Blackstar
by David Bowie
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jan 8, 2016
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 745 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 691 out of 745
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 745
  3. Negative: 36 out of 745
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  1. BrushedRed
    Jan 16, 2016
    6
    In context, this album is almost too perfect: alienation, solitude, and a perfect farewell.. But sadly, the context doesn't cover the fact that this album just isn't all that aurally pleasing. His voice kinda moans and groans, and I can't say that I enjoyed every second of it, but the good does outweigh the bad. All in all, it's a decent album that's getting way too much hype because ofIn context, this album is almost too perfect: alienation, solitude, and a perfect farewell.. But sadly, the context doesn't cover the fact that this album just isn't all that aurally pleasing. His voice kinda moans and groans, and I can't say that I enjoyed every second of it, but the good does outweigh the bad. All in all, it's a decent album that's getting way too much hype because of his passing. "Dollar Days" is pretty much the only one I can completely make it all the way through.… Expand
  2. PopThaPasta
    Jan 21, 2016
    4
    Respect to David! I just don't think that this album is good at all. Listening for the first time I tried to tell myself "there's going to be a song i like, one I can sing along to, one that's going to be stuck in my head all day." But unfortunately, no. The melodies of this album are very unclear and holding back. There's nothing you get caught by, really. Nothing you feel like you canRespect to David! I just don't think that this album is good at all. Listening for the first time I tried to tell myself "there's going to be a song i like, one I can sing along to, one that's going to be stuck in my head all day." But unfortunately, no. The melodies of this album are very unclear and holding back. There's nothing you get caught by, really. Nothing you feel like you can sing along to. It's like Bowie ain't really 100% there in the tracks, and it gives a boring experience. He kind of sound like, tired and distant. The cover art, though, is very interesting. 4/10 fro me.… Expand
  3. fingertrouble
    Jan 21, 2016
    4
    4 only for the last song and Lazarus and the amazing videos, but this album seems to be Emperor's New Clothes, really sad as a fan that Bowie is dead, but avant jazz doodles that make the worst of Station to Station or the free jazz intro on the full Absolute Beginners seem well, like pop music? The weird thing is, when Bowie was writing songs he couldn't NOT be pop, there are tunes4 only for the last song and Lazarus and the amazing videos, but this album seems to be Emperor's New Clothes, really sad as a fan that Bowie is dead, but avant jazz doodles that make the worst of Station to Station or the free jazz intro on the full Absolute Beginners seem well, like pop music? The weird thing is, when Bowie was writing songs he couldn't NOT be pop, there are tunes peaking out, drowning in the dirgey jazz, glimmers of what might have been. I wouldn't expect a full return to Hunky Dory or early 80's pop Bowie, but something closer to the experimentation on Low, Buddha of Suburbia, Earthling, would've been nicer. Sad really, because I'd hoped for a better epitaph, but hey Wasn't That Just Like Him? Bye bye bluebird...… Expand
  4. VonSeux
    Jan 15, 2016
    5
    This album is filled with messages and meaning, but it doesnt avoid being too dark and obnoxious. Sure the last 4 Bowie albuns have been more dark than light, and now we know what he was beeing trough. But I think the songs I Can't Give Everything Away and Dollar Days should be the singles instead of Blackstar and Lazarus. Dollar Days is specially touching knowing the recorded it on hisThis album is filled with messages and meaning, but it doesnt avoid being too dark and obnoxious. Sure the last 4 Bowie albuns have been more dark than light, and now we know what he was beeing trough. But I think the songs I Can't Give Everything Away and Dollar Days should be the singles instead of Blackstar and Lazarus. Dollar Days is specially touching knowing the recorded it on his very last days.… Expand
  5. Gastropoda
    Dec 3, 2017
    6
    This album seems unfinished, but cuz of circumstances its stil a nice attempt -- really strong mark in Bowie's journey and testimony how he was able to renew himself and stay relevant till the very end.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best Album of 2016
14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2016
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 43 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 43
  3. Negative: 0 out of 43
  1. Magnet
    Mar 30, 2016
    100
    Kudos to producer Tony Visconti and the tight jazz team around them for making Blackstar dynamic. If Bowie indeed knew time was tight and death’s release was imminent, this treatise to magic and loss is a gorgeous way to say goodbye. [No. 129, p.52]
  2. The Wire
    Feb 18, 2016
    80
    It is a fine, unnerving album. [Mar 2016, p.45]
  3. The Skinny
    Jan 26, 2016
    80
    Blackstar is an absorbing (if consciously arty and perhaps a shade self-indulgent) listen.
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