David Bowie – Blackstar

Review

David Bowie's "Blackstar," hauntingly released on his 69th birthday, stands as a testament to his ceaseless pursuit of artistic innovation. Crafted discreetly in the heart of New York City, it emerges from collaboration with co-producer Tony Visconti and a troupe of local jazz virtuosos, including the likes of Donny McCaslin. With this record, Bowie continued to defy convention, weaving together art rock, experimental tones, and jazzy influences, creating an album rich in texture and depth. Highlights such as the macabre title track, "Blackstar," introduce an otherworldly experience, enveloped in drum and bass rhythms and mind-bending saxophone solos.

Influences from contemporary masterminds like Kendrick Lamar and avant-garde elements akin to Death Grips permeate "Blackstar," injecting it with dynamic energy through its experimental and hip-hop laced sound. Bowie’s narrative threads running through tracks such as "Lazarus" and re-invented pieces like "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)" reveal raw meditations on life, culminating in a poignant confrontation with mortality. While "Blackstar's" delivery as a "parting gift" to fans is a resolute self-reflection, it also engages listeners with its innovative spirit. Released mere days before his passing, Bowie's tremendous work is eternally underscored by his life’s last chapter, merging personal and artistic realms with formative eloquence. - Hugo