. I always knew Bowie was known for trying new things musically, but I didn't expect this sound at all. Definitely was pleasantly surprised by this album. I'm not sure if it's a regular listener, but it's fascinating to listen to. It's enough to make me consider giving Bowie's newer work a more thorough listen.

Another artist who sits above reproach. I was raised on Ziggy Stardust and have loved the music ever since. This final chapter in his discography is a worthy finale and it is a marks of the man's inability to do anything undramatically that he died straight after it's release. On revisiting the album, it is dense and textured with lots of modernity about it despite his age. The voice holds well and it sounds great. If it was to be rated at the top of his discography it could benefit from a couple of slightly more accessible or poppy songs but that wouldnt be the point now would it. RIP David

This is an album that goes beyond just being a collection of songs. Especially enjoyable when listened loud, it's easy to feel surrounded by the experience of this album. The best of Bowie's later work and an excellent send off.

Not my favorite Bowie but still Bowie.

just the act of creating this was poetry. could i write poetry to this? y

I avoided listening to this for a long time. Not exactly sure why. Maybe I thought it would be too depressing, or maybe I was already burned out on Bowie and didn't want to force myself to enjoy it. Turns out this is an excellent album. One hell of a swan song.

First album of the generator. Mind blown

4/5 Best Track: Blackstar

Genial, aber etwas morbid.

Very sad at times, a few really good songs on it, a couple that I'm less into as well but what a way to end your career

Poignant and beautiful, A powerful goodbye.

An artist of sound and scape through and forever.

Bowie kept the quality great all the way til the end. A really good rock/electronic album

I was never a Bowie zealot, although I knew a lot of persons who were. I didn't like his voice for some reason and couldn't get past it. But I grew to like him as time passed and I heard his later stuff. He really sounds like an old guy here. But the band is great, his arrangements are stellar, and I love the techno sounds placed perfectly in the songs. I was completely drawn in, and will listen again with lyrics highlighted. A rousing goodby to us all. Rest in peace, dear David.

Man I remember when this came out. Bowie and I share a birthday, and it was so exciting for one of my favorites to release his new album on our birthday! And then it was so good! Everyone was playing it through that weekend, and going l “Wow, amazing work….hmm seems to kinda be about him dying though.” And then he was gone two days later. Two days. He gave us just enough time to realize what the album was about. And then he left. I can’t imagine what it is like to record an album about your death. But that was just Bowie. And it’s one of his best. Literally releasing vital, amazing work until hours before his passing. That was Bowie.

Bowie’s death album - it’s hard to decouple this album from that. The album is haunting, the effect to which is enhanced by his passing. This album gives songs room to breathe, but still has interesting production/arrangements and nice flourishes to fill out. Drums on this album make some interesting beats and stand out more than other Bowie albums. Singing is often slower, longer, and with lots of vibrato. The title/first track “Blackstar” is a standout that brings the listener along on its journey, and that and “I can’t give everything away” are phenomenal bookends to the album.

Muy interesante pero no sé si lo escucharía regularmente, aún así me parece digno de análisis y comprensión más profunda

lazarus

Bowies afskedsgave til verdenen. En legende og undersøgende plade hvor han samlede jazz-musikkere til at spille rock. Bowie fik skabt sit sidste mesterværk. Mande gik ud på toppen ⭐️

Torn between 4 and 5, very close

Listening to this album makes me want to go and listen to Bowie's full discography in chronological order. I felt like I couldn't get the full force of the importance of this music having only really listened his hit top hits in the past. I was kind of into it, it's dark, ethereal and a bit haphazardly confusing (to my ears) - but I think its a bit outside my usual 'Bowie zone'. One of the things I loved was the cover - love the typography! I'm giving this 3.5 stars, but I'll round it up! Given I'm reviewing this on a Monday - "Where the fuck did Monday go?'

Kind of eerie. Loved it.

Bowie's posthumous album. His final gift to the world. Given the setting and the lyrical composition the album gets extra points. Its not a regular listen, but it is impactful and gets played at least on his death-aversary if not a few other times each year. Missing Bowie every day.

I liked this album pretty well. Some of the singing and music really stood out.

There’s so much mystique surrounding this album. This is the only Bowie work where I’m caught up in the non-music considerations associated with it: he knew he had cancer, he kept it a secret from the public, and he made this album while in considerable pain and suffering, the title track and “Lazarus” being clear meditations not only on death but on the imminent end to his artistic voice. This is my Kennedy assassination album. My mom tells me that everyone from her generation knows exactly where they were the moment they heard about the murder. The events of my life at the death of David Bowie are etched into my memory. The night before I heard the news, I was playing D&D with my friends. I was playing a flamboyant bard based on Bowie’s illimitable stage role-playing ability. Some of my friends weren’t too familiar with Bowie’s different stage looks, so I got my phone out, googled him, and was showing his photos around the table. And then I just gushed on and on about what wonderful an artist—not just singer but artist—Bowie is. It didn’t take long for eyes to glaze over. Oh well. The next morning I was at the store and got a message from my friend telling me Bowie had died. I just stopped stunned in the aisle. And can you believe it: “Space Oddity” was playing on the store’s system. My wife, who shops there often, told me the song was part of that month’s rotation, so it wasn’t like the manager threw on some Bowie in tribute. It was just a coincidence, but it was one with powerful meaning for me. I was playing a Bowie character, had just been praising him, now to find out he’s dead, with one of his songs playing in a random place. Later that evening, my friend brought over a bottle of whiskey, and we drank it while listening to our favorite Bowie songs. He actually has more songs about death / transcendence than one might realize. Anyway, about this album: it’s got it all. Bowie doesn’t stick to one style but uses his swan song to do what he’s always done—stretch his wings and not be content with one thing. He mixes jazz and even electronic into the tracks. By the way, if you’re into vinyl, the LP packaging is lovely, including a beautiful booklet with some fine art and photography.

Very good. Etherial.

Maybe not his best, but all things considered still a very fine piece of work

Rating: 8.5/10 Great album overall, consistently high-quality songwriting throughout. This album has a lot of beautiful arrangements, instrumentally and musically it is very diverse and interesting to listen to. I really enjoyed the experimental nature of it, the mix of rock and jazz (and other genres) was done exceptionally well and the songwriting is unpredictable, making it a very enjoyable listen. I was not always a fan of the ideas on here but it works and sounds fantastic the vast majority of the time. Favorite songs: Blackstar, 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore, Lazarus, Girl Loves Me, I Can't Get Away, With Everything. Least favorite song: Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime).

This is a heartbreaking listen if you have context around what was going on with Bowie when he wrote it. Hauntingly beautiful. That being said, as much as I appreciate this album for what it is, if I’m gonna listen to Bowie, I’ll pick almost every other one of his albums before this. Makes it hard to rate, but tipped to a 4 because ultimately, it’s a special piece of art.

There was a manic saxophone player loose in the studio during the entire recording sessions. I love him.

THAT is what I call a swansong. This album is close to perfect and shows well what Bowie could do, even close to the end. I like the fact that it is very jazzy, the electronic bits were less a novelty in his career but still enjoyable. I find the opening track a bit irritating though.

I don't know Bowie very well, but this album is remarkable.

Solid lyrics and creative arrangements.

Realizing it makes a big difference to review and album when I've experienced its release first hand. This one will always feel eerie. Probably what he had intended. Hearing his fragile, old voice and breathing, yet still singing about infinity and his dick, I'm just grateful he was able to give his catalogue some kind of closure. May we all burn out!

i just love when bowie

really liked the instrumentals

Blackstar is such a weird song, and I love parts of it and others I did not. Bummed, cause I thought about this as the song I would add to my playlist, but ultimately decided on Dollar Days. I enjoyed the album on the whole and with the context that he died 2 days later, it definitely gives it an eerie tone. I kiked the Alladin Sane album more, but this was still good.

Using a jazz band for rock gave it an interesting sound. Especially the drums are wild. Opinion is significantly influenced by Bowie's death two days later.

I listened to this album shortly after it came out. I've been a casual fan of David Bowie's hits since around high school, but this was the first time I listened to one of his full albums. I remember being sad that he had passed away, but I also remember being hit with the regret that I didn't see him in concert in 2004 when he came through town. This is my sixth Bowie album to review, and I've been all over the map with how I've felt about his albums. Blackstar is really good, and while it's not a five star album for me, I think it's one of his better albums. It's weird and experimental, but the sound is still incredibly accessible, because of its overall beauty and haunting melodies. The instrumentation is all fantastic. There's great guitar playing, great drumming (I love James Murphy), and of course Bowie's fantastic vocals. The string, saxophone, and piano arrangements are great too, and they really enhance the deathly mood of this album, while still giving it a "trademark Bowie" sound. The lyrics on this album are haunting, and it's really sombre to listen to what are essentially David Bowie's last words for the world, even eight years after this album's release and his passing. "I Can't Give Everything Away" is a perfect closer to this album, giving us a bittersweet hint that if it weren't for his illness, Bowie felt like he still had more in the tank. While this isn't my favorite album from Bowie, I still think it's really good. As the last effort from one of popular music's biggest forces, I think it's a fantastic listen for any fan of music.

Great if you're a Bowie fan

In the context of how this album came to be, it is heartbreaking. It's surprisingly positive music whilst also sounding incredibly depressing. Great stuff, but it isn't something I will come back to time and again.

helt ok, men noen bangers

Tragic masterpiece.

sad, sad

This album hits harder as his last.

Never listened to this one. I enjoyed most of it. A bit uneven though. Probably won't listen to this again.

Yes - I recall the release in 2016, and it was a sad day. Bowie was a creative genius, not necessarily loved or appreciated by many, but he was not afraid to try new things and present how he felt. I recall when this came out, I listened a few times, but did not give it a solid try - I think the title cut :BlackStar" turned me off. However, years later as I list to this, I have a newfound respect. Take the "swan song" out of the equation and just enjoy. I find it interesting that the final track "I Can't Give Everything Back" that turns out to be his last recorded track. is so sad, poignant, and personal = . A farewell song that now climbs to the top as one of my favorite Bowie song.

Probably my favorite bowie album. Liked the electronic portions

Es una joya de Bowie, quizás su disco que más me gustó. El saxo es tremendo.

Bowies last album, can tell he knew he was going out and this was going to be it. A treat to listen to

4.5/5. Wanna cry? Dude made an album for his fans two days before his own death, what a sweet parting gift. Fascinating that Kendrick Lamar and Death Grips of all people had a large influence on this record.

This was actually pretty cool. I like Bowie when he’s not singing too much. I looved the drumming

Surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! A pretty cohesive quick album, w/ Lazarus being a big standout for me.

It’s great

I came to this with pretty low expectations, not being a big fan of David Bowie and his other work. However, I really enjoyed this and will probably listen to it again at least once. Not much else to say, it was interesting and not as depressing as I figured it might be, almost uplifting in parts. 4 stars.

One of those albums I will always remember listening to for the first time. Listened to it two days after it was released, when it was announced he had passed. The opening line of Lazarus truly accurate at that point.

Da e nåken godinga her, men når ikkje heilt opp diverre

Nach einmal Hören sicherlich nicht zu erfassen. In jedem Fall Bowie-Schräg. Thumbs up!

David Bowie was a very talented artist, I enjoyed this.

Haven’t had a to of exposure to Bowie, so not a huge fan… I don’t dislike his music, just never really gave a good listen. Now I’m hunting for a copy of this to add to the collection. Pretty good stuff. Love the Jazz aspect.

Benefit of this little project, I hadn't given this a listen. Now I have.

This is a very interesting album. No big singles or hits. I know this was released right around the time Bowie died. It is very avant garde. jazzy.

I don't think I'd heard anything from this album before. I enjoy most of David Bowie's music so I looked forward to listening when this showed up today. At least upon my first listening, I found this to be one of my favorite Bowie albums so far. I can't remove whatever biases I formed because I knew this was his final studio album before his death, so I can't know how much of my interpreting the composition of these songs, musically and lyrically, through the lens of someone aware of his impending death is my preconceived notions and how much is the artist's intent. Either way, this album resonates with me on the level of a music fan and a deeper reflective level. It's superb. Truly superb.

The best epilogue album any artist could come up with. A very adequate final note on the discography of David Bowie. He kept experimenting and refusing to settle on a single sound until his last years. Fascinating stuff.

Pretty good album

It's Bowie. He doesn't speak to me in quite the way he speaks to others (like my siblings) but he's so talented still. 4.5 for me.

01) ★ - 8,5 02) 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore - 8,0 03) Lazarus - 9,5 04) Sue (Or in a Season of Crime) - 8,5 05) Girl Loves Me - 9,0 06) Dollar Days - 8,5 07) I Can't Give Everything Away - 9,5 TOTAL: 8,79 (88/100) I didn't like it much when it first came out, it was too dark, too experimental for me. But now, after few years, it sort of sits with me a bit more. "Lazarus" is my favorite track, followed by "I Can't Give Everything Away" and "Girl Loves Me".

Definitely a new sound for him, but I always love good Bowie.

I didn't think I'd like it but it was fairly cool, artsy and interesting.

I love the album cover really much! Simple but at the same time really complicated and abstract. I thought that because of being an album of David Bowie, one of the biggest music stars in the world, it would be a really cool album, and, actually, it is a good album, it has amazing songs, and, as his last work before he died it makes it a little more important because it feels like a goodbye with the rhytm of the songs, specially with the principal song "Blackstar", but i expected just a little bit more. Even tho, i liked it.

Top album, huge Bowie fan

Pretty dark themes

NTF

Minus 1 black star for just SO many saxophone solos. SO. MANY. It's just way too much saxophone. Eugh. Other than than that, it was pretty alright. More than a bit chaotic, though. Far more chaotic than I'd prefer, if I'm being honest. It's a good thing it was balanced by Bowie's weird, alien genius. "Lazarus" is an absolute jam (despite the saxophones) and the production is top-notch. And ending with "I Can't Give Everything Away" is such a hauntingly perfect goodbye (aside from the completely unnecessary saxophone solo, of course) from one of the greatest musical talents... ever. Shame about all those damn saxophones, though.

👍

Haunting, sad, a little unsettling. I liked it. I remember the day Bowie died; I had never actively listened to his music, but my friends were talking about it during one of our weekly meetups at a dumpling restaurant. The person I liked was especially upset by his passing, which surprised me, because I had never given much thought to Bowie’s music career. I became more interested after that, and I learned there was a greater depth to his music than I assumed. Anyway, that’s all an aside, but this album put me in a mindset to mourn the loss of that part of my life.

I don’t really understand Bowie’s music. It’s an acquired taste, I think. Maybe better with more listen. Not really understanding the whore song Is Bowie part of the glam rock movement? Lazarus is good vibes

i really liked this album it was something different and i have actually listened to some of the songs twice in particular Lazarus & I Can’t Give Everything Away.

4/5

Dead

It's beautiful, heartbreaking and I love it. A proper wallowing album for me.

Excellent album. I'd rather listen all the way through than a song here and there. I'd buy the vinyl.

1. 4/5 2. 3.5/5 3. 5/5 4. 3.5/5 5. 4/5 6. 4/5 7. 4.5/5 = 4.07

What a crazy swan song of an album by Bowie. Tells a story and really grips you while listening.

Like many I listened to this for the first time right after he passed and was moved by the music. I listen to this a few times since and while I think it's a solid record it's not the same now that the emotion has faded, funny how music appreciation and emotion interplay.

This was a wacky one. I'm pretty familiar with Bowie's early albums, but had never listened to this. I definitely didn't expect how straight up experimental this was, and so much electronica/hip-hop/drum'n'bass to come through, but I listened through twice back to back and absolutely look forward to spending more time in it.

First and last tracks are such heaters

Really enjoyed it. Solid throughout with Lazarus being a beast of a song in the middle.

Great album, heart breaking.

If you’re dipping your toes into Bowie this is essential. There’s six or seven must hear albums to ‘get’ Bowie. But you could probably condense even that to Ziggy, hunky dory this one and heroes. (And space oddity). To Bowie fans every note he played is essential. Then this one. Note there’s a long gap between great and this. I do like the tin machine one. And scary monsters is decent. Blackstar is an outstanding even great swan song by a dying man embracing mortality. Not that we knew it at the time. So when he died (I was waiting on a plane to jet off to New York when my sister texted me to tell me.) it was a shock. I did find his flat in New York accidentally, up in SoHo (I think) with hundreds of flowers and tributes out the front. I wasn’t sure why they were there and I asked the woman next to me ‘why are these here?’ ‘David Bowie was a rock star …’. No no. Why HERE? I know who Bowie was. ‘Oh that’s where he lived. ‘ He also lived in St Ives on Sydney’s lower north shore, loving the relative anonymity being part of a smaller tight knit community. Is Blackstar one of the 1000 albums you must hear? Compared to Ziggy, or hunky dory, or heroes? Nah. Is it a good album? Yes. Even a great one. But not essential to understanding rock music. It’s a 4. But I’m not sure it should be on the list.

It’s great

Top notch art jazz rock

Short, chaotic, and soulful. I really struggled with the first half of the album, but by the last couple songs it resolved into a mournful goodbye. Its fitting for the end of one of our great musical geniuses.

I just listened to Station-to-Station and asked for more David Bowie music. I did not mean more of his music the very next day, but that's what I received. Reviewing this album by saying "It's not Station-to-Station or Ziggy Stardust" isn't entirely fair, because what is as good as those albums? Yet still, this is a list of albums I MUST hear and I probably would have left this one off. It's not a bad David Bowie album, but I feel like it made this list since he died two days after it was released. It's a good album, but it's not one of his best. Still, really good and makes me want to hear more of his music...just not necessarily tomorrow.

Not my taste

Feels more like classic 70's Bowie. The last two tracks (Dollar Days and I Can't Give Everything Away) were my favorite tracks.

David Bowie, never boring, even through to the end. It's a challenging album, not nearly my favorite from him, but I have to give him props for staying adventurous and not resting on his laurels. The last couple of songs sound a bit like goodbye. Emotional and touching, but never maudlin. A great pick for album number 1,001. 4 stars.

Great job David, keep it up! :3

Known Before: artist Standouts: Blackstar 7

Known before: Artist Standouts: 03. Lazarus 06. Dollar days 07. I can't give Everything Away Rating: 8.0

Known Before: Singer Standouts: 1. Black Star 3. Lazarus 8.0

Bowie has proven that he is one of the best singular artists of all time. With 26 albums and this, his last, still being influential and wonderful proves that. Blackstar is a goodbye from one of the best in only a way Bowie could do. With modern music styles while still having deep storied lyrics it is remarkable the length at which he created and changed music. If there’s one thing this list has done it has made me truly appreciate Bowie for what he’s done. This album encapsulates that experience. 8.2/10

-i didn’t know you could have symbols as song titles on spotify lol ⭐️ (blackstar) - love a good saxophone solo -i really like what the drummer is doing on this track. so often drummers get relegated to being just the steady rhythm but this song shows how much more percussion is capable of. -a really interesting entrance into the mind of a man who i guess knew his time was coming to an end. the -flute! -really cool track! more experimental than i have heard with previous bowie songs but it definitely works. 7/10 great opener from a technical perspective but its repetitive nature makes it something that i’m unlikely to listen to again. tis a pity she was a whore - drumssssss -love hearing the conversation between the sax and piano -good vibes 7.5/10 lazarus -i love this song already -another song reflecting on death but compared to blackstar, this song is more straightforward and thus feels more authentic. like he’s not trying to preform for anyone -the brass instrument (baritone?) is absolutely beautiful -amazing sax solo -9.5/10 sue (or in a season of crime) -the songs starts like a rage against the machine track lol -there is some dissonance between his vocal melody and the instrumental melody. i don’t hate it -not really my thing but still a very impressive track 7/10 girl loves me -can’t go wrong with a string section (though is probably a synth) -not bad but also nothing memorable 6/10 dollar days - i think this is the first time we hear acoustic guitar on the album. love the inclusion it makes this sound more like a ballad which is a nice tonal shift -beautiful song 8/10 i can’t give everything away -perhaps the title of this track indicates how bowies illness has prevented him from continuing to give music, art, and performance to the world -quite a bittersweet ending to a great album. -i’m glad the track ended with a fade out. feel appropriate lol -solid ending 7.5/10 overall this was a great album. i’ve listened to a few of bowies other works but this is my first time listening to blackstar. there seemed to be quite a few references to the play tis a shame she was a whore which i have not seen. that obviously means my opinion of the album is hindered. lazurus and dollar days are my favourites from the album. final rating: 7.5/10 or 3.5/5

Super album to close a great career

If I listen to this album like three more times, it'll be one of my favorite albums. For now, it'll have to stay a beautiful rock album. 8/10

8/10

I want so much to give this 10/5 stars. It was hard to listen to but brilliant

Bowie was a serious musician to the end. He continued to innovate and search for a new thing through his entire life. And he managed that feat multiple times, and yet was true to himself, and made music only he could make. He is a legend. And this album is fantastic. But is not my thing either. I am glad to have heard it, but I probably will not listen to it in a regular rotation. "'Tis a pity she was a whore" is a highlight. . . Lazarus is also a timely release considering he died around this release.

Chilling album - beautiful and haunting. Continues to prove itself more and more as one of the better projects to come out of the previous decade. Four and a half. Fave track: Lazarus

First Bowie album that made a bit of sense to me

Such an interesting creative culmination of everything he's done. I selfishly wish there was more to listen to.

Huge fan but Bowie's passing made me not want to listen to this record, I knew it would make me sad. This was the first time I listened to this album, and I liked it, though it is definitely a bit haunting. In the same mode as "The Next Day" but a bit more melancholy. As with some other artists with several albums on the 1001, I'm going to give it a four mostly due to the fact there are other Bowie albums I like better.

Very relaxed jazz album

Sue is incredible. Album as a whole is amazing, but I myself might not be able to absorb the whole scale of it.

Strange, atmospheric, dense, elusive. Bowie's final album sounds like Radiohead but a bit less dark. His voice shows both the same depth and strength it's always had but also the character and wear of age. It's strange to be so vital, experimental and interesting so late in one's career -- let alone such a mainstream successful one. Bowie is rightfully acclaimed as an innovator and explorer, but he deserves as much credit for seeking out great collaborators, embracing their strengths and often applying lessons from them long after the collaboration ends. There are very clear Brian Eno influences here and he's not on this record at all -- only safely embraced up in Bowie's own head. There's no hyper-catchy Modern Love sort of single here. It's beautiful, though -- reverb-drenched, overdriven rhythm guitars backing wild, clean saxophone solos while Bowie emotes just to the side; that sort of thing. It's unlikely to be your favorite David Bowie album, but you should listen to this. It's poppy electro-jazz by way of rock music's greatest chameleon frontman and it's a lovely, fitting, challenging swan song. A deserving entry into one of the great bodies of work in modern popular music -- even as it stretches those pop confines.

While listening to the album I wasn't getting too much into the songs but somehow learning about the release of this album surrounding Bowie's death it explains a lot. The lyrics are him giving his farewell to his fans and a send off the best he could. While the genre of the album might be rock or jazz, to me it is sci-fi space.

David Bowie, Darkstar His 26th and final studio album.... RIP 2016 Fantastic. Standouts: Darkstar, Lazarus, I Can't Give Everything Away, Dollar Days 4/5

Girl Loves Me is so rad. The whole album is but wtf is that song. Kinda Pink Floydy

fell asleep early on first listen (just tired), but listened through next day. not knowing much of Bowie's back catalog, it is a really interesting listen, but nothing mind blowing. really like the saxophone work - amazing, basically a +1 to overall score. lyrics that I could understand are a bit odd at times. 3.8/5. only 1x listen while awake, but went back and watched MVs for Blackstar and Lazarus.

The truth is... I like this album OK. I don't find the songs particularly interesting. The instrumentation and production is excellent. When it first released I remember listening to it and just feeling fine about it. But... I'm giving this 4 because it still has a massive impact on me. It feels like Bowie is talking from the grave. It feels like a premonition. It's like the ultimate piece of performance art. Gotta give props for that.

I love David Bowie's back-catalogue of songs and hits, but this project has taught me that a lot of his albums are wildly inconsistent. This album however is actually consistent and good throughout. The context of the album definitely elevates it I think, making a concept album out of his looming death. A true artist to the end. It's bold, and artsy, and kind of wonderful.

Parempi Joutsenlaulu minkä Yö teki

Solid album. I would be happy if I got an album out 2 days before my passing too.

Rätt otroligt ibland

Good

4/5

Not what I expected. There is a lot of jazz influence. It's experimental. A wild final ride from Bowie. Also Lazarus is a stand out.

Da e nåken godinga her, men når ikkje heilt opp diverre

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Girl loves me

David, you lovely little sausage. Like everyone else, I mythologised this album, given the circumstances of its release, so I was a little concerned that it might not stand up in the cold light of the Project. Fear not, it's magnificent. How is Lazarus written by a 68 year old with months to live? It beggars belief.

Incredible sounds and ambience!!

I love this album. In the context of his death it can be difficult to listen to.

Lovely final album, has a very elegiac feel to it. Needs a few listens to really appreciate the quality of the songs and the musicianship. Dollar Days is particularly beautiful and sad.

I quite like this. Better than lots of previous Bowie

Very good.

David Bowie never lost his touch. What an amazing body of work he left us with. I don't know if I would regard this album the way I do if it was by an unknown performer.

It’s beautiful, complex, and chill. There is a sadness and feeling of tiredness and loss which permeates, making it even harder to separate this album from the end of Bowie’s life. I love so much of Bowie’s work, and this stands as his final great achievement.

have to say i'm not exactly in the mood for albums like this one today. nevertheless, i really enjoyed the atmosphere present and i'm sure i'd enjoy it even more on a different day.

Var väl sista plattan då han fortfarande var i livet. Sjuk var han väl också. Men visst sjutton är det bra.

There's such a discomforting, disconcerting intensity about the whole album and his performances. It's ambitious and impressive - and really restless. Lazarus is one of the great songs about death, and blackstar is a brilliant theatric creation. The only thing it lacks for me is some congruency at times between the instruments and vocal performances - they don't always fit. And while this is the point in places, in others it feels clumsy and awkward. But still a strong 4 stars

obra maestra

Even after listening to three David Bowie albums now, including this one. He still remains a mixed back for me. There songs that I just absolutely love, but also a few that just sound alright to me. Never really anything bad though. So sadly, even for his last album, I can only give it 4 stars again. Still it was worth listening to this one and I enjoyed my time with it. Favorite songs were: Blackstar, Lazarus, Dollar Days and I Can't Give Everything Away.

Another classic

Beautiful and frightening.

Amazing ending to a career. Dark.

Magnificent exit album. Lazarus is a perfect song.

Amazing artist. I respect the courage he had throughout his career. Great send off

Bowie was always good at changing musical styles as times changed. This is an interesting mix of electronic, jazz, rock, and pop. It's the last words of a dying man, in that context, the themes make more sense. Overall a good album

was never a huge Bowie fan in addition to thinking he was kind of a creep, so this never really had any emotional resonance for me as his "goodbye" or whatever but the actual music is objectively pretty good and interesting

Not the best Bowie, but not remotely the worst. His last effort, and proof that he was always fiddling with his style.

I like the beginning of the first song black star, but is way too long for my tastes. The last song is a nice top off and I like it.

This was a good album. It reminded me a lot of Bowie's early stuff. I had not heard it before and it delivered. It isn't really a 4 but it is better than a 3 so I will round up

it has the same feeling as johnny cash's last album. blackstar, lazarus

A very solid farewell from David Bowie. FS: Lazarus, Sue

Not the biggest Bowie fan, and I generally don't enjoy albums by artists 30 years after they've hit their peak, but this was great. Reading more about it, sounds like there's a bit of inspiration in there by bands I do like, like Boards of Canada, and LCD, so maybe that's no surprise. Definitely going to listen to this one again. Great swansong.

I'd obvs heard Blackstar before and not sure I really got it at the time or gave it enough attention. on this listen I thought it was bloody brilliant. Amazing to chug out another cracking album at this time in his life

4/5 Best: Lazarus Worst: 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore

This is a brilliant final bow out for any artist. Been considering the full 5 stars for a few days now. But it just isn’t quiet their when comparing this to peak Bowie, therefore just misses out, maybe if I come back in a few years I’d rerate this one.

I seem to be getting a lot of Bowie generated recently! This is considered to be his “swan song”, as he passed away only days after this was released. I remember when this album came out and the worldwide shock when he died. Songs I already knew: Lazarus Favourites: Blackstar, Lazarus I haven’t loved every Bowie album, but I do love how frequently he changed his sound. He doesn’t tend to stick to one genre and I’d consider that to be pretty rad. I read online that he took inspiration from Boards Of Canada for this album, and it certainly does seem a little more electronica than I’d usually expect from him. The real highlight for this album is his voice - it is the distinct voice we all know, but with a lot more sorrow and wisdom coming through with his age. This was a pretty great album. Give it a listen!

It's Bowie ... so it's art, not just pop music.

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

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

pretty good

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.

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

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

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.

Bowie + experiments = stunning! I loved this.

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.

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.

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.

Ah yes. Crippling depression.

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.

very good. Bowie is always interesting to me.

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

Great album

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

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

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.

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

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

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 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

Great album, so haunting.

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+

Very sad album. But it’s powerful.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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 🔥

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.

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

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.

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.

Visceral because he wrote the lyrics knowing he was dying

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.

Amazing album

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

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