Blackstar

9.4/10

No persona, no experimentation, just Bowie as his true self in his last act. A pleasure

One of the best Bowie albums, this mellow melancholy seethes straight from the heart. So much memorable song that make you think about that man. 9/10

Mfw I'm dying so I drop a jazz-rock masterpiece and die 2 days later that's a lot of aura. ★ is the opener for this album and it's honestly top 5 Bowie songs in my opinion, it's such a haunting song where he deals with his imminent death by making allegories to several spiritual beliefs while the second half takes a more conventional instrumentation and has Bowie referring himself as a "Blackstar" avoiding terms of hedonistic circumstances (like a popstar, a pornstar or a gangster), really great track. 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore is one of two tracks in the album that wasn't made for Blackstar and as such it doesn't really fit into the whole narrative of Bowie's death, but I still see it as an interesting song that uses sexual imagery to explore the devastating nature of World War 1. Additionally the instrumental fucking slaps I hope the entire band they got cooking on this track got a raise for it dawg holy shit. Lazarus IS the best song David Bowie ever made and his most haunting one. It's so much more direct than the previous tracks in the album, addressing his life experience and his impending death more up front. This one also had a really superb instrumental especially in the outro where it has this sort of decrescendo symbolizing Bowie's fading life. HOLY SHIT WHAT WERE THEY FEEDING TO THIS BAND. Yeah so the instrumental of Sue (Or in a Season of Crime) is really fucking cool I hope they got another raise for it. That being said with this being the other song in the album that wasn't originally made for Blackstar it doesn't really fit into the narrative either BUT I find that this concept is also really interesting the same way 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore's instrumental was, with this being more about a crumbling marriage where, after the narrator discovers his wife Sue has been unfaithful he just straight up murders her. Really awesome song as the past 3 have been. Girl Loves Me is my least favorite song on Blackstar but with this stacked ass track listing it's still an incredible song. It is also a really cryptic song as most of the song is in Nadsat but I kinda see that as a really great thing because a lot of the song being in such a cryptic language and the line "Where the fuck did Monday go?" kinda serve as a representation of disconnection which might be as a result of Bowie's approaching death. Dollar Days is another insanely high point in the album and the most straightforward song in the album, as Bowie directly reflects on his own life and approaching death, with the chorus and outro using the phrase "I'm dying to" as both a way to symbolize how bad he wants to finish his work before he runs out of time and as a literal expression of his death. Really emotional track and another really high point in this album. I Can't Give Everything Away is also another really emotional track as it is the track where Bowie fully comes to terms with the fact that he's going to die, and he acknowledges with the title that he can't put out any more work and also as a way to reflect his choice to have control over his private life, only leaving his fans with the art that he made as a reflection of who he was. Genuinely what an album, oh my days it's absolutely insane how well made this is you can tell Bowie genuinely cared about making this one a lot and made it an honest farewell to the world.

Gefällt mir. Ich wusste nicht, dass Bowie zwei Tage nach Veröffentlichung verstorben ist

This isn’t one you put on everyday or obsess over and play the singles in your car to rock out on. This is sacred music. The mood has to be right. You must light a solitary candle. You have to listen through the songs in sequence. It may not be the best Bowie album, but it is in a league of its own. It’s an enigma. It’s a statement about the mystery and finality of death. It’s some heavy shit. A few years before Blackstar came out, maybe even before The Next Day, a friend told me that a friend of their friend (what a way to relay news) had seen Bowie leaving a cancer center. I was immediately crushed, jumped to the worst conclusion (which turned out to be true), and fell into mourning for a celebrity in a way I wouldn’t feel until the news of Dolly Parton hit, while he was still living. I didn’t imagine someone of his wealth and status would want to continue working with a death sentence hanging over them. I thought there’d never be another Bowie album again. Instead, we got a few more, and wow were they interesting. Bowie was a true artist, and even with numbered days, he couldn’t be stopped because he couldn’t stop. The act of creation was a part of him. Over the years, music hadn’t just become his job. What other artists out there have had such a wild and long career, with the opportunity of knowing which would be their final album? It’s very rare- perhaps one of a kind. Blackstar is a space oddity in this way.

Yeah this shit bangs.

One of my favourite Bowie albums. Full of so many moments that fill my cup. It's almost as if it was written to be his send off.

Struggled through this one a bit. I've never really been a big fan of Bowie in general. I listened to it at work, so I'd love to dig into the lyrics a bit more. The prog-rock kind of sound is always hit or miss for me, and unfortunately this one was a bit of a miss.

This album has the David Bowie weirdness that I can only take so much of. As his final album it's worth a listen, but I like some of his earlier work better.

I was hoping to enjoy it.

It's a decent Bowie album with some fun moments.

Lazarus ist ein Banger

Sure....like....it's good...

Liker jo i utgangspunktet litt eksperimentelle greier (Space Ritual m.m.). Er en del kul jazz her, som jeg også er svak for. Likevel hadde jeg større forhåpninger til DB, blir litt masete og mye ulyd. Sterk 3

Jeg er på vippen mellom 3 og 4 her. Han synger tidvis ganske irriterende, så det vipper ned til 3. Lazarus hører jeg gjerne mer på.

Skjønte ikke hypen rundt dette da det kom, og skjønner det ikke nå… Noe decent, en del ganske masete. Men sjukt å tenke på at han visste han snart skulle dø mens han lagde det!

To be honest, I did not expect that! It's been a while since I listened to any of his stuff, because most of what we hear is over played from early days, like Ziggy Stardust and Heroes. This was different, and I really like what he did here.

hm

Solid selection here. I really appreciate how electronic this sounds, there's a lot of ambient wall-of-sound texture here. I was expecting, for some reason, something a little more pop-rock, so it's a pleasant surprise to feel this melancholy droning. It seems like it's going for something high-concept, and I haven't looked up if there actually is some kind of story behind it, because I appreciate the gesture either way.

La producción está impresionante. Muy buenas letras. No he escuchado tanto a Bowie pero no había escuchado algo de él parecido a este album. Con ganas de volver a escucharlo. Increíble último proyecto de el inigualable David Bowie

hahahaha gotta get in more bowie, jfc It is good, though. I remember when this came out and then he immediately died. I was going through some sexuality/gender stuff and started my initial foray into Bowie's work then. I complain that I think his literal entire discography is on this list, but it's because he does make good music. The title track is haunting. And damn, I forgot about Lazarus.

Some heavy and weird topics here but that seems like that’s just Bowie. Overall a really good jazz rock fusion here. I did just get Ziggy Stardust a few days ago so I might be bias in liking his glam rock side a little more, but this will definitely take a few listens to see. Likes: Blackstar; Lazarus, I Can’t Give Everything Away

Boring and flat.

If Justin Bieber died he'd get an album on this list too.

3 Bowie albums before I even got to a hundred and I still don't see the appeal.

Gloomy stuff in general, which is basically about Bowie dying. Plenty of great playing from his talented guys and a couple of ‘enjoyable’ tracks but mainly makes me feel a bit sad. 1.6/5

A far cry from his best. There were echoes of the heights but these cast a long shadow. The album art was the most interesting thing about this album.

I strongly believe that each artist should only be allowed their best two or three albums on this list, to stop shite like this getting on. If this wasn’t Bowie it would not be on this list!

There are songs on this album that I actively disliked: ‘Tis A Pity, Sue. Both jarring. I can appreciate how experimental this album was and I liked Girl Loves Me but overall not good. Rating: 2

I do like this album a lot. Girl Loves Me is my favorite on the record but all the songs are incredibly listenable and all very interesting. I do think his death immediately after this album came out has given it more of a boost in people liking it. It was a great goodbye present. Glad I listened again.

Meh. The only song that did anything for me is I Can’t Give Everything Away

Not bad 3

#61 What are these lyrics... I had a headache! and then it got worse after this

This was great. I didn't really know what to expect from this, but it was dark and beautiful. Its sad that this was the last album he made but he knew it.

I first listened to this album maybe two years ago. I waited much too late since DB passing on. You can only listen to it in its entirety. Really love this record. Very peaceful for me for unexplained reasons.

i think the real amazing part of this album is the timing of the release. i still remember thinking Bowie timed it so perfectly to release his last album and pass away on almost the same day. an icon

Mid

Holy instrumental, really experimental, like the saxophone, voice normal nothing special, intriguing instruments, good replay value, overall pretty good

I like some of the stuff on here, but the parts I don't like, I really don't like. 3 stars or C-.

This really is an album for late at night and introspection. Bowie leaves us and this realm at ease and reflective of the universal truth of death that we all share.

Seemed weird just to be weird.

k fine

I've had a few glam rock albums and I just don't seem to get them. The songs feel to drawn out and they float along for 8 minutes without ever really grabbing my attention. I'm excited to get some of Bowie's earlier stuff but this wasn't it for me

Siempre espero más de David Bowie, no se porque. Meh. 6/10

Not my bag

I love it! At least the instrumental part of it. I have never listened to a full Bowie album, just 2 of his most famous songs, but even then I've never liked his voice. I mean it's different, but his tone...not my thing. I loved the instrumental and the saxo and everything about its eerie feeling, but his voice kinda ruins it for me. Other than Girl Loves Me (I did like the way he played a bit with his vocals in that song), I would love to listen to an instrumental version of this album. My favorite ones were ★ and Lazarus I'm gonna let his voice pass and give it a solid 3.5/5

Sadly missed. From the first time I heard David Bowie, I was hooked.

Dece.

Awful 11 minute was the worst part

1. Blackstar - 7/10 2. 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore - 8/10 3. Lazarus - 7/10 4. Sue (Or In a Season of Crime) - 8/10 5. Girl Loves Me - 8/10 6. Dollar Days - 9/10 7. I Can't Give Everything Away - 8/10 OVERALL - 7.8/10

Generally pleasant to listen to, and appreciate the experimentation and his voice at that age. But does not specifically hit me in a way I'd hope for it to for a higher score.

I think this album is overrated. With Bowie it's a bit like Dylan. He had an amazing early period - The Man Who Sold The World to Aladdin Sane - then a really interesting and important period from Station To Station to Lets Dance. Put together those albums will always have Bowie in the top five best, and most important influences, in popular music. But they also mean that anything that looks like a return to previous peaks was hailed as miraculous. Blackstar is OK. It's a decent album. I like it. But Bowie was a true genius, and Blackstar is well short of that.

Elegiaic (I think that's how it's spelled) a brilliant last grasp of the ring from an inspired creator. The style and purpose overrides some of the percievable flaws.

Another experimental album. Again unlikely to ever listen again.

Really ambitious project and having it be Bowie's last really raises expectations. Overall really liked it even if it’s not quite at the level of previous great albums

Damn, han er for vild bowie

Det er måske næsten lidt ugudeligt, men jeg synes ikke, at det er det bedste Bowie-album. Måske er det ikke engang i top 5 😱 Jeg vakler lidt mellem 3 og 4. 4 for lore, betydning og død. 3 for sangene, musikken og "I'm a blackstar, I'm not a gangstar, I'm not a white star" Jeg lader ham få den. 3.8

A very vague album with one banger; Sue

4/5

Lazarus is brilliant. The rest is not. Feels harsh, perhaps crass to downvote given it was effectively a posthumous release but much like most of Bowie’s work, it’s not my bag at all. The themes on show here, given his impending death shine through and elevate it somewhat, definitely alter the way it’s listened to, but still I just can’t get on board with it.

Déconcertant dernier album de Bowie.

Massif! Je l'avais écouté une ou deux fois dans le passé, d'une oreille inattentive. Encore une fois, je pense que je suis assez imperméable au phénomène Bowie, que je ne comprends guère, et d'ailleurs pourquoi a-t-il plus d'albums que Dylan sur cette liste?! Ça me semble ethno-centriste. Bref, l'approche jazz moderne, free jazz et même quelques fois des riffs plutôt hardcore, cette fois me parle énormément. Et quelle équipe, avec McCaslin au sax et Ben Monder à la guit entre autres! Seul moins, la voix de Bowie, mais encore là meilleur en 2016 que dans les 70s je trouve. Mon coup de coeur: Sue.

It was a lot more different than Ziggy Stardust, but it was still great. It took me 2 listens to appreaciate it fully.

Every Bowie album feels like a new adventure. I have a theory that music is seasonal and some is meant to be listened to in the dark, on a cold day. This album fits that theory perfectly. I might have to revisit this in January.

Absolutely beautiful. The true GOAT for a reason.

His final release and it is excellent. It can be a difficult listen due to the subject matters of dying n death. So long Space Man.

One of my favourite albums - a possible top tenner. Loved it when it came out, and I’ve continued to be fascinated with it ever since. Favourite track: I Can’t Give Everything Away.

A fitting monument to a colossal talent and an epic career.

Love Bowie, even late-career Bowie, but this is not one I like listening to often. Still, upon relisten, it blows me away how creative the man was on death's door. The second "my own death as art" album on this as far as I can tell (that Leonard Cohen one being the other). The title track is the best in my opinion, and "Lazarus" is amazing and sad. The rest of it I could take or leave though.

Don’t think I’d listened to this, or maybe once. One of his last if I recall. Not bad but not sure when I find myself in a place where this is the vibe I seek…

Hieno lopetus albumi

It's David Bowie. That's all it is - I'm guessing it's on the list because it was his last release, but still - there's nothing really 'new' or 'critical' about it that puts it on a list of 'before you die' things.

Not really taken with this. Listened twice because it was just washing over me. I know it was well reviewed when released but this is possibly my least favourite Bowie album

An absolutely mesmerising and heart-wrenching conclusion to what was one of the most spectacular careers of any artist.

To my ears? Terrible. Maybe I’m missing something that only audiophiles can hear, but that was the worst album I’ve heard in a while. The random horns, autotuned screaming, long drawn out notes that he can’t hold anymore, and overall unsettlingly haunting/eerie feeling of every song = an album I will never listen to again if I can help it. Sorry David Bowie and God rest your soul, but this one wasn’t it for me.

Album No. 0214 on my list. I’ve been looking forward to listening to “Blackstar” for a long time. I like David Bowie a lot, but I’ve rarely listened to any complete albums of his. “Blackstar”, for obvious reasons, has always been an album that had sparked my curiosity, but some part of me always hesitated to listen to it because I didn’t want to be disappointed. Well, all I can say that in hindsight I don’t really know what I was so afraid of. “Blackstar” is truly an incredible album. Extraordinary, intense, beautiful. I’ve listened to the whole thing twice back to back, and it became an instant favorite. More than ten years after its release, I guess I’ve found one of my favorite albums of all time. “Blackstar” represents truly everything I enjoy about music: it’s complex yet accessible, personal but still relatable, interesting and enjoyable, unique but still connected to so much other music that is out there. Bowie’s lyrics were great (and especially powerful in hindsight considering the date of the album’s release), I love the way his voice sounds (somewhat fragile, but still so intense), and the backing band is fantastic as well. The seven songs on this are all so unique and draw from so many influences, but they still sound so well rounded and form a very cohesive collection. There’s Jazz in there, there’s hip hop in there, you got some great rock parts, some electronic stuff, very cool stuff! All songs on this are just great, but I’ll add “Blackstar”, “Lazarus”, “Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)”, and “I Can’t Give Everything Away” to my playlist. This is my 2nd Bowie album from the 1001 list (and I’m looking forward to the next 7 that are still to come)! 5/5 stars!

Rolling Stone made this their top album of the 2000s so far. Launched just before his death it carries the weight of his long career. It is really good. A bit too much saxophone.

We zijn ruim 10 jaar verder en I Can't Give Everything Away veegt nog steeds de vloer met me aan. Alleen een artiest als Bowie dropt ruim 45 jaar in zijn carrière een plaat die door velen (zie RYM en AOTY) als top 3 Bowie album wordt gezien. Wat kan ik verder over Blackstar zeggen... Ik weet nog precies waar ik was toen ik hoorde dat Bowie dood was, nadat ik de avond ervoor 3 of 4 keer achter elkaar dit album had zitten luisteren. Nog steeds te bizar voor woorden hoe hij dit heeft kunnen bekokstoven vanaf het sterfbed. Met alle context meegewogen: één van mijn favoriete platen ooit.

I would like to note that the production on this album was exceptional - such a beautiful wall of sound that takes you somewhere else. However, the disconnect for me was with Bowie’s melodic choices, storytelling, and rhythmic choices with his voice. The melodies felt random and disjointed, and while I can appreciate experimental stuff, there wasn’t much resolution, which made the listening experience slightly frustrating. Sometimes, lyrically, this album was stronger, sometimes weaker. At times it seemed like complete gibberish, and again, while I can appreciate that kind of thing, some of it seemed to be included for the sake of saying something profound rather than being intentionally meaningful. Finally, Bowie didn’t seem very in time with the music, but honestly that one didn’t bother me too much. I will say, there are some wonderful moments on this album, and if anything, I get the sense Bowie made this for himself - to pursue clarity, acceptance, reflection, and ultimately a farewell. You can feel an eerie sense of something looming over you, something closing in to take you somewhere beyond our reality. I think this album is ultimately insight into Bowie’s mind at the end of his life.

I find it quite exhilirating that a man getting up there in his career, who had made plenty of music, some of which I love and some I do find a bit overrated, could pull off something so audacious with his final album. Surely knowing he was at the end of his recording career, and of his life, taking that experimental envelope pushing element of his past works and going beyond the pop rock, glam and lite soul elements of his ouevre and pulling in some truly off the wall influences. And for doing that while in retirement mode, I respect that heavily. He did not let himself fall behind on where innovation was coming from in the music of the 2000s and 2010s, and so he fused rock with acid jazz, trip hop a la Massive Attack, ambient electronica like Boards of Canada, a sprinkle of jazzy hip hop from Kendrick, and some moody soul from D'Angelo. Want a touch of true weirdness in there though? Get some off the wall hip hop influences that sound almost like Death Grips or Young Fathers in there. Lyrically, I don't think it makes itself too obvious. But the sleazy and grim lyrical allusions suit Bowie's weathered and strained voice. Like the allusion to the main character of The Man Who Fell to Earth on Lazarus, he looks back on a life of hedonism and excess lived in the public eye, and has a melancholic and ambivilent relationship to it. Just enough to keep you engaged with the lyrics as well as the brilliant instrumentation

His last album, alternative and quirky as he was; Lazarus is one of the best songs from it for sure, and this one is definitely worth of another listening 🖤✨

Yet another masterpiece from Mr. Bowie! I am nor sure how did he manage to deliver so strongly especially considering as he was laying dying with this one.. and yet, this might be among his strongest statements. Obviously top marks.

Bluesy enough for me

Я всё ещё не фанат Боуи и даже то, что этот альбом вышел за два дня до его смерти не делает его лучше. Технически это интересный альбом, но музыкально он незапоминающийся, кроме, пожалуй, первой песни. Голос маэстро здесь совсем слаб. Как финальный аккорд — окей, но как великая пластинка — увы, нет. Лучшая песня: Blackstar

I never really understood Bowie's acclaim and have been content with hearing what music of his would come up whenever/wherever by chance as I would never choose to listen to it on my own. This didn't do much for me.

I mean pretty good vibe all round but idk may not rly listen to it again. Some cringe and some catchiness, I mean the guys voice is great for 69 years old

Typical Bowie overrated

I can’t quite tell if this is Bowie glow or just giving him the nod because of who he is. He clearly isn’t just phoning it in, but it also isn’t his most accessible work. In the end, you don't get a pass just for name recognition. To me, it seems like the love and praise given this album is because it is unintelligible. It is like film critics who praise movies that they don't understand as art and not on the merits of the film/story itself. Quality, sure. Good, who knows?

Massive Bowie fan, yet I have a hard time engaging with this album. It has its moments, but overall I prefer ever single other album of his.

There are a handful of David Bowie albums I thoroughly love, but this one? I'm astonished this album has 3.48 Stars on average. There must be a lot of people upvoting this out of respect for Bowie, and a nod to this as his final album. It's a mishmash of avant garde and prog rock, a hum of droning vocals, with a sprinkling of jazz instruments to bring the mess together. It sounds like something Spotify would recommend for people who like listening to soundtracks used in haunted houses.

Intense start and lifts towards the end. Can remember a couple of the tracks only but the vibe lasts longer. Powerful stuff. Best enjoyed late at night when you’re three glasses in.

Threestar

I adore David Bowie, but I can’t connect with his final album.

Buen disco, normal. Lazarus temon

It's Bowie, but not as you know it. I guess they had to have someone from the UK with as many albums as Neil Young. Don't feel that my horizons were expanded by listening to this. Although it might be my lack of a jazz appreciation gene. For the one big star on the front cover I'm tempted to give this a one big star. It found it a bit too melancholic and frankly a bit boring. I did find it more interesting however, through headphones rather than speakers.

The first David Bowie album I get doing this is also his last. And such an incredible album to start with. There's such dark poetic beauty in this album. Absolutely stellar performances all throughout. I guess that's what happens when you have jazz musicians play rock and roll. David Bowie sounds amazing despite everything that was going on with him. I remember the day he died well and have been a fan of him for a long time. It's got to be one of the single best send offs an artist has given himself. It's beautiful, intense, powerful, and sticks with you.

I always feel obligated to like Bowie but I don't like Bowie.

Too experimental

Let's be real