This is a very powerful and emotional album. Musically, it is one of Bowie's best (he is variable, for example I really did not like Aladdin Sane last week). Blackstar is really good with lots of influences (jazz and others) and excellent musicians but it is still very Bowie. BUT just listening to the music at face value doesn't do full justice to the album. In Bowie style, he made himself part of the art, not with an alter ego this time, but as his very self. What a way to say farewell as a musician and artist, bringing out such a work and dying two days later. The context transforms this 5* album in a bigger fatter 5* album. What a performance.