BLACKSTAR

Some 19 years after his last challenging/progressive album (Earthling), Bowie hits the winning pace and lets all drop their jaws by creating this masterpiece that had been quietly cooked in the studio when he already knew it would be his last one. This swan song is one of the most unexpected and equally progressive works that undeniably broaden Bowie's legacy in progressive rock/art rock. Bowie surrounded himself by contemporary music trends to keep abreast and make a milestone ahead. Therefore, don't be surprised to hear drum'n'bass, electronica and other experiments. The first, title track combines great singing, almost mystical and offers great electronica with jazz background before coming to a more conventional art pop territory. The second track is none less experimental: hear echoes from the Berlin era with the updated almost drum'n'bass rhythm, free jazz saxophones. A pop listener may object to a monotonous track. "Lazarus" is a more traditional Bowie track rooted in art pop but still interesting instrumentation - saxophone, frequent drum fill-ins. "Sue (or in a season of crime)" is a drum'n'bass effort with beautiful arrangements by brass instruments and keyboards - very experimental and showing great textures. "Girl loves me" reminds me of late Bowie 70's due to synths while "Dollar days" is a poignant ballad with irregular rhythm. The last, swang song is a poppy song, melancholic but with jazz saxophone in the background.

This album contains several layers and a good dose of sophistication and takes multiple listens to be fully appreciated. One of Bowie's masterpieces and while not as revolutionary as his others, there wasn't anybody else apart from Bowie and Miles Davis being able to produce a contemporary music work after their 60's.