Released: 2016

Genres: Art Rock, Jazz Rock, Experimental Rock, Post-Rock

The Musiquarium’s ★ [Blackstar] Review Score: 10 out of 10

Released on his 69th birthday, two days before he died, ★ (pronounced Blackstar) was David Bowie’s parting gift to the world.

When The Next Day surprise-released in 2013, Bowie had sounded more energized than he had in years — no one could have foreseen that he’d follow that album up with a masterpiece that completely dwarfed it. Where that album seemed more indebted to the past (including its cover artwork, which defaced the “Heroes” cover), ★ is firmly rooted in the future, leaving his comfort zone one last time, whilst grappling with the approaching inevitability of death from the cancer that he had been battling in secrecy.

Musically-inspired by a broad range of experimental artists, such as Death Grips, Kendrick Lamar and Boards of Canada, Bowie seemed to really be challenging himself to become a trailblazer one final time, after decades of playing catch up. He does what any great artist does, and takes disparate influences and creates something fresh out of it.

Having flirted with jazz back in 2014 on Sue (Or in a Season of Crime), and even further back in 2004 with the Reality closer, Bring Me the Disco King, Bowie finally dedicates an entire album to the style, but this jazz doesn’t sound like the jazz of those tracks. Instead, this is more like jazz from the future — it’s forward-thinking and experimental, as well as being Bowie’s heaviest album yet — musically and thematically.

The title track is one of Bowie’s longest and most grandiose songs, only beaten in length by 1976’s Station to Station. ‘Tis a Pity She’s a Whore and Sue (Or in a Season of Crime) are remakes of songs released in 2014, and are the definitive versions, both of which are absolutely electrifying. Lazarus sees Bowie accepting the freeing embrace of death, as he sings “Oh I’ll be free, just like that bluebird”.

Girl Loves Me features one of Bowie’s rare uses of the word “fuck”. with a badass, hip-hop-inspired song. Dollar Days is a ballad with an explosive climax. At the end of the album, Bowie says a heartfelt goodbye to his fans with the bittersweet I Can’t Give Everything Away, which revisits the harmonica sounds of A New Career in a New Town from 1977’s Low (perhaps his most important album in a long and storied career).

★ has set the gold standard for final albums by an ageing artist. This record is as incredible as anything from his legendary run from 1969-1980 — in fact, it’s a contender for his best work, which is truly astonishing, considering it was released two days before his death. Rest in piece, David Bowie; you were one of one.

Trivia: ★ [Blackstar] won Best Alternative Music Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view David Bowie on Discogs.

Back to the 2016 Album Guide or the David Bowie Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard