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. Ndrwdvdbrsn
    Oct 9, 2022
    10
    David Bowie's final album, Blackstar, is one of, if not the greatest alt-rock albums ever. The production is excellent. Bowie's vocals on the title track of this album make it an excellent rock song.
  2. shad0w0711
    Aug 15, 2022
    8
    A magical record that feels better and better every time you listen to it. Of course a lot of us are moarning now because of Bowie's death but, and this isn't cheap talk at all, he'll live forever through his incredible work and Blackstar is no exception.
  3. Chmamaaadodo
    Apr 24, 2021
    10
    The best final album ever from a brilliant and extraordinary artist, David Bowie is a genius
  4. Andremax
    Feb 6, 2020
    10
    Blackstar mixes elements of eletronica, free jazz, ambient, creating a unique sounding. Great farewell from a great artist. Curious how Bowie always sounded modern and innovating in all of his carrer's eras.
  5. Tmz
    Jan 4, 2020
    10
    Uma obra prima .
    Não é o melhor álbum de Bowie, mas possivelmente é o mais emocionante, cada música deste álbum emana uma aura fúnebre que serve como despedida deste grande artista.
    E quando o álbum encerra com " i can't give everything away" as lágrimas descem e você sabe que Bowie não poderia se despedir de forma melhor.
  6. AlefNog
    Sep 4, 2019
    9
    Eu tava com meus mano,lá na minha quebrada,chegou o Wanderley e veio dar ideia errada...
    Obligatory Metacritic review rule,is **** dumb.
    Love Bowie,loved this album too.
  7. GustavBowie
    Sep 1, 2019
    10
    One of the best album he did. New sounds, also dont forget the videos from this album...MASTERPIECES
  8. kevindouglas
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    Uma obra prima inquestionável. Experimental, desconcertante e enigmático como só Bowie poderia ser.

    Blackstar: 10
    'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore: 10
    Lazarus: 10
    Sue (Or In a Season of Crime): 10
    Girl Loves Me: 10
    Dollar Days: 10
    I Can't Give Everything Away: 10

    Total: 10
  9. Beautifulest
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    I will never forget the album which made me dive deeply in his musical career. The goodbye album, after all, ended up to serving me up as a welcome one.
    Blackstar consists in several lines of pure shocking words, most of them to announce his becoming death, his dissatisfaction on the shortness life. Notwithstanding the closing track, little did he know he gave us everything, indeed.
    If    I will never forget the album which made me dive deeply in his musical career. The goodbye album, after all, ended up to serving me up as a welcome one.
    Blackstar consists in several lines of pure shocking words, most of them to announce his becoming death, his dissatisfaction on the shortness life. Notwithstanding the closing track, little did he know he gave us everything, indeed.
    If I'm a Bowieholic today, it's due to these seven-strong-tracks collection, and that's that.    … Expand
  10. YayoGotAGun
    Mar 10, 2018
    10
    Definitely, one of the masterpieces of Mr. David Bowie, I listened again and again to his album, at first I was slow to understand where he wanted to go, what kind of music was and I felt bad because I did not finish love it. Until one day, I just went to my bed and I put my headphones and listen to the entire album while reading the lyrics. And that's when I understood everything, it wasDefinitely, one of the masterpieces of Mr. David Bowie, I listened again and again to his album, at first I was slow to understand where he wanted to go, what kind of music was and I felt bad because I did not finish love it. Until one day, I just went to my bed and I put my headphones and listen to the entire album while reading the lyrics. And that's when I understood everything, it was his purest form of expression, obviously without stopping to innovate, he opened his heart by making a very elaborate album that maybe everyone does not like but those who do, would love it. Making his death, work of art, that his songs make more sense or make you feel more, knowing that he is in heaven, that he sings to you with all sincerity and that his death is part of the album.
    I give him 10/10 because his album caught me, I have not been able to escape from him yet. All their songs have something that makes me keep listening to it again and again. Bowie has gone like the greats, with his head held high with a masterpiece under his cloak.
    And not to mention how beautiful is the CD and the vinyl, I never seen something so beautiful like that in years.
    No more to add, Rest in Peace Bowie, Ziggy, Starman, The Duke, Aladdin, Major Tom. My Blackstar.

    (Sorry if my English is not perfect, I am not English speaking, I just wanted to write this to inspire people to look for this wonderful album)    … Expand
  11. JessyPowerz
    Mar 9, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Un album que es perfecto para disfrutar en todos sus sentidos. Quiza algunas canciones no te atrapan la primera vez que las escuchas pero una vez que te identificas y que lo sientes en cada una de las prtes de la cancion, definitivamente te deja marcado.… Expand
  12. user12
    Dec 15, 2017
    7
    Not as good as some of his other albums, but decent nevertheless. Features some good songs, but similar to most singers, he became weaker over time, and this album definitely proves it.
  13. 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.
  14. Cpillow
    Nov 16, 2017
    9
    David Bowie's "Blackstar" is really an unbelievable record. While most who are about to pass away are going to spend time with loved ones and family, Bowie decided to make a record reflecting on his life. With Blackstar, Bowie created a loose concept album about death that is unlike any other. This is a masterpiece, and one of the greatest final rock albums that an artist has everDavid Bowie's "Blackstar" is really an unbelievable record. While most who are about to pass away are going to spend time with loved ones and family, Bowie decided to make a record reflecting on his life. With Blackstar, Bowie created a loose concept album about death that is unlike any other. This is a masterpiece, and one of the greatest final rock albums that an artist has ever produced.

    This album would have been great with just lyrics reflecting on death, but the instrumentation is what elevates it to a whole new level. Bowie was listening to Kendrick Lamar and Death Grips while recording this album, and the influences can be clearly seen. The beats are dark, loud, and totally experimental. There are jazzy elements reminiscent of Kendrick's "To Pimp a Butterfly" and there are vocal yelps that MC Ride would be proud of on songs like "Girl Loves Me".

    The title track may go down as one of Bowie's most epic songs yet. A haunting 10 minute epic, "Blackstar" has three separate sections going from dark, to heavenly, only to quickly return to the dark. "Lazarus" has haunting lyrics like "look up here I'm in heaven", and becomes grand during the ending. "Girl Loves Me" is another standout with its cracked vocals, and hard-hitting instrumentation. There isn't a bad song on this entire album, and considering the context, it truly is a modern classic.    … Expand
  15. nicorzF1
    Nov 9, 2017
    9
    Again, thank you David. You are dead now but you gave us the best "goodbye note" you could gave to us. "The Next Day" was good, but this experimental ground disc sounds better than the 2013 album. It has less rock than he should do but it is still a great disc.

    We will miss you.
  16. MusicalButter
    Nov 4, 2017
    10
    Loved Bowie's use of every bit of energy he had before he left. What he left us was Blackstar, and it may be the most accurate vision of an untimely death for a hero anyone could imagine making. He was fearless, expressing his feelings for death in his music, devoting his entire life towards it. A very rare sighting from a rock album of this quality, probably last seen by Pink Floyd aLoved Bowie's use of every bit of energy he had before he left. What he left us was Blackstar, and it may be the most accurate vision of an untimely death for a hero anyone could imagine making. He was fearless, expressing his feelings for death in his music, devoting his entire life towards it. A very rare sighting from a rock album of this quality, probably last seen by Pink Floyd a number of times. It's rock, but it's the furthest anyone could get from rock; very left field, experimental, and artistic.

    Favourites: Every single track of the album.

    Masterpiece. 11/10 actually but it wouldn't work.    … Expand
  17. davidpirtle
    Oct 21, 2017
    9
    As per usual, Bowie subverted expectations by teaming up with a jazz quartet to record a not-jazz album. That isn't to say that it isn't heavily influenced by that genre, but it's a very Bowie rock album through and through, probably the truest Bowie-sounding album he's put out in decades, by which I mean uncompromisingly creative and powerful, without ever forgetting the importance of aAs per usual, Bowie subverted expectations by teaming up with a jazz quartet to record a not-jazz album. That isn't to say that it isn't heavily influenced by that genre, but it's a very Bowie rock album through and through, probably the truest Bowie-sounding album he's put out in decades, by which I mean uncompromisingly creative and powerful, without ever forgetting the importance of a good hook. Of course, this having been recorded as he was facing the inevitable, it's also a brilliant goodbye.… Expand
  18. Balrogking10ten
    Jun 30, 2017
    10
    There is no doubt that it is an indisputable truth about the fact that there can be no argument that .......uuuuhhhhhh......modern rock music of late has been pretty pathetic. But when an artist of this stature leaves such a strong final mark on his legacy, I have to chime in. And for those fools who criticize this album because the whole doesn’t live up to the majesty of the opening titleThere is no doubt that it is an indisputable truth about the fact that there can be no argument that .......uuuuhhhhhh......modern rock music of late has been pretty pathetic. But when an artist of this stature leaves such a strong final mark on his legacy, I have to chime in. And for those fools who criticize this album because the whole doesn’t live up to the majesty of the opening title track: lighten up! Please consider that this release was composed and created by a man who accepted that he might not live long enough to see how the world would react to his swan song. Every track has a deeper meaning that can be seen when examined through the prism of Bowie’s terminal illness. And the eclectic nature of the different styles and tempos he used along with the world classic musicianship (best use of a brass section in recent memory) and pristine production values makes this work as good as anything DB has released in the past 2 decades in fact, it makes me sad to think that every album from every new or established artist that comes out in the near future will most likely pale in comparison to this masterpiece. –PS: it would behoove all of Bowie’s fans to supplement this release with the three original songs he elected to not release that came out on the Lazarus EP; it’s a shame that he didn’t feel that these 3 awesome tracks were not worthy of appearing on Blackstar. They most assuredly were!… Expand
  19. WhiskeyStories
    Jun 20, 2017
    10
    Hauntingly beautiful, excitingly experimental, bone chillingly poetic and eerily prophetic. David Bowie truly made his last album one to remember for the ages. It's a masterpiece.
  20. Nardeen
    Mar 11, 2017
    9
    Initially, when this album first came out I was surprised by the dark and gritty lyrics and symbolism but a few days later I understood why this album was like that, it was a goodbye by Bowie showing us all that he is capable of creating magic even when suffering from cancer. This album is fantastic, every time I hear it reminds me of how influential Bowie was to music
  21. LinttaFlamingo
    Mar 3, 2017
    8
    I'm not a fan of rock at all, like not at all. But Blackstar was a huge surprise. I always found something that I liked even though I never believed I would. Cool stuff Bowie! Great success!
  22. Lomandal
    Feb 6, 2017
    10
    Bowie burned his remains and last minutes into shining ash, into this black star. We heard lots of story of overcoming cancer. This one is different. He lost the war against cancer. But he won history of music industry. So, this is the end.
  23. zabboo
    Jan 14, 2017
    9
    The year's most compelling release, a haunting and experimental swan song that shows its depth only when presented with its backstory as Bowie's final record recorded during cancer treatments.
  24. Norgizfox
    Dec 7, 2016
    9
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  25. BillyB95
    Dec 1, 2016
    8
    From the ten minute eponymous song to the celestial "I can't give everything away", Bowie's 25th studio album is the definitive swan song work ever released. The musician shows his believes in the occult ("Blackstar") and fight his devils (Lazarus). Bowie brings us his redemption with jazz sounds ("Tis a pity she was a whore") and ("Sue or in a season of crime), adding his personal andFrom the ten minute eponymous song to the celestial "I can't give everything away", Bowie's 25th studio album is the definitive swan song work ever released. The musician shows his believes in the occult ("Blackstar") and fight his devils (Lazarus). Bowie brings us his redemption with jazz sounds ("Tis a pity she was a whore") and ("Sue or in a season of crime), adding his personal and characteristic touch.… Expand
  26. adpirtle
    Nov 28, 2016
    10
    I wrote my original, glowing review of "★" before the world heard of David Bowie's death a few days after it's release. It's been nearly a year since then, and my opinion of the album has only gotten better. I originally lauded the album as an indication of amazing things to come, but now we know it was always intended to be a goodbye letter. The opening lines of "Lazarus" always hit me inI wrote my original, glowing review of "★" before the world heard of David Bowie's death a few days after it's release. It's been nearly a year since then, and my opinion of the album has only gotten better. I originally lauded the album as an indication of amazing things to come, but now we know it was always intended to be a goodbye letter. The opening lines of "Lazarus" always hit me in the gut, now. Don't get me started on the video.… Expand
  27. DENIS-LESNIK
    Oct 15, 2016
    10
    It was delicious, always made his fans wonder who he is. When they understood it, every time he reincarnated Read More http://muztravel.by/news/800-u-menya-drama-kotoruyu-ne-ukrast-chast-i.html
  28. PunkNu-Wave
    Sep 4, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My favourite David Bowie album, except for his self-titled debut. Unfortunately nothing on this album quite matches up to 'The laughing gnome', but then again that is impossible. Rest in peace.… Expand
  29. freedoma
    Aug 30, 2016
    10
    He did it again. After a more rocking, traditional "The Next Day", Bowie is back to experimental ground in "Blackstar". This is his most ambitious album since "Outside" - I'm not saying that his most rocking albums were bad, they were just most conventional than this.
  30. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 9.0
    RIP
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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