Blackstar

Final Bowie. Ethereal, mournful Bowie. Cryptic and theatrical Bowie. 😢 Fave track - "'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore"

Como todo lo que he escuchado de Bowie, me costó trabajo al inicio y la primera impresión cuando salió no fue la mejor. Ahora retomarlo con más paciencia ayudó. Si quizá no me encantan todas las canciones, adoro los arreglos de los metales durante todo el disco y los momentos en que se nota un Bowie frágil. En efecto, no verá los árboles a los que corría. Songs: Dollar Days, Blackstar, Lazarus

trippy, outside expectations even for bowie

Bowie is a classic, this one is a bit more transcendent and a bit morose than previous albums.

eccentric!

Estranho, o melho tipo de estranho

Looking forward to the follow up from him

I never listened to this when it came out. It's super interesting.

Gosto muito pelo conceito e pelo que cerca o album musicalmente eu nao acho tudo isso

Surprisingly experimental in some songs, considering this was his last album. Blackstar is a masterpiece. Lazarus is my 2nd favorite but a bit more straight-forward, I do like the transition around the lyrics "By the time I got to New York". Girl Loves Me is good too. Sue is the only track I feel isn't as good as the rest of them, the guitar just feels a bit cheesy, like it's trying to be heavy but it falls flat for me. But, for the real gems on this album, it pushes it up to 4.

Que buen trip mantenía a sus 69 años, pensé que había cambiado de canción y de repente te das cuenta de que es la segunda parte de la primer rola. En cada una de las rolas se nota la madurez y coherencia aunque sea experimental.

3/5 jord 4/5 rob

Ich hatte mich davor gedrückt, auch weil ich den Titelsong schwach fand. Eine Bowie-Platte…Je mehr ich ihn höre, desto mehr gewinne ich den Eindruck, dass auch hier wieder das Werk etwas hinter dem Mythos zurücksteht. Musste ich zweimal hören, um überhaupt so etwas wie ein Urteil bilden zu können. 4 Sterne.

Need to get into more Bowie

A fitting final album for Bowie.

Have always loved this album. Sad and some of it haunting.

Bowie's last album as he faces death. He put his parting thoughts into the imagery.

Very subdued mellow scary dark sullen room vibes; nice progression from beginning to end

hmm

There is something powerful about an artist's last record - especially when it is released so close to their final moments. This album is no exception. I really really liked this. Bowie is an artist.

This is tough. I haven't listened to this since it first came out, and obviously the circumstances were very different then. I still think "Lazarus" is genuinely moving, but it may be the only song on the album I actually like listening too (with the possible exception of "I Can't Give Everything Away," which has kind of an insane arrangement that I really dig). I think three (black) stars is an acknowledgement of what this album achieved, while I might go lower if just looking at the music by its own merits. (I fucking love Bowie but there's so much more to him than what's here)

Good bowie, reasonable album listen. Backstory adds a lot to the album, but very mood dependent, as is the case with many non-ziggy bowie

Enjoyed this, have listened to it a few times over the years. But it falls in to the category of albums that I won’t go out of my way to listen to, but don’t mind if it’s on.

I like David Bowie but his last album here just doesn't really do it for me.

It’s either the genius product of years of learning, growth, etc., or the random bullshit of a dying man; I don’t feel confident that I can discern which one it is at the moment, so it’s sitting at a 3 until I figure it out…

Really not what I was expecting. It was like an emo version of the labyrinth movie soundtrack

Fint, men repetitivt album. Kun med på listen, fordi han døde et par dage efter udgivelsen.

I wish I enjoyed this more. Listened to it when it came out, and a couple times throughout the years, and still now I just can’t fully connect with it. The music is mostly great, it’s the vocals I have a hard time with. The vocal effects on the title track sound haunting in a bad way, and they don’t really redeem themselves throughout the record. As much as I consider myself a Bowie fan I feel that if this wasn't his death album, it wouldn’t have the same attention and respect awarded it.

Fun little album. Mix of Bowie-esque style. There's been better but still a decent listen.

No fav song

3.75

This so not for me. Like his older stuff.

Interesting Bowie album didn’t ext this kind of sound

Very strange for me.

Leah liked Lazarus, Austin too, along with Dollar Days. Meladolic. Reminds me of tangled chains. Very mind boggling. Leah - 5/7 Leprechauns Austin - 4/7 Leprechauns

Lazarus is incredible. Love the jazz elements bowie introduced. I don't think this is anywhere near his best work and it probably gets more credit than it should because he died soon after, but it's still a good listen full of emotion. 3.5

Best Song: Lazarus. The saxophone solo was quite evocative, and the whole song had this sparse and melancholy mood that really suited the album overall. Worst Song: Girl Loves Me. It's awful to say, but this really does sound like an old man rambling. Just alone on in a hospital room, crying out, "where the fuck did Monday go?" Overall: Truly there could not be a more fitting final album for this list. After having to endure so many Bowie albums (and I've come to learn through this list that "endure" is, for me, the appropriate verb), I get to end with the one that killed him. And it is about as middling as the rest of his album's I've listened to. Thematically, the reflections on death are compelling, but people like Leonard Cohen, hell even Johnny Cash, have already provided more thoughtful explorations than this. They were able to articulate the idea that, after a lifetime of fame and success, what matters to them more than the material things that they've had the good fortune to accrue are more previous and intangible, but they did it in a way that was a deal more subtle and artful than just repeating the phrase "I can't give everything away" ad nauseum. A clumsy and self-indulgent final album.

liked it, but not too much

Album #95: Blackstar - David Bowie Genre (W): Art rock, jazz rock, experimental jazz, experimental rock Singles: Blackstar, Lazarus, I Can’t Give Everything Away I have listened to this album once before. Thoughts?: Wow.. this is a heavy album. The fact that this was released two days before his death gives it so much weight. However, I’ll try to be objective. I love the arrangements of this album, and Lazarus is one of my favorite songs ever. Blackstar is also one heck of an opener. Favorite songs: Blackstar, Lazarus, Sue (Or in a Season in Crime), I Can’t Give Everything Away

I think this album had potential, with a few good songs on it like "Lazarus" and "I Can't Give Everything Away", but I feel like this was just a lackluster attempt to re-live his massive popularity in the 80's

Shrugs.

This album is super weird but it got me into a flow state at work, which I definitely appreciate

Interesting sound, reminded me of Radiohead a bit. I have only listened to Bowies first few albums so this was hugely different. I feel this is an album I need to revisit to gage if it deserves a higher score. At least he went out on a pretty decent album.

Didnt find this album all that… But its bowie i guess.

sinto sua falta david bowie

not quite my tempo. 2.5?

Respect to Bowie for always pushing his music to new places. Still like Ziggy better.

--★...myriad twists and turns to this epic. would take many more listens to fully appreciate --'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore...'tis, David, 'tis. I'm not sure what he found so compelling about this arrangement. the band is doing insane things in the background but it all kind of amalgamates into mediocre pop. weird but not weird enough --Lazarus...the wiki entry claims Bowie did not fully intend this to be his final album, but songs like this make it obvious he believed it could be. not as needlessly busy as the previous track but it's far more interesting. nice saxophone --Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)...James Murphy doing serious work on drums but not feeling it overall --Girl Loves Me...ominous, perhaps a little creepy. could grow on me over time --Dollar Days...easy listening but it doesn't veer into cheesy. or maybe it's the right amount of cheese? Bowie seems to be adding extra emotion here --I Can't Give Everything Away...Bowie gives it his all again. not a great track but it's hard not to root for him at this point. guitar work is a highlight

B- Blackstar 3 Tis A Pity She Was A Whore 4 Lazarus 3 Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) 3 Girl Loves Me 3 Dollar Days 4 I Can't Give Everything Away 3 I understand the importance of it, but it's nothing too crazy.

"I can't give everything away" saved it.

bowie slop

3/5

Interesting but I'm not the biggest fan of some of the vocal choices

Lazarus is sick. Stand-outs - Black Star - Lazarus

5/10

Not one of the better Bowie Albums But OK

Pretty dissonant, especially 'Tis A Pity She Was a Whore. More avant-garde and moody than his older albums but maybe I'm just a normie. He really likes the sax on this album. Fave Song: I can't give everything away 3/5

wowza

Hab schon schlechteres und besseres von David Bowie gehört.

Ein neuer Stinker von David Bowie

There are some Bowie songs I like, and Ziggy Stardust is pretty good, but most of it just is not for me. I can listen to it, but I'd prefer something else. This album in particular was quite unsettling.

Despite being a spooky album, there are moments that are reminiscent of 70s Bowie songs. Subtle but I hear ‘em. Good album overall. 3.5/5.0

What a freakish album.

Full of intriguing symbolism and metaphors about Bowie's life and death, making this album an interesting listen that probably needs to be separated from its musical value to be really appreciated. That being said, I only enjoyed Dollar Days and I Can't Give Everything Away because they were more upbeat and didn't carry the same haunting, slow sounds that the rest of the tracks featured.

I haven't listened to much David Bowie, but I feel like there are different albums from him I would enjoy more. I don't find the sound of this album very interesting.

Only because it’s Bowie. Love the voice.

- as creepy as always - I didn’t like this as much as heroes, but still unique and fun - would listen again probably

Broadly eclectic sound but not a whole ton of variety within or between songs. All very neat noises though. Highlights: "★", "Lazarus", "Girl Loves Me"

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Putting out a record largely themed around mortality two days before you die is a heck of an artistic statement but the record itself is patchy, and the sound doesn’t do it justice.

Good Album

Not my favorite bowie

Definitely not my favorite Bowie album. It’s less fun, a little more depressing, but the jazz influence is nice. Not bad overall, just a little different than his other stuff

I’m just not a big fan of David’s singing - it’s not something I hate but I just is kind of there for me.

Mediocre Bowie is still a good album

Tengo q escucharlo completo

An album that gets progressively better is much more enjoyable than one which gets progressively worse… I heard good things about this album. I never gave it a listen, despite the acclaim that came from it. And the interesting factoid that Bowie died just two days after its release…. I really enjoy the production on “Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)” and the overall musicianship on “I Can’t Give Everything Away” 3.5

Was always a fan of Bowie, this album not so much

75

Some nice songs and a few that didn’t do much for me.

Liked it, didn't love it.

I wish I could have given this more but it is just good, sadly not brilliant.

j'adore Bowie mais c'est trop la déprime cet album

I was not fucking with this as much as I wanted to be unfortunately. But it had some good bits and it was heartbreaking to listen to and I’m glad I listened.

Vet album, maar wel wat vaag

Bowies siste gave til musikkverden, utgitt to dager før hans død. Art rock. Fantastisk, mørk instrumentasjon, som passer konteksten rundt albumet utmerket. Samtidig litt for sært for min smak. Top 3: Lazarus, ★, Girl Loves Me

solid and short

Just a very solid Bowie album!

Experimental to the max for Bowie but generally enjoyable

The backing musicians are awesome.

I feel like I'm being hypnotised into believing David Bowie is a black star. What a weird journey this was. Although, I feel if it weren't a weird journey, it wouldn't be Bowie.

my seventh bowie album on this list, still two left i think.

I've come to realise, I am just not a David Bowie fan. This album was easy enough to listen to, just nothing stood out for me. I am sure that David Bowie fans live this album, it just wasn't for me.

Finally a Bowie album that I can get. An album by someone well aware of his impending mortality. Haunting and impactful. This one will stay with you for a while.

Really fitting for today's gloomy moods. Some tracks are really touching especially in context of release of this album.

It was an interesting album, I feel quite neutral about it. I don’t love It but I don’t hate it either. I like Lazarus and Dollar Days the most. A bit of a liminal vibe in this album that makes me feel strange. It’s cool I like it.

It't has some likeable bits. Would probably grow on me if I was interested in a hearing it again. I'm not.

Has the overall tone and vibe of somebody giving their final bow. Some beautiful moments with some downright strange. Typical for Bowie I guess. Doubt I'll ever listen to this or anything from it again, but I enjoyed it enough.

Loved the first 4 minutes, but dropped off for me

Nice

Bueno

Of course Bowie is one of the best but this album didn’t speak to me like his others did.

Self-indulgent. I could grow to like it.

curiosity kills the cat and other such saying

Not his best imo

Rv

Oof. A beautiful last album but drastically different from what I know David Bowie to be. Lazarus and I Can't Give Everything Away stick out as monuments to his capability to make something weirdly beautiful.

3/5. I am not a Bowie fan or hater. I had no static opinion about him before this album — some songs I like, some I dislike. He seems really polarizing to me, so announcing that ambivalence seems worthwhile. It's a really odd album. I really disliked the first two songs, loved "Lazarus," and am unsure about the others. I haven't dived into the compositions from a musician's perspective, but everything I hear solidifies Bowie's reputation as an artist's artist, a real genius. Some of the music has this otherworldly quality despite not having anything special in the way of instrumentation, and when he does use effects to bolster a certain feeling in his songs, he does so with amazing results (I think of the really strange tones he has on the electric guitar chords near the start of "Lazarus;" incredible). I think if you are in the mood for something experimental and out there, but still safely in the realm of listenable, this is definitely worth a spin. I don't think I'll return to the album in the future but I'm glad I checked it out.

Generated on a Friday the 13th. This was strange at times and great at others

This is only the second Davie Bowie album I've listened to (like, ever) and so I kind of wish I had gotten it later in the rotation, after listening to more than just Low. I know all about the context of this album's release, with Bowie dying two days after its release, and I know that his terminal diagnosis was something he was aware of during its production. • Blackstar, the title track, initially didn't do anything for me at all, but I quite like how it sounds from about 4:20 until about 7:30. That middle portion was definitely my favourite part of the song • It feels very prescient to have a song titled Lazarus on an album like this, and the lyrics clearly show that Bowie knew what he was facing. Instrumentally, I'm a fan of this song, and I really liked the trumpet solo. • Sue is a very interesting song. It sounds frantic, and even though the lyrics don't appear (on the surface at least) to relate to mortality, the song still feels like it's about death. • Girl Loves Me didn't click with me initially, but I ended up really liking it. • "If I never see the English evergreens I'm running to" is a pretty painful quote. To know that you will never see your homeland again would be pretty difficult to reckon with. • The last track closes out the album (and Bowie's career) well. It's not a sad sounding song by any means, but it does feel pretty final. This is a tricky album to rate. The songs that I liked were all really poignant, but there was a decent amount that didn't work for me. I get the sense that Bowie was aiming to please everybody with this album, I'm sure he made it knowing his diehard fans would enjoy it, and that's what matters most for an album like this. I don't see myself revisiting this album any time soon, but I am looking forward to listening to more Bowie in the future. Favourite song: Lazarus

Amazing artrock swansong from this legendary artist. Some songs are sometimes to experimental/jazzy for me, but overall a really interesting experience. 1. Lazarus 2. Star 3. 'Tis a pity she was a whore

This was fine. I liked the first and last tracks the best, probably. It was interesting, but there was a lot I didn't love. Several of the songs felt like the music and vocals were disconnected; these floaty vocals over very tight modern art-rock. On the final track, "I Can't Give Everything Away," I can feel that there's a good song underneath the dated-sounding production. I would say it's the only song where the production lets things down. THREE STARS

This feels like Bowie does 'hail to the thief' and album that was 13 years old by the release of this A pity she was a whore? I was hoping for some sort of subversion but it feels more like a musical number gone wrong After the first 2 weird tracks it calms down to an actually good modern Bowie album. His weird distinctive voice plus pounding instrumentation

I want to love Bowie, but I’m kind of neutral about this album.

I do agree on the idea that this album probably wouldn’t be as favoured if it wasn’t Bowie’s last album and he didn’t die literally days after it was released

Duro pero no es mi tipo

I liked this album as I appreciate the greatness of Bowie, but I don’t think this is his best album.

Blackstar opens with a track that channels David Lynch via Radiohead, with odd autotuned harmony vocals and strange narratives and spooky music. The next song sounds frantic, with an urgent drum beat and wild soprano sax and more dissonant Radiohead-like sound. Lazarus, the next track is a smooth moody song with more sax and plaintive vocal work. At this point, the feeling sets in that, regardless of muse or influence, Bowie was good at taking whatever he wanted and making it his own. This record is described as jazz or even alternative - the sax and odd drum patterns contribute to the jazz feel, but the vocals and atmosphere seem more experimental. Even so, while there aren't any magic moments like Ziggy Stardust, Ashes to Ashes, or Suffragette City, it's still provocative.

Better than the AC/DC and Offspring albums, I just listened to. Can't really get into it.

This is not the David Bowie music I love best; however, the more I listened the more I liked it.

I prefer other Bowie records. 6/10

A good album. Great musical arrangements from the David Bowie I knew.

Tää Bowie ei oikein lähtenyt. Kyllä tää silti ⭐️⭐️⭐️ on.

Mielettömiä kohtia biiseissä mutta paljon myös liian kokeilevaa schaissea. Laulussa oli ehkä vähän jo liikaa seniorivibraa.

Bowie's voice floats above the music like he's observing it rather than living in it. Technically brilliant and clearly with something to say, but the emotional detachment keeps it at arm's length for me. Mad respect but I just don't connect the way I need to.

Love Bowie RIP

Awesome sonically, bowles vocals are a little rough for me though

I did not enjoy this album. Bowie has much better albums.

Having Bowie’s swan song be laid out im album form was always going to be a difficult task. His life was not what I thought it was, it was was David felt and lived. I liked 3 songs.

Kinda magic but why he still have to say whore etc

david bowie me has decepcionado

I know David Bowie wrote this when he knew he was dying, but this was not my favorite. The songs were long. I’d heard Lazarus before. It wasn’t terrible though.

3,5

Nice easy listening but to be honest I'm not sure I understand the hype.

He went for something different and I appreciate he tried to keep growing with his sound. Ultimately it's not my cup of tea but a single listen wasnt bad

Initially it felt weird and experimental. Thought it was just okay but on following relistens, a few songs stuck out as earworms.

So not what I expected, not sure if the experimentation sits well with me

I actually enjoyed this album more than I expected. It was weird but not too out there that it lost track of the musicality. But this is like the 4th or 5th Bowie album we've gotten on this list, and we still haven't heard Hunky Dory or Ziggy Stardust

Not the mood I was looking for, fine album

This felt kinda relentless and intense, but at the same time I don’t feel like a lot of moments jumped out at me. Lazarus and Sue (Or In A Season of Crime) were my favourites

This is a very haunting album. The first time I heard it, I was not a fan. Now a few songs really jump out. Girl Loves Me is amazing. Such a complex album that requires multiple listens. A three for now, but I bet I will like it more and more as time goes on.

David Bowie died on January 10th, two days after the release of Blackstar. And I believe the fact that it's his swan song is the only reason it's even on this list. I can just imagine the editors thinking, "We've added eight Bowie albums to the book, so how can we not include the last one?" There's nothing wrong with that, but it's important to keep this in mind — personally, I found almost nothing I liked about Bowie here. The album is too experimental, even for him; the saxophone wafts through almost every song, and if you add some distortion to some of the tracks, you'd almost sound like Lightning Bolt. But what really gets you through the album is that you can hear Bowie's weight in his vocals, how he knows he doesn't have much time left in this world. I didn't really experience anything special while listening, but I can't give it a lower rating.

no es lo mío

I tried to look past my affection and nostalgia for the artist and listen to it as if it had not been his final album. There are some really interesting and lovely moments on this album, but also a lot that is atonal. There are times when his voice came through beautifully, and other songs which were just uncomfortable to listen to. It would take a couple listens to identify 2 out of the 7 songs here that I'd want to revisit regularly.

Not the genius he once was

It's not his best but it's still bowie

Dollar days was my favourite. An interesting sound but not my favourite side of Bowie. A bit too odd for me

Bowie didn’t die, he just went home.

Bowie is always interesting.

Feeky album. Blackstar en Lazarus zijn wel super vet, maar wetende dat dit het album was voordat hij stierf maakt het wel een beetje creepy

I had only heard the first song which was pretty intense. The others are more accessible. His band are jazz guys playing rock. It probably requires more listens to appreciate.

I'd listen again. 3.5

Dark and sad, but not my jam. Bowie being Bowie is the best way for him to go out, though.

Ok, really long songs had their fair share in the 70s, but 2016? Cmon now. Its not that I am so against long songs, I just do not like it when a song is dragged out to that runtime when it doesn't have the need for that. In most cases, the song would have benefited from being shorter. I can assure you it is not my Gen Z fried attention span. If new elements are introduced throughout the song, I can get on board. But in some cases, I don't know, I just don't vibe with it. It is a nice song, but in my opinion I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it were shorter. I was never a Bowie fan. It is not that I hated him, I just grew up not listening to tons of music. That is why I want to do this challenge, to expand my musical horizons. Since I was not a fan, I cannot say I was truly affected by his death, which was unfortunate nonetheless. I am saying this because I think that may play a role in the love people have for this album, being his last and released not long before he died. So for me, the album is fine. Just that. It clearly does not sound like something from 2016. I was kind of shocked when I checked the year. This album is nice, but it is just not it for me. I did enjoy it to some extent, but the main issue, in my opinion, is that it becomes stale at times. That is just something I personally do not enjoy. Lazarus is pretty much the best song on the album. No doubt it is also the most popular. You can truly feel his emotions while he is singing it. It is honestly an incredible song. Again, it is hard to believe it came out in 2016, the same year as Love Yourself by Justin Bieber and Closer by The Chainsmokers. That comparison is just crazy to think about. The chorus of Girl Loves Me is also quite compelling, I must admit. The same goes for I Can't Give Everything. The other songs just do not hit the same. I either find the vocals slightly out of place or the instruments not that interesting. It is just small things like that which make me not enjoy the album as a whole as much. It is nice overall, but nothing special to me.

So, I liked the first song Blackstar, but the rest was kinda blah for me. This was made in 2016 and I don't know why it made the 1001 most influential albums? I feel like whoever compiled this list was a contrarian. Or maybe I've just been in my own echochamber of pop, rock, and dubstep. .... ah, I see that he died two days after the album released. Which shouldn't bump it up in the ratings right? But that's maybe what happened. 4/10

Love Bowie… but this wasn’t my favorite album of his.

I always find it really impressive when an artist as prolific as someone like Bowie can produce a record in the very late stages of their career that is both a true build upon their lengthy discography while avoiding sounding out of date or grasping for something they once had. Blackstar is absolutely an outlier in Bowie’s sound, but what makes it a true genius brainchild of his is that it also vividly holds a mirror up to the entire career he had behind him. He created this record at a time when he was keenly aware of how much time he had left to live, and you can hear it. I would call this record deeply unique and highly profound. I enjoyed it very much. -Ruby A really cool album that by all metrics (laid out by Ruby above; I’ll add the band (Donny McCaslin’s) is one of the more notable working jazz bands of the mid 2010s) I should like more than I do. Outside of his Berlin era, there is little of Bowie’s discography that really grips me. This album has an eerie and haunting sound that has always intrigued me. I like it.

Considering the circumstances I do find it amazing that he was able to get this album done. Lyrically it was usual Bowie, though I appreciate the brevity and the more jazz sound was interesting.

He’s alright

appreciated the jazz sounds. was an interesting listen-true to Bowie, he experimented with different sounds on this album. still not an artist I really like, but can appreciate him bit more. 3.5 stars

Most Millennials first exposure to David Bowie is through Jim Henson's Labyrinth as Gareth the Goblin King. I dated girl who named her son after him but spelt with a J. Growing up with 3 siblings, we didn't always get to go to the movies much but we did get the comic book adaptation of the movie. That copy got beat to hell, as my sister's & I would read through it & sometimes act it out. When we finally saw it on video, we were already in love with & the music just added to our enjoyment. This is his last album. I've had 3 other Bowie; two of them were surprise 5 star albums. Ziggy Stardust & Young Americans respectively. Heroes I was lukewarm due to the Eno tracks. Bowie is very much living up to his nickname, the Chameleon. The 4 Bowie albums I've listened to are all different. This is Jazz Rock. Blackstar is a weird song that gets good in the middle & back to weird. The album also proves Bowie can still bring it, even when his health is diminishing. I respect him for that. This album is better than Heroes but trails behind the others I've listened to. I Can't Give Everything Away, Blackstar & Girl Loves You are the highlights to me 3

I PURPOSEFULLY HAVEN'T LISTENED TO THIS BC OF HIS DEATH UGH Y'ALL T^T yeah on track one i got teary eyed. cool.

Beyond the title track at the start of the album, it doesn't do much else for me.

J'écoute enfin vraiment un album de l'ancien, j'ai bien kiffé je crois. L'intro est énorme, une atmosphère très prenante un peu hypnotique on sent que c'est son ultime album. Après, je trouve que si les deux prochains titres de l'album restent très bon, on perd un peu en qualité au fil de l'album c'est dommage, même si les paroles de I Can’t Give Everything Away sont touchantes. On passe pas loins du 4, mais c'est un peu juste, ça sera un solide 3.

3/5 As faixas iniciais são de qualidade, mas no geral é um trabalho sem o vigor dos anos iniciais de Bowie.

I liked his earlier stuff better, but there were a couple good songs.

This album was a journey. I was unsure of where I stood after the ominous ten minute opening track, but the album grew on me as it went on. To mention the context of this albums release, I do think this is a good album, and a great one to be your last. Three stars. (Favorite track: Lazarus.)

Sammála þér Stefán

Flott, en líka erfið.

Why are all the songs so long. Not quite classic Bowie for me

Reminds me of Labyrith era Bowie. Creepy sax.

Woah this deserves a 3 just for the transition between 'dollar days' and 'i can't give everything away', which are the best songs on the album anyway. Debating between 3 and 4 for this because the music is good but some of the vocals were a bit off putting.

There was a reason I hadn’t re-listened to this album and now I remember. I feel very sorry for whoever’s first impression of Bowie this is but I do love it regardless, despite i think his earlier music being better. Overall it is a great album but I’m stuck between a 3 and a 4 because I do love the vibe but don’t know if the lyrics/ vocals match the level of the actual music

I love Bowie. This album is fun but feels like another case of them wanting to include every album a prominent artist ever made.

Not his finest work imo

fascinating

There's just something about albums that provide an experimental commentary on mortality

Eh I probably wouldn't really care that much for this album if I didn't know about it's history. can appreciate the sound and vibe but it's not really fully my thing sadly

The whole album put me on edge and gave me a feeling of doom and death. I recommend it if you’re in need of a 13th reason. Good artistry though, Bowie still had it up to his deathbed

It was weird idk. Kinda liked the last 2 songs but the album was strange

This came out two days before his death so that’s iconic but also not very good… feeing torn. Also the album cover made me really excited for when they give us Big Star (pleasseeeee)

06/10 22.01.2026

Wie soll man dieses Album bewerten, wenn man die Umstände kennt, in denen es entstanden ist? Beim ersten Song war ich bei fünf Sternen, dann hat mich das Album mit jedem Song immer mehr verloren. Ich bin also bei drei bis dreianhalb gelandet, aber es fühlt sich falsch an, so wenig zu geben. Schade.

Dit album voelt duidelijk sterker en samenhangender dan Bowies vorige plaat. Ik heb het vooral als achtergrond geluisterd (onder de douche), maar het pakte me meer dan verwacht. Het openingsnummer Blackstar nam me mee op een soort reis: lang, psychedelisch en uiteindelijk logischer als geheel, zeker met het ster-symbool en de thematiek in gedachten. Dit voelt meer als de David Bowie die ik herken: experimenterend, gelaagd en bewust bezig met vorm en betekenis. Nog steeds niet helemaal mijn ding, maar absoluut noemenswaardig beter en interessanter.

Montag, 19.01.2025 ~ Nachmittags bis nachts ~ S1 Richtung Nordbahnhof, Freiraum TU - beim Aktzeichnen, Superfit Europacenter, zuhause in meinem Bett.

Dienstag, 20.01.2026 in der Küche am späten Nachmittag, während ich gegessen habe. Mittags in der U3 auf dem Weg in die Uni

There's clearly too many Bowie albums on this list (you could cut that number in half and still have a good idea of who Bowie is), but considering the context, I was curious to hear what this one sounded like. The title song "Blackstar" was amazing - a heavy, emotional piece that cut deep and left me wanting for more. Second track had a solid sax line, reminding me of Bowie's craziest instrumental works. Unfortunately, the remainder of the album was not on par with this magnificent opening. The next few songs were kind of uninspired, feeling like rehashed versions of something Bowie already did many times over during his career. Certainly not bad songs, but nothing truly memorable either. I can only respect someone who was still able to produce an entire album while so close to death ; that's true comitment to music. However, I'm really not sure this album would have gotten so much praise if Bowie didn't die soon afterwards. It's a good album, but not his best work. 6/10

I remembered this album more fondly when it first came out. Listening to it again, my reaction really depends on the track. The electro-rock / free-jazz mix doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s genuinely powerful. It feels like the kind of record that needs time… more time than I can give it right now. The arrangements are ambitious, and whatever its flaws, there’s real experience and maturity behind it, in service of an honest creative intent. Right up to the very end, Bowie remained fascinating.

You can’t say this is bad, because it’s not. But when side by side with his other albums it simply can’t compare. It’s apples and oranges. It’s just that this is an orange, and I’m an apple kinda gal.

I literally love Bowie, and I think making one final album so close to your death is a legendary move that really showed his love and passion for music. However, I just would not be listening to this regularly...I´m going to pass.

Feels weird listening to this when I missed so much of his discography. T1 sounded like Al green join at like 5:05 T2 SHE WAS A HOOOAH 2:00 Ayo? This guy gay or something? T4 was not expecting this it’s like heavy metal but so, so gay. T6 sax is really nice, think there’s an alto sax in there aswell. I swear I’m getting Pink Floyd’s vibes but I can’t pinpoint it, it’s a bunch of small things that make me feel like there’s a resemblance. T7 2:30 in, definitely favorite instrumental section and prob fav song in album. Really making me want to listen from the beginning.

Felt very powerful and moving at the time. 10 years down the line it doesn't hit as hard. Still some amazing moments, but maybe sags here and there.

2.9 Lazarus and I cant give anything away are standouts. The rest seemed like the songs were small for how much instrumental work was going on.

I wanted to vote it higher, bowie, farewell etc, but it just doesn't speak to me.

transition between dollar days and i can't give everything away added a point all by itself

Not bad...not brilliant. He has done much better than this over the years.

Good never miss end to him bf nice beat

It's so hard to separate this one from its identity as Bowie's swan song. I liked it more this listen than any time before. The title track is a masterful haunted walk through anxiety and perhaps despair. The rest feels uneven, or at least resistant to easy parsing. It makes me think that Bowie wrote and recorded separately from the rest of the band, but reviews suggest that wasn't the case. Ultimately I'm rating it lower than the standard because I'm not sure how much it would mean to me outside of the context and time in which it was created.

Should this be assessed in its sad context or not? I've never been a huge fan but I respect Bowie's influence. As an album alone I can only give this album a mid score.

I went into this thinking I'd like it a lot more than I did, which is so sad because I usually love Bowie's conceptual albums :< Though as far as swan songs go, this was beautifully haunting Best = I can't give everything away Skip = 'Tis a pity she was a whore

3 stars just for the opening of Blackstar. I loved the jazz elements throughout the album especially in Lazarus.

vanguarda gosto dos sax me lembrou maruja

if it wasn't David Bowie, would it be so talked about?

Erster Eindruck: Stimmlage ist nicht meins Lieblingssong: „lazarus“ Overall Rating: 5/10 Andere Anmerkungen: dachte würde mir mehr gefallen

Last Bowie before death, didn't want rock Blackstar Lazurus Girl loves me

I have never listened to a David Bowie album before, so it was nice to finally be able to listen to one fully. At first, the album really drags on with the first track, but as the album goes on the tracks get stronger and stronger. The album standouts for me was I can’t give everything away, and Lazarus. I am definitely looking forward to listening to more of his albums.

My first Bowie-album on this challenge. I wish I would have started with an earlier one (I know he has 9(!) of them here), but anyways. I have never been a big fan of Bowie, and I think it’s partly his voice but also his style - it works sometimes, but it can also be too much. Blackstar can be both also; I enjoy it a lot on some parts, but it can be too much at times. It should really get more than 3 stars, but it is not a 4 star album (3,5/5). Favourite songs: Lazarus and Black Star.

Interesting concept but no one knows any of the songs on it

good album but would not listen to on a regular basis! Lazarus was amazing

Bowie truly came from outer space. he speaks intergalactic. he finally just went back up there to sing to the aliens.

I still don't love Bowie's singing, but thought Lazarus was an awesome song. Also enjoyed the closing track.

A very dark album, perhaps not surprising given that David Bowie probably knew he was dying when the album was made. A lot more experimental than some of his other albums, a bit too experimenyal and Jazzy for my liking. The opening title track echoes one of his earliest albums, The Man Who Sold the World.

This was brighter and more melodic than I was expecting. More enjoyable and easy to listen to as a result. Probably not going to become a regular listen, but glad to have experienced it.

So random. Not very fun to listen to, but Bowie still has that voice. I’m giving 3 cus I can’t really dog on it, just be mad. Waste time with another album

Why are all his albums listed? They aren’t all that good tbh

sympa sans plus

I think this was Bowie's last album and I suppose that it is testament to him as an artist that he was still exploring and trying different things and doing what he wanted to, as I think I have said before something I always admire. But, as with this album, the end result to my ears isn't anything particularly special. Interesting, yes, but just not very special. It plays around with some jazz and dancey almost trip-hop elements so it does sound pretty "modern" but I don't find it particularly exciting. Then I'm also thinking (and showing my lack of Bowie knowledge) he must have been nearly 70, so that is quite an achievement. Lazarus is probably my favourite track.

The musicianship on this album is top-notch, could listen to it all day. But for some reason Bowie's presentations over it are distracting to me. I catch myself humming the tunes but don't want to listen to the album. Cannot put my finger on why though

I love this album cover. I think this received acclaim but I'm thinking I hate Bowie's voice even more than in his previous stuff. The music itself is rich and nice at points and at others, a little scary and off-putting.

Considering it was his last album and he knew he was dying, it’s a bit dark and twisted. Taken at face value, however, it’s nowhere near the top of the list for his discography.

Not a big fan but cool that this was his last statement before he died. Released two days after death.

Bowie interesting

So vibey! I like “‘Tis a Pity She Was a Whore” despite the lyrics. Some of it felt too jazzy for my taste. Crazy he died a couple days after it was released.

I was initially put off at the idea I should listen to any artists 'late era' work... Let's face it, these albums are more about the extra paycheck and feeding ego, right? Well, maybe not. Somehow this album sounds contemporary for 2016, while also calling back Bowie's spacey Ziggy Stardust days. I like the noir jazz stuff (“Lazarus”, “Dollar Days”), more than I like the parts that attempt to be ultra modern (“Girl Loves Me”). There’s a lot about this album that I really like, but I’m sorry to say the vocal performance isn’t at the top of the list. I think my chief complaint is that it’s missing the fullness and presence of a younger singer. I appreciate Bowie’s vision here, but I wish he could’ve tackled it in an earlier era.

This album starts off really rough. The opening couple tracks are just.... Mm. Weird and almost more noise than music. However, I feel like it pulled together as it went and the last tracks are very solid. "Dollar Days" and "I Can't Give Everything Away" are haunting ends to Bowie's life and career.

Liked lots of songs on this album, but don't think I'd decide to listen to the album in full again. Enjoyed the jazzy melancholic/longing vibes the whole album gives. Saved Lazarus, Girl Loves Me, Dollar Days, and I Can't Give Everything Away - all are good listening experiences with strong lyrics. I Can't Give Everything Away is particularly powerful and my favorite from the album.

Not my cup of tea, but I must admit it was an interesting listening experience. Notable track: Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) There was something really intriguing about this one.

A pretty decent album, with some great songs on it. I thought there was a really good mixture of sounds and styles.

Musically the songs are really nice. The weakest part is David Bowie’s singing. Deathbed or not, his choices and performance here just isn’t great. If he was still alive, people would judge this album way more harshly.

very ethereal vocals. a lot more electronic and polished than the work of his that I’m familiar with. I’m not crazy abt it. faves off the album are dollar days and I can’t give everything away. Solid 3 star. Maybe 2.5 if I’m feeling frugal

this is fun but just a bit too weird for me to enjoy

Quite enjoyed this, more poignant considering the context, especially the final song

I love Bowie, bu this was just too far out there for me.

I really like Bowie… I had “changesonebowie” a greatest hits that I played the life out of it! I also owned and loved -Ziggy Stardust, Alladain Sane, Diamon Dogs, Young Americans, even had Let’s Dance… but this album, though courageous to make, (he was dying of cancer) is not a great example of his catalog. For someone who doesn’t know Bowie this would be a bad introduction to his work. I give the album 3 STARS but he has many albums better than this that I hope are on this list

My journey through the 9 albums David Bowie has on this list begins at the very end. After 20 plus albums over his career I can respect Bowie for experimenting on this album (I'd also be shocked if after that long of a career he didnt experiment in some way). While I didn't dislike the experiments (as some other reviewers seem to) I didn't like it enough to give it anything more than a 3/5.

Full of intriguing symbolism and metaphors about Bowie's life and death, making this album an interesting listen that probably needs to be separated from its musical value to be really appreciated. That being said, I only enjoyed Dollar Days and I Can't Give Everything Away because they were more upbeat and didn't carry the same haunting, slow sounds that the rest of the tracks featured.

Somehow sounds like a Bowie album and nothing like a Bowie album at the same time

I think this probably only makes the list because it came out a couple days before Bowie died. It is an interesting fusion of jazz and drum and bass, but it's far from Bowie at his peak.

Nice! A 4? It’s growing on me. Or a 3.

It was okay. I liked the brass instruments but I don't love Bowie.

This might make me a normie but I prefer Bowie's earlier stuff to this. It was still pretty good though

OK, but not my favorite.

Not a favourite of mine

1. ★ - 4 The song is really three parts. It's very slow and melodic at the start. The beat of the drums and pace of the vocals seem completely out of sync of each other during this part before a second part that sounds a lot like a more classi David Bowie track takes over. This second part is very good and quite enjoyable before the track returns for a final part where there's a return to the slow and melodic. The slow parts are really unenjoyable. 2. 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore - 5 Lyrically it's fine. I could do without the really breathy part at the beginning of the track. Instrumentally it's just a bit too all over the place. 3. Lazarus - 11 Art. Phenomenal track with incredible lyrics and vocals. Given this was Bowie's last ever single before he passed, this is an absolutely stunning track. Easily one of his greatest all time tracks. Instrumentally it's incredible. The sax is the star of the show but the guitar strums add so much to the mood and theme. 4. Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) - 6 Instrumentally very very good. Lyrically it comes and goes in quality at times but is overall a decent track/ 5. Girl Loves Me - 5 The middle part of the song is very enjoyable but the intro and the beginning verse are very hard to listen to. The second verse is not much better but the rest of the track is enjoyable. Instrumentally it's very good and it paces itself very well after the second verse. 6. Dollar Days - 7 Instrumentally it's very good but vocally it's brilliant. The lyrics are superb and it's another homage from David Bowie about, at the time, his rapidly approaching passing much like that in the style of Lazarus. The sax on the track sounds excellent and it a brilliant way to bridge the two lyrical parts of the track before coming back in for the bridge and outro. 7. I Can't Give Everything Away - 8 Brilliant instrumentally. The synth, the drums, the sax, the strings all work perfectly in tandem with each other to produce an excellent track. Lyrically the verses are very good while the chorus is just one line endlessly repeated. Overall, a superb ending track. Average Rating: 6.57 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 3.29 Rounded Down: 3 Stars

Not a great album this if I’m honest. Lazarus is a decent Bowie track but the whole album is decidedly average in my opinion. Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust remain all time classics that he was never gable to replicate unfortunately

Tough call. In each of these songs, there's a lot going on - they certainly have breadth and depth (perhaps moreso than on other latter-day Bowie records like *The Next Day*). It's reminiscent of records like *Station To Station* in its mix of the experimental and the familiar, and also in that he gives the songs room to stretch out. However, there isn't anything here that really rises to the level of compelling. It's a work that's more admirable than absorbing.

Def a little crazy but a couple songs I enjoyed in there, nowhere near as good as some of his other stuff but i love the album cover

Never heard this one before since it’s a newer release. Would give it a 3.5, overall a fun ride.

I like Bowie, but this was even weird for him. Saxophone was nice. Some interesting lyrics, but like others have said probably wouldn’t have been remembered if it wasn’t the fact it was the last album before he died.

too much bowie. i respect the album for wht it is but do not particularly like it

Particularly liked "Lazarus" and "(star)." Dunno how much I'll revisit this, but I enjoyed the listen.

When it works, it's amazing, but I found many of these tracks to be too repetitive, and a few of the effects to be more grating than seems intended.

Hmm à la première écoute j'ai eu du mal à accrocher au côté assez expérimental (le délire jazzy un peu psychadélique / cacophonique avec des influences électro - rnb), mêlé à cette voix chevronnante qui signe bien cet album fin de carrière / fin de vie. Ça faisait beaucoup d'infos et quelque chose d'assez macabre et très entêtant qui m'échappait un peu ; mais à la deuxième écoute j'ai beaucoup plus apprécié la composition instrumentale et l'atmosphère. J'ai pris du plaisir avec les mélodies, les rythmiques et même le chant sur plusieurs titres. Un bon 3,5 pour saluer l'originalité et la recherche, qui donnent un résultat vraiment intéressant et étonnamment apaisant une fois qu'on rentre dedans.

Un album sur lequel je suis vraiment partagée: ça aurait été un 4,5 pour moi s’il avait été purement instrumental. La voix un peu suppliante ruine les sons (sorry not sorry), malgré de très bonnes paroles. I Can’t Give Everything Away et Dollar Days sont les deux morceaux que j’ai réécouté une bonne dizaine de fois (sans exagérer) pour essayer de passer outre le problème de timbre. La mélodie très légère vers la fin, un peu féérique limite m’a vraiment surprise—et je dois dire que je suis assez fan. Par contre le décalage entre ces deux morceaux et les autres sons est assez impressionnant (par exemple Girl Loves Me, des paroles qui pour moi ont très mal vieillies, encore une fois sans voix ça aurait été parfait parce que l’instru est assez intéressante avec des changements de tempo et un rythme haché qui laisse plus de place aux effets de structure du son). Et petite mention pour le titre du tout premier son hehe. Bref ça sera un 3,4 arrondi en-dessous pour moi.

Best Track - "Lazarus"

nice and jazzy

I was solidly whelmed by this. It just sounds like a lot of noise, and not even good noise.

Quite a hard listen. Apparently owes something to Kendrick. He sounds very strung out until the end. The last track drifts out with a sad dreamy mantra.

I know this was his final album before his death, but this album was brutal. It was cold and cryptic. It was draining to listen to.

I've really enjoyed the Bowie experience on this album journey. I don't get this one. I really don't think it would be as acclaimed if he didn't pass away two days later. The back half was much more tolerable, specifically 'Girl Loves Me'

I love Bowie. One of my favorite artists of all time. But, like Prince, I think his unique genius was spurred by wanting to fuck everybody. Once he got old and mellowed out, he became kind of pedestrian. This seems to be the case with 'genius' musicians (bob dylan, bruce springsteen, bowie, paul mccartney) more than any other type of artist. There's nothing wrong with this album, it's just not that compelling. I find that to be the case with most art where 'DEATH' broadly is the theme. Unless you've died and come back from the dead, there's just not much you can say about it that hasn't been said a billion times before, especially if the tone you're taking is one of the obvious choices (mournful, fearful, regretful, spiritual). Maybe when I'm about to die I'll feel more interested in this album. For now, life is for the living.

Liked it. Thought the history made it more interesting. Not like, a favorite, but I threw it on the list. Definitely feels like it was written by a man who knew he was dying, and that's kinda beautiful.

It was fine

Weird and crazy but I like this more than I thought. Still love classic Bowie more

Dark. Bowie has changed a lot over the years, and done other experimental albums. Guess this is on the list because this was his last and he knew this was his last. Fair play to him. Don't like the music much, but there are some poignant lyrics given the timing. Bonus points for being Bowie and the significance of the album.

4/1001 не для меня исполнитель слишком абстрактно, манера исполнения не нравится, хотя инструменталы хорошие можно подумать что слушаешь какую-то искаженную молитву примечательно: blackstar, girl loves me

It's cool but not for me. I remember reading an article about it in the NYT.

I think I don't like Bowie that much

A hell of a performance for a man that was sick and dying. I have mixed feelings about David Bowie, but I was always impressed with his ability to cross genres yet still be himself. May he RIP.

Vet at denne gjerne blir regnet som en moderne klassiker - men skjønner ikke helt hvorfor. Var helt ålreit, ikke noe jeg nødvendigvis kommer til å høre mye på i ettertid da artrock ikke er noe som har interessert meg noe særlig. Dollar Days var kanskje høydepunktet da det minnet litt om Pink Floyd til tider.

Liker det, kanskje ikke like spennende nå som da det kom ut i forbindelse med Bowies død i 2016. Men syntes flere av låtene holder seg godt. Åpningslåten liker jeg veldig godt, men jevnt over lander jeg på 3/5

Look, it's sad and deep. Very poignant. But NINE David Bowie albums on this list? Come on....

Last Bowie Album

Lazarus is one of my fav Bowie songs.

I don't hear Mos Def or Talib Kweli on this anywhere.

Funky, ciekawe teksty, wiele różnych klimatów jednym, podobał mi się, chociaż wolałam niektóre piosenki od strony intrumentalnej niż wokalnej

Half the songs I either liked or didn’t mind (Lazarus, Dollar Days, I Can’t Give Everything Away), the others I felt like I had to drag myself through listening to (Blackstar, Tis a Pity She Was a Whore, Sue, Girl Loves Me). Evens out to three stars - no one needs a 9 minute song, Bowie.

It's just too much hard work. Good musicianship but bleak.

C'est étonnant ca change des turbo tubes de Bowie. Il y a une profondeur intéressante, un truc un peu mystique. Mais ca reste peu accessible je trouve

An easier listen than I was expecting. Heavy Subject matter, but the instrumentation is so interesting, and it provides for a reflective, but not dour, listening experience. RIP Bowie

Not my favorite Bowie album, even when you consider the timing with his death.

M-7/10 S-6/10

Bowie is whiny. Music is pretty good but not great.

I'm not in the best place to be listening to the album a profound man made while he knew he was dying. This was hard to get through, I knew it would be. It's a heavy listen, you can actually feel the weight of it. Maybe I'll revisit it again years from now, when I'm ready to digest this kind of work. Or maybe I won't, and I'm glad to have listened when I did.

Kyllä tässä huokuu Bowien hautajaiset levyä kuunnellessa. Lyriikaltaan taas hienoa Davidia, mutta välillä tuntui jopa hieman tekotaiteelliselta, vai tuntuiko sittenkään, kun miettii ukon historiaa. Hienoja lyriikoita ja levyn ”intro”biisi on todella psykedeelisen melankolinen. Vaikea arvioida vertaamatta siihen millaisen jäljen Bowie on jättänyt musiikkihistoriaan. Levy jää kuitenkin hieman keskiverroksi verrattuna aiempaan tuotantoon. Jäänyt itsellä aika pienelle kuuntelulle ja voisi hyvin nousta jopa neloseen kun kaivautuu syvemmälle levyn sisimpään, mutta nyt tiputetaan 3,5 arvio kolmoseen

Albumin ensimmäistä biisiä kuuntelin kauhuissani, että onko tulossa liian taiteellinen levy itselleni kuunneltavaksi. Onneksi levy kehittyi tästä parempaan suuntaan. David Bowie on legendaarinen musiikintekijä ja tämä albumi ehdottomasti yksi musiikkihistorian karuimmista julkaisuista, kun julkaisu tapahtui käytännössä kuolinvuoteella. Levy ei ollut ihan täysin minun palani kakkua ja tähtiä 2,5, mutta albumin taustatekijöiden ja Bowien takia nostetaan kolmoseen.

Tää menee periaatteessa siihen kategoriaan, että haluaisin tykätä enemmän. Bowie on oikeastaan melkein elämää suurempi hahmo, ja kun tietää että tämän levyn painoi käytännössä kuolinvuoteellaan, niin ei voi muuta sanoo ku hattuu nostaa. Mutta totuuden nimissä Blackstaria ja Lazarusta lukuunottamatta levy ei kuitenkaan ole niin järin hyvä. Tässä kuuluu itselle jopa vähän hiphop-vaikutteita ja kyllähän Bowie (ja tuottaja) mestarillisesti yhdistelee niitä elementtejä saksofonin ja Bowien hienon laulun päälle. Mutta kun tosiaan noissa biiseissä ei kauheasti ole tarttumapintaa. Algoritmi löi tämän levyn jälkeen Spotifystä randomilla Bowien Five Yearsin tulille, ja onhan sekin nyt ihan eri luokan biisi kun yksikään tämän levyn kappale. Arvoin jopa kahta tähteä tähän lottokoneesta, mutta ei nyt sentään. Laitetaan ylimääräinen tähti vaikka sille, että tosiaan aika huuruilla sai tämän vielä julkaistua ennen siirtymistä toisille värähtelytaajuuksille.

It wasn't bad!

Like this one way more 10 years later than I remember from when it came out. It takes some getting used to, because there isn't a lot of that Bowie pop that endeared him for so long. However, the Bowie musicality is in full form here.

Surprising album and more so knowing that he was already sick and knew he was going to die soon. Sadly he died a few days after the release of this record. A bit avant guarde but still David Bowie was always ahead of the curve or trying new things. Not a regular on my rotation but a very good record indeed.

Interesting but disjointed.

ok to listen to once every few years, not amazing lyrics and nothing compared to his earlier works.

Perhaps a bit weird and self indulgent, but I wasnt ever bored listening to it

First songs feel pretty... out there, preachy almost. At time feel like Bowie is just talking and music overlayed over it. It is not bad! Just ... This isn't an album to have just on. You have to sit down and listen to it to get most out of it. It feels old than 2016, moody, but does have some more modern influences. When listening to the album, I thought.... "who is dying?". After reading the wiki, turns out it was him. Makes a lot more sense.

This was an interesting album. Lots of different sounds. It wouldn’t ever be high up on my list of favourites but I’d probably re-listen just to spend more time with the lyrics, like on Lazarus “Look up here, I’m in heaven.”

A very different feeling bowie album. Definitely not my favorite

Surprisingly the first time listening to Bowie, I don't think this was the best album to start with lol. Although I did still like the last 2 songs on the album. Gotta go with the 3 star rating on this one unfortunately. I think its another case of odd vocal patterns, and the off key sounding melodies. The last 2 songs felt a little more connected in terms of the vocals and the other instruments.

Fair play

I found it good but a bit of a difficult album to listen to. I have never been fully onboard with David Bowie. Not a bad album but just not for me.

I -admire- this record as our last official work from Bowie, but I don't particularly -like- it . The first song sounds like a cut from Scott Walker's Tilt, a record I just do not get, despite repeated listens over 3 decades.

Not his best but still interesting as last album