BLACKSTAR

4.25 stars. The video for the title track took me by surprise, at first noticing the length of the video I was watching and then the startling visuals and dynamic music the following ten or so minutes would contain. It wasn't even close to what one would have expected from a Bowie single in in the last week of 2015, especially given the more focused approach to the songs on The Next Day. I remember passing on watching the video for Lazarus, since I'd already heard "Blackstar" and "Sue" before, I wanted to hear the rest all together. The feelings I associated with the album in the two days after it was released were of feeling very frantic and lost. I was even listening to it on the way to work the morning his death took over the news. At first I saw him on the news and was excited for a moment, feeling like they were really promoting the album and might give an interview or something. The feelings now associated with the album can only be of a dying man making his final collection of songs, especially reflected in lyrics for "Lazarus", "Dollar Days", and "I Can't Give Everything Away". The other songs range from the incredible "Blackstar" which must be heard to believe, to a few truly odd and downright creepy jazz inspired songs that fill the album out. This exceeded all of my expectations upon release and still inspires after a year of frequent plays. Certainly a top 5 Bowie album for me